Fall is here, which means changing leaves, crisp autumn air and the return of pumpkin spice. Check out some of the things to do around the borough this fall weekend.
Some highlights include a showing of “Cruella” at Lawrence Virgilio Playground on Friday, a volunteer clean-up event at Jamaica Bay on Saturday and Free Public Sundays at Alley Pond Park.
For these events and more, here are 20 things to do in Queens from Sept. 24 to 26.
GET TESTED AND VACCINATED
Before doing anything in person, make sure to get tested for COVID-19 and register for any of the three available vaccines.
To slow the spread of COVID-19, the New York City Department of Health suggests getting tested often. Here are several places where you can get tested this weekend:
- Enter your address and find a testing site near you at www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/get-tested/covid-19-testing.page.
- NYC Health + Hospitals offers several testing sites in Queens.
Visit vaccinefinder.nyc.gov to find a vaccination site near you.
As per the city’s executive order, many indoor venues, including nightclubs, movie halls and concert theaters will be requiring that attendees are fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination. Read more about the mandate.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 24
Seasonal Farmstand (Queens County Farm): The season everyone has been waiting for has arrived — farmstand season. From now until the beginning of November, get fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs that grow at Queens County Farm. In September, the stand is selling a whole host of produce including basil, dandelion greens, kale, pumpkin and summer squash. Members get 10 percent off and EBT and FMNP benefits are accepted. Bring a reusable bag for a zero-waste experience. 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Floral Park. queensfarm.org. Free. Open Wednesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 24 to Nov. 7, 2021.
Cardio Sculpt (Torsney Playground): Put on some workout clothes and get ready to do some low-impact cardio. This workout is taught by instructor Zarina at the sports courts and consists of functional exercises designed to make daily activities easier. Register here. Lou Lodati Playground in Torsney Playground. nycparks.gov. Free. 9 to 10 a.m., Sept. 24.
Dance Fitness (Flushing Meadows Corona Park): Instructor Sandra will lead this class that features a fusion of Latin, International and popular music dance themes. Participants will do aerobic fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms. Register here. David Dinkins Circle in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Sept. 24.
Movies Under the Stars – “Cruella” (Lawrence Virgilio Playground): For this week’s edition of Movies Under the Stars, enjoy a showing of “Cruella,” which tells the origin story of a young Cruella de Vil. Rated PG-13. Lawrence Virgilio Playground. nycparks.gov. Free. 7 to 9:30 p.m., Sept. 24.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 25
Zumba (Little Bay Park): Take this Zumba class to get a good sweat in the morning. The class features aerobic, fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body with easy-to-follow dance steps. The class is taught by instructor Yishan. Register here. Little Bay Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 8:30 to 9 a.m., Sept. 25.
Senior Fitness Sessions 1 and 2 (Juniper Valley Park): For this senior-focused class taught by instructor Doris, participants will do exercises that enhance strength, flexibility and cardio. This workout will target the core, upper and lower body. Register here. Juniper Valley Tennis Courts in Juniper Valley Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 9 to 10 a.m., Sept. 25.
National Public Lands Day Shoreline Cleanup (Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge): This is a collaboration with Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, NYC Audubon, National Park Service and the American Littoral Society. Volunteers will clean marine debris from the marsh and shoreline of the refuge. Wear boots or old sneakers. Register here. 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd. littoralsociety.org. Free. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sept. 25.
Hellgate Farmstand (Socrates Sculpture Park): Get some delicious, seasonal produce at the Hellgate Farmstand, operated by Hellgate Farm, a network of residential and rooftop gardens in Queens. In addition to produce, the stand also offers small-batch goods, like their signature hot sauce. On select Saturdays, Wilk Apiaries offers a pop-up to sell a variety of local and raw honey. 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City. socratessculpturepark.org. Free. Saturdays, Sept. 25 to Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Zumba (L/CPL Thomas P. Noonan Jr. Playground): Take this Zumba class to get a good sweat in the morning. The class features aerobic, fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body with easy-to-follow dance steps. The class is taught by instructor Yishan. Register here. Noonan Basketball Court in L/CPL Thomas P. Noonan Jr. Playground. nycparks.gov. Free. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Sept. 25.
Cardio Punch (Rockaway Beach): Instructor Gloria will teach this Cardio Punch workout, a total body, non-contact workout fit for all levels. Punch, hook and kick to motivating, high-energy music that progresses into heart-pumping combinations. Register here. Beach 59th Street Playground in Rockaway Beach. nycparks.gov. Free. 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sept. 25.
Low Impact Cardio (Roy Wilkins Park): This workout is taught by instructor Carol and uses bodyweight exercises to leave you feeling strong while creating flexibility. Class ends with a fun dance cardio celebration. Register here. Roy Wilkins Recreation Center in Roy Wilkins Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 12 to 1 p.m., Sept. 25.
Volunteer Litter Clean Up (Rockaway Beach): Volunteer with the Urban Park Rangers to clean and beautify Rockaway Beach. Beach 59th Street and Boardwalk in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk. nycparks.gov. Free. 12 to 1 p.m., Sept. 25.
Litter Ambassadors Saturday (Forest Park): As part of the Litter Ambassadors program, volunteers will help keep the picnic and barbecue areas of Forest Park clean in June. Litter Ambassadors will also distribute garbage bags and guide their neighbors in the proper ways of disposing of trash. Register here. George Seuffert Bandshell in Forest Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 1 to 3 p.m., Sept. 25.
Movies Under the Stars – “Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway” (Bayside Fields): In this family-friendly movie, Peter Rabbit goes on a journey outside of his garden to find friends who enjoy mischief. But his family soon tries to track him down and convince him to come back home. Rated PG. Bayside Fields. nycparks.gov. Free. 7 to 9:30 p.m., Sept. 25.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 26
Alley Pond Park Adventure Course – Free Public Sundays (Alley Pond Park): Spend some time outdoors at this Queens adventure course that fosters trust, communication and team building. The two-hour adventure has both high and low elements and is open to individuals or small groups of friends or family. The course is open to people 8 and up and minors must be accompanied by an adult. Valid photo ID and sneakers are required. Register here. Alley Pond Park Adventure Center in Alley Pond Park. nycparks.gov. Free. The course is open from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m., Sept. 26.
Manor Flow Yoga (King Manor): These free weekly yoga sessions with I Am Yogi Studios happen every Sunday morning. Participants are asked to wear a mask and bring their own mat. Register here. 150-03 Jamaica Ave. – King Manor Museum in Rufus King Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 10 to 11 a.m., Sept. 26.
Queens Recreation Mobile Unit Pop-Up (Francis Lewis Park): This event offers organized activities that are free and open to the public including chalk gams, balls, crafts and more. Francis Lewis Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sept. 26.
Historic New York: Ridgewood Reservoir (Highland Park): Straddling the border of Queens and Brooklyn, Ridgewood Reservoir in Highland Park offers more than 50 acres of natural oasis. Learn about the history, engineering and ecology of the Reservoir and Brooklyn Waterworks. Vermont Place Parking Lot in Highland Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sept. 26.
It’s My Park (Ralph Demarco Park): Volunteer with the Friends of Ralph Demarco Park to clean and beautify the park. Ralph Demarco Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 26.
Litter Ambassadors Sunday (Forest Park): As part of the Litter Ambassadors program, volunteers will help keep the picnic and barbecue areas of Forest Park clean in June. Litter Ambassadors will also distribute garbage bags and guide their neighbors in the proper ways of disposing of trash. Register here. George Seuffert Bandshell in Forest Park. nycparks.gov. Free. 1 to 3 p.m., Sept. 26.
To submit an event for QNS Weekender, email jbagcal@schnepsmedia.com.
