Welcome Today and Every Day

Join us on the Manhattanville campus on June 7, 2025, for a free, fun-filled celebration of community! Immerse yourself in the arts through youth programming, indulge in Uptown cuisine with local vendors, have fun with science activities, plus so much more.

We invite our neighbors surrounding Columbia’s campuses in Morningside Heights, West Harlem, Harlem, and Washington Heights, as well as Columbia affiliates, to partake in this day of celebration.

129th St. between W. 125th St. and Broadway will be closed for BioBus and other community activities.

Schedule of Events

The Lee C. Bollinger Forum (Community Day Entrance)

601 W. 125th St. 

At The Forum, volunteers will be at the ready for any questions, along with community tables sharing programs, resources, and free goodies. There will also be live music, movie screenings in the auditorium and atrium, as well as kids’ programming and light refreshments.

Food Samplings & Restaurant Crawl 

Multiple Locations

Food samples from clients of the Harlem Local Vendor Program will be available during Community Day from vendors such as Pabade Bakery, Mama One Sauce, and Chef Marshall LLC. The Restaurant Crawl features free bites from local restaurants in partnership with Community Day.

• 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (125th St. & 12th Ave.)
• 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Dear Mama Coffee (129th St., bet. Broadway & 12th Ave.)
• 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: To Be Announced

Jerome L. Greene Science Center

605 W. 129th St.

The Jerome L. Greene Science Center will hold a festival related to neuroscience, arts and creativity, and health and wellness. Come explore the workings of the brain at Saturday Science, a free monthly event for kids of all ages. We’ll have fun, hands-on activities in the Education Lab and the BioBus mobile lab parked on 129th Street.

Register for Saturday Science here.

Lenfest Center for the Arts

615 W. 129th St.

Lenfest Kids presents Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid 

Chaplin’s first full-length feature is a masterpiece about a tramp who takes in an orphaned child.  Chaplin directed, produced, and starred in this film, and also composed the score. Ben Model returns to Lenfest to perform live musical accompaniment for this silent comedy classic.

• 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Charlie Chaplin’s ‘The Kid’

Click here for more information about the screening.

Wallach Art Gallery 

615 W. 129th St., Ground Floor Lobby

Wallach Kids: Animation Exploration

Calling all kids! Bring your drawing to life as you make a thaumatrope—one of the earliest animation devices. Using paper discs, kids will discover how simple animations involve optical illusions. All materials provided.

• 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Columbia Alumni Association Activities

Multiple Locations

Columbia Alumni will host multiple interactive activities, including an AI photobooth, as well as fun giveaways.