Spring Lineup: 15 of the Best—Free and Cheap!—Things to Do in Brooklyn This Spring
Spring!
It seems like the long-awaited spring has finally sprung, which means, of course, that rooftop bars are abuzz, Smorgasburg boasts new vendors aplenty, and farmer’s markets are finally going to be filling up with flowers and fruits and vegetables. What can we say? It’s nice out there. And because this warmer weather comes with longer days, you’re going to want to fill them (and those warmer nights) with fun—cheap!—stuff to do. So while it’s always a good idea to stick with the classics—picnic in Prospect Park, stroll along the waterfront, you know the drill—you should also check out some of these upcoming events that won’t break the bank.
Bad Film Festival ($7-45)
Gather to see films from NYC, Ireland, France, Mexico, Iran, and Hoboken, NJ that are so bad that they are good. General admission is $7; a pass to all seven screenings costs $45.
April 16th 7-8:30 & 9-10:30pm; April 17th 7-8:30 & 9-10:30 pm; April 18th 5-6:30, 7-8:30 & 9- 10:30pm
Brooklyn Poetry Slam (Free!)
Brooklyn-based poets explore the works of art currently on display at BRIC through verse. The event will be hosted by poet/writer Mahogany L. Browne and will feature music by DJ Jive Poetic.
April 16th 7- 9pm
BUST Craftacular’s Primped Event ($5)
Start the new season on the right path with a free tarot card reading, get some temporary ink, pamper yourself with a hand massage, create a floral crown and much more at the Second Annual Craftactular Fair.
April 19th 11-6 pm
Cry, Trojan! at St. Ann’s Warehouse ($20- $50)
St. Ann’s Warehouse is the Brooklyn mecca for innovative theatre from across the globe. Cry, Trojans! is a creative take on one of Shakespeare’s lesser-known war tragedies Troilus & Cressida. The adaptation was created through a collaboration between The Wooster Group and The Royal Shakespeare Company, with the Wooster Group taking the stage to best portray the grueling Trojan War from the Trojan side. $20 rush tickets are available one hour before the show!
March 24th-April 19th
Sakura Matsuri
Sakura Matsuri at Brooklyn Botanical Gardens ($20-25)
The Sakura Matsuri Festival celebrates the return of beautiful cherry blossoms with traditional Japanese dance performances, tea ceremonies, bonsai workshops and samurai sword fights.
April 25th & 26th, 10am-6 pm
Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium (Free- $10)
NYC’s longest continually running grassroots festival that is dedicated to jazz music is back with its 16th year. Over 700 musicians will be featured throughout 50 concerts and events this Spring. Some concerts are free, others may cost up to $10.
April 17th- May 17th
Brooklyn Beekeeping Event ($10)
Springtime in an urban environment shouldn’t limit attendant festivities, and with urban gardening on the rise, beekeeping has also become a popular hobby in the city. Borough Bees will be talking about the role that pollinators and honeybees play in our environment, and a tasting of raw honeys will follow. Pick up a new hobby just in time to start your own beekeeping colony. Or just go for the honey!
April 23rd, 7 pm
Photo via brooklynzinefest.com
Brooklyn Zine Festival (Free!)
The Zine Fest showcases self-published magazines from over 150 independent writers, publishers, and artists from Brooklyn. Come browse selections featuring food, politics, identity, photography and more. Last year’s Zine Fest brought in 2,763 visitors!
April 25th-26th, 11-6 pm
Brooklyn Hot Sauce Expo ($10)
Get your tastebuds ready for the 3rd Annual Hot Sauce Festival. You don’t want to miss this expo featuring craft beer, a chicken wing eating competition, a Bloody Mary mix-down, and hot sauce tastings.
April 25th, 10- 7:00 p.m.; April 26th, 10- 6 pm
Greenpoint Spring Market (Free!)
Celebrate the arrival of spring with complimentary nail art, face painting and massages while enjoying tasty food from the many vendors. Brooklyn Gin will be supplying strawberry gin, and Greenpoint Beer and Ale will be on hand providing some specialty craft beers. Need we say more?
April 26th 1-7 pm
Public Theatre Mobile Shakespeare Unit (Free!)
The Public Theatre’s Mobile Shakespeare Unit is back with a production of Macbeth. The outreach program brings Shakespeare to underserved communities in all five boroughs. Catch the free performance of Macbeth at The Brownsville Recreation Center on April 28th.
April 28th 11 am
WFMU Record Fair ($7)
Come browse a massive collection of vinyls at the Brooklyn Expo Center in Greenpoint—early admission for the event is $7.
May 1- 3rd 4- 7 pm
Photo via Look and Listen Festival’s Facebook
Look & Listen Festival ($15-20)
Now in it’s 14th year, the Look & Listen Festival showcases a range of ensembles, composers, and musicians performing contemporary classical music in a visual art setting
May 1st 8 pm
Sunrise Abhaya Yoga at Brooklyn Bridge Park (Free!)
Salute the sun with the Brooklyn Bridge in view. This free outdoor yoga class begins June 8th and will continue Monday mornings through July 27th at Brooklyn Bridge Park
June 8th- July 27th 7:30am
Brooklyn Brewery Immersion ($25)
Head out on an immersive bar crawl through Brooklyn neighborhoods. $25 tickets include four Brooklyn brews, lunch, and WAM (walking around money) that will get you deals at local restaurants and shops. The immersion will take place in Crown Heights on May 16th, Gowanus on June 6th, and Bay Ridge July 18th.
May 16th, June 6th, July 18th 1- 7 pm
