A sideshow act and a carnival midway squeezed onto a pier that juts into the Hudson, with the sun dropping behind New Jersey as the bands play, and it costs nothing. Riverside Park Conservancy runs this as the closing set-piece of its Summer on the Hudson season, so it carries the full end-of-summer weight. If you want one unhurried Sunday afternoon on the water before the season turns, take this.
What to expect
Pier i fills with vendor tables, carnival amusements and a stage for live bands, with sideshow performers working the crowd between sets. Cotton candy and local food vendors handle the eating. Seating is limited and unreserved, so most people stand or bring something to sit on and drift between the pier rail and the stage.
Good to know
- Take the 1, 2 or 3 to 72nd Street and walk west to the river.
- Seating is limited and first-come, first-served; bring a blanket or folding chair.
- The pier is exposed with almost no shade, so bring sun protection.
- Heavy rain cancels the event; the conservancy posts weather calls a couple of hours ahead.
- There is a rain date the following Sunday if the fair is washed out.
- The pier is flat and accessible, and works well for strollers.
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Common questions
Is it really free?
Yes. Every Summer on the Hudson programme is free and open to the public with no registration required unless specifically noted.
What happens if it rains?
The fair is cancelled in heavy rain and moves to a rain date the following Sunday. Check nyc.gov/parks/soh about two hours before you leave.
Is there anything for small children?
Yes. Carnival amusements, cotton candy and the sideshow performers are the draw for families, and the pier is compact enough to keep an eye on kids.
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