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CTV News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
In Your Community: Gremlins Bicycle Emporium
In Your Community: Gremlins Bicycle Emporium CTV London's Julie Atchison was joined by Mason Lover to talk free cycling events.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Free and family-friendly: What to do in NYC this summer
The Brief New York City offers a wide variety of free outdoor events, markets and performances across all five boroughs. These events are family-friendly and open to the public. Activities include watching Friday night fireworks, attending morning yoga in the park and shopping at the city's flea markets. NEW YORK - NYC's summer lineup makes it easy to enjoy the city without breaking the bank. Here's a look at some of the city's best free, family-friendly activities, from outdoor theater and movie nights to kayaking and cultural festivals. What you can do New York City's many markets and fleas offer everything from fresh produce and baked goods to unique items from local vendors. Here's a look at some standouts: Location: 80 Pearl Street (Dumbo archway) When: Sunday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Click here to learn more. Location: New York Botanical Garden When: Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Click here to learn more. Location: Union Square Park When: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Click here to learn more. Location: Pier 17 When: Saturday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Click here to learn more. Bring your mat and friends and unwind in Bryant Park with an hour of complimentary yoga. Hosted twice a week, organizers hope outdoor mindfulness is the perfect outlet to ease stress and connect with the outdoors. Location: Bryant Park lawn When: Tuesday at 10 a.m. and Wednesday at 6 p.m. Click here to learn more. The Public Theater hosts Free Shakespeare in the Park, a one-of-a-kind celebration for theater fans in the city's five boroughs. This year, the program is offering performances of comedy classic Twelfth Night at Central Park's new Delacorte Theater. Location: Delacorte Theater in Central Park When: Aug. 7 through Sept. 14 Click here to learn more. Also, as a part of the Public Theater's larger Shakespeare for the City program, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine will host a concert experience of Pericles from Aug. 28 through Sept. 2. Learn more here. Bring a blanket – and popcorn – to catch a showing of your favorite film while overlooking the NYC skyline. Several public parks offer screenings, like the Brooklyn Bridge Park every Thursday and Bryant Park every Monday. Click here for the complete list. Feeling adventurous? Discover the harbors of NYC via kayak, complimentary of the Downtown Boathouse in Tribeca. Note that the boathouse doesn't take reservations fpr ots free public kayaking lessons - so show up early! Location: Pier 26 Boathouse at North Moore Street Click here to learn more. Watch a spectacular show as the sky lights up in Brooklyn's Coney Island. Location: Luna Park on Coney Island When: Fridays through Aug. 29 at 9 p.m. Click here to learn more.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
From festivals to movies, here are 10 free things to do in Louisville this summer
To help pack as much fun as possible into your summer without overspending, it's a good idea to have a list of go-to things to do that won't break your family budget. Louisville Downtown Partnership has done a lot of the legwork you'll need for that list with a summer menu that includes free events like CycLouvia, open play for pickleball and wiffleball enthusiasts at Baird Urban Sports Park, 615 W. Main St., and Downtown Silent Disco on Waterfront Park's Big Four Lawn. "Downtown Louisville thrives when our streets and public spaces are filled with activity, community gatherings, and opportunities for connection," Rebecca Fleischaker, executive director of Louisville Downtown Partnership, told the Courier Journal. "By activating key public spaces with regular programming, LDP continues its commitment to creating a vibrant urban core that supports Downtown's visitors, workers, and residents." From free music and concert series to outdoor group events, festivals and weekly meet-ups, we've put together a list of 10 options to keep you busy — and they don't cost a dime. WHAT: The annual Kentucky Shakespeare Festival presents some of Shakespeare's most beloved works including, "Much Ado About Nothing," "Hamlet," "Cymbeline," and "Twelfth Night." The Louisville Ballet will present "Shakespeare in Dance: A Midsummer Night's Dream" and The Louisville Improvisors will present Late Night Shakes. WHERE: C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater, Central Park, 1340 S. Fourth St. WHEN: Now through Aug. 10 COST: Free MORE INFORMATION: For a complete schedule with shows, pre-shows and food truck schedule, visit WHAT: Free outdoor movies are a great idea for a summer date night or an activity with the family. The Downtown Drive-in at Waterfront Park is an outdoor cinema series that takes place on select Friday nights through October. Although snacks are available for purchase, you can pack your own treats along with a blanket or lawn chair. Free parking is available at Waterfront Park's Tan and Turquoise lots. The amphitheater will open an hour before sundown, when the movies will start. WHERE: Brown-Forman Amphitheater, 1301 River Road WHEN: Now through Oct. 10. MOVIE SCHEDULE: June 20: "Fast and Furious" (PG-13) July 11: "Pretty in Pink" (PG-13) Aug. 1: "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" (PG) Aug. 22: "Men in Black" (PG-13) Sept. 19: "Moana" (PG) Sept. 26: " Jaws" (PG) Oct. 3: "Mean Girls" (PG-13) Oct.10: "Ghostbusters" (PG) MORE INFORMATION: More: Here's where you can see free movies in Louisville this summer WHAT: An early summer celebration to promote the upcoming 40th Anniversary of Bardstown Road Aglow, taking place in December. During Algow in July, Trolley de Ville will provide free trolley rides. Trolley riders will get complimentary festive leis, and Santa Claus will make a stop in the Highlands rocking his summer style. Shoppers can visit the Highlands farmer's markets and the unique shops and restaurants that may offer special discounts along Bardstown Road. WHEN: Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. WHERE: From Douglass Loop to Bardstown Road and along Baxter and Barret Avenues. MORE INFORMATION: Follow the Highland Commerce Guild Facebook page. More: 2025 Kentucky State Fair: From animals to concerts & more, here's your complete guide WHAT: The annual summer celebration features surf-inspired music, more than 80 vendors, a watermelon eating contest, tie-dye station, limbo contest, putt-putt, pickleball, summer yard games, local food trucks and a tiki bar from Crowler Catering. WHERE: 700 and 800 blocks of E. Market Street WHEN: July 19, noon to 7 p.m. COST: Free MORE INFORMATION: Pets are not allowed. WHAT: Waterfront Wednesday is a popular outdoor concert series held at Louisville's Waterfront Park on the last Wednesday of the month through September. Each concert includes three bands starting at 6 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy dinner from one of several vendors or food trucks set up at the monthly event. WHERE: Big Four Lawn at Waterfront Park WHEN: the last Wednesday of the month now through September CONCERT SCHEDULE: July 30: Ben Sollee and Friends, Marzz, Sydney Sleadd and the Swarm Aug. 27: Sixpence None the Richer, Kashus Culpepper, Roadie Sept. 17: Paula Cole, Uwade, Maggie Halfman MORE INFORMATION: WHAT: The picnic features casino-style and carnival-style games, raffles, children's activities, live music and traditional fair food, including corn dogs, cotton candy and funnel cakes. WHERE: 2823 Frankfort Ave. WHEN: Aug. 8, 5-10 p.m.; Aug. 9, noon to midnight COST: Free. Pre-purchase food, beverages, activity tickets and wristbands online. More: Here are 23 food, drink, music and art festivals you can attend this summer in Louisville WHAT: Louisville's international festival is one of the most diverse, inclusive, and equitable events in the region, featuring international, national, regional, and local performers, food booths, a vendor village with international-themed arts, crafts, and merchandise and more. WHERE: Belvedere, 141 N. 6th St. WHEN: Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 MORE INFORMATION: WHAT: The Louisville Bicycle Club offers free clinics to help you learn or improve your cycling skills. The one hour sessions are led by an experienced rider and include everything from basic safety, riding in groups, gearing/shifting, lane positioning, bicycle repair and more. There are three clinics to choose from in various communities around Kentuckiana, each with five classes. Classes are followed by practice on your bike. WHEN: Classes begin at 6 p.m. and are held at various locations throughout the city. MORE INFORMATION: WHAT: This walking club will meet almost twice a month, for a morning and an evening session, to trek all over The Parklands, exploring different trails each time. These hikes are walked at a relaxed pace to encourage conversation, so bring a friend or come solo and join the Parklands community. WHEN: Free morning sessions will meet the ranger at the designated area at 8:30 a.m., the hike will begin at 8:45 a.m. Evening sessions will meet the ranger at the designated area at 5:30 p.m., the hike will begin at 5:45 p.m. WHERE: Meet-up locations, routes and distances change, so you'll need to consult the club's information page. MORE INFORMATION: More: Here are 9 beer festivals taking place in Louisville this year WHAT: Yoga is a popular physical exercise activity that requires nothing more than a mat. Louisville offers a number of free classes, some held indoors and others outside during the summer months. WHERE: : Free yoga classes are held on the 3rd Saturday of each month from April to October, weather permitting : Offers a variety of donation-based classes in the studio and also online via Zoom : The library offers free classes like Chair Yoga with Good Karma and Slow Flow Yoga. : Free yoga classes are offered every Monday : Free yoga classes are held on Tuesdays Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@ This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: free things to do in Louisville this summer
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
15 Cheap Thrills In Charlotte That Cost Next To Nothing
Enjoy Charlotte's cultural side for free with museum nights, public art walks, and live music in Midtown. Savor the outdoors with scenic bike rides, garden strolls, and picnics in Freedom Park or the Whitewater Center. Keep it fun and frugal with open mic nights, yoga at Lenny Boy Brewing, and bustling farmers not difficult to find something to do in Charlotte; the Queen City is filled with all sorts of ways to stay busy, from sporting events and public art exhibitions to gorgeous green spaces and world-class museums. And if you're trying to stick to a budget while simultaneously immersing yourself in all that Charlotte has to offer? You've got options. There are plenty of low-cost (or even completely free), low-effort things to do that visitors and residents of all ages will enjoy—you just have to know where to find them. To save you the time, we went ahead and did the legwork for you. Below, you'll find our official list of the best cheap or free things to do in Charlotte, North Carolina. Charlotte's roster of museums is impressive; there's history, science, and art of all mediums to explore. Several of the institutions also offer free admission on select days every month. On Wednesdays from 5 to 9 p.m., the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, both of the Mint Museums, and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art are all free to visit. The Schiele Museum of Natural History is also free from 4 to 8 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. 551 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 500 South Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 (Uptown); 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28207 (Randolph) 420 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 1500 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28054 Charlotte's creative side isn't just relegated to museums and galleries. Its neighborhoods—including NoDa, South End, and Plaza Midwood—boast a variety of their own public art displays and murals. Spend a morning or an afternoon exploring your chosen area, and using the Art Walks curated maps to guide your journey. There's always a reason to celebrate in Charlotte, and its residents go above and beyond during several free-to-attend festivals throughout the year. The family-friendly Charlotte Dragon Boat Festival and the Asian Festival out on Lake Norman celebrate Asian cultures, and the Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade includes improv shows, live music, film events, and more. Taste of Charlotte is another exciting event to add to your summer calendar; admission is free, and you can purchase 'coins' to buy food, drinks, and tickets for kids' activities. You don't have to leave the city to find green spaces and an abundance of natural beauty. The UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens are free and open to the public, and the greenhouses and outdoor gardens are the perfect places to ground yourself among all kinds of flowers and other types of plants. Don't miss the McMillan Greenhouse's collection of desert succulents and tropical and exotic plants. 9090 Craver Rd, Charlotte, NC 28262 Late spring and early summer days (before the real heat sets in) call for a bike ride through some of Charlotte's beautiful neighborhoods. There is a seemingly endless number of places to ride, and you can plot out your journey using TrailLink or Tarheel Trailblazers' maps. Just be sure to wear a helmet, share your location with a friend or family member, and bring enough water to keep you hydrated. Walking around a local farmers market is a fun, affordable way to spend a weekend morning, and Charlotte has several to choose from. The year-round Charlotte Regional Farmers Market has everything you might need on your weekly grocery list: fruit, meat, dairy products, and vegetables, among other goods. Kings Drive Farmers Market and Mount Holly Farmers Market are both open seasonally, April through October. 1801 Yorkmont Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217 226 S. Main St. Mount Holly, NC 28120 938 S Kings Dr, Charlotte, NC, United States, North Carolina Weekends at the Comedy Arts Theater of Charlotte (or CATch, for short) are full of laughs. There's an improv show every Friday and Saturday night, and tickets are just $10 per person. You can purchase tickets online or in person, and the theater serves a selection of local and regional beer, as well as red and white wine options. Have dinner before the show—most of them last around an hour and a half—or snack on some concessions before grabbing a late-night meal afterward. 4128 South Blvd. Suite A3, Charlotte, NC 28209 If you're not careful, even a casual meal can result in a relatively high bill. Instead of running that risk, invite your friends for a picnic lunch or early dinner in Freedom Park. Either pack your own sandwiches or other delicious bites, or pick up a few pizzas—maybe the margherita and the pistachio—from the Inizio Pizza Dilworth location. Freedom Park: 1900 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203 No interest in rafting? Don't forgo the Whitewater Center just yet. It has more than 40 miles of trails along the Catawba River and through pine and hardwood forests, and hikers and trail runners don't need a pass to access them. Familiarize yourself with the Trail Map ahead of time, and check the website before you leave your house (just in case weather conditions result in trail closure). 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28214 Open mic nights are one of the most affordable ways to spend a fun night out in Charlotte. The Evening Muse hosts one every Monday night, and tickets are just $5 (plus service fees). Or, you can swing by Town Brewing on Mondays from 6:30 to 9 p.m.; it's free to attend, but you'll want to bring a few dollars for one of the brewery's signature beers. 3227 N. Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC 28205 800 Grandin Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208 Meet new people, get some exercise, and learn a new skill (or brush up on an old one) with the Charlotte Ballet. Sponsored by Culture Blocks, the organization hosts weekly dance classes—like jazz fitness, Afro beats fitness, and senior ballet—for all skill levels and ages. The classes are free to join, and they're hosted at various locations in the Charlotte area. various locations When warm weather arrives in Charlotte, so does the live music. Every Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m., local musicians bring their talents to the Metropolitan shopping area. Parking and admission are both free, and the event is dog-friendly. While you're there, enjoy dinner at 3rd & Fernwood or Dressler's, then a sweet treat from the Peach Cobbler Factory. 1111 Metropolitan Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 $5 for a yoga class and a drink is a tough deal to beat, so make your way to Lenny Boy Brewing on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings. The 7:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. beginner-friendly vinyasa flow classes also come with a 6-ounce pour of kombucha, which Lenny Boy brews in-house (along with beer, sours, and wild ales). 3000 S. Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28217 Keep your mind sharp with a weekly game of chess. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system hosts a handful of chess meetups for all ages. Join the Gaining Freedom Chess Club or Chess Time! to learn the game or start to hone your skills. There's also a community drop-in event called Checkmate'd that's ideal for all skill levels. various locations For a flat, relatively easy, shaded trail, head to the Evergreen Nature Preserve. The kid- and dog-friendly walk is about a 1.7-mile loop that consists of several smaller trails, and the entire route will take around 30-35 minutes to complete. The 77-acre preserve is open year-round, and it's just a few miles from Uptown—so it's great for those days when you want a quick escape into nature. 1336 Norland Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205 Read the original article on Southern Living
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Springfield to host 8 concerts, 10 movies for free this summer
SPRINGFIELD — People looking for inexpensive family fun this summer won't have to go far, since the city is returning with a full lineup of its free movies in multiple parks and concerts at the Forest Park Amphitheater. The fairly low cost to the city is worth it for the enjoyment that everyone — from toddlers to retirees — get from the annual summer tradition, said Mayor Domenic J. Sarno when announcing the lineup. There will be eight concerts and 10 movie showings in July, August and September. 'It brings families of all creeds, colors and backgrounds together,' Sarno said. 'You can't put a price tag on these events. It is a real morale booster.' It will cost $34,150 to host the movies and concerts from a budget that tops $985 million. In good weather, the concerts attract an average crowd of 500, while movies bring in upward of 200 families, said Tom Ashe, director of parks, buildings and recreation management. All eight concerts are scheduled at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays at the Forest Park Amphitheater and will be moved inside to the Carriage House in case of rain. 'There is really something here for everyone,' Ashe said. Ashe said his staff created a robust lineup to offer everything from country and blues to rock, and a few local favorites who play every year. This year the schedule begins with Dee Reilly on July 17 followed by Manzi Family Band on Aug. 7. The rest of the schedule is: Aquanett, Aug. 14; Bennie and the Jets, Aug. 21; Trailer Trash, Aug. 28; Floyd Patterson Band, Sept. 4; and Unforgettable Fire, Sept. 11. The last performance is new to the lineup but will highlight one of the city's assets with two quintets from the Springfield Symphony Orchestra performing Sept. 18. Sarno said he is hoping the last performance will serve as a way to promote the symphony, which has struggled with a comeback since COVID shutdowns in 2020. 'I hope people who have never seen the symphony will enjoy the performance and will want to see another show,' he said. White Lion Brewery will be at the concerts selling food and beverages from its truck. Other food trucks also park at the movies and concerts, so people can buy dinner and make it a full night, Ashe said. The concerts are a tradition that date to the 1980s, and the city also has hosted movies on its inflatable, portable screen for more than a decade, said Sydney Pasini, special event coordinator for parks and recreation. The movies will travel to 10 different spots across the city, giving families a chance to head to their neighborhood park close to home. Each will begin at 8:30 p.m. and will be canceled if it rains, she said. The city this year selected three movies to show, with 'Moana 2' scheduled for July 14 in Samuel Bolden Park, July 16 at the Forest Park amphitheater and July 18 in Emily Bill Park. 'The Wild Robot' will be held July 21 at Marshall Roy Park, July 22 at Riverfront Park, July 23 at Emerson Wight Park and July 25 in Hubbard Park. 'Padding in Peru' will be held July 28 in Kenefick Park, July 30 in Nathan Bill Park and Aug. 1 in Van Horn Park. Ashe joked that he told Pasini she could select the movies but had to watch each five times before ordering them to ensure there is nothing inappropriate for children. In truth, Pasini said she does watch each twice and selects movies that are current and recommended by people and she thinks families will enjoy. Read the original article on MassLive.
