All Weekend

Dumbo Arts Festival – Dumbo
One of our Septembr Go List picks: This massive, multiday celebration takes over the funky Brooklyn neighborhood with visual arts, live performances and interactive activities for all ages. We highlighted some best bets for families in our September NYC Go List, and you can plan your visit in advance by perusing the complete list of projects online. But it's also fun to go with no info whatsoever and just wander the streets of Dumbo to see what kinds of offbeat art you stumble across. Once you've had your fill, hit nearby Brooklyn Bridge Park for Jane's Carousel and other amusements. Friday-Sunday. FREE

The Old Man and the Old Moon – Midtown West
Another Septembr Go List pick: Our partner, the New Victory Theater, starts its season with PigPen Theater Co's folk-rock fable about an old man who leaves his longtime job tending the moon to find his runaway wife. His adventures come to life through banjo-heavy songs, breathtaking visuals, puppetry and good old-fashioned edge-of-your-seat storytelling. Friday-Sunday. $15-$38

Governors Island Closing Weekend – Governors Island
It's your last chance to visit the activity-filled isle, which shutters for the season on Sunday. On Saturday, make your own flyer and let it soar at the Brooklyn ARTery's kite festival or enjoy one last picnic on the grassy lawns. Note: the Interactive Sculpture Garden and Figment mini-golf course have already closed. Thursday-Sunday. FREE
 

Thursday, September 25

Sci-Tech Workshop: Shofar Sounds – Midtown East
Head to the Sony Wonder Technology Lab to celebrate the Jewish New Year by crafting your own shofar, an ancient horn-like instrument that's sounded at Rosh Hashanah. $10 per child

See all Thursday events. 
 

Friday, September 26

Kids Construction Zone – Chelsea
Hit the High Line to get creative with nuts, bolts, wheels and pulleys. Afterward, stroll uptown to explore the elevated park's brand-new third section, which just opened last weekend. FREE

See all Friday events. 
 

Saturday, September 27

Morningside Lights Illuminated Procession – Morningside Heights
Another September Go List pick: Although most of the remaining Morningside Lights collaborative lantern-making sessions are full, you can still catch the climactic illuminated parade through Morningside Park on Saturday evening. As you can see from our photos, it's a spectacular sight! Come earlier in the afternoon to enjoy a crafts table with a variety of artsy activities as part of the annual Common Ground Festival. FREE

Ragamuffin Parade – Bay Ridge
Yet another September Go List pick: Get into the Halloween spirit a little early at this decades-old neighborhood parade. Costume-clad kids march down Third Avenue in Bay Ridge alongside bands, cheerleaders and makeshift floats. All children who participate snag a toy. FREE

Chile Pepper Festival – Crown Heights
More from our September Go List: Enjoy fiery fun at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Hit the pop-up gardening station to pot chile plants to take home, sample a wide variety of spicy sauces and chocolates, and enjoy live music and performances in the Cherry Esplanade throughout the day. $20 for adults, $15 for students, free for children under age 12

Jeff Koons Family Day – Upper East Side
Another September Go List pick: Head to the Whitney Museum for an activity-filled morning in its Jeff Koons retrospective. Enjoy sketching, an art scavenger hunt, a photo booth filled with props, and other hands-on fun. Bonus: Families are let in at 9am, two hours before doors open to the general public, which means kids can take their time gawking at artist's whimsical works, including his awesome sculptural recreations of inflatable toys. Free with admission: $20 for adults, free for children under age 19

Smithsonian Magazine's Museum Day – Citywide
Enjoy no-cost admission to a bunch of local culture spots thanks to Smithsonian Magazine. We have a comprehensive list of venues in our post, but best bets for families include the New York City Fire Museum, Alley Pond and Historic Richmond Town. Be sure to print out your free tickets before you go. FREE

National Estuaries Day Festival – Douglaston
Celebrate Alley Pond Environmental Center's local estuary, Little Neck Bay, with canoe and kayak rides, a nature walk and other special nature activities. FREE

The Gustafer Yellowgold Show: The Tooth Will Set You Free – Financial District
Catch one of our favorite kooky kid rockers, Gustafer Yellowgold (a.k.a. Morgan Taylor), at Pace University. The singer, songwriter and dad will be joined onstage by his full band while the animated musical adventures of Gustafer, a little yellow alien from the sun, play out behind them. Expect classic tunes as well as songs off the new album, The Tooth Will Set You Free. $25 for adults, $10 for children

See all Saturday events. 
 

Sunday, September 28

Medieval Festival – Washington Heights
Yup, another September Go List pick: Party like it's 1399 in Fort Tryon Park. Watch knights joust and other pageantry of the era, enjoy live strolling musicians, dramatic minstrels and juggling jesters, and browse old-school wares. If you missed the annual New York Renaissance Faire in Sterling Forest, this is the next best thing. You'll see some of the same booths and performers, plus it's FREE.

Atlantic Antic – Boerum Hill
Our final September Go List pick for the weekend: The biggest street fair in Brooklyn boasts several stages of live music, hundreds of vendors, and a whole block dedicated to kids' activities like pony rides, inflatables, face painting and balloon sculptures. Grown-ups will appreciate the eclectic selection of international eats, like grilled sardines, pulled pork, baklava and carnival favorites. Bonus: In conjunction with the fest, the nearby New York Transit Museum holds its annual Bus Festival, where you can check out all kinds of retro rides. Free admission but there are fees for certain activities

Apples and Honey in the Big Apple with the Mama Doni Band – Battery Park City
Celebrate Rosh Hashanah at the Museum of Jewish Heritage with a mini-tour of the galleries, a holiday crafts session and a rockin' concert by Mama Doni and her band. $10 for adults, $7 for children under age 11

PBS Kids Club Thirteen: Edible Garden Harvest Festival at the New York Botanical Garden – the Bronx
Are you a member of Kids Club Thirteen? It certainly has its privileges, including free or discounted admission to 13 family events throughout the year, like today's offering at the New York Botanical Garden. Members enjoy no-cost admission between noon and 2pm to enjoy NYBG's Harvest Fest. Read our post about Kids Club Thirteen for details on how to join. Free for Kids Club Thirteen members

See all Sunday events.
 

Don't forget: There's even more fun in our Event Calendar. Before heading out on your adventures, be sure to download our FREE Mommy Poppins Kids on the Go app so you can find the best family destinations wherever you happen to be in NYC.