Governors Island is open every Saturday, Sunday and all Holiday Mondays from May 26 through September 30, 2012.
10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

2013 Events Coming Soon - Below is a list from 2012

  5 Boro PicNYC Tickets on Sale

May 26th and 27th, 2012- 11:30 am to 4:30 pm
5 Boro PicNYC comes to Governors Island on May 26 and 27th. Kick off Memorial Day weekend and the beginning of the Island’s 2012 season with food, drink and music on Colonels Row.
The event features chefs from all five boroughs, including Jimmy’s 43, Corey Cova of ABV and Earl’s Beer & Cheese, East Village Meat Market, Brooklyn Grange, and Growing Chefs. Ticket holders can grab some food, try a wide selection of craft beers and enjoy an afternoon on the Island.
The day’s events include a grilled cheese competition, a taco challenge and so much more. buy tickets

  Governors Island Alliance Gala 2012

Tuesday June 12, 2012 - 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Celebrate the summer season at GIA's annual benefit on Tuesday, June 12th 2012. Board Statue Cruise's new Hornblower Hybrid and arrive at Governors Island to mingle under the stars with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres & music on the lawn. We are especially pleased to honor three extraordinary Island leaders: Colonel John Boule, US Army Corps of Engineers, Seth Pinsky, President NYC EDC and Denise Richardson, Managing Director, General Contractors Association of NY.
Your contribution is essential to the Alliance’s free public programs. GIA welcomes thousands of New Yorkers to the Island every summer with arts & educational programs. Our volunteers help stretch the capacity of government and other non-profit partners. Your support also enables us to continue our advocacy on behalf of the Island during the rest of the year. To discuss supporting the event, please contact Maya Borgenicht 917-652-6359.
buy tickets

  2012 Exhibits and Events

Mark di Suvero on Governors Island: presented by the Storm King Art Center
May 26- September 30 2012
The exhibition is on view for another exciting season. It 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.

Orientation to the History of Governors Island: 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.

Weekday Park Ranger Programs: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays starting June 13
Join a National Park Ranger for a variety of programs offered during the week. These programs are the only way to see the island outside of the weekends!
For more information, visit: www.nps.gov/gois or call 212-825-3045

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

  Multiple Weekends

Cooper-Hewitt Graphic Design—Now in Production, May 26-September 3
The exhibition explores some of the most vibrant graphic design work produced since 2000, including posters, books, magazines, identity and branding, information graphics, typography and typefaces, and film and television title graphics. The exhibition is in Building 110.

FIGMENT 2012 Summer-Long Installations: June 9-September 23
This summer, FIGMENTs acclaimed interactive Sculpture Garden and artist-designed Minigolf Course are returning to Governors Island. The centerpiece of FIGMENT's summer-long installations for 2012 is the Treehouse, expanded and returning to Governors Island for a second year. This year's Minigolf Course is based on the theme "Arcade." Visitors can whack-a-clown, rescue a princess, and save the world from inevitable asteroid destruction one putt at a time. FIGMENT's Summer-Long Installations are open and free for the public to play and enjoy, opening on FIGMENT weekend (June 9-10) and continuing to September 23. For more information, visit: http://www.newyork.figmentproject.org/

4 Heads Art Fair: All September weekends, 11 AM to 6 PM
Run by artists, for artists, The Governors Island Art Fair enters its 5th year this fall as 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 is exhibiting in the Fair as well. 4heads "Artist in Residency" program is also offering open studio viewing beginning in June For more information, visit: www.4heads.org

  Special Events

MAY 2012

Saturday, May 26: 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

Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27: 5 Boro PicNYC, 11:30pm -4:30 pm
The Governors Island season kicks off with a two day celebration of craft beer, gourmet eats, and live tunes. Visit more than 20 food stations, with chefs from the five boroughs, enjoy a grilled cheese cook off and start the summer off right. Tickets are available at: www.5boropicnyc.com/tickets/

JUNE 2012

Saturday, June 9–Sunday, June 10: FIGMENT Festival, 10 AM – 6 PM
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.newyork.figmentproject.org

Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June 17: Open House at Building 110: LMCC's Arts Center at Governors Island, 12PM–5PM
Join LMCC during Open House, when they celebrate the culmination of the 2012 Swing Space Spring Session featuring 20 visual artists-in-residence as well as performing artists-in-residents who will present works-in-progress

Saturday, June 16: The New York Brain Tumor Walk, 7 AM - Noon
The 2nd Annual New York Brain Tumor Walk is a family-friendly walk and community day benefiting the National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS). In 2011, 1,300 participants came together to raise more than $300,000 dollars! Funds raised through this event help drive strategic research to find a cure for brain tumors, and ensure the critical needs of the brain tumor community are met through public policy and patient information. The Walk starts at 9 AM.

Saturday, June 23: RECESS outdoor Badminton, noon
A day of outdoor badminton team challenge featuring top creative organizations in NYC, as well as a few open courts for public play on Colonels Row. Don't miss free Playdate Bike Club test rides and evian will be there to keep you hydrated all day! Bring your blankets outs and check out RECESS 2012 for a day of fun in the sun. Special guest deejays. For more information visit: www.recessnewyork.com

Saturday, June 23: DrawNow!: Stretch It Out!withJ Carpenter, 2 PM
This program invites participants to produce a drawing by wrapping bungee cords and trail-marking tape around trees and through fence links on Governors Island. This tactile and active experience invite participants to think about the lines made by the interior tree rings, and the forms that emerge from the Manhattan skyline in the distance. Visitors are asked to consider their own relationship to surroundings, both near and far. Meet near Pier 101. Presented by River To River Festival and The Drawing Center.

Saturday-Sunday, June 16-17: Jazz Age Lawn Party 11 AM – 5 PM
Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra cast a magical spell of hot jazz and open-air merriment 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 $15 in advance. Children under 12 are free. For more information visit: www.dreamlandorchestra.com

Saturday, June 23:  Army Heritage Day: Celebrating 200 Years of History at Castle Williams
10 AM – 4 PM
Discover 200 years of Army history on Governors Island, including the newly re-opened Castle Williams. Featuring family-friendly programs, historic weapons demonstrations, and musicFor more information visit: www.nps.gov/gois

Saturday, June 23rd and 30th: Trisha Brown Dance Company: Astral Converted in Process at the LMCC Art Center in Building 110, 1 PM and 3 PM
The Trisha Brown Dance Company (TBDC) is in residence at LMCC’s Arts Center for three weeks in June leading up to performances of Astral Converted at the Park Avenue Armory. The Company hosts Saturday open rehearsals offering audiences a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the process of this iconic artist’s company.

JULY 2012

Sunday, July 1: DrawNow!: Red, Yellow, Blue with The Equus Projects/JoAnna Mendl Shaw and Ryan Hartley, 2 PM in Fort Jay
Red, Yellow, Blue is a kinetic installation featuring a cast of 12 dancers and 4 visual artists that use moving bodies to create visual design in 3-dimensional space. Red, Yellow, Blue will be performed in several cycles, each resulting in a set of sketches that audience members are invited to complete. As both the choreographing and sketching are being performed in “real time,” the content will be completely different with each performance. Presented by the River To River Festival and The Drawing Center.

Saturday, July 7: Rite of Summer Classical Music Festival featuring Ljova and the Kontraband, 1 PM and 3 PM
The Rite of Summer Music Festival is back for its second season with a series of exhilarating fun and FREE outdoor concerts. Co-Directors and /NYC-based pianists Pam Goldberg & Blair McMillen are thrilled to present Ljova and the Kontraband. For more information: www.ljova.com/kontraband

Saturday and Sunday, July 7-8: 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

Saturday, July 14: Tamimiami Pixilation Project, 11 AM – 3 PM in Nolan Park
Children's Museum of the Arts (CMA) and Storm King Art Center partner on the family fun Tamimiami Pixilation Project on Governors Island. Drawing inspiration from the sculpture Tamimiami by Mark di Suvero, located in Nolan Park, join CMA teaching artists to explore the art of pixilation, animate your own body, and create your own choreography to bring the sculpture to life. PresentedbyRiver To River Festival andChildren's Museum of the Arts, in association with Storm King Art Center.

Saturday, July 14: Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance presents The City of Water Day Festival, 10am-4pm
A day of entertainment, education and adventure celebrating our waterfront and its potential. Enjoy free boat tours, children's activities, fishing, the Waterfront Activity Fair, and more! For more information visit: www.cityofwaterday.org

Saturday, July 14: Come Out & Play Field Day, 12 PM – 6 PM on the Parade Ground
Come Out & Play Field Day returns for another day of wild new field games. Field Day will feature a range of new games from open field dodgeball battles to small social games to new sports. Some games make use of new technology like smart phones and some rely on old fashioned tech like rubber balls. But each offers new ways to play and have fun. Each year Come Out & Play brings together designers and players for a chance to play a host of new real-world games. Presented by Come Out & Play.

Saturday & Sunday, July 21 & 22: Second Annual New York Poetry Festival, 11 AM – 5:30 PM, Colonels Row
Come out for this $5 poetry festival for readings and performances by The Poetry Brothel, Cave Canem, Poets House, EARSHOT!, The Inspired Word and much more. For more information visit: www.tpsny.org

Saturday, July 28: Governors Island Swim, 11:30 AM
Cheer on swimmers—or sign up ahead of time at www.nycswim.org 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

AUGUST 2012

Saturday, August 4: Rite of Summer Classical Music Festival featuring the Jack Quartet
1 PM and 3 PM
The Rite of Summer Music Festival is back for its second season with a series of exhilarating fun and FREE outdoor concerts. Co-Directors and /NYC-based pianists Pam Goldberg & Blair McMillen are thrilled to present the JACK Quartet. For more information visit http://jackquartet.com

Saturday, August 11: Columbia Summer Winds (CSW) Concert at Colonel's Row, 2PM
Join us for a free performance of some of the finest musical literature available. We have a supremely talented collection of amateur musicians and have been committed to playing free concerts of the best wind music in the parks of NYC since 2002. Visit http://columbiasummerwinds.org for more information.

Saturday and Sunday August 11-12 :  Civil War Weekend, 10 AM  - 4 PM
Commemorate Civil War weekend 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 or call 212-825-3045 Wednesday - Sunday.

Saturday-Sunday, August 18-19: Jazz Age Lawn Party 11 AM – 5 PM
Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra cast a magical spell of hot jazz and open-air merriment 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 $15 in advance. Children under 12 are free. For more information, visit www.dreamlandorchestra.com

Saturday, August 25: RECESS Outdoor Bocce, noon
A day of outdoor bocce team challenge featuring top creative organizations in NYC, as well as a few open courts for public play on Colonels Row. Don't miss free Linus Bikes test rides and evian will be there to keep you hydrated all day! Bring your blankets out and come get your fill of all the fun at RECESS 2012. Special guest deejays. For more information visit www.recessnewyork.com

SEPTEMBER 2012

Saturday, September 1: Pig Island III, 11:30 AM – 4 PM
Once again Governors Island becomes a major food destination: Pig Island is a celebration of local pork, seasonal foods, craft beer and New York State wine. Tickets are available at www.pigisland.com

Saturday and Sunday, September 1 and 2: 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. Learn more about the Unicycle Festival at nycunifest.com

Monday, September 3: Rite of Summer Classical Music Festival featuring Todd Reynolds
1 PM and 3 PM
The Rite of Summer Music Festival is back for its second season with a series of exhilarating fun and FREE outdoor concerts. Co-Directors and /NYC-based pianists Pam Goldberg & Blair McMillen are thrilled to present Todd Reynolds. For more information visit http://toddreynolds.com

Sunday, September 23: The Ethiopian School Readiness Initiative (ESRI) Walk/Bike for ESRI
11:00 AM
The mission of the Ethiopian School Readiness Initiative (ESRI) is to create for the children of Ethiopia a high quality, culturally appropriate preschool program that will prepare the children to succeed in school. ESRI works with educational, governmental, and non-governmental organizations in Ethiopia to implement the program within the existing schools in Ethiopia. This walk/bike event starts at 11am and will raise money for the children being served by ESRI. Register here.