WEST SIDE FEST RETURNS JULY 12–14 WITH FREE FUN FOR ALL AGES AT MUSEUMS, PARKS, PERFORMING ARTS CENTERS, AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS

New York, NY, updated June 12, 2024 — The West Side Cultural Network—a group of museums, parks, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions located within a half-mile portion of historic New York—is delighted to announce the return of West Side Fest. Now extended to three days of festivities, the second annual West Side Fest will offer free admission, special indoor and outdoor programming, crafts for kids and families, artmaking activities for all ages, performances, and much more. New Yorkers and visitors of all ages are invited to celebrate the vibrant, cultural village along the waterfront of Manhattan’s west side!

West Side Fest highlights the city’s newest cultural destination on the western edge of Manhattan, a historic area with a welcoming and unique mix of fresh activities, open gathering spaces, and more. The neighborhood includes organizations that have been on the West Side for decades as well as newer arrivals like Gansevoort Peninsula in Hudson River Park. West Side Fest is conveniently accessible by subway, bus, the High Line, bike, or car. While many organizations are offering free admission to programs and events, advance registration may be required. To confirm the details for each organization, please visit westsidefest.nyc.

• Teens are welcome to kick off the festivities with Open Studio for Teens from 1–3 pm at the Whitney Museum of American Art. The Whitney Museum’s annual staff art show, titled STAFF ONLY, will be on view from 1–6 pm at Westbeth Gallery, just a few blocks from the Whitney. The show is free and open to the public. The Whitney will also offer free admission, artmaking activities, and more during Free Friday Nights from 5–10 pm.
• From 10 am–5 pm, Dia Chelsea welcomes visitors to explore the exhibitions on view with free admission all day long.
• Hudson Guild will present the Triennial Children’s Art Show from 10am–6 pm featuring artworks created by children in Hudson Guild's after-school artmaking program taught by instructors from the Children's Museum of Art. Hudson Guild will also host the Déflorée History Series with artist Valerie Hallier from 10 am–5 pm.
• Poster House will celebrate West Side Fest and the museum’s fifth anniversary with free admission from 10 am–6 pm.
• Little Island will host a Creative Break: Visual Arts with Georgie Flores from 11 am–1 pm. Teaching artist Georgie Flores will lead a watercolor painting workshop inspired by the landscape and horticulture of Little Island. This class is designed for artists of every age. The fun continues in the evening with a special edition of Teen Night featuring other neighborhood organizations. Enjoy live performances and more at Little Island’s celebration of creativity and community on the West Side.
• Javier Téllez: Amerika will be on view at the Center for Art, Research and Alliances (CARA) from 11 am–6 pm. The exhibition features a newly commissioned film installation and tours offered in English and Spanish throughout the weekend.
• IndieSpace and West Village Rehearsal Co-Op are pleased to present an Open Rehearsal featuring Divine Riot Company’s performance of Five Times in One Night from 2–5 pm.
• White Columns will host an opening reception beginning at 5 pm for a new exhibition curated by Brittany Adeline King and Violet Saxon and featuring work from the White Columns Curated Artist Registry.
• The Shed will host Summer Sway from 5–8 pm in The Shed’s outdoor, public Plaza featuring a summer celebration with the community, joy, and liberation through music and dance.
• A kick off party hosted by Westbeth Artists Housing and The Kitchen will feature music, drinks, and an opportunity to view and purchase posters from The Kitchen's 50+ year archive from 5–9 pm at Westbeth.
• Westbeth Artists Housing will host Art Take-Over activating three iconic spaces in the Westbeth courtyard with three exhibitions showcasing the work of 35 contemporary artists, curated by Valérie Hallier, Claire Felonis, and Noah Trapolino. The activation will be on view all weekend long from 1–6 pm. The Westbeth Gallery will also present the Whitney Museum Staff Art Show, on view from 1–6 pm.
• Hill Art Foundation will open for special late-night hours from 5–7 pm. Starting at 6 pm, musician Daren Ho will create a new type of sound bath with custom synths and minimal beats. Against the backdrop of the exhibition Mika Tajima: Super Natural, Ho will build an experience for visitors to reach a higher meditative state together.
• The Joyce Theater is excited to partner with Chelsea Green Park to present Pop-Up Dance Performances by the award-winning tap company Dorrance Dance and critically acclaimed dance theater company Pilobolus. Enjoy family-friendly, sunset performances at Chelsea Green (W 20th St between 6th & 7th Ave). Pop-ups start at 5 pm and 6:30 pm. Meet the artists during an audience Q&A between sets!
• The Rubin Museum of Art will host a special K2 Friday Night from 6–10 pm with free admission, art, cocktails, and multiple DJs from the Ragini Festival. From 7–8 pm, there will be a ticketed live musical performance by a trio of Indian classical musicians from Brooklyn Raga Massive.
• Join Print Center New York for Print Center After Hours from 6–8 pm. Connect with lovers and friends of print, enjoy some light refreshments, and check out the exhibition New Voices: Ritual, curated by Olivia Shao and highlighting emerging talent exploring the intersection of ritual, art-making, and life.
• All weekend long from 7 am–11 pm, the New York City AIDS Memorial welcomes visitors to remember and reflect. The Memorial aims to inspire and empower current and future activists, health professionals, and people living with HIV.
• The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center offers free admission throughout the weekend. The Center is open on Friday from 8 am–10 pm and visitors are welcome to stop by to explore the exhibitions on view.

• The High Line, in partnership with the Andrew Heiskill Braille and Talking Book Library, will host Family Art Moment: Dream Wilder with Us from 10 am–12 pm. Celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of the High Line through artmaking, reading, and learning activities for all ages. The event includes books with braille and text, tactile materials, and skilled facilitators to welcome visitors with disabilities. A Celebration of Wellness will also take place on the High Line from 11:30 am–1 pm, including Zumba, Senior Stretch, and Tai Chi, in celebration of the High Line’s fifteenth birthday.
• IndieSpace and West Village Rehearsal Co-Op are pleased to present an Open Rehearsal featuring Divine Riot Company’s performance of Five Times in One Night from 10 am–1 pm. Later in the afternoon, Open Rehearsal continues with a presentation by Ali Keller from 2–5 pm.
• From 10 am–5 pm, Dia Chelsea welcomes visitors to explore the exhibitions on view with free admission all day long as well as a suite of programs throughout the day on Saturday. Kicking off at 12:30 pm, a free tour of the Delcy Morelos exhibition—the artist’s first solo presentation in the United States—will be offered. At 1:30 pm, Dia educators will lead Play Sets with a focus on Delcy Morelos’s work. The hands-on program invites participants to see, think, and imagine in new ways through in-depth explorations in the galleries. Join a free concert by Koyoltzintli at 2:30 pm – Soil Sessions will feature instruments the artist creates with dirt, also replicating some bird songs.
• Celebrate Poster House's fifth anniversary at their annual Block Party, featuring performances, games, prizes, and artmaking activities for all ages–plus free admission all day long! Poster House is open from 10 am–6 pm and the Block Party begins at 12 pm.
• Little Island will host a Creative Break: Celebration of Haitian Culture from 11 am–1 pm. Celebrate Little Island's July Family Day with a vibrant exploration of Haitian culture! Discover programs featuring traditional artmaking, storytelling, drumming, singing, and dancing inspired by Haiti’s rich cultural heritage.
• Hudson River Park will host Explore & Play, a family-friendly event featuring music, activities, face painting, and more from 11 am–1 pm at Hudson River Park’s 14th Street Park.
• Westbeth Artists Housing will host creative programs for kids of all ages from 11 am–1 pm and feature interactive puppet theater with Penny Jones & Co. Puppets. Later in the day, check out the Art & Craft Market featuring fine art, prints, ceramics, music, and food from 1–6 pm or join self-guided tours of working artist studios during Open Studios on the historic Westbeth campus between 2–5 pm. From 1–6 pm, Art Take-Over activates three iconic spaces in the Westbeth courtyard with three exhibitions showcasing the work of 35 contemporary artists, curated by Valérie Hallier, Claire Felonis, and Noah Trapolino. The Westbeth Gallery will also host the Whitney Museum Staff Art Show, on view from 1–6 pm. From 7–9 pm, enjoy an evening performance from You’re Never Too Old to Play, an improvisational, story-telling acting-workshop for seniors at Westbeth Center for the Arts. The group will present a new piece, Above Ground (Not Exactly a Comedy), in the Westbeth Community Room.
• The Kitchen will host a Tai Chi Workshop in its 4th floor loft at Westbeth from 11:30 am–1 pm and following the program, The Kitchen will join the Art & Craft Market hosted by Westbeth Artists Housing from 1–6 pm. Don’t miss the selection of posters from The Kitchen’s 50+ year archive that will be available for purchase!
• Javier Téllez: Amerika will be on view at the Center for Art, Research and Alliances (CARA) from 12–6 pm. The exhibition features a newly commissioned film installation and tours offered in English and Spanish throughout the weekend.
• The Whitney Museum of American Art’s annual staff art show, titled STAFF ONLY, will be on view from 1–6 pm at Westbeth Gallery, just a few blocks from the Whitney. The show is free and open to the public.
• Hudson Guild will present the Triennial Children’s Art Show from 12–3 pm featuring artworks created by children in Hudson Guild's after-school artmaking program taught by instructors from the Children's Museum of Art. Later in the afternoon, Hudson Guild will host the Déflorée History Series with artist Valerie Hallier from 1–4 pm.
• Explore the Rubin Museum of Art’s 20th-anniversary exhibition Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now with free admission from 11 am–5 pm. Dive deeper into the artworks on view with free guided exhibition tours being offered at 2 pm and 3 pm.
• A print activation with artist and activist Demian DinéYazhi' will take place at Print Center New York from 2–5 pm. DinéYazhi' will lead a hands-on letterpress printing activation based on recent work they have been making in residence at Mullowney Printing Company, currently on view as part of the Center’s Publisher Spotlight series.
• The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center offers free admission throughout the weekend. The Center is open on Saturday from 8 am–8 pm and visitors are welcome to stop by to explore the exhibitions on view.
• All weekend long from 7 am–11 pm, the New York City AIDS Memorial welcomes visitors to remember and reflect. The Memorial aims to inspire and empower current and future activists, health professionals, and people living with HIV.

• Poster House will celebrate West Side Fest and the museum’s fifth anniversary with free admission from 10 am–5 pm.
• The Whitney Museum of American Art is offering free admission from 10:30 am–6 pm during Free Second Sundays. Visitors of all ages will enjoy artmaking, tours, classes, and other special activities that celebrate Whitney exhibitions and community events. The day also includes free storytimes with The New York Public Library at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. The Whitney Museum’s annual staff art show, titled STAFF ONLY, will be on view from 1–6 pm at Westbeth Gallery, just a few blocks from the Whitney. The show is free and open to the public.
• A Community Celebration will be hosted at Hudson River Park’s Pier 63 from 11 am–1 pm. The event will feature dance by Ajna Dance Company, henna, community groups, and more.
• Javier Téllez: Amerika will be on view at the Center for Art, Research and Alliances (CARA) from 12–6 pm. The exhibition features a newly commissioned film installation and tours offered in English and Spanish throughout the weekend.
• Family Sunday at the Rubin Museum of Art includes free artmaking workshops from 1–3 pm. Join other families for an afternoon of creativity and self-exploration that both kids and grown-ups can enjoy.
• From 1–6 pm, Westbeth Artists Housing will host Art Take-Over activating three iconic spaces in the Westbeth courtyard with three exhibitions showcasing the work of 35 contemporary artists, curated by Valérie Hallier, Claire Felonis, and Noah Trapolino. Don’t miss the second day of the Art & Craft Market hosted by Westbeth Artists Housing featuring fine art, prints, ceramics, music, and food from 1–6 pm. Open Studios also continue with self-guided tours of working artist studios on the historic Westbeth campus between 1–5 pm. The Westbeth Gallery will also host the Whitney Museum Staff Art Show, on view from 1–6 pm.
• Indie Space and West Village Rehearsal Co-Op will continue Open Rehearsals on Saturday from 2–4 pm with a presentation by Felice Lesser Dance Theater.
• Experience The Motor Company on the High Line from 7–8:30 pm! The Motor Company will present a new production exploring the West Side Cowboys, the Elevated Line, and the cycle of urban renewal.
• Chelsea Factory will host Ladies of Hip-Hop's daylong dance battle, Ladies Battle! From 1–10 pm, witness some of the world's best female dancers compete in one-on-one waacking, popping, hip-hop, and house dance-offs. Dance along as an all-female DJ lineup spins the classics!
• The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center offers free admission throughout the weekend. The Center is open on Sunday from 8 am–8 pm and visitors are welcome to stop by to explore the exhibitions on view.
• All weekend long from 7 am–11 pm, the New York City AIDS Memorial welcomes visitors to remember and reflect. The Memorial aims to inspire and empower current and future activists, health professionals, and people living with HIV.

“West Side Fest celebrates the vibrancy of the dynamic cultural neighborhood that our organizations call home. At last year’s inaugural event, we welcomed over 50,000 visitors to the West Side, affirming that arts and culture matter to New Yorkers and travelers alike,” said Jane Carey, Director of Government and Community Affairs at the Whitney Museum of American Art. “At the Whitney, we are proud to be part of this growing community with a rich history of arts and culture. West Side Fest offers a moment to gather together and enjoy the free programs, performances, and more, solidifying New York City as a global arts destination.”

“It’s been incredible to witness West Side Fest grow from a daylong event to a multi-day festival in less than a year,” said Salvador Muñoz, Director of Public Programs at Poster House. “We incorporated many lessons learned from last year to make the program bigger and better, and we can’t wait to share it with our West Side community and the city at large. The rapid growth of West Side Fest speaks to the appetite for arts and cultural programming in the area, and is a real testament to the collaborative efforts of all the participating institutions.”

“Dia Chelsea is thrilled to join West Side Fest for the first time this year. Dia has a long history in the Chelsea neighborhood, which has grown as a vibrant and exciting arts community year on year. West Side Fest offers an opportunity for New Yorkers and tourists alike to explore this network of incredible cultural organizations and engage on multiple levels. We hope this will continue to be a mainstay in New York’s cultural calendar for years to come,” said Hannah Gompertz, Director of Communications and Marketing, Dia Art Foundation.

“This year we can anticipate more programs happening throughout the West Side–a visitor can expect to experience dance parties, exhibition tours, performances, multi-sensory artmaking, markets, wellness activities, panel discussions, and free admission to a lot of our favorite cultural spaces,” said Gabriella Malavé, Programs Manager of Administration & Special Projects at the High Line. “We should be excited for the robust amount of programming, and for the effort and intention that everyone took to make this happen. It is going to be fun on the iconic West Side!”

“Three times the West Side Fest means three times the fun! I'm thrilled that this exciting new milestone on New York City's cultural calendar is back and even better, extending across an entire three days of programming, exhibitions, performances, and more,” said NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “Cultural activity brings New Yorkers together and gives our city an energy like nowhere else in the world, and I thank the festival's organizers and participants for putting together this amazing program. I'll see you at the West Side Fest!”

The West Side Cultural Network includes the Center for Art, Research and Alliances, Chelsea Factory, Dia Chelsea, the High Line, Hill Art Foundation, Hudson Guild, Hudson River Park, The Joyce Theater, The Kitchen, Little Island, The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, New York City AIDS Memorial, Poster House, Print Center New York, Rubin Museum of Art, The Shed, Westbeth, West Village Rehearsal Co-Op, White Columns, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

The West Side boasts a wide range of unique offerings to explore in the neighborhood, including restaurants, shopping, and free programming across the West Side for visitors to enjoy throughout the day.