Now celebrating its 34th year, the annual Museum Mile Festival (www.museummilefestival.org) takes place rain or shine on Tuesday, June 12, 2012, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.  Over 1.5 million people have taken part in this annual celebration since its inception.  Festival attendees can walk the Mile between 82nd Street and 105th Street while visiting nine of New York City’s finest cultural institutions which are open free to the public throughout the evening, as well as to 110th Street, the site of Museum Mile’s newest museum, the Museum for African Art, where they will be greeted by music and outdoor art activities.  Several other participating museums will also offer outdoor art activities for children.

The Museum Mile Festival’s opening ceremony takes place at 5:45 pm at National Academy Museum & School (Fifth Avenue at 89^th Street).  Traditionally, the Commissioner of Cultural Affairs and other city and state dignitaries open the Festival.