Brooklyn Fall Fun Guide: Dog Costume Contest, Tractor Racing And More

BROOKLYN, NY — The autumnal equinox on Sunday, Sept. 22, signals the official arrival of fall, and Brooklyn is getting ready to celebrate with everything from fall festivals and pumpkin patches to dog costume contests and foliage walks.

Sunny days and crisp evenings are perfect for outdoor fun. One can’t-miss event is the tractor-racing at Luna Park in Coney Island.

But that’s just the beginning of fun activities taking place over the next couple of months. Below, find the 2024 Patch Guide to Fall Fun in Brooklyn:

Fall Festivals

Halloween Harvest At Luna Park

From Sept. 20 to Oct. 27, Luna Park will host special fall-themed activities in addition to its usual seaside roller coasters. Halloween-themed activities include pumpkin decorating, balloon twisting, face painting, tractor racing, and trick-or-treating. During the ongoing fall festival, guests can enjoy pumpkin-spiced and apple cider-flavored carnival treats throughout the park.

Atlantic Antic

Now in its 49th year, the annual Atlantic Antic will stretch down Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, with more than 300 vendors and more than 50 local Atlantic Avenue merchants selling everything from jewelry to international cuisine. The free event will also feature live music and performances from Kids Rock For Kids, the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, and more. The event will take place on Sept. 29 from 12-6 p.m., rain or shine. Learn more here.

Fall Fest at Atlantic Terminal

On Sunday, Oct. 13, the Atlantic Terminal’s outdoor plaza and car-free Fort Greene Place will be transformed into a pumpkin patch with more than 1,000 pumpkins perfect for decorating. The free event will also have haunted trucks and live music. The festival will take place at 139 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY, on October 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sound & Color! Autumn in New York

Hosted by the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, Sound & Color! Autumn in New York is a free family festival celebrating the changing of the seasons with music, arts and crafts, storytelling, lawn games and more. The festival will take place at the Brooklyn Bridge Park on Oct. 19 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Bay Ridge Halloween Festival

Hosted by Brooklyn Bridge Parents and the 5th Avenue Business Improvement District, the Bay Ridge Halloween Festival on 5th Avenue will feature free pumpkin decorating, a bouncy house, live music, kids activities, trick-or-treating and more on Oct. 26 from 3-7 p.m. starting at 7515 5th Ave. in Brooklyn.

Annual Fort Greene Dog Costume Contest: the Great PUPkin

This event is a hoot. For 26 years, Brooklyn dog parents have pulled out all the stops for this highly competitive costume contest. This year, the contest is on Oct. 26 at Fort Greene Park. Go here for more information.

Leaf-Peeping

Prospect Park

Lookout Hill in Prospect Park is one of the best places to see the changing foliage in Brooklyn. It's one of the highest points in Brooklyn and offers a panoramic view of the park. The NYC Parks Department recommends starting out from the Peninsula to see the bright red leaves and then, stroll along the lakeside to Lookout Hill. Map here.

Fort Greene Park

Follow the Fort Greene Park Tree Trail and learn the names and identifying aspects of all the trees in Fort Greene Park. According to the map, there will be 19 different kinds of trees changing colors this fall. The trail map is here.

Falling Leaves Half-Marathon and 5K Hosted By NYCRUNS

Take in the borough's foliage while also getting a run in at the Falling Leaves Half-Marathon and 5K race in Prospect Park on Oct. 19. The race starts at 8 a.m. and all runners are given a fun fall-themed medal and tech shirt, in addition to water and bagels after they cross the finish line. More information here.

Finding Fall Flavors

Peter Pan Donuts

Every year in Greenpoint, Peter Pan Donuts rolls out delicious, highly Instagrammable fall flavors like pumpkin and apple cider. Peter Pan is located at 727 Manhattan Ave. in Brooklyn. Check them out here.

Brooklyn Farmers Markets

Look for in-season produce and special autumnal treats and drinks at farmers markets all across the borough. One of the biggest markets in the city is at Grand Army Plaza on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. year-round and is a guaranteed hit. Find a farmers market near you here.

Have an event to add to the list? Email miranda.levingston@patch.com.