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Wild NYC is at the other end of your doorstep! Explore New York's urban forests, streams, and wildlife with these fun outdoor activities.
Nature Events
Sunday, December 6, 2026
Winter Woods in Nature Exploration Hike
at Arden Woods Parking Lot, Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Learn how the natural world adapts to colder weather and enjoy a peaceful walk through the changing forest.
Free!
Kids
Tuesday, December 8, 2026
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Wednesday, December 9, 2026
Team RIVER Volunteers
at 10 Central Road (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Volunteer with Team RIVER (Randall’s Island Volunteer Ecological Restorers) and help keep Randall’s Island Park beautiful!
Free!
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Thursday, December 10, 2026
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Friday, December 11, 2026
Restoration Fridays at Forest Park
at Mural Bridge (in Forest Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and The Forest Park Trust for Forest Restoration Fridays to engage in hands-on forest restoration work!
Free!
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Saturday, December 12, 2026
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Entrance - East 88th Street and Seaview Avenue (in Canarsie Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Birding programs are an all-inclusive safe space and appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free!
Clean Up and Bulb Planting at Highland Park
at Upper Highland Playground (in Highland Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and The Forest Park Trust for a Highland Park Clean Up and Planting!
Free!
Event
Trail Restoration at Forest Park
at Mural Bridge (in Forest Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and The Forest Park Trust for a trail restoration in Forest Park!
Free!
Geology: Queens Rocks!
at Union Turnpike and 196th Street (in Cunningham Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a guided walk through Cunningham Park to explore the dramatic impact glaciers had on shaping the landscape of Queens.
Free!
Nature's Workshop: Nature Puppet Making and Puppet Show
at Grand Army Plaza Arch (in Grand Army Plaza), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Use your imagination, craft your puppet’s personality, and share fun stories with new friends. All supplies are provided—just bring your creativity and a sense of adventure!
Free!
Kids
Young People's Chorus of New York Holiday Performance
at Harlem Rose Garden (in ), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The Young People’s Chorus of New York City will fill the garden with festive music, and we’ll host a delicious by-donation bake sale to support the Young People's Chorus of NYC.
Free!
Winter Wreath Workshop
at Icahn Stadium (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Guided by our staff, you’ll create your own one-of-a-kind wreath using seasonal greenery, dried flowers, and natural materials foraged from the Park’s landscape.
Free!
Event
Outdoor Skills: Firemaking
at Roy Wilkins Park - Entrance (in Roy Wilkins Recreation Center), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hands-on lesson in campfire building and safety
Free!
Winter Tree ID
at 135th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue (in St. Nicholas Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a walk through the trees of St. Nicholas Park and learn how to identify trees without their leaves using the three B’s: branching, buds, and bark!
Free!
Sunday, December 13, 2026
Winter Birding
at Wave Hill, Bronx
9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
The Hudson River Valley hosts an impressive diversity of bird species, even during the winter months.
Gather Around the Winter Campfire
at Potter Avenue and Royal Oak Road (in Clove Lakes Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers around the campfire for a peaceful moment in nature as we reflect on the season and look ahead to the new year.
Free!
Birding: Owls
at Palisade Avenue and Spaulding Lane (in Riverdale Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and learn about the behavior and diet of New York City’s most mysterious raptors: owls!
Free!
Garden & Conservatory Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens.
Nature Book Club
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to explore nature-themed books such as Silent Spring by Rachel Carson and Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Take a book, leave a book.
Free!
Winter Tree ID
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a wintery tour of our cherished old growth forests and learn how to identify different trees after their leaves have dropped for the season.
Free!
Winter Tree ID: The Pinetum
at Entrance - 85th Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a walk through the Arthur Ross Pinetum and learn about some evergreen trees!
Free!
Tuesday, December 15, 2026
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Wednesday, December 16, 2026
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Thursday, December 17, 2026
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Winter Solstice Weekend
at Wave Hill, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–6:30 a.m.
Join Wave Hill as we celebrate the winter solstice, inspiring discovery, creativity, and wonder as we usher in the brighter days ahead.
Friday, December 18, 2026
Restoration Fridays at Forest Park
at Mural Bridge (in Forest Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and The Forest Park Trust for Forest Restoration Fridays to engage in hands-on forest restoration work!
Free!
Restoration Fridays at Highland Park
at Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and The Forest Park Trust for Restoration Fridays this fall!
Free!
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Winter Solstice Weekend
at Wave Hill, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–6:30 a.m.
Join Wave Hill as we celebrate the winter solstice, inspiring discovery, creativity, and wonder as we usher in the brighter days ahead.
Saturday, December 19, 2026
Birding: Bald Eagle Watch
at Payson Park House (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Winter is a spectacular time for observing bald eagles in New York City parks. See if you can spot any on this adventure with our Urban Park Rangers. Please dress warmly.
Free!
Winter Solstice Weekend
at Wave Hill, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–6:30 a.m.
Join Wave Hill as we celebrate the winter solstice, inspiring discovery, creativity, and wonder as we usher in the brighter days ahead.
Discovery Hike: Animal Adaptations
at Brookville Boulevard and 144 Avenue (in Brookville Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Learn how animals such as birds, squirrels, chipmunks and others survive the cold and the snow in this educational wildlife viewing adventure.
Free!
Nature's Workshop: Holiday Tea Time
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Celebrate the season with the Urban Park Rangers as we brew natural teas and explore the cultural traditions behind them. Registration required. Registration opens Monday December 7.
Free!
Seal Exploration
at Orchard Beach Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to witness the harbor seals in their natural habitat off the shore of Orchard Beach and learn about these incredible marine mammals and their fascinating be
Free!
Birding: Winter Birds
at Bocce Courts (in Bowne Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we walk around Bowne Park and see some of our local or not so local winter flyers. Learn about how birds survive harsh temperatures.
Free!
Gather Around the Campfire: Nature Story Time
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for storytime around the campfire. Rangers will be reading children’s books related to the natural world.
Free!
Winter Solstice Ball
at Wave Hill, Bronx
4:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the longest night of the year with an enchanting evening of music, dancing, creativity, and joy!
Event
Sunday, December 20, 2026
Birding: Winter Birds
at Forest Avenue and Silver Lake Park Road (in Silver Lake Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join us on this Ranger led walk along the park identifying various birds that stick around for the winter and some that might fly through on their journey south
Free!
Winter Solstice Weekend
at Wave Hill, Bronx
10:00 a.m.–6:30 a.m.
Join Wave Hill as we celebrate the winter solstice, inspiring discovery, creativity, and wonder as we usher in the brighter days ahead.
Outdoor Skills: Advanced Firemaking
at Sunset Park Playground (in Sunset Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
What can you use to build a fire? Explore this site as we search for different materials to use as kindling and learn advanced techniques to build an outdoor fire.
Free!
Winter Solstice Evergreen Tree ID Hike
at Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Leave the tinsel at home and lace up your boots and stockings for this fun tour of the trees that never quit photosynthesizing, even when the days are at their shortest!
Free!
Garden & Conservatory Highlights Walk
at Wave Hill, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens.
The Wonders of Winter
at Avenue A and St. Marks Place (in Tompkins Square Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Enjoy a calm, family-friendly outing and learn how nature continues to thrive all around us, even in winter’s quiet.
Free!
Kids
Tuesday, December 22, 2026
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Wednesday, December 23, 2026
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Thursday, December 24, 2026
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Friday, December 25, 2026
Volunteering at Conference House Park - The Blue Wave
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks and the Conference House Park Conservancy for our ongoing, self-directed, beach and park clean-up initiative!
Free!
Saturday, December 26, 2026
Birding: Winter Birds
at Rose Avenue and Oak Avenue (in Kissena Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join us on this Ranger led walk along the park identifying various birds that stick around for the winter and some that might fly through on their journey south
Free!
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