Saturday, October 3

Korean Festival and Parade—Midtown West, Manhattan
Get more than just a taste of Korean culture at this interactive event. There will be dancing, taekwondo demonstrations, and artifacts and memorabilia; plus some kalbi (BBW shortribs), bibim gooksoo (spicy mixed noodles ,and kim chi fried rice. Be sure to stick around for the performances of traditional and popular Korean Songs. FREE

Boo Baby Boo, Halloween Dance—Park Slope, Brooklyn
Halloween doesn’t always have to be about candy, and Baby Loves Disco seems to agree. Take your young ones (7 and under) for a dance party that’s all about imagination, physicality and fun—not sugar. No dress up is required, but it is more than welcome (that goes for adults, too!), and there will be toys, books, healthy snacks and goody bags to take home. $12

Whitney Family Day--UES, Manhattan
Families are invited to explore the abstractions of Georgia O'Keeffe through interactive gallery tours, hands-on art making and more. The guided tours will help kids (and adults) discover the artist's lines, colors and landscapes and to look closely at natural objects, to create your own works of art and create a planted landscape to take home. $10 per family, member families free.

Tibetan Festival--North Shore, Staten Island
This festival is a little Staten Island gem (and not hard to reach via public transportation). There’s traditional Tibetan crafts and foods for the whole family, and a lecture on Buddhism and the Dharma for adults and teens; plus film screenings, artistic demonstrations, a performance by the Milarepa Children’s Chorus, readings and more. $10 adults, $5 seniors and students, children under 6 free.

Goodnight, Garden—NY Botanical Garden, Bronx
The fall might be about harvest, but it is also about prepping for the winter. Plant a cover crop, bury bulbs before the frost, and help rake and gather the fallen leaves at this garden event. It’s not all work though; you can make marigold jewelry and sketch a still life of the last of the fall fruits, and frame it with seeds, to take home. Adults $20, kids $8, members free.
 

Sunday, October 4

International Pickle Day—LES, Manhattan
Yup, this is a big one and you guessed it, there will be TONS of pickle sampling. Taste pickles from India, Haiti, Malaysia, Brooklyn and more, scope out the greenmarkets (a new edition to this event), watch cooking demonstrations and the costume-optional parade, see the costume competition, play in the children’s activities, enjoy historical walking tours, gardening info and more. FREE

Medieval Festival--Washington Heights, Manhattan
This is one of Mommy Poppins' favorite events. After all, who can resist mystic minstrels, a joust between four knights on horseback, and pipes and drums? Fort Tryon Park is transformed into a court of the Middle Ages, where performers, guests and festival goers dress in medieval costume, and you are greeted by music, dance, magic, jesters and minstrels. This free event is a must-do for NYC kids. FREE

Sundays Under the Whale with They Might Be Giants—UWS, Manhattan
Family-rocker favorites They Might Be Giants are taking down the house (or whale, rather) right under the blue whale in the AMNH. They’ll be performing science-friendly tunes of their new album at 11am and 2pm. Free with (suggested) admission, but first come first served. Get there early if you want to have a chance of getting tickets.

St. Francis Day—UWS, Manhattan
St. Francis was a friend and lover of animals, and a celebration of him without them just wouldn’t be the same. Watch the animals and caretakers (think scene out of Noah’s Arc) process up the nave, with guests like yaks, tortoises, baby swans, macaws and more. Feel free to bring your own furry (or scaley) pet to have them blessed, or just watch the animal parade by from outside (FREE). Advance tickets to service are sold out. Additional tickets will be distributed first come first served.

Pier 84 Pet Parade and Fall Festival--Hudson River Park, Manhattan
The whole family can come out for this one, since pets are invited, too! There will be awards for best-dressed pet, most exotic pet, best pet trick, and more. There will also be music, fishing, face painting and of course, the pet parade. FREE

Great Children's Read--Morningside Heights, Manhattan
This free event is all about children developing a love to read and celebrating children's lit (plus some live entertainment and giveaways). Stories will be read aloud, with performances by "Choo-Choo Soul" from Playhouse Disney, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Hip Hop Harry and more will go down. Broadway stars will be there for a little reading and singing, too. FREE

Atlantic Antic—Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
This ten-block festival also has ten live performance stages, not to mention the local merchants, artisans and samples of culinary treats. There’s legitimately something for everyone, from oysters to red velvet cake, and wide variety of activities catered specifically to younger ones. If you’ve never been, don’t miss out on this totally local event.  FREE

Creepy Crawlers: Skulls and Bones—Mid-Island, Staten Island
This is definitely a rare one: a free and educational Halloween event with no sweets. Identify the different skulls and bones of Blue Heron Nature Center’s night-time and daytime creatures, along with the park rangers. FREE

Open House and Street Fair—Bronx Museum, Bronx
Celebrate the centennial of the Grand Concourse by meeting the neighbors, enjoying food and checking out the art exhibits. FREE


Don't forget there's also lots of Pumpkin Picking/Corn Maze/Hay Rides and more Fall festivals in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island this weekend. Read about them in out in our pumpkin picking round-up, or visit our calendar for even more events going on. And if you’re looking to get away, see what’s happening for families on Long Island and in New Jersey.