Pinocchio and Gepetto’s Big Apple Adventure event image
Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre East Lawn, Central Park, Upper West Side, Manhattan

Pinocchio and Gepetto’s Big Apple Adventure

City Parks Foundation's free PuppetMobile retells Pinocchio as a NYC kid's robot buddy, with hand-carved marionettes on the lawn in Central Park.

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In this version, Geppetto is a New York City kid inventor who builds a robot Pinocchio, and the pair romp through local landmarks like the Swedish Cottage and Victorian Gardens. The hand-made marionettes come from the Swedish Cottage's own puppet builder, with original songs by Daryl Kojak. If you have little ones and a free Sunday afternoon, it's an easy, charming hour.

What to expect

The PuppetMobile, a traveling stage on wheels, sets up on the lawn and families gather on the grass for about an hour of marionette storytelling and songs. Shows are informal and outdoor.

Good to know

  • Free and open to all ages
  • Bring a blanket to sit on the lawn
  • Enter Central Park at West 79th or 81st Street; the B and C to 81st Street are closest
  • Arrive a little early for a good view
  • Belvedere Castle and the Shakespeare Garden are a short walk away

Going? Keep it.

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Common questions

Is it free?

Yes, all PuppetMobile performances are free.

What ages is it for?

It is billed for all ages and aimed at families.

How long is the show?

About an hour.