Your Complete Guide To October Fun In NYC

NEW YORK CITY — October typically hits a weather sweet spot, making it the perfect time to squeeze in some can’t-miss events in the Big Apple.

While Halloween may steal the spotlight, the month is also filled with harvest festivals, Oktoberfest celebrations, and cultural events worth carving out time for.

Before you know it, the winter holidays will overtake your calendar. Be sure to schedule date night, family day or even “you” time before October slips away.

To help you fill out your calendar, we’ve rounded up nine can’t-miss events from around the New York City area.

Nightfall at Green-Wood Cemetery

• What: Nightfall returns to Green-Wood Cemetery, transforming its historic pathways into a stage for circus acts, candlelit storytelling, cinematic projections, and music. This year’s event is hosted by the drag queen opera singer Creatine Price, with surprise encounters from Greedy Peasant and Sister Cecilia’s lively troupe.
• When: Oct. 16-17
• Where: Green-Wood Cemetery, 25th St. and 5th Ave., Brooklyn, NY, 11232

Oktoberfest

• What: Go to Munich without leaving Manhattan! Oktoberfest celebrates all things Germany with authentic beers and oversized steins, brats and giant pretzels.
• Where: Watermark Waterfront Bar, Pier 15, 78 South St., New York, NY 10038
• When: Sept. 12-Oct. 26

Queens County Farm Museum's Amazing Maize Maze

• What: Get lost in adventure at New York City’s only corn maze! Your journey starts with a “Stalk Talk” before you set out to hunt for clues, solve puzzles, and navigate your way to Victory Bridge—where a sweeping view of the 3-acre maze awaits. The question is: how long will it take you to conquer the towering corn?
• Where: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, NY 11004
• When: Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 6-Oct. 26

Harvest Glow at the Bronx Zoo

• What: Harvest Glow is the Bronx Zoo’s reimagined, family-friendly Halloween spectacular. This fall, experience the magic of an illuminated animal-themed Jack O’ Lantern trail, journey through Dinosaur Safari after dark, and enjoy live pumpkin carving, Wildlife Theater, brand-new games, and more.
• Where: The Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10460
• When: Thursdays through Sundays, Sept. 25-Oct. 31

Disney Tim Burton’s "The Nightmare Before Christmas" Light Trail

• What: Step into a moonlit wonderland as Disney Tim Burton’s "The Nightmare Before Christmas" Light Trail returns to the New York Botanical Garden. Fans can wander through illuminated scenes from the beloved film, featuring Jack Skellington, Sally, Zero, and more — with expanded displays, themed treats, and spooky-fun merchandise.
• Where: 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10458
• When: Wednesdays through Sundays, Sept. 25 through Nov. 30

Atlantic Antic

• What: Now in its 50th year, the annual fall festival will stretch down Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn with fun for all ages. Along Atlantic Avenue, more than 300 vendors and more than 50 local merchants will sell everything from jewelry to international cuisine.
• Where: Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, stretching through Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights, and Downtown Booklyn.
• When: Oct. 5

Red Hook Open Studios

• What: Red Hook Open Studios returns for its 10th year, inviting visitors into artists’ workspaces for a behind-the-scenes look at the neighborhood’s creative community. The free weekend event also debuts a new Sculpture Garden in Erie Basin Park, featuring works and performances by 12 artists.
• Where: Various locations in Red Hook. More information here.
• When: Oct. 11-12

Halloween Parade

• What: Every year, the New York City Department of Transportation closes several roads in lower Manhattan so that more than 50,000 costumed parade-goers can march in the annual Halloween Parade. The parade, now in its 52nd year, will send ghouls, witches, monsters and other spooky night creatures up Sixth Avenue from Canal Street to 15th Street, according to its organizers.
• Where: Sixth Avenue, from King Street to 15th Street.
• When: Oct. 31

Governors Island Pumpkin Point

• What: This year’s Governors Island fall festival goes beyond the pumpkin patch with trick-or-treating, live folk music, crafts, puppet shows, a Fall Foliage Tree Tour, performances by Hopalong Andrew, and plenty of seasonal food and drink from local vendors—all free and family-friendly.
• Where: Nolan Park, Governors Island, New York, NY 10004
• When: Oct. 25-26

Are you planning an event this fall? Feature it so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!