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The Eric Carle Story Show is a colorful, playful, page-to-stage adaptation that's sure to thrill young audience members. Photo courtesy of Rockefeller Productions
The Eric Carle Story Show is a colorful, playful, page-to-stage adaptation that's sure to thrill young audience members. Photo courtesy of Rockefeller Productions
9/1/23 - By Drew Kristofik

Labor Day kicks off September's activities, launching New York City's season of apple picking, fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes.

September is here, and while the kids are heading back to school, there's still plenty of time for fun. The Richmond County Fair, the West Side County Fair, and the Queens County Fair all return with rides, games, and plenty of live music, unicycles are wheeling all over town, and trains are parading through Brooklyn.

All that, and The Met is opening the doors to its new 81st Street Studio. We're hosting a back-to-school block party, plus there's a big Rosh Hashanah celebration in the Flatiron District. By month's end, things are getting spooky, and the Bronx Zoo debuts an all-new after-dark attraction, Pumpkin Nights.

If you're in the mood for a fall outing, why not visit one of these apple-picking orchards? We promise to keep your weekends focused on fun with our Family Activity Calendar, and our Fall Fun Guide is ready for the change of seasons, too.

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

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.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Halloween fun sneaks onto the calendar in September with the Bronx Zoo's new Pumpkin Nights debuting Thursday, September 28. Photo by Julie Larsen/courtesy of the Bronx Zoo
Halloween fun sneaks onto the calendar in September with the Bronx Zoo's new Pumpkin Nights debuting Thursday, September 28. Photo by Julie Larsen/courtesy of the Bronx Zoo

Best Things To Do in NYC in September With Kids

14th Annual NYC Unicycle Festival

Citywide–FREE
Thursday, August 31-Sunday, September 3
The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus rolls out its 14th annual NYC Unicycle Festival across New York City, bringing together recreational riders, world-class performers, mountain and off-road unicycle enthusiasts, and mono-wheel vehicle inventors.  READ MORE

Playground Adventure

Central Park –FREE
Saturday, September 2 | Billy Johnson Playground
Saturday, September 9 | Adventure Playground
Saturday, September 23 | Heckscher Playground
Get ready for a summer learning expedition for the whole family at Central Park's unique playgrounds. Guides lead adventurers on a journey through the park's thrilling play features and facilitate fun, hands-on activities. READ MORE

Richmond County Fair

Richmond, Staten Island
Saturday, September 2-Monday, September 4
An old-fashioned county fair in New York City, the 42-year-old Staten Island tradition features family fun and entertainment for all ages, including circus performers, crafts and rides for the kids, live music, plenty of eats, and contests. READ MORE

40th Annual Queens County Fair

Glen Oaks, Queens
Friday, September 8-Sunday, September 10
The Queens County Fair is back, and with it, the opening weekend of The Amazing Maize Maze. Step back in time and enjoy pie eating and corn husking contests, hayrides, carnival rides, and midway games. READ MORE

Back-to-School Party on Car-Free Montague Street

Downtown Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, September 9
Mommy Poppins and Brooklyn Bridge Parents host a back-to-school party during Open Streets on Montague, with two full blocks of free kids activities, performances, games, arts and crafts, soccer, dungeon building, ninja warrior training, face painting, kids' fitness classes, and much more. READ MORE

NYC Honey Fest

Rockaway Beach, Queens–FREE
Saturday, September 9
Now in its 12th year, the NYC Honey Fest celebrates the buzzing pollinators that live in NYC. Enjoy art, food, music, film, kids’ arts and crafts, and a bee-product marketplace. READ MORE

The Met Museum's 81st Street Studio Opening

Upper East Side
Saturday, September 9
Explore The Met's new drop-in discovery and place space for kids ages 3-11, their families, and caregivers at an opening festival packed with activities, storytelling, games, and more. READ MORE

Parade of Trains at Brighton Beach

Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
Saturday, September 9-Sunday, September 10
The Transit Museum’s vintage train cars are headed on a special trip to the end of the line—the BMT Brighton line. Brighton Beach station B/Q platforms and Kings Highway Manhattan-bound B/Q platform. READ MORE

West Side County Fair

Upper West Side
Sunday, September 10
Summer on the Hudson's biggest event of the season—the West Side County Fair—returns, bringing with it a full afternoon of county fair magic in Manhattan. READ MORE

BRIC Hip-Hop Block Party

Downtown Brooklyn–FREE
Sunday, September 10
Head to BRIC House for a day of family art-making, musical performances, panel talks, and workshops inspired by the building blocks of hip-hop. READ MORE

Ferragosto 2023

Belmont, the Bronx
Sunday, September 10
The Belmont section of the Bronx hosts the annual Ferragosto festival in the original Little Italy: Arthur Avenue and East 187th Street. READ MORE

Flatiron Jewish New Year Street Fair

Chelsea
Tuesday, September 12
The Jewish New Year's Street Festival is a pre-holiday celebration for young families in Lower Manhattan. Come by for fun music, Kosher food, activities, and shows to celebrate the new year. READ MORE

The 97th Annual Feast of San Gennaro

Little Italy–FREE
Thursday, September 14-Sunday, September 24
The Feast of San Gennaro honors Italian-Americans in professional baseball this year with its blocks-long street festival, dubbed the "Feast of all Feasts!" Enjoy food, entertainment, and vendors along Mulberry Street from Houston to Canal. Actress Kathrine Narducci serves as grand marshall. READ MORE

Creating a Nightly Homework Routine Webinar

Online–FREE
Thursday, September 14
For many parents, getting kids to do their homework is a nightly battle. Learn how to keep the peace by using tools for creating a consistent nightly homework routine. Families also learn strategies for how to support students when they have questions about math, and tips to strengthen their reading skills at home. READ MORE

Poseidon Parade

Rockaways, Queens–FREE
Saturday, September 16
Family-friendly and art-centered, this annual march celebrates self-expression, community, and beauty of the Rockaway shore. READ MORE

Wings, Wands, Fairies, and Dragons - CANCELED

Randall's Island–FREE
Saturday, September 23
This event has been canceled. Visit the Randall's Island White Garden for this fairy-focused workshop. Make all things fairy: a pair of wings, a wand, a dragon mask, and a fairy house to celebrate these enchanted creatures and the island's beautiful woodland. READ MORE

WeBop Family Jazz Party

Midtown West
Saturday, September 23
Ms. Goussy, Ms. Sofía, and the WeBop Family Jazz Band host a bilingual show celebrating Latin jazz rhythms. Take an imaginary trip to El Barrio (Harlem, New York), discover the clave, and sing WeBop favorites ¡con mucho sabor! READ MORE

NYSoM Superhero Festival 2023 - CANCELED

Ridgewood, Queens–FREE
Saturday, September 23
This event has been canceled. NYSoM Fall Blockbuster presents its sixth annual Superhero Festival. The festival features a superhero carnival inside Evergreen Park, character-themed games for prizes, classic arcade games, and meet-and-greets with superheros. READ MORE

Mark Morris Dance Group in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, September 23
Mark Morris Dance Group presents a special outdoor performance and an all-ages family-friendly workshop.  READ MORE

Second Annual Rockaway Dog Parade

Far Rockaway, Queens–FREE
Sunday, September 24
Dogs (and their owners) compete for prizes and titles that include best dressed, funniest, and best matching in Rockaway's second annual Dog Parade. Cheer your faves on the boardwalk from Beach 108 to Beach 95th. READ MORE

Morningside Lights: The Open Book

Morningside Heights–FREE
Saturday, September 23-Saturday, September 30
Morningside Lights returns for its 12th year, illuminating the night in a procession of awe-inspiring handmade lanterns floating through Morningside Park to Columbia's campus. This year, each of the 50+ community-built lanterns pays tribute to a book that inspires, enlightens, and shapes how we see the world. READ MORE

Pumpkin Nights at the Bronx Zoo

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Thursday, September 28-Sunday, October 29
Pumpkin Nights at the Bronx Zoo sparkle with more than 5,000 carved, animal-themed pumpkins over a half-mile jack-o’-lantern trail. The evening includes live pumpkin carving demonstrations, games, festive fall treats and food trucks, and fun for all ages.  READ MORE

Downtown Brooklyn Arts Festival

Downtown Brooklyn–FREE
Friday, September 29-Saturday, September 30
The Downtown Brooklyn Arts Festival is an annual celebration of the neighborhood's cultural community and the artists, writers, and performers who inspire the borough’s creative spirit. READ MORE

Submerge: NYC Marine Science Festival

Midtown West–FREE
Friday, September 29-Saturday, September 30
Editor's note: Friday's event has been canceled. The Hudson River Park presents Submerge—a free, two-day science extravaganza devoted to raising awareness about our coastal waters.  READ MORE

Art of Circus

All-New Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party

Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
Saturday, September 30
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks—Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, Boneshaker, Bigfoot, and more, plus the all-new Gunkster—light up the floor in outrageous monster trucks competitions and battles. Event performances also feature a dazzling dance party, spectacular laser light shows, and Hot Wheels toy giveaways. READ MORE

Brooklyn Book Festival

Downtown Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, September 30-Monday, October 2
The 2023 Brooklyn Book Festival celebrates its 18th anniversary of presenting free literary programming. This year's fest includes events both in-person and virtual. Kid-friendly programming abounds during Children's Day on Saturday, September 30. READ MORE

Sesame Street: The Musical

Midtown West
Various dates through Sunday, October 29
Sesame Street’s very own Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Grover, Rosita, Bert, Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, The Count, Gabrielle, and a host of Honkers, Martians, and other favorites appear onstage in their very own musical. READ MORE

The Eric Carle Story Show

Midtown West
Sundays and Mondays through October 30
Experience the spellbinding stories and colorful characters of author Eric Carle in a whole new way at The Eric Carle Story Show! Created by Jonathan Rockefeller, this all-new, innovative stage production presents some of your favorite Eric Carle stories, brought to life in an intimate storytelling setting by world-class puppeteers and 45 handcrafted, magical puppets. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Multiple locations around NYC
Various Central Park playgrounds
Brighton Beach Station Platform
Rockaway Beach Boardwalk Roller Hockey Rink
Miller Theater at Columbia University
BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center