The ten best things to do this Presidents Day weekend: February 18–20

Arty Gras Festival and Parade

Saturday

Join Elmo, Bert, Ernie and the rest of the gang as they take on a musical adventure in . Also on Sunday and Monday. $15–$145. 

Play African board games, watch live music from the Harlem Quartet and listen to a performance by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels (of Run DMC) at AMNH’s . Free with museum admission.

Celebrate Nordic Halloween (otherwise known as ) with songs, games, food and a dress-up station at Scandinavia House. $7.

Watch performances by the Ringling Brothers, then learn to juggle and spin plates at the Intrepid Museum's Circus Weekend (part of ). Also on Sunday. Free with museum admission.

Discover historical memorabilia throughout the museum at the New-York Historical Society's . Also on Sunday. Free with museum admission.

Sunday

Make masks, noisemakers and floats, then march in an afternoon parade at the CMA’s . Free with museum admission.

FREE Meet children’s book authors , then listen to readings of Looking at Lincoln and George Washington’s Birthday: A Mostly True Tale at powerHouse Arena.

Watch and participate in 19th-century country dances, tour the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and celebrate the birth of our country at . $15, children under 12 $10.

Monday

Test your presidential knowledge at the New-York Historical Society's . Also on Saturday and Sunday. Free with museum admission. 

Listen to artist read from her latest children's book, Looking at Lincoln, at the New-York Historical Society. Free with museum admission.