Make Washington Square Park the Backbone of Your Summer Plans
If you’re the kind of New Yorker who builds their week around a good croissant or a Pilates class, it’s time to level up. If you’re the type to stay in with Netflix…well, maybe save that for winter. It’s summertime in the city, and Washington Square Park—the Village’s charming and endlessly entertaining backyard—is quietly offering one of the city’s most delightful weekly routines, courtesy of the Washington Square Park Conservancy. And the best part? You don’t need to RSVP or buy a ticket—just consider a donation to the conservancy and their mission.
Below, we’ve handpicked a highlight for every day of the week to help you structure your summer plans around the heartbeat of the Village. Whether you’re looking to stretch, dance, read, or people-watch with purpose, WSP has something for you.
mONDAY: roll into the week with Pétanque
🕛 Time: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
📍 Location: Pétanque courts
🌟 Great for: Game lovers, social butterflies, some gentle competition
What to expect: Think French lawn bowling meets Village charm—relaxed, friendly, easy to learn. Bring a partner or come solo; locals usually share teams. It’s a perfect early-afternoon stop for a breather, a new skill, and a snapshot of Parisian-style leisure in the heart of NYC
The Pétanque courts at Washington Square Park.
tuesday: Adult & Senior Movement
🕤 Time: 9:30 am – 10:30 am
📍 Location: Garibaldi Plaza
🌟 Great for: Older adults, movement enthusiasts, wellness seekers
What to expect: A gentle, flowing class hosted by Dances for a Variable Population—think mobility boosts and rhythmic stretches amid greenery. It’s immensely uplifting and community-oriented, ideal for starting the day feeling centered and energized
Check @wspconservancy on Instagram for updates on all programming.
Wednesday: SPICE THINGS UP MID-WEEK AT THE SALSA SOCIAL
🕧 Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Lesson: 6:00–6:30 pm; Open dancing: 6:30–9:00 pm)
📍 Location: Garibaldi Plaza
🌟 Great for: Salsa aficionados, first‑timers, social dancers, anyone up for a rhythm‑filled midweek boost
What to expect: If you’ve ever wanted your life to feel like a scene from a movie—sweaty, joyful, full of rhythm and strangers twirling under the open sky—this is your moment. The evening kicks off with a free salsa lesson for all levels, where instructors break things down with a healthy dose of encouragement and zero pretension. As the sun dips, the plaza becomes a dance floor pulsing with Latin beats and genuine community energy. Come with friends, a partner, or solo—chances are you’ll leave with a few new moves and more than one new friend.
Dance the night away under the direction of the incredible instructors from Mi Salsa Dura Baile.
thURSDAY: Family fun WITH art meets books
🕒 Time: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
📍 Location: Shaded area near Large Playground
🌟 Great for: Families with kids (12-and-under), little literary types, parents of playful learners
What to expect: Think of this as part literary salon, part art studio—designed specifically for your junior Parks & Rec lovers. Each Thursday afternoon, the Portable Museum Project teams up with Hudson Park Library to sprinkle storytime with hands‑on creativity. It kicks off with a children’s book reading, then flows into an art session inspired by that tale—everything from printmaking to urban gardening, masks to sun‑catchers, evolving monthly with fresh themes. July will focus on traditions and different ways of honoring and preserving culture.
Art Meets Books makes Thursdays feel like a mini‑field trip right in the Village.
FRIDAY: RISE INTO THE WEEKEND WITH MORNING YOGA
🕣 Time: 8:30 am – 9:30 am
📍 Location: Garibaldi Plaza
🌟 Great for: Early risers, yoga lovers, mindful movers
What to expect: Open-level vinyasa flow under dappled morning light, with views of the iconic arch. A meditative, city-hearted start to your weekend—come as you are, but please bring a yoga mat!
Welcome a mindful rise into the weekend.
Saturday: Get creative with the Artist in residence
🕐 Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
📍 Location: Scrabble Plaza in the NW corner
🌟 Great for: Creative souls, families, art hobbyists
What to expect: Bring your curiosity (and maybe your own tools) to rotate through painting, collage, printmaking, and pick up a new trick from local artists. Good for all ages; it's a bright, open-air studio under the summer sun, with a rotating cast of monthly artists.
Let the creative spirit of the Village inspire you.
sunday: Knitting & Crocheting with hknits
🧶 Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
📍 Location: Northwest Corner of the park
🌟 Great for: Craft lovers, chatty crafters, beginners to pros
What to expect: A laid-back stitch-and-chat in the park—bring yarn or just come to share techniques. HKnits leads the session. Beginners get tips, regulars get company, and everyone gets a peaceful way to cap the weekend.
hknits is ready to show you the ropes while spinning a yarn.
Fold your days into the Park’s rhythm
Let Washington Square Park Conservancy guide your week. It’s a place where fitness, creativity, playful tradition, and community all flow around the fountain and under the arch. Whether you’re stretching at sunrise or double-dutching at dusk, every visit turns your park day into an NYC summer story.
