Governors Island is currently closed to the public and will re-open on May 30, 2009. Information and activities offered during the 2008 season is offered below.
 

Governors Island will be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 31st until October 12th. On Friday, the Island is open from 10 AM to 5 PM; on Saturdays and Sundays, the Island is open from 10 AM to 7 PM.

To download a map of Governors Island, click here.
 

Signature exhibits and public art open on Governors Island

May 31st to October 5th: In Site presented by the Sculptors Guild
The Sculptors Guild is honored to present this exhibition marking a 70 year celebration for the Guild, in its city of origin. To see images of In Site, click here.

Every weekend: PAINTING GOVERNORS ISLAND. In historic "Building 408," eight painters exhibit their watercolors and oil paintings made on- site, on Governors Island.

June 26th to October 13th: The New York City Waterfalls by Olafur Eliasson.
For images of the waterfall’s construction, please click here.

Saturday, September 13th – Sunday, October 13th: The 4 Heads Collective presents the Governors Island Art Fair
Featuring sound installations, sculptures and portraits by dozens of artists.

May - October

A list of activities and events is as follows. Please check back for additional programs that may be added.

Every Wednesday and Thursday: National Park Service Programs,10 AM and 1 PM
Take a walking tour of the National Historic District with National Park Service rangers. Ferries leave from the Battery Maritime Building at 10 AM and 1 PM. Last tour on August 28th.

Friday Morning Summer Programs on Governors Island with the National Park Service, programs run continually beginning at 10:15 with the final program ending at 1 PM. Last program on August 29th.
Children have the opportunity to meet with a National Park Ranger, Union Soldier, Confederate Prisoner or a middle class lady from 1863 in Fort Jay and Castle Williams every Friday. Learn more.

Saturday, May 31st: Opening Day Family Festival, noon
Join us for arts and crafts, musical and theatrical performances for kids and MORE! Sponsored by the Governors Island Alliance.

Saturday June 7th and Sunday June 8th: Michael Aranella and the Dreamland Orchestra, 1:30 PM
A delightful afternoon rendezvous of live music and dance, instruction in period dances, picnicking, traditional games, a “best pie-recipe” contest, vintage clothing events, a 1920s automobile exhibit, and more!

Saturday June 21st and Sunday June 22nd: Army Heritage Weekend, 11 AM to 4 PM
Join NPS staff for special programs and tours highlighting the military history on Governors Island.

Saturday June 28th and Sunday June 29th: Figment Festival, 1:30 PM
FIGMENT is a three day festival featuring exhibits and interactive performances. For more information, to submit a project, or volunteer, please visit www.figmentnyc.org.

Saturdays in July: Trinity Wall Street and the Governors Island Alliance sponsor Folks on the Island! Concert Series, 1:30 PM

• Janis Ian - July 5th, 1:30 PM
  A veteran folk-pop singer/songwriter, Janice Ian’s music features satiric wit, edgy humor, and 1960s inspired passion. In her 40-year history, this Grammy award-winning performer’s music continues to reflect and transcend the challenges of our times.
• Slaid Cleaves -  July 12th,  1:30 PM
  Award-winning singer/songwriter Slaid Cleaves blurs the lines between singer and song, producing music that is the perfect blend of country, folk, and rock—pure Americana.
• Bearfoot - July 19,, 1:30 PM
  Bearfoot, an Alaska-based acoustic ensemble, brings a fresh and vibrant approach to bluegrass. Their youthful sound has been described as jazz stomp meets Appalachian breakdown, tempered with back-alley southern blues—all infused with a bluegrass passion.
• Eric Bibb - July 26, 1:30 PM
  Son of legendary folk and musical theater singer Leon Bibb, Eric Bibb is an original talent whose singing and versatile guitar playing fuse a variety of genres to create a “New World blues.” Performing with his daughter, Yana, this concert will be a pan-generational foray into the blues.

Saturday, July 5th: New York Philharmonic Performs on Governors Island, 6:30 PM
Free outdoor evening concert with New York City’s premier orchestra.

Friday July 11th: Dark Star Orchestra, 6 PM. Using entire shows from the Grateful Dead's 30 years of extensive touring as a launching pad, Dark Star Orchestra recreates the original song for song performance set list for an entirely new generation. Tickets are required. To purchase tickets, visit www.govislandconcerts.com

Saturday, July 26th: City of Water Day, all day. On 2008, paddlers, sailors, mariners and landlubbers from all over are converging on Governors Island for a celebration of our harbor and waterways! Come to the island by free ferry, kayak, boat or canoe and enjoy fishing, walking tours, music, historic boats and harbor tours, free paddling, free sailing, and food. Sponsored by the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance (www.waterwire.net).

Folks on the Island presents Ronny Cox – August 2, 1:30 PM
Actor and singer Ronny Cox first caught America’s attention with his famous “Dueling Banjos” performance in the movie Deliverance. Since then he has acted in numerous films, yet he continues to chronicle his life experiences musically through an eclectic mix of genres and styles from folk to western to jazzy-blues.

Saturday August 2nd and Sunday, August 3rd: Join the National Park Service and the 5th New York Regiment for family friendly living history demonstrations, and special programs which will explore the events leading up to the Battle of Brooklyn.

Saturday, August 9th and Sunday August 10th: African Film Festival, 1:30 PM
Have you ever wanted to experience the sights and sounds of Africa? Now you can! Join the African Film Festival on Governors Island and welcome world class music, drumming and song in an all-day festival.

Saturday, August 9th and Sunday August 10th: Civil War Weekend
The National Park Service, 119th New York Volunteers and The GawdAwful Mess will provide family friendly activities, living history demonstrations, music and other programs designed to introduce you to the men and women of the Governors Island Garrison and Confederates imprisoned on the island.

Saturday August 16th Sunday August 17th: Battery Dance Company, 1:00 PM
Battery Dance Company's acclaimed Downtown Dance Festival will cross the harbor to Governors’ Island. Enjoy free performances with dance companies performing back-to-back shows.

Saturday August 23rd: Saw Doctors performance, 7 PM. Tickets are required. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.govislandconcerts.com.

Saturday August 23rd and Sunday August 24th, Battle of Brooklyn Weekend, 11 AM to 4 PM
Explore the pivotal role that Governors Island played during the Battle of Brooklyn by joining the National Park Service and members of the 5th New York Regiment in family friendly living history demonstrations and special programs. For more information, please visit www.nps.gov/gois.

Friday, August 29th, Saturday August 30th and Sunday August 31st: Pulse Theatre Presents Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” 2 PM
Join this ensemble theatre as they perform on of Shakespeare’s classic and timeless plays.

Saturday, September 13th and Sunday September 14th, all day

A delightful afternoon rendezvous of live music and dance, instruction in period dances, picnicking, traditional games, a “best pie-recipe” contest, vintage clothing events, a 1920s automobile exhibit, and more! For a full schedule of the day’s activities, please visit http://www.dreamlandorchestra.com/calendar.php

Friday, September 19th – Sunday, September 21st: Free Bike and Kite Weekend

All weekend, visitors can borrow a bike for up to one hour entirely for free. Free Bike Weekend, like the Free Bike Fridays program on Governors Island, is sponsored by Transportation Alternatives. Bikes are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis. Also, the first 250 visitors each day will be given a kite to fly on the Island’s Parade Ground.

Saturday, September 27th: Improv Everywhere presents The Mp3 Experiment,  3:15 PM

Improv Everywhere will be bringing their fifth installment of their much-loved Mp3 Experiment project to Governors Island. Participants download an Mp3 from the group's website, load it onto their iPods, and then arrive to press play simultaneously at the pre-appointed time. Last year's event in Battery Park City had over 800 people participating. This year's event promises to be even grander in scale. Learn more about Improv Everywhere on their site: http://www.improveverywhere.com.

Saturday, October 4th and Sunday October 5th: Open House New York

For the first time, Governors Island will open the whole Island for Open House New York! Visitors can take tram tours of the entire Island, including the southern end that is currently off limits. Several of the Island’s buildings which are not normally open, will also be available for visitors to experience. For more information or to reserve a spot on the tram tours, please visit http://www.ohny.org/programs/tours.cfm

Friday, October 10: Watch Demolition of Liberty Village on the Island’s Southern End, 11:45 AM
10 non-historic buildings will be demolished to open eight acres of new green space. The public is invited to watch. Demolition begins at 11:45 AM.

Every weekend: In Site presented by the Sculptors Guild
The Sculptors Guild is honored to present this exhibition marking a 70 year celebration for the Guild, in its city of origin.

June 26th to October 13th: The New York City Waterfalls by Olafur Eliasson