The Sleepy Hollow Mermaid Festival is back for its third year, and this family-friendly celebration has quickly become one of the Hudson Valley’s most vibrant summer traditions, drawing thousands of mermaids, pirates, and riverfront revelers to Kingsland Point Park.
“We are floored by how this homegrown event has captured people’s imaginations,” said festival co-organizer Megan Isenstadt. “Last year, over 10,000 people came out to celebrate the Hudson River with us. It’s become a joyful local tradition that brings people together through art, environmental advocacy, and really just a love for this beautiful river.”
The festival, which supports Riverkeeper with a portion of its ticket sales, will once again feature a costume parade, live music, art-making activities, performances, and environmental programming that highlights the importance of Hudson River accessibility.
“Riverkeeper is delighted to be a part of the Mermaid Festival again this year. The highlight of the day is the opening of the Hudson River beach for festival goers to connect with the River,” says Tracy Brown, President and Hudson Riverkeeper. “We have only four public beaches in the Hudson River estuary and we think Kingsland Point Park Beach in Sleepy Hollow should be the fifth. We are grateful to all the mermaids and mermen who turn out and show what love of swimming in community looks like every year at this unique event.”
The once-public beach at Kingsland Point Park will be open for wading during the festival, with lifeguards and beach management provided by the Shames JCC.
“The Shames JCC is honored to be a partner on this incredible community celebration, bringing people of all ages together to experience joy through movement, creation, performance, and connection,” says Adam Weiss, CEO of the Shames JCC on the Hudson. “We are grateful to support the event, and know the swimmers are in the best of hands with our lifeguards and aquatics team.”
This year, the festival’s costume land parade will highlight Hudson River ecology and aquatic life with new custom puppets.
“Riverkeeper will bring our mission of protecting and healing the Hudson River with our Fish Migration Celebration at the Mermaid Festival this year with puppets, song, and dance that celebrate the seasonal return of our migrating fish,” says Brown. “Working with local artists, we are able to bring these aquatic neighbors to life in a tactile and exciting way. We hope this splashy celebration will increase people‘s commitment to keeping the Hudson River clean and healthy.”
Over in the river, Rivertowns SUP and Yoga will lead the simultaneous water parade of mermaids creatively outfitted for stand-up paddleboards, a truly immersive way to experience the Hudson.
“Getting out on the Hudson River offers an opportunity to transform fear into empowerment,” says founder Tara Scheller. “It forces you to be mindful, present, and attuned to the river’s tides, currents, and the surrounding environment. Experiencing the river from this perspective completely changes how you view it, fostering an intimate appreciation and respect for the river and the environment overall.”
Confirmed free activities and performances include:
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Mermaid Lagoon photo ops with professional mermaids Ali Luminescent, Mermaid Shay, and Mermaid Seleil
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Live music with Merman the Band, Siren Song, and State Liquor Authority
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Art-making provided by ArtsWestchester Arts Mobile, teaching artist Erwin Ong, and Strawtown Studio
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The Little Mermaid puppet show by Little Genii Puppets
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Fish Parade on land and water, ending in a costume contest
Food, beverage, and local craft vendors include Captain Lawrence, Cousins Maine Lobster, Walters Hot Dogs, Jimmy’s Soft Serve, and Duck Donuts.
The Sleepy Hollow Mermaid Festival will take place Saturday, July 18 from 1pm to 5pm at Kingsland Point Park in Sleepy Hollow. To help accommodate the festival’s growing size, organizers will introduce a $10 ticket fee, with free admission for children under 10 and Sleepy Hollow residents.
For more information, visit Hudson River Mermaids.
