Family events in Chemung County, NY

This outing at Pulaski Park in Elmira focuses on exploring nature while learning and having fun. The park is suitable for strollers and walkers. The walk includes an activity and a snack. Please bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and a sense of adventure. No registration is required. The meeting point will be listed on the Facebook event page. Ticks are prevalent this year, so a tick check after time outdoors is recommended. In the event of inclement weather, check the Facebook page for updates and changes.

Fritz's Polka Band, members of the Syracuse Area Music Hall of Fame, returns to this community event to perform a varied mix of tunes. The lineup features Fritz Scherz, a 2023 inductee into the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame, with Gabe Vaccaro, Frank Nelson, and Tim Quinn.

Enjoy a free showing of The Good Dinosaur! This movie program is rated PG and runs about 1 hour and 35 minutes. Adults are welcome if they come with a child, and all children under 12 must be accompanied by a responsible caregiver age 16 or older.

Glide into a friendly roller skating session with simple pricing. Admission is 7 dollars for ages 18 and up and 5 dollars for those under 18. Skate rentals are available for an additional 3 dollars and 50 cents, with sizes from toddler 10 through adult 13. To save time at check-in, rental skates can be prepaid during registration. Groups of 10 to 20 may request a discounted rate when scheduled at least 10 days ahead, and an interest form is available for group inquiries. Helmets as well as elbow and knee pads are encouraged for all skaters.

This weekly outdoor market at Steamboat Landing sets up beneath the pavilion and offers a relaxed place to browse favorite vendors and stands. It is a community gathering where visitors can catch up with familiar faces and meet new ones while exploring a showcase of agriculture, art, and food. Everything available is grown, crafted, or cooked within 30 miles of a pavilion built by members, celebrating local makers and producers.

Explore the world of pollinators during a Drop-In Discovery Days session in a free Saturday summer series created for nature enthusiasts of all ages. Engage with hands-on activities at your own pace, with materials and staff available to support your exploration. This edition spotlights Powerful Pollinators. Registration is not required. Look for the new Discovery Cart and follow the sign at the main entrance to find the program. Sessions continue in light rain and are canceled in the event of storms or heavy rain, and themes may change based on weather, materials, and staff availability. This program is supported by the Tompkins County Tourism Program and the Legacy Foundation.

The Hilliard Family Stage hosts Jenna Buck for a live set of soulful, stripped-down acoustic music, creating an easygoing summer evening atmosphere. This performance is co-sponsored by Charles F Evans Company.

A summer gathering at Park Avenue Sports Center blends a relaxed car meetup with live music and tasty bites. Expect a showcase of rides where owners park, chat with fellow enthusiasts, and enjoy the atmosphere with family and friends. Whiskey & Lace performs live on site, and Ray’s Food Truck offers crowd-pleasing eats. The venue’s attractions are open for added fun, including an 18-hole mini golf course, a driving range, batting cages, combat laser tag available by appointment, Water Wars for a splashy cooldown, and ice cream. There is no charge for spectators to walk around and view the cars.

Family karaoke takes over the Hilliard Family Stage, sponsored by STCF. All ages can step onto the stage and sing a favorite song, creating a lighthearted atmosphere for shared music and fun.

Looking for a fun summer option for kids? The Little Lounge offers weekly themed camps filled with activities, crafts, games, and plenty of play in the indoor playground. Sessions run Monday through Friday with full and half day options. An early booking special is available at $250 for full day and $130 for half day, priced per child per week. Discounts are offered for siblings in the full day camp, and members receive additional savings. A 50 percent deposit is due at booking, with the balance required before attendance. Camps are fully supervised by trained, trustworthy staff in an air conditioned facility, so weather does not interrupt the fun. Children can build friendships in a safe, engaging setting. Campers must be fully potty trained and should bring a water bottle each day.

Celebrating its 5th anniversary, Little Dancers Summer Camp from Leslie School of Dance offers a weeklong blend of creativity, movement, and play for children ages 2.5 to 11. Campers enjoy upbeat dance sessions inspired by the popular kids movie K-Pop Demon Hunters, learning kid-friendly routines that build rhythm and confidence. The days also feature themed crafts, outdoor games, and group activities that encourage self-expression and new friendships. Daily bounce house time and a relaxed movie break keep the fun going while giving kids a chance to recharge. The week concludes with a special performance for parents that highlights new dance skills and celebrates the campers’ hard work. Experienced instructors lead with safety, encouragement, and a welcoming atmosphere, making this a great fit for both dedicated young dancers and those simply looking to have fun.

Celebrate the joy of singing with a weeklong camp focused on ensemble music-making for treble voices ages 9 to 13. Participants explore a variety of songs, strengthen vocal technique and stage presence, and build musicianship through solfege and rhythm practice. The program includes musical games, movement, and introductions to musical theatre elements. The week concludes with a group performance. New singers and those from the Odyssey Choir are welcome. Tuition is $375 per student, and scholarships are available.

Regal’s Summer Movie Express returns with an eleven week run at participating theatres, offering two PG-rated features each week for an easy, affordable outing priced at just $1 per ticket. The lineup includes titles such as The Sandlot and Muppets: Treasure Island, with some locations adding one or two extra weeks to match local school calendars. Attendees can also save at the concession stand with $3 off a Snack Pack that includes a junior drink, popcorn, and fruit gummies, or $3 off a cup of Dippin’ Dots. Advance tickets are available at theatre box offices, kiosks, or through the mobile app, and Regal Unlimited members can secure SMX titles with their subscription.

Join Steele Kids for S’mores Day at the library. Kids will make s’mores while celebrating National S’mores Day. Registration is required, and children under 12 must be accompanied at all times by a caregiver age 16 or older. This event is for registrants ages birth to 12.

Celebrate Summer Reading with a fun hands-on dinosaur craft. You’ll get to create your very own stuffed prehistoric pal while enjoying the AugustOSAURUS theme. Ages 5 and up, along with their caregivers, are welcome. Registration is required, and dinosaur kits are limited, so you’ll want to register when registration opens on July 27, 2026.

Families with children ages 5 to 12 can take part in a drop-in, self-guided experience that mixes hands-on artmaking with gallery exploration. Each week introduces fresh themes, projects, and activities that invite playful experimentation with color and closer connections to art. Offerings include workshops led by Rockwell Educators in the Kids Rockwell Art Lab, Spy, Think, Ponder card sets that spotlight works from The Rockwell’s collection with kid-friendly prompts, gallery art hunts that encourage careful looking, and simple games on the Art Cart to spark independent discovery with loved ones. The program is open to the public, included with museum admission, and requires no registration.

Support your child’s early development through play at this caregiver-and-child playgroup for ages 0 to 3. Babies and toddlers will explore age-appropriate toys and movement while caregivers get time to chat, connect, and build community over coffee. All materials are provided, and caregivers stay and participate.

Young wrestlers entering grades 1 through 6 can sharpen core skills and build confidence at a summer wrestling camp held at Ithaca High School. Instruction is led by Josh Antoine, an award-winning coach from Ithaca High School, together with several experienced coaches. Participants receive plenty of individualized attention focused on technique and strategy, with guidance tailored to both boys and girls in this age range.

Area middle and high school wrestlers can elevate their technique and build a strong mindset at a three-day summer camp at Ithaca High School. The camp is led by award-winning Ithaca High School coach Josh Antoine and features additional high-level instruction from technicians Julian Ramirez and Renaldo Rodriguez. Sessions focus on refining skills on the mat while developing strong mental preparation for competition.

Join for a family story time with the theme “Unearth a Story.” After the stories, there will be activities provided. This program is geared toward kids ages 5 and under, though everyone is welcome to attend.

Master Tiffany from Tioga Tae Kwon Do leads an introductory session covering the basics of taekwondo and tumbling for participants ages 5 and up. Classes take place after the story times at Muldoon Park.

Schuyler County libraries mark the end of the Summer Learning Program with an afternoon celebration at the Montour Falls Farmers Market. The event features outdoor games and activities, plus live music by Doc Possum. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

The Lost Rebels return to Teal Park for the summer concert series, performing hits by Elvis, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Eddie Cochran, Tommy James and the Shondells, the Monkees, and more.