Top 3 Things To Do on Staten Island This Weekend: August 21–23, 2026

Looking for things to do on Staten Island this weekend?

From exploring marine life along the waterfront to getting an up-close look at honeybees and enjoying live music at Snug Harbor, Staten Island has several fun ways to get out of the house this weekend.

Whether you're planning something with the kids, looking for a free outdoor activity, or searching for a different kind of date idea, here are three Staten Island events happening Friday, August 21 through Sunday, August 23, 2026 worth putting on your calendar.

Quick Answer: What's Happening on Staten Island This Weekend?

Here are our three picks for August 21–23:

1. Coastal Ecology: Oysters Monitoring & Stewardship at Stapleton Waterfront Park on Friday morning. FREE.

2. Bee Day at the Staten Island Children's Museum on Saturday afternoon. Included with museum admission.

3. Serpentine Sibyls: River Songs & Sea Shanties with Brian Dewan at Snug Harbor on Saturday afternoon. FREE, with registration required.

Let's take a closer look.

1. Coastal Ecology: Oysters Monitoring & Stewardship

📅 Friday, August 21, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Stapleton Waterfront Park, Stapleton Esplanade
💲 FREE

If you've ever wondered what's living beneath the waters surrounding Staten Island, this is an opportunity to find out.

Head to Stapleton Waterfront Park Friday morning for a hands-on coastal ecology program focused on oysters and the role they play in New York Harbor.

Participants will learn about oysters and other local marine life while exploring the Billion Oyster Project site located along the Staten Island waterfront.

Why Are Oysters Important to New York Harbor?

Oysters aren't just something you find on a restaurant menu. Oyster reefs can provide habitat for marine species and contribute to healthier harbor ecosystems.

The Billion Oyster Project has been working to restore oyster populations throughout New York Harbor while also using the harbor as an educational resource.

For Staten Islanders, programs like this provide an opportunity to see that work taking place right in our own backyard.

Who Is This Event Good For?

This is a particularly interesting choice for:

• Families interested in nature and science

• Kids who enjoy hands-on learning

• Anyone interested in Staten Island's waterfront

• Residents curious about New York Harbor ecology

• People looking for a free Friday morning activity

And because the program takes place along the Stapleton waterfront, you're getting some fresh air and harbor views at the same time.

Event information:
NYC Parks Nature Events

2. Bee Day at Staten Island Children's Museum

Our Family-Friendly Pick

📅 Saturday, August 22, 2026
⏰ 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
📍 Staten Island Children's Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Building M, Staten Island
💲 Included with museum admission

Looking for something different to do with the kids this Saturday?

Bee Day at the Staten Island Children's Museum gives children a chance to learn about one of nature's hardest-working creatures.

During the program, families can get an up-close look at an educational beehive with a professional beekeeper.

Kids will have an opportunity to see the tools beekeepers use, check out kid-sized beekeeping equipment, ask questions, and participate in a guided honey tasting.

Why Kids May Love Bee Day

Bees are something children see all the time, but they don't necessarily get the opportunity to safely observe how a hive actually works.

This program turns that curiosity into an educational experience.

Children can learn about pollination, honey production, the role bees play in our environment, and what professional beekeepers actually do.

Best of all, it combines education with a hands-on experience rather than simply sitting and listening.

Make an Afternoon of It

The Children's Museum is located on the grounds of Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, making this an easy event to combine with some additional exploring.

And there's an interesting bonus this Saturday: our third weekend pick is also happening at Snug Harbor earlier that afternoon.

Event information:
Bee Day at Staten Island Children's Museum

3. Serpentine Sibyls: River Songs & Sea Shanties with Brian Dewan

Our Date-Day / Adult-Friendly Pick

📅 Saturday, August 22, 2026
⏰ 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 The Pond at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island
💲 FREE – Registration Required

Dinner and a movie are great, but sometimes it's fun to do something completely different.

This Saturday afternoon, Snug Harbor is hosting Serpentine Sibyls: River Songs & Sea Shanties with Brian Dewan, an outdoor performance featuring traditional maritime music.

The program brings together sea shanties, river songs and maritime ballads alongside Daniel Rothbart's floating sculptural installation at The Pond.

It's the kind of event that feels particularly appropriate for Staten Island, a borough whose history and identity have always been closely connected to the water.

Why We Picked This One

There are plenty of places to grab dinner or drinks on a Saturday.

But how often do you get to sit outdoors at Snug Harbor and listen to traditional sea shanties and river songs next to a floating art installation?

If you're looking for a relaxed date-day idea, an arts-and-culture outing, or simply something you haven't done before, this one stands out.

The performance is free, although advance registration is required.

Event and registration information:
River Songs & Sea Shanties at Snug Harbor

Planning Your Staten Island Weekend

One of the advantages of living on Staten Island is that you don't necessarily have to cross a bridge or get on a ferry to find something interesting to do.

This weekend offers three very different experiences.

🌊 Friday Adventure: Explore oysters and marine ecology along the Stapleton waterfront.

🐝 Saturday Family Fun: Learn about honeybees at the Staten Island Children's Museum.

❤️ Saturday Date Idea: Enjoy river songs and sea shanties outdoors at Snug Harbor.

If you're looking for a full Saturday outing, Snug Harbor is especially worth considering because both the sea shanties performance and Bee Day are taking place on the grounds that afternoon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some things to do on Staten Island this weekend?

For August 21–23, 2026, weekend options include Coastal Ecology: Oysters Monitoring & Stewardship at Stapleton Waterfront Park, Bee Day at the Staten Island Children's Museum, and River Songs & Sea Shanties at Snug Harbor.

Are there any free events on Staten Island this weekend?

Yes. The Coastal Ecology program at Stapleton Waterfront Park on Friday is free. The River Songs & Sea Shanties performance at Snug Harbor on Saturday is also free, although registration is required for the Snug Harbor event.

What can I do with kids on Staten Island this weekend?

Bee Day at the Staten Island Children's Museum is our family-friendly pick. Children can learn about bees, see an educational hive, explore beekeeping equipment and participate in a guided honey tasting.

Are there outdoor events on Staten Island this weekend?

Yes. The Coastal Ecology program takes place along the Stapleton waterfront, while River Songs & Sea Shanties is an outdoor performance at The Pond at Snug Harbor.

What's a unique date idea on Staten Island this weekend?

Consider the free River Songs & Sea Shanties performance at Snug Harbor on Saturday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. It combines live maritime music, outdoor scenery and a floating art installation.

Discover More of Staten Island

Great communities aren't just about houses. They're about the parks, museums, waterfronts, local organizations, events and people that make a place feel like home.

That's why we regularly highlight things happening around Staten Island.

Whether you've lived here your entire life, recently moved to the borough, or you're considering making Staten Island your next home, there's always something new to discover.

Have a fantastic weekend, Staten Island. Get out, explore the borough, support our local institutions, and enjoy everything our community has to offer.

Event details can change due to weather, scheduling or organizer updates. Check the official event page before heading out.

About the Author

Hal Blake is Broker/Owner of Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty Advisors LLC in Staten Island. Through the Home Sale Certainty System™, Hal helps homeowners eliminate uncertainty by guaranteeing verified market value and predictable outcomes.