Step into the world of Jack Skellington with an all-new light display at the New York Botanical Garden this weekend. Photo by Ally Noel
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Try your hand at corn husking and more analog entertainment during the Corn Fest at the Queens County Farm Museum. Photo courtesy of the Queens County Farm Museum
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Big Bounce America lands at Citi Field at the end of the month. Photo courtesy Big Bounce.
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The Bronx Zoo celebrates Boo at the Zoo with family activities all October long. Photo by Julie Larsen Maher
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Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
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Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Hell's Kitchen is a cool coming-of-age piece loosely based on Alicia Keys' life story. Photo by Marc J. Franklin
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There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
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The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
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Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
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Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
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Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
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36 Best Things To Do in NYC October 2024 with Kids

The Princess and the Pea gallops into the New Victory Theater this month. Photo by © 2024 Foteini Christofilopoulou
The Princess and the Pea gallops into the New Victory Theater this month. Photo by © 2024 Foteini Christofilopoulou
9/29/23 - By Drew Kristofik

In October, New York City is crawling with pumpkin patches, haunted houses, fall festivals, and of course trick-or-treating—so many opportunities to wear Halloween costumes! But Halloween isn't the only game in town in October...

We're super psyched for all the other glorious shenanigans October has in store, including the new (non-lethal) Squid Game challenge, Diwali in Times Square, The Princess and the Pea at New Victory, and the new Barbie exhibit at the Museum of Arts and Design.

Of course, Halloween lurks at month's end, and, never fear, we have you covered when it comes to FREE Halloween fun, including a Mommy Poppins + Seaport Kids Halloween party. Find all our top picks for the spooky season in our New York City Halloween Guide.


As always, if an event piques your interest, click through to our listing for all the details, including addresses and times. And keep in mind: Really cool things to do with kids often book up quickly, so register or buy your tickets ASAP.

Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Head to Historic Richmond Town for the annual Old Home Day. Photo courtesy of Historic Richmond Town
Head to Historic Richmond Town for the annual Old Home Day. Photo courtesy of Historic Richmond Town

Best Things To Do in NYC this October with Kids

Maker Faire on Coney Island

Coney Island, Brooklyn
Friday, October 4-Sunday, October 6
Head to Coney Island for hands-on exhibits, demonstrations, and workshops in fields such as robotics, crafts, engineering, art, music, 3D-printing, and future technologies, designed by students, teachers, and independent folks who build interesting things. READ MORE

Seussical JR. The Musical at The Secret Theatre

Wo0dside, Queens
Friday, October 4-Sunday, October 6
Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in Seussical JR, a fantastical musical extravaganza from Tony-winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.    READ MORE

Navratri on The Wavertree at South Street Seaport

Seaport
Saturday, October 5
The Seaport Museum and The Culture Tree present one of New York City’s only public Navratri events—a vibrant and energetic Raas-Garba celebration aboard the historic 1885 tall ship Wavertree!    READ MORE

Interventions: Analphabetes on Governors Island

Governors Island–FREE
Saturday, October 5
Greek-born and Paris-based chore­o­g­ra­ph­er Lenio Kak­lea designed this dance piece as a response to phys­i­cal land­scape. Con­sist­ing of three dis­tinct lev­els of spec­ta­tor­ship — near, far, and very far away — the per­for­mance blends envi­ron­ment with chore­o­graph­ic image, cre­at­ing a struc­ture that orga­nizes the audience’s visu­al expe­ri­ence. READ MORE

Queens Agricultural Fair at the Queens County Farm Museum

Floral Park, Queens
Saturday, October 5-Sunday, October 6
Get a little bit country at the Queens Agricultural Fair! Enjoy pie-eating and corn-husking contests, hayrides, carnival rides, and midway games. Visit the main stage and family entertainment tents featuring live music and theatrical performances, check out local craft and food vendors and more.  READ MORE

Re-creating Radio Workshops at Paley Center

Midtown West
Saturdays, October 5 & 26
Re-creating Radio is a two-hour workshop where children ages 9 and older produce an old-time radio drama using scripts, sound effects, and music. The workshop takes participants through the many stages of radio production, including casting, microphone and sound effects training, and a cue rehearsal, before they put on a "live" broadcast. READ MORE

Emanu-El Downtown: Tashlich at the Carousel

Chelsea
Sunday, October 6
In the immortal words of Frozen's Elsa - let it go! Let go of the past and move forward into the new year. Participate in a meaningful and fun family Tashlich led by Rabbi Sarah Reines complete with crumbs, pizza, and carousel rides for all!   READ MORE

Queens Theatre's Classical Kids Fair

Flushing, Queens–FREE
Sunday, October 6
WQXR is heading to Queens for a Classical Kids Fair at the Queens Theatre. Families can experience live performances, an instrument “petting zoo,” arts and crafts, radio and dance workshops, and more. READ MORE

Blessing of the Animals at St John the Divine

Morningside Heights–FREE
Sunday, October 6
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine welcomes families to a day of music, prayer, joy, blessings, and fun in honor of Saint Francis, the patron saint of animals and the environment. READ MORE

45th Precinct Fall Festival

Pelham, Bronx
Sunday, October 6
Celebrate autumn with NYPD units, including K9, Mounted, and ESU, climb the NYPD rockwall and play in the gametruck. Pumpkin painting, bounce houses, games, giveaways and a costume contest are on the schedule, too! READ MORE

Anti-Racist Family Day at Brooklyn Children's Museum

Crown Heights, Brooklyn–FREE
Thursday, October 10
Brooklyn Children’s Museum hosts its fourth annual Anti-Racist Family Day, in partnership with Brooklyn Public Library. Participants learn about age-appropriate anti-racist practices, including celebrating and affirming different races and identities, talking about injustice and fairness in our society, and modeling ways young children can engage in activism.   READ MORE

Festa D'Italia & Motori D’Italia

Tompkinsville, Staten Island
Friday, October 11-Monday, October 14
Celebrate Italian culture at Staten Island's Casa Belvedere with live entertainment, homemade Italian delicacies, games, rides, crafts, all-you-can-eat contests, and a display of exotic cars and motorcycles. READ MORE

Festival of Firsts: Farah Sirajs at Lincoln Center

Midtown West/Upper West Side–FREE
Saturday, October 12
Farah Siraj and her band perform selections from her soon-to-be-released EP for the first time, fusing Middle Eastern music, flamenco, jazz, bossa, and pop. Farah’s songs are sung in Arabic, English, and Spanish. READ MORE

Rockefeller Center Skating Rink Opening Week

Midtown West
Opens Saturday, October 12
The world's most famous ice rink opens for the season. Grab your ice skates and your reservations so you can take a spin on this iconic ice skating rink.  READ MORE

Squid Game - The Experience

Midtown West
Opens Saturday, October 12; Various dates through Sunday, March 9
Squid Game: The Experience is the ultimate test of survival, strategy, and skill as you go head to head with other contestants in a series of challenges masterminded by the infamous Front Man. Let the games begin…. READ MORE

Fall Fest at the Atlantic Terminal Mall

Boerum Hill, Brooklyn–FREE
Sunday, October 13 Also Saturday, October 7
Brooklyn Bridge Parents host a family festival with arts and crafts, pumpkin painting (take home your own decorated pumpkin), block building, music, and more! Kids are encouraged to come in costume. READ MORE

Indigenous Peoples Day on Randall's Island

Randall's Island–FREE
Sunday, October 13-Monday, October 14
Head to Randall's Island for a celebration of NYC's indigenous people. This two-day fest includes performances of spoken word, live music, and guest speakers. Food and wares are available for purchase. READ MORE

Columbus Day Parade

Midtown West
Monday, October 14
The 80th Columbus Day Parade processes up Fifth Avenue from 44th Street to 72nd Street—with red carpet performances on Fifth Avenue between 67th and 69th Streets—including high school bands, professional musicians, folk dance troupes, floats, and more.  READ MORE

Fuge Fantasi at Carnegie Hall

Midtown West–FREE
Tuesday, October 15-Saturday, October 19
Early Childhood Concerts in Carnegie Hall’s Resnick Education Wing are immersive musical experiences designed for families with babies and toddlers. This fall, families and their little ones are invited to Fuge Fantasi, a magical interactive performance created and presented by Norwegian musical theater and dance company dybwkidans. READ MORE

New York Comic Con

Midtown West
Thursday, October 17-Sunday, October 20
Cosplay, anime, story-telling, and more are on the agenda for NYC's annual comic convention. Kids' day—geared toward ages 6-12—is Sunday, October 19. READ MORE

Open House New York

Citywide–FREE
Friday, October 18-Sunday, October 20
This year's Open House NYC once again offers a hybrid of virtual experiences, self-guided explorations, and in-person tours. Enjoy food trucks, pop-up eateries, outdoor activations, and more. READ MORE

Old Home Day at Historic Richmond Town

Richmond, Staten Island
Saturday, October 19
Head to Historic Richmond Town for the annual Old Home Day. Visitors can witness historic trade demonstrations like blacksmithing, tinsmithing, carpentry, cabinet-making, and more. Enjoy music, food, crafts, and sweet treats.  READ MORE

Sound & Color! Autumn Festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, October 19
Celebrate the changing of the seasons at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s Sound & Color! Autumn in New York fall festival, an afternoon packed with music, arts and crafts, storytelling, lawn games, and more.    READ MORE

Young People’s Concert: The Future is Unity at Geffen Hall

Midtown West
Saturday, October 19
Looking at the many experiences of the African diaspora informs how we perceive ourselves and others, and it gives us clues as to how we might move forward — collectively. READ MORE

Diwali at Times Square

Midtown West
Saturday, October 19
Billed as "the largest Indian Festival outside India," Diwali at Times Square features cultural performances, folk dances, concerts,Indian food, Indian clothing and jewels, Henna/Mehandi artists, balloon figures and face painting as well as free gifts and raffle drawings.   READ MORE

Raptors in the Autumn Sky at Wave Hill

Riverdale, Bronx
Saturday, October 19-Sunday, October 20
Keep your eyes on the sky as you look for migrating hawks soaring and circling above the Hudson River. Be inspired by those feathery friends as you fashion a raptor glider for the autumn breezes. READ MORE

The Princess and the Pea at the New Victory Theater

Midtown West
Select dates, Saturday, October 19-Sunday, October 27
Disheveled from a rainstorm and forced to prove herself to her faithful servants, a pampered princess learns a lesson in humility—with the help of one pesky pea! A marvel of mattress-springing acrobatics and physical comedy, The Princess and the Pea leaps to life with queen-sized charm and nary a word. READ MORE

Barbie®: A Cultural Icon Opening Weekend at Museum of Arts & Design

Midtown West
Opens Saturday, October 19
Barbie®: A Cultural Icon charts the 65-year history of Barbie and the doll’s global impact on fashion and popular culture through an expansive display of more than 250 vintage dolls, life-size fashion designs, advertisements, and other ephemera, along with exclusive video interviews with the doll's designers.  READ MORE

Emanu-El Makers: Sukkot Edition at Genius Gems

Chelsea
Sunday, October 20
Spend the afternoon tinkering at Genius Gems. Snack in a magnatile sukkah, build amazing structures, shake that lulav and etrog, and STEAM it up with glitter galore! READ MORE

Petra & Wolfie at the Brooklyn Museum

Prospect Park
Sunday, October 20
The Brooklyn Conservatory Community Orchestra and Maestra Dorothy Savitch present their version of Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. Discover what happens when Petra, Wolfie and the Dog Catcher find themselves at the Brooklyn Museum in this musical escapade featuring live comic actors, video, orchestral works by Prokofiev and Modest Mussorgsky, and some of your favorite pop tunes! READ MORE

Grand Opening of Winter Village at Bryant Park

Midtown West
Opens Friday, October 25
Bryant Park braces for winter with the official launch of its 24th annual Winter Village. That means one of NYC's favorite, FREE ice skating rinks is ready to make its season debut, too. Enjoy a twirl on the ice, peruse the holiday shops, and enjoy a snack at the Lodge Deck.  READ MORE

Halloween Extravaganza and Procession of the Ghouls at St. John the Divine

Morningside Heights
Friday, October 25-Saturday, October 26
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine's beloved annual Halloween celebration returns! Following the screening of Lon Chaney's 1926 film, The Phantom of the Opera, with live organ accompaniment, ghouls and goblins from the Mettawee River Theater Company emerge to scare and delight audiences. READ MORE

Seaport Kids: Halloween Block Party

Seaport–FREE
Saturday, October 26
Front and Fulton Streets transform into a Halloween-themed block party for kids 2-8 (and the bigger kids who love all things Halloween) with a little help from Mommy Poppins and Brooklyn Bridge Parents. READ MORE

Halloween on the Harlem Meer: Pumpkin Flotilla

Central Park–FREE
Wednesday, October 30
The Harlem Meer comes alive as the sun sets in this annual Halloween favorite. Hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns both spooky and sweet set sail at dusk in New York City's largest pumpkin flotilla. READ MORE

Mother Goose at 92Y

Upper East Side
Sundays, through November 10
An enchanting, playful, utterly unique musical story (based on the bestselling book by Kobi Yamada) about the transformative power of creativity — made just for kids. READ MORE

The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail at the New York Botanical Garden

Bronx Park, Bronx
Weekends through Saturday, November 30
Join Jack Skellington, Sally, and Zero on a walk of wonders, as your favorite characters, scenes, and songs from the immortal film The Nightmare Before Christmas come to life in New York's most treasured garden. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Hudson River Park: The Pier 62 Carousel
Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
Brooklyn Children's Museum
Citywide and online
The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine