The South Street Seaport Museum has announced a full day of free community programming in observation of City of Water Day. The events are scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The annual regional initiative is organized alongside the Waterfront Alliance and multiple climate-conscious partners. The collective program provides activities designed to promote a climate-resilient and equitably shared New York and New Jersey Harbor.
Dozens of participating local communities will host concurrent waterfront events on the same day. These regional operations span across all five boroughs of New York City, Westchester and Rockland counties, and northern New Jersey.
The South Street Seaport Museum will waive its general admission fees for visitors throughout the daytime hours. The complimentary access allows the public to view all active indoor exhibitions, including the display titled The Promise of Liberty: Words That Shaped a Nation.
The free admission offer also includes public access to two historic ships docked at Pier 16. While museum staff will accommodate walk-up visitors where space allows, advanced online registration for the free tickets is suggested. Click here to register.
Other free activities
Sign up for Additional Free Activities
Children’s Story Time: We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
12pm | Wavertree | Free
Families with children ages 2 and up are invited to join the Seaport Museum and the American Indian Law Alliancefor a special reading of We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade.
Perfect for City of Water Day, this powerful story follows a young water protector who takes a stand to defend Earth’s most sacred resource from a snake that threatens to destroy the land and poison her people’s water.
After the reading, families are invited to participate in a hands-on art project focused on respecting and honoring Mother Earth. Preregistration is encouraged for this event. Walkups will be accommodated as possible.
Three Belts of Peace: What the Founding Fathers Forgot to Tell You
3:30pm | 213 Water Street | Free
Join with Onondaga leaders of the American Indian Law Alliance for a special look at how Indigenous diplomacy and governance shaped the American Revolution.
Using wampum belts, Papal bulls, and treaties as primary sources, learn the stories and history of how a successful Indigenous democracy in New York State influenced US politicians as they created a colonial government on Indigenous lands. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and will leave with steps they can take to defend treaties, land, and water.
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