Summer Events & Programs for Youth & Families
Free and low cost child and family-friendly summer events, classes, and programs at the City of Albuquerque.
Registration and program dates vary. Registration dates are listed below as they are available.
Explore events, programs, camps, and classes for youth in Albuquerque all summer long! The City offers low cost and free ways for our youth to learn and have fun. One ABQ Youth Connect brings together all City youth opportunities of various types offered by various departments.
Categories
Summer Full Day Programs | Summer Camps & Classes | Summer Meals | Summer Events | Places of Interest | Jobs, Volunteering & Training
Full-Day Programs at Community, Multi-Gen, Child Development Centers & APS Locations
Free or low cost summer programs at more than 20 community centers, 2 multi-generational centers, and select APS locations providing planned, organized and supervised activities. Therapeutic Recreation is for youth of all abilities. Each location offers different programing and registration.
- Community Center Programs | Lottery Sign-up Monday, May 4 (opens at 8 a.m.) to Friday, May 15 (closes at 11:59 p.m.| 5-15 Years | $10 one-time
- Multi-Gen. Center Programs | Lottery Sign-up Monday, May 4 (opens at 8 a.m.) to Friday, May 15 (closes at 11:59 p.m.) | 5-13 | $30 per month plus one-time $20 annual center membership fee
- PLAY+ School Playground Program | Registration May 20 at 8 a.m. | K-Grade 5 | $15 one-time, $30 per week one child, $35 two children, $40 3+
- Inclusive Recreation Programs | Lottery Sign-up on TBD | K-High School | $40
- Early Head Start Program | Ongoing Registration | 0-3 Years | Free | Contact Monica Watrin 505-767-6512
- Preschool & NM Pre-K | Ongoing Registration | 3-5 Years | Free or Low Cost | Contact Lisa Lopez 505-767-6504
Partial-Day Lessons, Camps, Classes & Events
Each location offers different programing and registration.
- Teen Nights | Various Dates Coming Soon | 12-19 Years | Free
- Swim Lessons | June lessons are on sale May 2 at 10 a.m. July lessons on sale June 13 at 10 a.m. | All Ages | $
- Swim, Water Polo & Dive Teams | On sale May 2 at 10a.m. | Age 5-14 (swim) 8-14 (dive and Water Polo) | $
- Tennis Lessons | Registration June 8 to July 31 | Age 5+ | $
- Pickleball Lessons | Registration June 8 to July 31 | Age 5+ | $
- Junior Golf | Registration Varies, Contact Golf Course | Summer | $
- Esperanza Bicycle Classes & Repair | Ongoing | All Ages | Free
- Open Space Hikes | Ongoing | All Ages | Free
- Open Space Community Concerts | No Registration Required | All Ages | Free
- APD Camp Fearless | Registration Opens May 1 | 8-13 Years | Free
- Junior Police Academy | Registration Opens May 1 | 14-17 Years | Free
- Camp BioPark | Registration Now Open | K-Grade 9 | $
- ABQ Museum Art School | Registration Now Open | 3-14 Years | $
- Balloon Museum Stories & Music in the Sky | Ongoing | All Ages | Free with Admission
- Library Summer Reading | May 30 to July 25 | All Ages | Free
- NM State Summer Reading Program | Registration Now Open | Kindergarten Through Eighth Grade | Free
- Library Events Clubs Resources & Classes | Ongoing |All Ages | Free
- Explora! School Break Camps | 3.5-17 Years | $
Free Nutritious Meals
The Food Service Program for Children provides free meals in City community centers, parks, schools, apartment complexes, public housing, churches and at non-profit organizations during the summer. Find a location near you! Meals will be served at each site for one hour on first come, first serve basis. Please look at the PDF listing for serving time.
- Parks | Begins June 3 | 1-18 Years | Free
- Community Centers | Begins June 15 | 1-18 Years | Free
Wide Variety of Locations Across the City
Get out and about to create experiences for the whole family. Hours vary by location.
- Libraries Events: Music, Art, Crafts, Clubs, Movie Nights, Festivals, and More | Free
- ABQ BioPark Zoo, Botanic Garden, Aquarium, and Tingley Beach | $
- Pools & Splash Pads | $
- Community Centers | Free
- Multigenerational Centers | Free
- Albuquerque Museum | Balloon Museum | Open Space Visitor Center Art Gallery | Casa San Ysidro historic collections & events | Public Art | Free
- KiMo Theatre | Free
- Historic Old Town | Free
- City Trail Maps | Virtual Trails | Free
- Find a Park | Free
- Golf Courses | $
- Basket Ball Courts | Tennis Courts | Skate Parks | Free
- Open Space Visitor Center | Free
- Bicycling Maps & Info | Free
- Fishing | Free
- Shooting Range | Minors Must Be Supervised | $
- Library Meeting & Study Rooms | Free
- Community Center Rentals | $
- Pool Rentals | $
- BioPark Rentals | $
- Picnic Area Rentals | $
- Explora! Rentals | $
- Other Large Facility Rentals | $
Growth & Experience
The City of Albuquerque continues to be one of the largest employers of young people in New Mexico. Visit cabq.gov/jobs for current listings.
- Life Guard & Head Guard | 15+
- Youth Nature Guides | Ages 14+
- JMP summer internships | 14-19 | Paid
- Youth Summer Jobs | 14-24 | Paid
- One ABQ Volunteers | All Ages
- Mayor's Youth Advisory Council | 14+
- BioPark Volunteers | 14+
- APD Camp Fearless | 8-13
- Junior Police Academy | 14-17
Events
Stop by the Albuquerque Museum School during your visit to make an art project. We welcome families to the Museum with opportunities to get creative together.
This free one-hour class teaches cycling safety skills and class participants earn a cycling safety kit containing a helmet, front and rear rechargeable bike lights, spoke reflectors, and a reflective safety vest.
Presented by New Mexico Music Hall of Fame
Bring the family to the ABQ BioPark Zoo for Mother's Day!
Presented by the City of Albuquerque Department of Arts & Culture
Experience the sights and sounds of the Zoo at twilight!
Join an Open Space Educator with your little one at an Albuquerque Public Library and have fun together making discoveries about the natural world with hands-on science, story time, and an art project.
Join an Open Space Educator with your little one at an Albuquerque Public Library and have fun together making discoveries about the natural world with hands-on science, story time, and an art project.
Esperanza Bicycle Safety Education Center provides hands-on bicycle safety education.
This free one-hour class teaches cycling safety skills and class participants earn a cycling safety kit containing a helmet, front and rear rechargeable bike lights, spoke reflectors, and a reflective safety vest.
Presented by New Mexico Music Hall of Fame
Join an Open Space Educator with your little one at an Albuquerque Public Library and have fun together making discoveries about the natural world with hands-on science, story time, and an art project.
This free one-hour class teaches cycling safety skills and class participants earn a cycling safety kit containing a helmet, front and rear rechargeable bike lights, spoke reflectors, and a reflective safety vest.
Invite the family and kids for a fun filled day!
Free Evening at the Museum
Join the Office of African American Affairs at the Open Space Visitor Center for a guided hike experience.
This free one-hour class teaches cycling safety skills and class participants earn a cycling safety kit containing a helmet, front and rear rechargeable bike lights, spoke reflectors, and a reflective safety vest.
Presented by New Mexico Music Hall of Fame
Come out and join the fun Saturday, May 30, 2026!
Esperanza Bicycle Safety Education Center provides hands-on bicycle safety education.
Join staff and volunteer experts and explore various Open Space properties and experience all that your public lands have to offer.
Ever wanted to climb outside on real rocks? Ever wanted to learn how to rappel off of a cliff? Come join Outdoor Adventure for a Summer Adventure Climbing and Rappelling!
Free Event at Casa San Ysidro
Join us at the Open Space Visitor Center for our Annual Juneteenth Celebration, honoring freedom, history, and community! This FREE family-friendly event highlights the rich cultural heritage and contributions of African Americans through art, music, storytelling, and hands-on activities.
Join an Open Space educator for a family-friendly hike and engage in hands-on learning together as a family, listen to natural history fun facts, enjoy storytelling, and seek out wildlife.
Celebrate the vital role of pollinators at the OSVC Annual Pollinator Day Celebration!
Ever wanted to climb outside on real rocks? Ever wanted to learn how to rappel off of a cliff? Come join Outdoor Adventure for a Summer Adventure Climbing and Rappelling!
Join an Open Space educator for a family-friendly hike and engage in hands-on learning together as a family, listen to natural history fun facts, enjoy storytelling, and seek out wildlife.
