July 4th in Brooklyn: What's Going On and What To Do

What's going on in Brooklyn this 4th of July weekend? Concerts, picnics, parties, art and other events, along with traditional July 4 BBQs and fireworks. Here's a guide to get you started on your Fourth of July fun:

Friday, July 1

Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell. Friday's concert features the mighty Steel Pulse, “perhaps the last great old-school reggae band left.” With Natural Expression Rhythm Band, a joyful local pan-Caribbean collective.

International African Festival, July 1 - 4 -- Music and dance performances, spoken word events, fashion shows and an arts and crafts market. See About.com for more on this event. Fort Greene.

Saturday, July 2

Brooklyn Museum's Target First Saturday, free program of art and entertainment from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday's theme is Vishnu, Hinduism’s Blue-Skinned Savior. Music by Falu; performance by Kathak Ensemble (traditional Hindu dance and storytelling). A dance party with multiple DJs, more bands, art, food.

The Freedom Party is "the most successful, sought-after dance party in NYC." On July 2 they're celebrating Brooklyn with an outdoor party outside the Brooklyn Museum. (In case of rain it moves indoors.) Then from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. the party moves to the Brooklyn Bowl.

Celebrate Emancipation Day at Weeksville -- Reading, discussion, concert.

Hot Summer Nights -- Free outdoor concert series at Kingsborough Community College. Brooklyn's Community Wind Ensemble & Concert Band, conducted by Ray Wheeler, pays musical tribute to Independence Day with their Stars and Stripes Forever Concert. 8 p.m.

Macy's Fishing Clinic -- This used to be the Fishing Contest. Children 15 and under will learn about the recreational sport of fishing, fishing safety, and fish-friendly techniques in Prospect Park. 1 and 3 p.m.

Kayaking at Brooklyn Bridge Park -- 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Get out on the water for free kayaking with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse on Pier 1.

Smorgasburg -- 100 food vendors as well as 20 Greenmarket farmers, kitchenware, a kids activities area and more. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 27 North Sixth Street, between Kent Avenue and the East River (near East River State Park), Williamsburg.

Mission One Voice -- In support of our troops and their families at an Independence Day Celebration at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn featuring performances by Ne-Yo, CAMMO's Rena Marie Cunningham and more. Fireworks. RSVP.

Sunday, July 3

Freedom Strut at Lefferts Historic House -- Stories of the struggle for African-American freedom, Emancipation Day buttons, and strutting proudly in celebration.

The Red Hook Ramblers, Brooklyn’s premier Dixieland band, will perform original music to screenings of Charlie Chaplin’s “A Day’s Pleasure” (1919), Fatty Arbuckle’s “Coney Island” featuring Buster Keaton (1917), and Harold Lloyd’s “A Jazzed Honeymoon” (1919). At Jalopy, 8 p.m., $10. 315 Columbia Street.

Brooklyn Cyclones and Fireworks above MCU Park -- The Cyclones are facing Staten Island for this July 3rd Holiday Extravaganza. The game is followed by a fireworks display from just beyond the world-famous Coney Island boardwalk.

2011 Brooklyn Star Wars Marathon -- 1 p.m. till closing at the Wicked Monk. $35 bracelet gets you all the draft beer you want throughout all six movies. Star Wars merchandise! Best and worst costumes! Food! Prizes! Stormtroopers! Beer!

Independence Day BBQ at Sycamore.

America: F*ck Yeah! -- Revel in your independence with BBQ, Beer, Brooklyn, Brass Bands, & Burlesque at Bell House. "Show Us Your Patriotic Underwear Contest." Free admission if you come dressed as Wonder Woman. Burgers and dogs on the grill. Gowanus.

Monday, July 4

Nathan's 2011 International Hot Dog Eating Contest -- the Coney Island classic. If you can't be there in person, tune in Monday, July 4 at noon ET on ESPN as Joey Chestnut goes for his fifth straight Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest title. Kobayashi is not in this year’s field.

The Greater Bay Ridge 4th of July Picnic from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Seven live bands, rides and games for the kids, food and more. See the Brooklyn Eagle for information.

4th of July Outlaw BBQ featuring Bob Wayne at Public Assembly.

Bring-your-own to Freddy's BBQ.

Brooklyn's Shea Stadium Summer Jam and BBQ. Chillin' and grillin'. More at Brooklyn Vegan.

Watching the Macy's July 4th Fireworks from Brooklyn -- The views are wimpy but at least you'll be in Brooklyn. Best views here.

One More Thing:

Want to go swimming in one of NYC's free or cheap swimming pools? Mommy Poppins has the scoop.

We'll add more events if we hear about them.


Photo of 368 Henry Street by MK Metz

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