Annual Events and Festivals

Medieval Festival

For one day each September or October, the park becomes a medieval village with costumed performers, authentic period music, dance, magic, jugglers, jesters, and a joust between four knights on horseback. Co-sponsored by Washington Heights and Inwood Development Corporation.

Open House New York

Open House New York (OHNY) hosts year-round educational programs celebrating New York City’s built-environment, and, every October, America’s largest architecture and design event, the Annual Open House New York Weekend. The Fort Tryon Park Cottage and the Heather Garden will participate with tours of the historic Billings gatehouse (now the park administrator’s office) and the landmarked Heather Garden.

Shearing of the Heather

Each April, members of the Northeast Heather Society join our horticulture staff to shear the heathers, a task that encourages dense horizontal growth and helps ensure the Fort Tryon Heather Garden is one of the finest in the northeast.

Urban Wildlife Festival

Join NYC Parks and the Fort Tryon Park Trust each spring to get up close and personal with owls, hawks, porcupines, tortoises and more at this free Wildlife Festival! Learn about their traits and behaviors from New York State licensed rehabilitators and the Urban Park Rangers. Come and enjoy relay races, animal themed arts and crafts, a free puppet show performed by the City Parks Foundation’s PuppetMobile, and dance to the sounds of live music from Shine and the Moonbeams!

Commemoration of the Battle of Fort Washington

An annual November event commemorating the Revolutionary War Battle of Fort Washington (November 16, 1776). Members of the Brigade of the American Revolution set up a campsite and demonstrate how the Continental Army functioned during the Revolutionary War. Plus, Live Musket Demonstrations, Arts & Crafts for kids, and more.

Scandia Symphony

This June concert series features the works of Scandinavian composers as interpreted by The New York Scandia Symphony and guest artists.

Harvest Festival

The Fort Tryon Park Trust collaborates with local partners and parents to host an annual October Harvest Festival.