The Bronx Zoo lights up at night during the 2024 holiday season. Photo by Ally Noel
Holiday Light Shows, Luna Luna, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids
The Tianyu Lights Festival transforms the Citi Field parking lot into a magical holiday destination with larger-than-life lanterns and kid-friendly activities. Photo courtesy of the festival
Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in New York City for Kids
All aboard a festively decorated Polar Express train ride for some holiday magic and memories. Photo by Gwendolyn Tundermann
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains near NYC
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation is an event unto itself. See the larger-than-life balloons come to life the night before the parade. Photo by Anthony Quintano/CC BY 2.0
See the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation with Kids
Many organizations throughout New York City are offering free turkey giveaways, plus full, hot Thanksgiving dinners this season. Photo by John McCarten for the New York City Council
Where To Find Free Turkey in NYC This Thanksgiving
See the Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC with our insider's guide and tips!
GUIDE
Guide to Thanksgiving in NYC for Kids and Families
Celebrate Thanksgiving with Leuca. Photo courtesy of the Noho Hospitality Group
26 Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in NYC
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!
GUIDE
NYC Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Farms, Festivals, and Kid-Friendly Getaways 2024
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
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.
Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2024-2025
Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
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
47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
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
Best New Broadway Shows This Season Plus Can't-Miss Classics for Families
The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids
For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
Best Attractions and Things To Do near NYC that are Kid-Friendly
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Best NYC Tours for Families: From Boat Rides to Free Walking Tours and More
Twinkle Playspace in Williamsburg offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
21 Top Indoor Play Spaces in New York City
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
Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC
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
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
101 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Indoor Playgrounds, Play Spaces, and Fun Zones in NYC
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
100 Things To Do in NYC With Kids Before They Grow Up
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
3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
40 Best NYC Attractions to Do with Kids Right Now
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
100 Things To Do in New York State with Kids Before They Grow Up
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Boredom Busters for Kids

Things To Do in NYC This Weekend: Boo at the Zoo, Atlantic Antic, Chile Peppers

Get into the Halloween spirit with Boo at the Zoo, every weekend in October at the Bronx Zoo. Photo by Julie Larsen Maher for the Wildlife Conservation Society
Get into the Halloween spirit with Boo at the Zoo, every weekend in October at the Bronx Zoo. Photo by Julie Larsen Maher for the Wildlife Conservation Society
9/25/19 - By Drew Kristofik

New York City kids itching to get into the "spirit" of Halloween early are in luck: This weekend, the Bronx Zoo launches its revamped, month-long Boo at the Zoo, you can commune with Spooky Pumpkins at the Bronx's Botanical Garden, the 53rd Annual Ragamuffin Parade offers an opportunity to test-drive this year's costumes, Luna Park unleashes Halloween Harvest festivities, and Queens County Farm Museum invites you to get lost in its Amazing Maize Maze.

Feeling extra festive-al? On Saturday, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden celebrates one of autumn's hottest seasonal crops at its annual Chile Pepper Festival, Wyckoff Farmhouse hosts the 8th Annual Breukelen Country Fair, and kids can dive into Hudson River Park's Marine Science fest. On Sunday, head to Pelham Bay Park for the Bronx Native American Festival, to Brooklyn for the 45th Annual Atlantic Antic, or joust gallup up to Inwood for Fort Tryon Park's annual, amazing, Medieval Festival.

All that, plus the opening of the new LEGO exhibit in Queens, the Parade of Trains at Brighton Beach, the last Hans Christian Andersen tale of the year in Central Park, and an outdoor free screening of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (complete with free pretzels, popcorn, and face painting) make this a weekend for the books. Rest up in advance, and then dig in.

Hungry for more? Check out our guide to the city's best harvest fests, pumpkin patches and hayrides. Don't forget to pair our Fall Fun Guide with our event calendar when you make your weekend plans.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Halloween plus Luna Park equals major fun for kids. Photo by Luna Park via NYCGo
Halloween plus Luna Park equals major fun for kids. Photo by Luna Park via NYCGo

Things To Do All Weekend

Annual Halloween Harvest at Luna Park

Coney Island, Brooklyn
Experience all the thrills, chills, and Halloween frills during the Halloween Harvest at Luna Park, which buzzes with festive and seasonal activities along with special events in the spirit of Halloween. READ MORE

Bronx Zoo: Boo at the Zoo

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Trek the candy trail, explore an extinct animal graveyard, and take in pumpkin carving demos as the Bronx Zoo's annual Halloween tradition returns, bringing with it tons of family-friendly activities. New this year: a trick-or-truth maze, face painting, a creepy mystery wall, and a Halloween mashup. Costumes are welcome. READ MORE

Parade of Trains at Brighton Beach

Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
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

Family Art Project: Forest Stories

Riverdale, the Bronx
From understory to emergent layer, the forest holds many stories. Create your own spinning storytelling device that explores the unique stories that each forest layer tells. READ MORE

The Amazing Maize Maze at Queens County Farm

Floral Park, Queens
NYC's only corn maze begins with a "Stalk Talk" to prepare you for the 3-acre challenge of finding clues on your way to Victory Bridge where the maze's stunning vista is revealed. READ MORE

"The Art of the Brick" Exhibit Opening Week

Corona, Queens
The Art of the Brick, an exhibition and the world’s largest display of LEGO® art, opens at the New York Hall of Science. READ MORE

Spooky Pumpkin Garden

Bronx Park, the Bronx
The Everett Children’s Adventure Garden gets a spooky Halloween makeover with eye-popping pumpkins, silly scarecrows, and plenty of fun! READ MORE
Like it hot? Spend the day at the Chile Pepper Fest at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Photo by Julie Markes for BBG
Like it hot? Spend the day at the Chile Pepper Fest at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Photo by Julie Markes for BBG

Things To Do Saturday, September 28

Chile Pepper Festival 2020

Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Save the date for New York’s hottest fall tradition! Brooklyn’s end-of-summer blowout sets the garden ablaze with scorching bands from around the world, dozens of fiery food artisans, and hours of chile-chocolate debauchery. READ MORE

Halloween Costume Workshop

Financial District
Searching for Halloween inspiration? Just look up! Kids get ideas from models of skyscrapers to dress as their favorite towers, whether it’s the Chrysler Building or an original design. READ MORE

Submerge: NYC Marine Science Festival at Pier 84

Midtown West — FREE
The Hudson River Park presents Submerge—a free, two-day science extravaganza devoted to raising awareness about our coastal waters.  READ MORE

56th Annual Ragamuffin Parade

Bay Ridge, Brooklyn — FREE
Halloween costumes get an early airing at the 56th annual Ragamuffin Parade. Bonus: At the end of the parade, every child who is registered and marches the whole route in costume receives a gift. Rain or shine. READ MORE

Virtual Stories at the Statue: Hans Christian Andersen Story Telling

Central Park — FREE (Last tale of the season, plus The Ugly Duckling's Birthday Party)
Stories at the Statue celebrates its 65th year this summer, continuing a beloved legacy of sharing tales and music in NYC's Central Park—but, this year, it's online once again. READ MORE

¡CORÓNATE! Bailando Celebration of Culture

Corona, Queens — FREE
Celebrate the end of the summer by bringing the whole entire family to enjoy live music and dance performances, art-making workshops, and the opportunity to learn more about this vibrant community. READ MORE

Living History: Trades of the New Nation

Upper West Side
Historical Interpreters bring important trades and professions of the 18th century, such as millinery, apothecary, and bookbinding, to life. READ MORE

8th Annual Breukelen Country Fair

East Flatbush, Brooklyn
Bring the whole family for a day-long extravaganza of local growing, hands-on homesteading, and creativity that turns the traditional harvest festival on its ear and boasts an array of games, crafts, local food, music, demonstrations, and family-friendly workshops led by local partners. READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (PG)

Upper East Side — FREE
Teen Miles Morales becomes Spider-Man of his reality, crossing his path with five counterparts from other dimensions to stop a threat for all realities. READ MORE

Get Hooked Fishing Festival

Randall's Island — FREE
Get up close and personal with the fish and wildlife that live along the NYC shoreline. READ MORE
A parade of jugglers, ribbon dancers and knights on horseback will kick off the Medieval Festival at Fort Tryon Park. Photo courtesy of the festival
A parade of jugglers, ribbon dancers and knights on horseback will kick off the Medieval Festival at Fort Tryon Park. Photo courtesy of the festival

Things To Do Sunday, September 29

The Medieval Festival at Fort Tryon Park

Inwood — FREE
Experience the culture of a bygone era against the backdrop of The Cloisters and the Hudson River during autumn's peak. The Medieval Festival transforms Fort Tryon Park into a medieval market town, decorated with bright banners and processional flags. READ MORE

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

Brooklyn Heights to Crown Heights, Brooklyn
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

Celebración Latina

Upper West Side — FREE
Ballet Hispánico celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Latinx dance, music, art, food, and culture! Festivities include live performances from Ballet Hispánico’s Pa'lante Scholars, free dance classes, live music, and food from local vendors. READ MORE

Fall Feast

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Join Prospect Park Alliance and NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital at Lefferts Historic House for a day of fun games and activities celebrating the local, seasonal harvest. READ MORE

The Bronx Native American Festival

Pelham Bay, the Bronx — FREE
Pelham Bay Park hosts four hours of performances, exhibits, arts and crafts, delicious food, and storytelling to honor our area's Native American heritage.  READ MORE

The Knights: Family Show

Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
Head to this hour-long family performance where audiences of all ages are introduced to classical music in a fun, relaxed, and interactive setting with The Knights. READ MORE

Spanish Family Day!

Upper West Side
Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon at the Museum—all in Spanish! Visit the exhibition Beyond Midnight: Paul Revere and interact with Spanish-speaking educators, who engage families in a variety of hands-on, American Revolution-themed art activities. READ MORE

Sunset and S'Mores

Van Cortlandt Park, the Bronx — FREE
Urban Park Rangers lead families on a sunset hike through Van Cortlandt Park, followed by s'mores over an open fire. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Brighton Beach Station Platform
New York Hall Of Science