As the sweltering summer heat gives way to crisp autumn air, New York City comes alive with vibrant events and activities. From iconic festivals to seasonal celebrations, the fall offers something for everyone in the city that never sleeps. Here’s your guide to the must-see fall events in NYC.
SEPTEMBER
Feast of San Gennaro
This 11-day festival in Little Italy celebrates Italian-American culture with parades, live music, and an abundance of delicious food. It’s one of the city’s longest-running and most beloved street fairs.
Commemorating 9/11
New York City remembers and honors the victims of the World Trade Center attacks at a variety of memorial events. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center serves as a yearlong tribute to those who lost their lives on both September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993, featuring a public plaza with two large memorial pools, along with a museum that presents the story of 9/11 as well as educational resources and artifacts.
Brooklyn Book Festival
One of America’s premier book festivals and the largest free literary event in New York City. It features hundreds of authors and a lively Literary Marketplace.
New York Film Festival
Cinephiles rejoice as the New York Film Festival returns to Lincoln Center. This prestigious event highlights the best in world cinema, featuring premieres, retrospectives, and talks with renowned filmmakers. From arthouse gems to potential Oscar contenders, the festival offers a glimpse into the future of film.
Autumn Open Streets
Part of NYC’s Open Streets program, these events close certain streets to traffic on weekends throughout the season, allowing for community activities, performances, and a car-free enjoyment of the city’s neighborhoods.
Broadway Week
Theater enthusiasts can take advantage of Broadway Week, which despite its name, runs for two weeks in September. This promotion offers two-for-one tickets to many of Broadway’s top shows, making it the perfect time to catch a performance.
Harlem International Film Festival
This festival celebrates films worldwide, focusing on works that increase awareness and understanding of Harlem’s role in American culture.
OCTOBER
Oktoberfest Celebrations
While not unique to New York, the city embraces Oktoberfest with gusto. Various beer gardens and restaurants host celebrations with German brews, bratwurst, and oompah bands. Check out spots like Radegast Hall in Brooklyn or the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden in Queens for authentic experiences.
New York City Wine & Food Festival
Fall is prime time for food lovers in NYC. The New York City Wine & Food Festival features celebrity chefs and culinary innovators for tastings, demonstrations, and intimate dinners.
Village Halloween Parade
No Halloween in NYC is complete without the legendary Village Halloween Parade. This annual extravaganza transforms Sixth Avenue into a spooky spectacle of costumes, puppets, and performances. Join thousands of revelers as they march through Greenwich Village or stake out a spot along the route to witness the creative and often outrageous displays.
Haunted Houses + Events
Beyond the Village Halloween Parade, New York offers numerous ways to get your spook on. Visit Blood Manor in Tribeca for a heart-pounding haunted house experience or take a candlelit tour of the Merchant’s House Museum, one of the city’s most haunted places.
The New Yorker Festival This annual event brings together some of the brightest minds in arts, politics, and culture for a weekend of talks, screenings, and performances curated by The New Yorker magazine.
New York Comic Con Pop culture enthusiasts descend upon the Javits Center for New York Comic Con, the East Coast’s largest comics and sci-fi event. Do your best and immerse yourself in a world of panels, screenings, artist meet-and-greets, and exclusive merchandise. This four-day extravaganza celebrates everything from blockbuster franchises to indie comics.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration Hop across the Harlem or East River to Randall’s Island and enjoy music, dance and spoken performances that honor Native peoples from all over the globe.
NOVEMBER
Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center
The Big Apple Circus returns to Lincoln Center with an all-new spectacle. The beloved troupe will welcome Europe’s famous Circus-Theater Roncalli – making their U.S. debut – for a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration entitled Journey to the Rainbow. Beneath the big top at Damrosch Park, circusgoers will witness 34 artists from across the globe perform feats of juggling, acrobatics, trapeze, and much more.
TCS New York City Marathon
Cheer on over 50,000 runners as they race through all five boroughs in the world’s largest marathon. The New York City Marathon is not just a test of athletic endurance but a celebration of the human spirit and determination. Spectators line the 26.2-mile course, creating a festive atmosphere that embodies the city’s energy and diversity.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
A beloved tradition since 1924, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off the holiday season in grand style. Marvel at the giant balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands, and celebrity performances as they go down Central Park West to Herald Square. Arrive early to secure a good viewing spot for this quintessential New York experience.
New York City’s fall calendar brims with exciting events and timeless traditions as the days become shorter and the air crisper. Whether you’re savoring the fall foliage in Central Park, cheering on marathon runners, or exploring hidden architectural gems, the Big Apple’s autumnal offerings will leave you with plenty of memories.
For more information on New York City fall events, visit nyctourism.com