City of Water Day 2026 is on Saturday, July 25
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City of Water Day 2026 is on Saturday, July 25 *
City of Water Day is a region-wide day of free, family-friendly events on or near the water!
Now in its 19th year, City of Water Day — taking place this year on Saturday, July 25 — is a region-wide day organized by Waterfront Alliance and New York–New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP), to champion a climate-resilient New York and New Jersey harbor.
Dozens of communities across all five boroughs, Westchester and Rockland counties, and New Jersey will host events on and near the water that celebrate the importance of a resilient and equitably shared waterfront. From free kayaking to rowing to hands-on workshops, these events offer community members opportunities for fun, education, and access to their local waterfront.
Find an event near you!
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Find an event near you! ⋆
Living With Water: Celebrating Access to the Waterways That Connect Us
City of Water Day 2026 celebrates what it means to live with water: being on it, near it, and connected to it. From rivers and bays to creeks and canals, our waterways are central to community life across New York and New Jersey. By getting people out on the water via kayaking, boating, learning, and exploring, we build deeper connections to the waterways that shape our region and bring communities together.
This year’s theme highlights water as a source of joy, belonging, and resilience, welcoming new communities to experience and care for their local waterways. City of Water Day 2026 will prioritize on-water and near-water activities, educational experiences that engage directly with water, and opportunities to connect and volunteer with partners advancing waterfront access across the region.
Recording: Partner Information Session
Watch the recording of our 2026 Partner Information Session to gain more insight on the grant application process!
Application Form Preview
Prepare your event registration and funding application by reviewing the questions in advance. This is last year’s application; the coming year’s application will be added in Spring 2026.
Register for our next Partner Session on April 8!
Our 2nd Partner Session will focus on “Application 101” — ensuring that your team is ready to submit your event for City of Water Day 2026.
The climate is changing. And so are we.
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The climate is changing. And so are we. *
Check out the 2025 map!
View the 2025 events map and list to find inspiration for activities near your and/or on the waterfront.
Join the fun on social media using the hashtag #CityofWaterDay!
Tag @waterfrontalliance or @nynjhep on Instagram for the chance to be featured on our profiles - before, during, and after the big day!
