The NYC Unicycle Festival, presented by the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, is coming to New York City again this Labor Day Weekend. From September 2 – 5. During this 12th annual event, dozens of one-wheeled riders participate in free outdoor activities in this unique New York City summer tradition.
This year’s event will have a somewhat different spin as it spends a day in the Bronx to honor the borough’s own unicycle legends, the King Charles Troupe. The schedule of events will take escorted group rides through Manhattan (Sept 2), Brooklyn (Sept 3), and the Bronx (Sept 4), culminating in an afternoon of festivities at Grant’s Tomb (Sept 5). UniFest has something for everyone, from long-time unicycle enthusiasts to first-time thrill-seekers; from unicycle basketball to scavenger hunts; from avid cyclists to families looking for the best way to spend a summer’s day in the Big Apple. It’s fun, it’s free and all ages and abilities are welcome! Find out more at nycunifest.com.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, September 2 – 10:30 AM start time
West Side One-Wheel ride. Unicycle riders will meet up in Battery Park and journey up the West Side before rolling to Central Park for a loop.
Friday, September 3 – 2:00 PM start time
Brooklyn Unicycle Day features a massive group ride over the Brooklyn Bridge to Coney Island—more than thirteen miles on one wheel!
Saturday, September 4 – 11:00 AM festivities begin, 1:15 PM ride to Orchard Beach
The festival’s main event, Bronx Unicycle Day, starts with a unicycle basketball game featuring local legends, the King Charles Unicycle Troupe, in the south court at Crotona Park. From there, participants will ride along Pelham Parkway to Orchard Beach.
Sunday, September 5 – 1:00 PM start time
Unicycle club meeting at Grant’s Tomb caps off the weekend with a low-key skill-share. Anyone interested in learning to ride a unicycle can come find out more.
The wildly popular festival is produced annually by the Brooklyn-based Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, who have been bringing joy and wonder to the world for more than 25 years. This year’s festival is made possible, in part, through the support of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and New York State Council on the Arts.