Things to Do with Kids in Queens this Weekend

Braata Productions presents Bankra Caribbean Culture Festival celebrating the 60th year of independence of Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, on the lawn of the York Performing Arts Center. The event is free, but donations are accepted. The Festival is an annual staple in the community and promises to be a day of fun and entertainment for the entire family. Showcasing the best of the Caribbean, the Festival provides a chance for New Yorkers to experience the folk culture of the islands and sample its unique cuisine. The Festival will feature traditional authentic folk forms, and experiences from the different Caribbean territories. The Braata Folk Singers headline an impressive lineup of celebrated cultural groups, who are all either from Trinidad, Tobago and Jamaica or who have a special focus on those island traditions, including JC Lodge (Jamaica), Marva Newton (Trinidad & Tobago), and the Carnyval Dancers (Trinidad & Tobago). There are three major components to the Festival: the Stalls/Island baskets, cultural performances, and a cultural pop-up display. These three components set the Bankra Caribbean Culture Festival apart from other Caribbean festivals, since it is dedicated to Folk forms and Folk culture. It provides nostalgia for those who grew up with it, learning opportunities for others who had no knowledge of it, and helps reestablish the importance and relevance of Folk culture as a viable, vibrant contributor to the Caribbean brand.  The Festival's name is derived from a large woven basket or "bankra," made of materials indigenous to the islands of the Caribbean, and is often used to carry an array of food and cultural items in Jamaica. This is exactly what this festival replicates: the largesse beauty of the folk culture represented from each island.  The festival offers a full sensory experience of traditional music, dance, crafts, and food. In addition to the cultural performances, the Festival will also feature: Drumming circles, folk games & dances, and cultural exhibits A Playzone, where the young and young at heart can play traditional Caribbean games A Food Pavilion, with cuisine from various islands

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Whether you're looking for fun things to do with your kids right here in Queens or you're itching to get out of the city with a day trip to a nearby family-friendly destination, there’s lots to do this weekend with your family in the World's Borough, from concerts and performances to museum exhibits, shows, crafts activities, seasonal events, parades, and more. Check out our picks for kids' activities in Queens—you're sure to find something to do that keeps the whole family happy and having fun! Look no further for ideas and plan your weekend in Queens with our guide that highlights the best family-friendly (virtual and in-person) events happening in and around your neighborhood, including family fun in Astoria, Floral Park, Flushing Meadows, Corona, Jamaica, Bayside, Woodside, Corona Park, Flushing, Long Island City, Fresh Meadows, Kew Gardens, and the Rockaways, and check out our calendar for hundreds of things to do each month! You can also find things to do around the area in our Manhattan, Brooklyn, Westchester, Rockland, and Long Island roundups.

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