A Greener April: Celebrate Earth Day in Lincoln Square

Earth Day is a chance to step outside, take in the season, and reconnect with the world around us. In Lincoln Square and nearby, April brings a mix of outdoor experiences, performances, and ways to explore environmental themes. From Central Park to stages, screens, and more, there are plenty of ways to take part.

Grounded in Music & Movement

The Juilliard School (Locations Vary): Earth Month at Juilliard brings together music and dance programs inspired by the natural world. On Monday, April 20, Station Galleria: Alpine Triptych (5:30pm at Juilliard Station) and Carnegie Hall Presents: Juilliard at Zankel Hall – Les Élémens (7:30pm at Carnegie Hall) take place, each reflecting on elemental themes through performance.  Juilliard Green Club Celebrates Earth Month takes place on Wednesday, April 22 (7:30pm at the David Rubenstein Atrium), featuring an immersive performance experience with dancers, actors, and musicians exploring the future in the face of climate change. Dance programming continues later in the month with Merce Cunningham’s Pond Way, inspired by the movement of water and skipping stones, presented on Wednesday, April 29, and Thursday, April 30 (6:00pm both days on Lincoln Center’s Hearst Plaza).

The New York Society for Ethical Culture (2 West 64th Street): Communi-Tree: An Earth Day Dance Celebration on Thursday, April 23, at 9:45am is a free, educational dance program for children in grades K–6, presented by the Time Lapse Dance ensemble. The program features excerpts from Arbor, which reflects on the relationship between trees and people, and Plastic Harvest, which considers the impact of plastic pollution. The performance includes guided commentary and participatory movement, and concludes with a Q&A.

Earth on Screen & in Conversation

New Plaza Cinema (35 West 67th Street): The Unfixing screens on Sunday, April 19 at 6:15pm, as part of the NY Climate Film Festival. After a surfing accident leads to unexplained symptoms, filmmaker Nicole Betancourt embarks on a personal journey of self-discovery, guided by dreams, nature, and reflection. The film will be followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Nicole Betancourt.

NYC Department of Small Business Services (Online): Learn how to make smart, resilient choices for your business and community in this Protect the Planet, Protect Your Business webinar, in partnership with NYC Department of Sanitation, on Wednesday, April 22, at 11:00am. Topics include how to stay in business, protect your investments, and be ready for action. To learn more, view this flyer and register to attend here.

Riverside Library (127 Amsterdam Avenue): On Saturday, April 25, at 3:00pm, the Riverside Library hosts an Author Talk with Dr. Judith S. Weis, a marine biologist and Emeritus Professor at Rutgers University. She will discuss her book, Marine Pollution: What Everyone Needs to Know, in which she explores the sources and impacts of marine pollution and efforts to address environmental challenges.

Sustainable Creativity

Color Me Mine Upper West Side (177 Amsterdam Avenue) : On Thursday, April 23, at 6:00pm, Paint Your Pot: Earth Day Workshop is an adults-only evening celebrating Earth Day through pottery painting. Guests can design their own flower pot—perfect for planting seasonal blooms—along with a bonus pipe cleaner flower activity to create a colorful, lasting arrangement. All materials are included, with ceramics priced separately.

The Store at MAD (2 Columbus Circle): On Thursday, April 23, from 5:00pm–8:00pm, celebrate Earth Month with an Earth Month Trunk Show featuring sustainable style and design. The event highlights eco-focused collections made from recycled, upcycled, and biodegradable materials, along with opportunities to meet participating designers. Guests receive 20% off all purchases during the event. 

Eat Green

Le Botaniste (156 Columbus Avenue): Throughout April, Le Botaniste highlights Earth Month with plant-based dining initiatives centered on sustainability and mindful eating. The restaurant’s approach reflects a broader commitment to environmental responsibility, supported by collaborations with organizations such as the Earth Day Initiative, the World Health Organization, and the Arbor Day Foundation. These efforts include tree-planting initiatives, advocacy for cruelty-free practices, and participation in sustainability-focused conversations.

Le French Wine Shop (161 Amsterdam Ave): Celebrate Earth Month with 15% off all B.O.N.S. wines throughout April using promo code BONS15. The collection highlights wines made using biodynamic, organic, natural, and sustainable practices.

Step Into Nature

Central Park Conservancy (Locations Vary): Spring is in full swing across Central Park, making it an ideal time to explore its landscapes up close. For those looking to spend more time outdoors, the Great Central Park Hike: Earth Month edition on Sunday, April 19, at 10:00am offers a 4-hour guided hike through approximately 4.5 miles of Central Park. Led by Central Park Conservancy guides, the tour highlights the environmental benefits of public parks while providing architectural, ecological, and historical insights along the way. The Birding Basics: The Ramble Tour takes place on Saturday, April 25, at 10:00am, where you can learn the basics of bird identification while you explore a vibrant woodland habitat. On Saturday, April 25, May 9, and May 23, at 11:00am, the Conservatory Garden Tour highlights seasonal blooms, including tulips, lilacs, and summer perennials, in one of the park’s most formal and colorful spaces. 

Earth Day is a moment to reflect, but also to take part—whether that means getting outdoors, supporting sustainable businesses, or engaging with ideas that shape how we care for the planet. However you choose to celebrate, Lincoln Square offers meaningful ways to connect with the season and the world around us. 

For more information about Earth Day and to explore more events, visit https://www.earthday.org/. 

Photo Credit: The Juilliard School