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! ⋆
Stronger Together: Join Your Neighbors in Creating Climate-Ready Communities!
Last year’s City of Water Day theme was unity in the face of climate change. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, community connection is essential. From checking on vulnerable residents during heatwaves to organizing storm recovery efforts, connected communities can act faster and more efficiently than individuals acting alone. City of Water Day activities celebrate our shared waters and community waterfront spaces in New York and New Jersey and create opportunities for meaningful connections that are key to a climate-resilient future.
Every year, the New York–New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP) is able to support a select number of local organizations interested in hosting a City of Water Day event with additional funding support.
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!
Recording: Partner Information Session
Watch the recording of our 2025 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 Your Event - 2025
View the registration form from last year’s City of Water Day to understand the application process. A new application for 2026 will be added in the Spring.