Governors Island is open every Friday through Sunday and all Holiday Mondays from May 27 through September 25.
Fridays: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturdays, Sundays and Holiday Mondays: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

  DAVE MATHEWS - SPECIAL INFO

Dave Mathews Caravan Aug 26 - 28
We are excited to announce that Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds will be performing an acoustic set on Sunday, August 28th.

The box office is located on Governors Island outside the Caravan entrance and the hours are 12:30pm to 9:30pm on August 26-28. A Caravan ticket IS NOT NEEDED to ride the FREE Governors Island ferry. Ferries will run from the Battery Maritime Bldg and Liberty Harbor Marina in Jersey City, NJ

  Ongoing Exhibits and Events

Mark di Suvero on Governors Island: presented by the Storm King Art Center
May 27- September 25
The exhibition is the largest outdoor presentation of Mark di Suvero's sculptures to be shown in New York City since the 1970s and includes loans from public and private collections, including a number of sculptures from Storm King's own celebrated installation of the artist's work. The exhibition is free and located throughout the island's vibrant public spaces.

Intersections: An Exhibition Organized by the Sculptors Guild
May 27- September 25
Curated by Karen Wilkin and featuring work from members of the Guild and invited guest artists. For more information, including a schedule of hands-on free workshops and events visit: www.sculptorsguild.org

FIGMENT 2011 Minigolf Course
May 27- September 25
This summer, FIGMENT is giving its own participatory, free and inspired twist to the unknown and fascinating world of bugs with a return of the celebrated FIGMENT Minigolf Course, themed this year around "Bugs and Features". In the Liggett Hall courtyard, man and bug can putt away in harmony. The FIGMENT Minigolf Course is open and free for the public to play. For more information, visit: www.figmentproject.org/minigolf

Empire Historic Arts Fund presents Designs for Living 1795 - 2011
A three part exhibit that offers historic couture fashion and accessories from 1795 - 2011 including such icons as Worth, Balenciaga and Dior; 18th and 19th century wallpapers anchored to the architecture found on Governors Island as well as contemporary tonalist landscape paintings.

Children's Museum of the Arts Free Art Island Outpost Program
May 27-September 25, 11 am to 3 pm
Join the Children's Museum of the Arts Teaching Artists for new themes and projects each weekend, including everything from painting and drawing to large-scale sculpture.

Bike and Roll's Free Bike Fridays - May 27-September 25
Borrow a bike for free for up to one hour

Trapeze School of New York - Saturdays and Sundays, May 27-September 25
Trapeze School New York (TSNY), in collaboration with the Big Apple Circus, is offering Flying Trapeze Lessons on Parade Ground on Governors Island. For more information, visit: www.newyork.trapezeschool.com/classes/schedule.php

Weekend Park Ranger Programs with the National Park Service: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the day
Every weekend, National Park Rangers offer programs throughout the day.For more information, visit: www.nps.gov/gois

Orientation to the History of Governors Island with the National Park Service
May 27-August 28, 11:25 am, 1:25 pm, and 3:25 pm
Join a National Park Ranger for this 45- to 60-minute walking experience to discover how the role of Governors Island evolved to meet the changing needs of New York City and the nation

Friday Morning Summer Programs for Kids with the National Park Service
Fridays from June 3 to September 30, at 10:15am, 11:15am and 12:15pm
National Park Rangers present a thematic living history experience where children of all ages, with their chaperons, are invited to learn about the historic role of the people of Governors Island. Children will meet with an array of "guests" from the past such as soldiers, from the Civil War, Confederate Prisoners, civilians or a member from the Women's Army Corps. Reservations are not required.

  Multiple Weekends

Painting Governors Island: May 27-September 11
An exhibition of en-plein-air watercolor and oil paintings made on Governors Island.

Bodies, Borders and Crossings presented by the Finnish Cultural Institute of New York
June 24-July 31
An exhibition on contemporary Finnish photography and video art presented through artworks by 11 artists.

4 Heads Art Fair: All September weekends, 11 AM to 6 PM
Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday in September, 4heads present The Governors Island Art Fair 11 AM to 6 PM Run by artists, for artists, The Governors Island Art Fair enters its 4th year this fall as the 4heads rally an exciting and diverse selection of artists from around the world. Well over 100 independent artists are selected entirely on the merit of their work and, once chosen, each is given a room of their own in which to create an exhibition environment of their own design. A selection of galleries are exhibiting in the Fair as well and, for the first time, 4heads are also offering art workshops beginning in June. For more information, visit: www.4heads.org

  Special Events

MAY

Saturday, May 28: Governors Island Alliance presents the Family Festival, 12 PM – 4 PM
Join us for arts and crafts, storytelling, as well as musical and theatrical performances and harbor education activities for kids. Sponsored by the Governors Island Alliance. For more information, visit: www.governorsislandalliance.org

Sunday, May 29 and Monday, May 30: Brewer’s Pic-NYC, Noon
The Governors Island season kicks off with the city's ultimate picnic. Event includes food vendors from tacos to ice cream to lobster rolls and other street food, beer, and live entertainment like ukulele and bluegrass musicians. Kids 12 and under are free with parents. Tickets are available at: www.brewerspicnyc.com

JUNE

Saturday, June 4: World Science Festival, 10 AM – 6 PM
The Festival is a mix of free, public activities and ticketed events for young scientists. This year’s family programs are anchored by this all-day “Science On Site” event. Join scientists and experts from a wide variety of scientific disciplines for a day of exploration. For more information visit: www.worldsciencefestival.com

Sunday, June 5: Fourth Annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, 12 PM
Featuring an afternoon of polo as well as champagne lounges and concessions by Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group. Free and open to the public. For more information visit: www.vcseason.com

Friday, June 10-Sunday June 12: FIGMENT, all day
FIGMENT is an explosion of creative energy. It's a free, annual celebration of participatory art and culture, where everything is possible. For more information visit: www.figmentproject.org

Saturday, June 18: RECESS outdoor Badminton, noon
A day of outdoor badminton team challenge featuring top creative organizations in NYC, as well as courts for public play on Colonels Row, plus free Bowery Lane Bicycles test rides. Who will put the bad in badminton? Bring your blankets and check out RECESS 2011. Special guest deejay. For more information visit: www.recessnewyork.com

Saturday, June 18: Army Heritage Day, 10 AM – 4 PM
Discover 150 years of Army history on Governors Island. Featuring family friendly programs, historic weapons demonstrations and music. For more information visit: www.nps.gov/gois

Saturday, June 18: Governor’s Ball Music Festival
A music festival featuring Girl Talk, Empire of the Sun, Outkast’s Big Boi, People Under the Stairs and more. Tickets are required. For more information visit: www.governorsballmusicfestival.com

Sunday, June 19: Make Music New York’s Punk Island, 11 AM – 5 PM
Make Music New York transforms Governors Island into Punk Island with dozens of performances throughout the day. For more information visit: www.makemusicny.org

Saturday and Sunday June 25-26: Michael Arenella and the Dreamland Orchestra present the Jazz Age Dance Party, 11 AM to 5 PM
Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra will cast a magical spell of hot jazz and open-air merriment that will delight the whole family. This Jazz-Age Lawn party brings you back in time to the 1920s for a rollicking and delightful afternoon rendezvous of live music and dance, instruction in period dances, picnicking, and games. This event requires tickets. They are $7 in advance or $10 on Governors Island

JULY

Saturday, July 2: Rite of Summer Classical Music Festival, 1 PM and 3 PM
The first ever classical/contemporary music festival to be held on Governors Island kicks off its inaugural season with a series of outdoor concerts. Curated by Artistic Directors/NYC-based pianists Blair McMillen and Pam Goldberg, Rite of Spring launches with a performance of Terry Riley's "In C" led by keyboardist/conductor/musical impresario Jed Distler, featuring nearly 40 of New York’s top freelance musicians, including members of the American Modern Ensemble, Newspeak, the Momenta Quartet, The Asphalt Orchestra and others. For more information visit: www.riteofsummer.com

Sunday, July 10: Cook Out NYC, Noon
NYC’s most original country fair! Chefs and bbq'ers will grill outdoors. Burger cook off and kimchi eating contest as well as my other attractions. Custom beers by local craft breweries to celebrate "NYC July Good Beer Month” as well. Kids 12 and under are free with parents. Tickets are available at: www.cookoutnyc.com

Sunday, July 10: The Long Island Writers' Guild Returns to Governors Island, 1:30 – 4:30 PM
Spend an afternoon with members of the Long Island Writers' Guild and the National Park Service for a public reading of original works. Topics will explore the relationship between Long Island and New York City. Visitors are invited to read family-friendly original works.

Saturday, July 16: Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance and Friends present The City of Water Day Festival, 10am-4pm
A day of entertainment, education and adventure celebrating our waterfront. Enjoy free boat tours, children's activities, fishing, the Waterfront Activity Fair, and more! For more information, visit: www.cityofwaterday.org

Saturday, July 23: Go Fly a Kite! 11 AM
The Governors Island Alliance will provide free kites to visitors to fly on the Parade Ground. For more information visit: www.governorsislandalliance.org

AUGUST

Saturday, August 13: Rite of Summer Classical Music Festival, 1 PM and 3 PM
The first ever classical/contemporary music festival to be held on Governors Island kicks off its inaugural season with a series of exhilarating, fun outdoor concerts on Colonel’s Row. ROS is curated by Artistic Directors/NYC-based pianists Blair McMillen and Pam Goldberg. This second concert features the genre-bending rock/electronica-inspired string quartet ETHEL. For more information visit: www.riteofsummer.org

Saturday and Sunday August 13- 14 : Civil War Weekend, 10 AM - 4 PM
Honor the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War by joining the National Park Service and living historians who will provide family friendly activities, historic weapons demonstrations, music and other programs. Meet the Civil War soldiers and women of Governors Island from the summer of 1863. For more information visit: www.nps.gov/gois

Saturday August 13: NYC Volkswagen Traffic Jam, 10 AM - 4 PM
A hundred vintage Volkswagens will be bumper-to-bumper at picturesque Picnic Point on Governors Island for a colorful car show and picnic that is open to all. Meet classic beetles, buses, Karmann Ghias, dune buggies, and other beloved VDubs circa 1954–1979 from NYC and beyond. "People's choice" wins this car show…and spectators attend free! For details visit: www.volkswagontrafficjam.org

Saturday and Sunday August 20-21: Michael Arenella and the Dreamland Orchestra present the Jazz Age Dance Party, 11 AM to 5 PM
Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra will cast a magical spell of hot jazz and open-air merriment that will delight the whole family. This Jazz-Age Lawn party brings you back in time to the 1920s for a rollicking and delightful afternoon rendezvous of live music and dance, instruction in period dances, picnicking, and games. This event requires tickets. They are $7 in advance or $10 on Governors Island.

Friday, August 26 – Sunday, August 28: Dave Matthews Band Caravan
The Dave Matthews Band headlines this three day festival that features a great lineup including Dispatch, The Roots and Moe. Tickets are required. For more information visit: www.dmbcaravan.com

Saturday, August 27: RECESS outdoor Bocce, noon
A day of outdoor bocce team challenge featuring top creative organizations in NYC, as well as courts for public play on Colonels Row, plus free LINUS Bicycle test rides. Itchy for bocce anyone? Come get your fill at RECESS 2011. Special guest deejay. For more information visit: www.recessnewyork.com

SEPTEMBER

Saturday, September 3: NYC Unicycle Festival, Noon
A day of unicycle races, games, shows, and the largest group of one-wheeled enthusiasts to gather in the five boroughs

Sunday September 4: Rite of Summer Classical Music Festival, 1 PM and 3 PM
The final installment in this new series features co-directors McMillen and Goldberg collaborating with two stalwart NYC-based violinists, Miranda Cuckson and Nurit Pacht, and will include rollicking violin/piano duos by John Adams, George Gershwin and others. For more information visit: www.riteofsummer.com

Saturday, September 10: Governors Island Swim, 8:30 AM
Cheer on swimmers—or sign up ahead of time to join them—as they jump off a ferry boat and swim a challenging two-mile race around Governors Island. The course allows great views of Lower Manhattan, Jersey City, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and, of course, Governors Island itself, from the unique, water-level perspective. For more information visit: www.nycswim.org

Saturday, September 10: Pig Island II, 11:30 AM – 4 PM
Once again Governors Island becomes a major food destination: Pig Island is a celebration of local pork, seasonal foods and craft beer. Co hosted by PBS Channel 13's food show's Michael Colameco. Tickets are available at: www.pigisland.com

Saturday, September 24: Vendy Awards, Noon-5PM
Join hundreds of street food enthusiasts and a team of celebrity judges at the Seventh Annual Vendy Awards, the annual competition for the title of New York City's Best Street Food Vendor, and a fundraiser for Urban Justice Center's Street Vendor Project. Tickets get you all-you-can eat access to the city's finest vendors as they battle to take home the Vendy Cup. For tickets, information, or to nominate your favorite vendor, go to: www.streetvendor.org/vendys