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Experience the magic of the Tianyu Lights Festival at Citi Field this holiday season. Photo courtesy of the festival
21 Best Things To Do in NYC November 2024 with Kids
Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has become an enchanting holiday tradition for many families. Photo courtesy of the garden
Holiday and Christmas Events in NYC to Book Now!
Canstruction is free and open to the public at Brookfield Place through Monday, November 11. Photo by Heidi Lee
39 Free and Fun Things To Do in NYC this November with Kids
This expansive Barbie exhibition is now open at the Museum of Arts and Design at Columbus Circle.
Iconic Barbie Exhibition Opens in NYC With Vintage Dolls, Photo Ops, and More
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NYC Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Farms, Festivals, and Kid-Friendly Getaways 2024
Join Jack Skellington, Sally, and Zero on a walk of wonders at NYBG's The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail. Photo by Ally Noel
Fall Bucket List for Kids: 35 Top Things To Do in NYC this Fall
Classics, like Tom Turkey, and newbies alike take flight in the 98th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024: Where to Watch, What's New
The 2024-2025 NYC public school calendar is out, and students return to school on Thursday, September 5.
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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
NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep
Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
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Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.
Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love
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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The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
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For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
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Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier
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Twinkle Playspace in Williamsburg offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
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The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH
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Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
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Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
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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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See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
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Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
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29 Best Things To Do in NYC September 2024 with Kids

Big Bounce America lands at Citi Field at the end of the month. Photo courtesy Big Bounce.
Big Bounce America lands at Citi Field at the end of the month. Photo courtesy Big Bounce.
8/30/24 - 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 even though the kids are heading back to school, there's still plenty of time for fun. The Richmond County Fair and the West Side County Fair return with rides, games, and plenty of live music.

Meanwhile, unicycles are wheeling all over town, and we're hosting back-to-school parties at The Seaport and in Brooklyn. By month's end, things are getting spooky, as the New York Botanical Garden unveils its deliciously eerie Nightmare Before Christmas light trail.

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 quickly, so register or buy your tickets ASAP.

Jack Skellington sets a spooky stage at the New York Botanical Garden. Photo courtesy NYBG.
Jack Skellington sets a spooky stage at the New York Botanical Garden. Photo courtesy NYBG.

Best Things To Do in NYC in September with Kids

15th Annual NYC Unicycle Festival

Citywide – FREE
Thursday, August 29-Sunday, September 1, 2024
The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus rolls out its 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

Back to Hogwarts at Grand Central Terminal

Midtown East – FREE
Friday, August 30-Sunday, September 1, 2024
Harry Potter fans are invited to a special Back to Hogwarts pop-up in the beautiful Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal. Expect magical performances, exciting Lego building activities, an interactive Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions fan experience, plus activations from Scholastic, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and even the chance to toast one another with the most delectable of wizarding drinks: butterbeer. READ MORE

Richmond County Fair

Richmond, Staten Island
August 31-Monday, September 2, 2024
An old-fashioned county fair in New York City, the 41-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

Seaport Kids x Back to School Bash

South Street Seaport – FREE
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Rescheduled from Saturday, September 7, the Seaport Kids x Back to School Bash promises an exciting day packed with free kids’ activities. Enjoy a dazzling magic show, and get creative with balloon animals and fun kid crafts. Say goodbye to back-to-school blues while discovering engaging classes and activities from local schools in collaboration with Mommy Poppins and Brooklyn Bridge Parents. READ MORE

BRIC Family Day: Back To School

Downtown Brooklyn – FREE
Saturday, September 7, 2024
BRIC House invites families to participate in an afternoon of creativity and excitement for the upcoming school year with a whole bunch of activities. READ MORE

Big Kick at Asphalt Green

Upper East Side – FREE
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Kids can participate in an outdoor soccer festival under the lights on Litwin Field. Participants receive a drawstring bag—perfect for toting your soccer ball to the field! Registration is not required.   READ MORE

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show at The Duke on 42nd

Midtown West
Opens Saturday, September 7, 2024
One of the most beloved and widely-read children’s books of all time, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, emerges from the page in a masterful and beautiful theatrical experience for the whole family. READ MORE

Annual Bus Festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Dumbo, Brooklyn – FREE
Sunday, September 8, 2024
The New York Transit Museum invites visitors aboard some of its beloved vintage vehicles at this annual fest. Explore buses from the vintage fleet representing more than 80 years of New York City surface transit history.  READ MORE

West Side County Fair

Upper West Side
Sunday, September 8, 2024
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

Ferragosto 2024

Belmont, the Bronx
Sunday, September 8, 2024
The Belmont section of the Bronx hosts the annual Ferragosto festival in the original Little Italy: Arthur Avenue and East 187th Street. READ MORE

Private School Admissions: Parent Workshops (ISAAGNY)

Virtual
Multiple dates beginning Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Applying to private school? Unlock the secrets to a smooth and successful admissions process with free, virtual parent workshops! These sessions offer invaluable insights from a panel of private school leaders, all of whom bring years of experience *and* up-to-date knowledge to the conversation. They'll guide you through every step: from application to enrollment. READ MORE

Flatiron Jewish New Year Street Fair

Chelsea
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
The Jewish New Year's Street Festival is a pre-holiday celebration for young families in Lower Manhattan. Come by for a Kosher ice cream truck, music by Noah Solomon Band, inflatables, a beekeeper, and a bubble show to celebrate the new year. READ MORE

98th Annual Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy

Little Italy – FREE
Thursday, September 12-Sunday, September 22, 2024
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. Food Network star Anne Burrell serves as grand marshal. READ MORE

Story Pirates: The Amazing Adventure Tour at Ethical Culture

Upper West Side
Saturday, September 14, 2024
This fast-paced, hilarious, and inspiring show for the whole family features Eric from The Story Pirates Podcast, plus a cast of the funniest Story Pirate actors, singers, and comedians around.  READ MORE

End of Summer Block Party in Bay Ridge

Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Brooklyn Bridge Parents partners with the 5th Avenue BID in Bay Ridge to host a big end-of-summer block party spanning 13 blocks of car-free 5th Avenue from 68th to 81st Street, complete with bouncy houses, arts and crafts, a bubble show, water play, and much more. READ MORE

Mid-Autumn Festival at Alley Pond

Alley Pond, Queens
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Alley Pond's Mid-Autumn Fest includes Chinese calligraphy and origami workshops, a Chinese dance performance, and more. READ MORE

Morningside Lights: In Retrospect at Columbia University

Morningside Heights – FREE
Saturday, September 14-Saturday, September 21, 2024
Morningside Lights returns for its 13th year, illuminating the night in a procession of awe-inspiring handmade lanterns floating through Morningside Park to Columbia's campus. This year's theme, In Retrospect, celebrates how a century of New York art has shaped our image of where and how we live. READ MORE

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

Downtown Brooklyn – FREE
Sunday, September 15, 2024
Mommy Poppins and Brooklyn Bridge Parents host a back-to-school party during Open Streets on Montague Street between Clinton and Hicks Streets in Brooklyn Heights. Enjoy a bubble show, music with Hopalong Andrew, a dance party, and dozens more activities. READ MORE

SOLD OUT Step Afrika!

Upper West Side – FREE
Friday, September 20, 2024
Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional African dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience.   READ MORE

Poseidon Parade

Rockaways, Queens – FREE
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Family-friendly and art-centered, this annual march celebrates self-expression, community, and the beauty of the Rockaway shore. READ MORE

NYSoM Superhero Festival 2024 in Evergreen Park

Ridgewood, Queens – FREE
Saturday, September 21, 2024
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

Family Day: Baila! Canta! Celebra! at Carnegie Hall

Midtown West – FREE
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Carnegie Hall’s annual Family Day salutes Nuestros sonidos (Our Sounds), a season-long celebration of Latin culture in the US. With activities offered in both English and Spanish, it’s  an afternoon of live music, dance, and celebration. Stop by for a quick visit or stay for the whole afternoon! READ MORE

Flatbush Frolic

Flatbush, Brooklyn
Sunday, September 22, 2024
One of NYC's largest street fairs, featuring thousands of visitors and hundreds of vendors, the Flatbush Frolic dizzies up Cortelyou Road with food, games, pony rides, carnival rides, music, and more.  READ MORE

BAM Presents: A Celebration of African Diasporic Dance in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn – FREE
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Families can celebrate DanceAfrica early at this fun-filled, outdoor workshop led by BAM teaching artist Yasmar Cruz. Discover how African and diasporic dance forms celebrate community, providing a unique window into the history and traditions of its people. READ MORE

Brooklyn Book Festival

Downtown Brooklyn – FREE
Sunday, September 22-Monday, September 30, 2024
Dive into some great books at the 2024 Brooklyn Book Festival. Kid-friendly programming abounds during Children's Day on Saturday, September 28. READ MORE

Family Night with Stacey Abrams at BAM

Downtown Brooklyn
Tuesday, September 24
Stacey Abrams, the nationally celebrated politician, activist, and New York Times bestselling author, hosts a special family evening as she presents the latest addition to her beloved children’s series, Stacey Speaks Up.    READ MORE

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

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Opens Friday, September 27, 2024
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

Downtown Brooklyn Arts Festival

Downtown Brooklyn – FREE
Friday, September 27-Saturday, September 28, 2024
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

Little Red Lighthouse Festival

Hudson Heights – FREE
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Celebrate Manhattan’s only remaining lighthouse with Urban Park Ranger presentations, readings of The Little Red Lighthouse and The Great Gray Bridge children’s book, live music, and activities for all ages. READ MORE

Big Bounce America at Citi Field

Flushing, Queens
Opens Saturday, September 28, 2024
Big Bounce America brings an action-packed bouncy-house wonderland to Citi Field. Hop inside the self-described "world's largest bounce house" or one of its other inflatable fun zones. READ MORE

49th Annual Atlantic Antic: Playtopia, Powered by Prospect Schools

Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
Sunday, September 29, 2024
The largest street fest in New York City, the Atlantic Antic spans 10 blocks of Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue with food and craft vendors, family fun, and amazing performances. This year, Playtopia with Mommy Poppins and Brooklyn Bridge Parents, sponsored by Prospect Schools, is located between Hicks and Henry Streets in Cobble Hill near Brooklyn Bridge Park.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Multiple locations around NYC
Seaport Square, South Street Seaport
Emily Warren Roebling Plaza
Riverside Park South - Pier I
Virtual (Zoom)
The New York Society for Ethical Culture
Alley Pond Environmental Center
Miller Theater at Columbia University
Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center
BAM Fisher Fishman Space
Little Red Lighthouse (in Fort Washington Park)
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