Smorgasburg is Smorgasback, and Luna Park is open! 13 things to do this weekend

By Joshua Encinias

There is no surer sign of warmer days ahead than the seasonal returns of Smorgasburg and Luna Park, both of which will grace us this weekend (also cherry blossoms!).

Elsewhere, City Point is hosting Balloontopia Saturday, a celebration and exploration of all things balloons. And on Sunday, St. John’s Park Slope hosts a jubilant Palm Sunday processional with trumpets and palms. But if you’re more sinner than saint, Brooklyn’s Théâtre XIV is performing its “Seven Sins” this weekend, too.

Here are 13 things to do this weekend.

Friday, March 31

Seven Sins by Company XIV
Various dates and times
Company XIV’s biblical sensation, “Seven Sins,” is Austin McCormick’s mythical dreamscape inspired by the fall of man and the seven deadly sins. Returning to Théâtre XIV this weekend, the queer pop starlet and XIV’s resident songwriter LEXXE turns to her Puerto Rican Catholic upbringing for inspiration to write original songs for the show. This year she plays the Devil. Tickets are on sale and, maybe because it’s the run up to Holy Week, they’re going fast. 383 Troutman Street. Ticket prices vary.

Luna Park Opening Weekend kicks off 
Noon to 8 p.m.
Celebrating 120 years since the original inception of Coney Island’s Luna Park in 1903, Opening Weekend kicks off Friday and will culminate with “Donation Day” — with all proceeds going to Coney Island Sharks, Give Kids The World Village and Operation H.O.O.D. — and the egg cream christening of the Coney Island Cyclone on Sunday April 2.  In honor of the iconic coaster’s 96th birthday, the first 96 guests to ride the Coney Island Cyclone will enjoy a free ride and an egg cream.

The Art of Killin’ it: An Immersive Whodunnit
7:30 p.m. on Friday, and various dates and times
“The Art of Killin’” is a hip-hop-themed, comic murder mystery focusing on BIPOC characters. You’ll explore four rooms of the Hardigan Manor alongside a detective to help find clues and solve the mystery of the body that dropped dead instead of the album that should’ve dropped. Tickets include a free drink and swag. 13+. 32 Meadow Street. Tickets start at $60.

Gimme Gimme Disco
11:30 p.m.
Calling Brooklyn’s dancing kings and queens! The Brooklyn Bowl is hosting “Gimme Gimme Disco” on Friday night. If you can’t get enough ABBA and disco hits from the ’70s and ’80s, then this is the party for you. Plus, Felipe Rose, an original member of The Village People, will give a special performance. Disco attire is encouraged, so honey honey, take a chance on Gimme Gimme Disco. 21+. 61 Wythe Avenue. Tickets are $33.

Saturday, April 1

Balloontopia
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Brooklyn Bridge Parents and City Point created a playground of massive balloon art and other immersive balloon experiences at City Point BKLYN. At Balloontopia you can play with balloons, learn about their history, and even take balloon selfies. Exhibits include Jumbo Balloon Fruits and a Multicolored Balloon Pool. There are sports too: Check out the balloon basketball hoops, bowling pins, and tennis games. And Balloontopia gets in on the spring fun with larger-than-life caterpillars and Easter bunnies. 445 Albee Square West. Free.

Smorgasburg is Smorgasback
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday in Williamsburg
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday in Prospect Park
Is it really spring yet until Smorgasburg kicks back off? The weekly seasonal outdoor food market returns Saturday, April 1 to Williamsburg‘s Marsha P. Johnson State Park, marking the the location’s first “full season” since before the pandemic, with 60 vendors in all. On April 2, the weekly Prospect Park location reopens with its “largest-ever lineup” with more than 65 vendors, Smorgasburg announced. This season, the food bazaar says it is back with “a vast majority” of new vendors.

Brooklyn East Egg Hunts
Various times
This Saturday, Brooklyn has two Easter egg events for kids and parents alike. Town Square’s Annual Spring Egg Hunt is happening at FourFiveSix (199 Richardson Street), starting at 10 and 11 a.m., 1 and 2 p.m. Select your start time to enjoy the egg hunt and say hello to the Easter Bunny! Maybe have your face painted too, and parents can buy mimosas and Bloody Marys at an extra cost. State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud will host a free Easter egg hunt for the families and children of the community at Canarsie Park (Seaview and Remsen Avenues) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hop over for games, refreshments, and giveaways — but stay for a visit from the Easter Bunny. And be sure to wear your favorite Easter bonnet.

Bondi Sushi’s Opening Weekend in Williamsburg
Various times
Bondi Sushi opens its sixth New York location this weekend in Williamsburg. The space features a large indoor sushi bar, and later this spring, Bondi will open an outdoor sushi bar and lounge. Bondi partnered with Christian Benavides on a 22 square-foot illustration looking over the patio space (which is also home to a new coffee, matcha, and pastry concept later this spring). Bondi’s Monday to Friday Happy Hour goes from 3 to 6 p.m. and includes $5 handrolls with beer, wine, and cocktail specials. 156 North 4th Street.

“Slumber Party” at Union Hall
9:30 p.m. doors, 10 p.m. show
Jessica Henderson (Hulu’s “Shrill”) and TikTokker Kendall Payne invite you to the epic middle school slumber party of your dreams with a lineup of New York’s horniest comedians. This month’s guests include Holmes, Julio Diaz, Mila Myles, Michael Abber, and Rima Parik. Plus, New York-based queer and woman-founded cannabis brand MEDLY will provide free goodies to Slumber Party guests. We’re sorry to report the comedy show isn’t a real slumber party — you don’t have to go home after the show, but you can’t sleep there. 702 Union Street. Tickets are $11.55.

Sunday, April 2

Spring at Brooklyn Botanical
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Brooklyn Botanical Garden is tracking the progress of the latest cherry blossoms on the Cherrywatch section of their website, and on Sunday, you can see them in person. Meet at the Garden’s Magnolia Plaza at 1 p.m. for a tour of the plants in peak bloom, led by a garden guide. The latest cherry blossoms now blooming include the bubble gum-pink Prunus Pendula ‘Pendula Rosea’ and lily white Prunus ‘Fudan-zakura.’ Entrances at 150 Eastern Parkway, 990 Washington Avenue, and 455 Flatbush Avenue. Tickets range from $12 to $18, and children 12 and under get in free.

Palm Sunday at St. John’s Park Slope
10 a.m.
St. John’s Episcopal Church in Park Slope has a new Priest-in-Charge, The Reverend Ben DeHart, and this Sunday, the church invites everyone from the Park Slope community to their Palm Sunday service. Meet in the church courtyard at 10 a.m. for a Palm Sunday processional with trumpets and palms. There’s a service and coffee hour following the processional. 139 St Johns Place.

“Princess Mononoke” Brunch
11:30 a.m.
Hayao Miyazaki’s “Princess Mononoke,” set in the 14th century, shows what happens when the harmony between humans, animals, and gods beginning to crumble. The protagonist, young Ashitaka, attempts to broker peace between Princess Mononoke and the humans but only brings more conflict. The brunch screening menu at the Alamo Drafthouse includes Blueberry Donut French Toast Bake and Breakfast Tacos. Pair your meal with cocktails like Desert Spring Water or the Coming Up Rosé Fizz! 445 Albee Square West, 4th floor.

(Drag) Brunch Marks the Spot
2 to 5 p.m.
Brooklyn’s longest-running drag brunch is back on Sunday, hosted by Nancy Nogood and Emi Grate. Join the queens at Dromedary Bar for an afternoon of food, tiki cocktails, and of course, drag. Have one of Dromedary’s succulent Banna Heel Peels for us! 266 Irving Avenue. Free entry.