Free in October: 53 Things To Do in NYC with Kids

Brooklyn Bridge Park's Harvest Festival returns for another seasonal celebration. Photo courtesy of the event
Brooklyn Bridge Park's Harvest Festival returns for another seasonal celebration. Photo courtesy of the event
10/3/23 - By Drew Kristofik

October is bubbling over with bushels of free things to do in NYC. Naturally, we've got a spooky pile of free Halloween activities, but that's not all the cost-free fun happening in NYC this month. Our calendar is bursting with free harvest and fall festivals, including Brooklyn Bridge Park's Harvest Fest.

October also boasts events like Open House New York, and the second annual City of Forest Day. There are even two adorable operas for babies: IuzAzul and Camille's Rainbow!

Read on for 53 free things to do in New York City this October, including events in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx. Find more top events on our best-of-October list. Of course, our Guide to Fall Activities and New York City Halloween Guide have all the seasonal must-do's.

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Places featured in this article:


Old Stone House at JJ Byrne Playground

Vale Park at The William Vale

Brooklyn Children's Museum

Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum

Randall's Island Urban Farm

Old Stone House (outside)

Citywide and online

Carroll Park Carroll Gardens

Miller Theater at Columbia University

Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian

Socrates Sculpture Park

Brookfield Place New York

David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center For The Performing Arts

BAM Peter Jay Sharp Lobby and Lepercq Space