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In NYC, the autumn season is packed with great fall activities and foliage tours from NYC, street fairs, and festivals for cuisine and culture. Here are some favorite fall festivals in New York City! From top to bottom, the city is filled with food and fun for all ages, including those over the age of 21 *wink.*
| Name | 2021 Location | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| San Gennaro Festival | Little Italy | September 16 - 26, 2021 |
| New York Food and Wine Festival | TBA | October 14 - 17, 2021 |
| Pinknic Festival | Governor's Island | September 4 - 5, 2021 |
| Taste of the Seaport | South Street Seaport | October 16, 2021 |
| Open House New York | All around New York City | October 16 - 17, 2021 |
| Oktoberfest NYC | Watermark - Waterfront Bar on Pier 15 | September 10 - October 17, 2021 |
| WhiskeyFest New York | Marriott Marquis | November 11, 2021 |
| New York Comedy Festival | All around New York City | November 8 - 14, 2021 |
| Cider Week New York City | TBA | October 2 - 17, 2021 |
| Salon Du Chocolat NY | Pier 36 | November 20 - 21, 2021 |
| New York Film Festival | All around New York City | September 24 - October 10, 2021 |
| Brooklyn Book Festival | Downtown Brooklyn | September 26 - October 4, 2021 |
| The New Yorker Festival | TBA | October 4 - October 10, 2021 |
| The PHOTOVILLE Festival | All around New York City | September 18 - December 1, 2021 |
| Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction | 44th & 45th Streets between 7th and 8th Avenues | October 3, 2021 |
| Atlantic Antic Street Festival | TBA | October 3, 2021 |
| Village Halloween Parade | Greenwich Village | October 31, 2021 |
| TCS New York City Marathon | All around New York City | November 7, 2021 |
September New York Fall Festivals
Pinknic Festival
- Last Year’s Dates: September 4 – 5, 2021
- Location: Governor’s Island
One of the last great summer activities in New York City is our first fall festival! Although it’s a little too early for the island to be a haven for fall foliage in NYC, for two days at the start of September, Pinknic takes over Governor’s Island with its trademark pink and white.
This music festival hosts world-famous live bands and DJs, with luxe perks for concertgoers. Once you arrive on the island by way of a short ferry ride, you’ll be given Pinknic totes with a blanket, and of course, a reusable wine glass where you can refill on the event’s signature drink–rosé.
Dance the day away, enjoy food from various New York City restaurants pop-ups, and close out every night with a fireworks display. You can find general admission and VIP tickets on their website.
Did you know, you can also experience luxury glamping on the island? Read my Collective Retreats Governor’s Island review for the details.
San Gennaro Festival
- Last Year’s Dates: September 16 – 26, 2021
- Location: Little Italy
Every year, the population of Little Italy in Manhattan grows by thousands. For almost two weeks each September, the community comes together to celebrate the Feast of San Gennaro.
With an influx of Italian immigration to New York City in the early 20th century, the Neapolitan immigrants brought their patronage of Saint Januarius, the patron saint of Naples, with them.
Although it started as a one-day ceremony in 1926, it quickly grew into the 11-day festival we know and love today. You’ll find Italian favorites like cannoli, zeppole, and (my favorite) torrone, among other, more American treats. And, of course, there’s a cannoli-eating contest. How could there not be?
The San Gennaro Festival happens on Mulberry Street in Manhattan’s Little Italy. The best part? The entrance is free!
The PHOTOVILLE Festival
- Last Year’s Dates: September 18 – December 1, 2021
- Locations: All around New York City
This free fall festival in New York City showcases photography for all throughout the five boroughs. Storytelling, artist talkbacks, and workshops take place in open-air exhibits throughout the city, allowing people to engage with art from around the world in public spaces.
While the opening day of this year’s festival is September 18th, the photographs and exhibits will be on display until December 1st so that thousands of people will have the opportunity to access and experience the art.
New York Film Festival
- Last Year’s Dates: September 24 – October 10, 2021
- Location: All around New York City
Now in its 59th year, the New York Film Festival held at Lincoln Center is a mainstay of fall festivals in New York. New projects from some of the industry’s leading creators are shown throughout the month-long event, and many of the talkbacks with the casts and creatives from these projects are free to the public.
For 2021, the festival is offering a hybrid format, including in-person and virtual events. You can find this year’s schedule of events on their website.
Brooklyn Book Festival
- Last Year’s Dates: September 26 – October 4, 2021
- Location: Downtown Brooklyn
Are you an avid reader? Then you’ll love the Brooklyn Book Festival. The week-long event celebrates authors, publishers, and booksellers from all around the world. Their many free and low-cost events, panels, and meet-ups are specifically planned to explore diversity and introduce new and established works to fresh audiences.
Look out for their Festival Day, with more than 300 authors, and their Literary Marketplace, where you can find books from more than 250 independent and major publishers to discover your new favorite reads.
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October Fall Festivals in New York
Oktoberfest NYC
- Last Year’s Dates: September 10 – October 17, 2021
- Location: Watermark – Waterfront Bar on Pier 15
Unfortunately, we can’t all be in Germany during their Oktoberfest celebration. But, that’s why you have fall festivals in NYC! The first Oktoberfest kicked off in Munich, Germany, in 1810 when future King Ludwig I married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. People so enjoyed the festival held in honor of the marriage that they decided to repeat it the next year, and so on. By the 1890s, beer became the centerpiece of the event.
However, if you’re visiting New York City in September and October, we’ve got the next best thing! For almost two full months, you can head to Watermark Bar at Pier 15 on the weekends for entertainment, German food, and beer. The bar holds true to traditional German beers you would find at Munich’s official Oktoberfest, like Hofbrau, Weihenstephan, and Radeberger.
You can also find other Oktoberfest events all around New York City throughout October. The German-American Steuben Parade New York even hosts its own Oktoberfest in Central Park.
Cider Week New York City
- Last Year’s Dates: October 2 – 17, 2021
- Location: TBA
Apparently, New Yorkers like their alcohol in the fall! Cider Week New York City is dedicated to cider – we’re not just talking about spicy, delicious, hot apple cider. Good food, and cider brews!
Cider Week New York City began in 2011 as an exchange between American and French cider makers. What started as business exchange and education developed into an entire week of tastings and food and cider pairings at bars all over New York City. Check their events page for more information on dates, locations, and purchasing tickets.
Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction
- Last Year’s Date: October 3, 2021
- Location: 44th & 45th Streets between 7th and 8th Avenues
Hosted by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the Broadway Flea Market floods the streets of the Theater District for one day every fall. Here you’ll find hard to come by Broadway memorabilia from recent smash hits to obscure shows from decades ago. My favorite activity? Looking through thousands of plays for gems to rediscover.
You’ll also find stands hosted by theatre organizations, dance schools, and currently running shows. If you stick around for the end of the Flea Market, you can watch the Auction.
And, it’s an excellent opportunity to meet your favorite Broadway performers. You can purchase tickets to access hours, each with a different line-up of stars; otherwise, entrance is free.
Atlantic Antic Street Festival
- Last Year’s Date: October 3, 2021
- Location: TBA
As the oldest and largest festival in Brooklyn, the Atlantic Antic Street Festival is a tradition that encompasses four different neighborhoods–Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, and Downtown Brooklyn.
Local restaurants take over a whole 10 street blocks, while vendors and live concerts and performances are open, and there’s an entire block dedicated to activities for kids.
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The New Yorker Festival
- Last Year’s Dates: October 4 – October 10, 2021
- Location: TBA
Hosted by the famous magazine, The New Yorker Festival is a week of panels, performances, and experiences, with some of the biggest names in comedy and politics right now. The best part? The entire festival is all online this year, which means you can catch any of the incredible panels from the comfort of your home.
Bonus: if you subscribe to The New Yorker magazine, you’re eligible to purchase tickets at their special pricing. Check out their Events Agenda for all of the details on what’s coming up.
New York Food and Wine Festival
- Last Year’s Dates: October 14 – 17, 2021
- Location: TBA
Food and wine. What more do you want? The New York Food and Wine Festival is an incredible opportunity to get up close and personal with your favorite Food Network and Cooking Channel stars. Watch and learn as they cook and bake their creations into existence with 80 different tasting opportunities, classes, and events from 500 celebrity chefs.
If you’ve got a little extra money to burn, you can book an intimate chef package with your favorite celebrity chef, or browse through the various ticket options.
Taste of the Seaport
- Last Year’s Date: October 16, 2021
- Location: South Street Seaport
If you love local, you’re going to love Taste of the Seaport. This family-friendly festival has everything. Tons of restaurants local to the Historic South Street Seaport open stalls to share their food. They even have arts and crafts and pasta-making classes to keep the kids occupied while you partake. Enjoy a day out on the harbor with live music, artisan, and great food!
All proceeds from the day go towards funding for arts and enrichment programs at two local New York City public elementary schools.
Open House New York
- Last Year’s Dates: October 16 – 17, 2021
- Loaction: All around New York City
So, have you ever seen a really cool building in the city and thought, “I wonder what it looks like inside?”
Now, you have the opportunity. For two days, some of the most off-limits buildings in the city open their doors. There are over 200 different sites open – free – for public viewing and tours to Open House guests. You can find different residential buildings, museums, private businesses, and universities on the list of viewable sites. Now’s your chance to catch a glimpse inside these structures you might not otherwise be able to see.
Make sure you plan ahead. Since the event is free, you might lose time waiting in line to enter. If you want to avoid the wait time, you can purchase a tax-deductible Passport, which gives you skip the line access to events that don’t require you to register ahead.
Can’t get to New York? This year, New York is participating in the Open House Worldwide Festival on November 14 – 15. Two days of live-streamed seminars and on-demand tours through buildings all over the world.
Village Halloween Parade
- Last Year’s Date: October 31, 2021
- Location: Greenwich Village
New York City knows how to celebrate Halloween. Starting on Sixth Avenue at Canal Street at 7 p.m., anyone is welcome to walk as part of the Village Halloween Parade totally free, but only if you’re in costume. And this is NYC, home to some of the best theatres in the world–and the best costume designers–you’ll need to go all-out on your costume!
If you want to skip the masses, start lining up early, or VIP tickets are available for purchase which will place your walking position more towards the front. Just by showing up in costume, you’re entered into their yearly costume contest, and the winners are announced after the parade.
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November Fall Festivals in New York
TCS New York City Marathon
- Last Year’s Date: November 7, 2021
- Location: All around New York City
As the largest marathon worldwide, the New York City marathon draws top runners from around the world to complete through all five boroughs.
The race begins in Staten Island, where runners cross the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge into Brooklyn, then up through Queens, entering The Bronx by way of Manhattan, before completing their 26.2 miles run in Central Park.
Fun Fact: One of the best things to do in the fall in New England is cheer on the Boston Marathon runners in Boston, Massachusetts!
The three days before the marathon is called Race Week, and if you’re one of the incredible runners, you need to pick up your race materials at the Javits Center. While you’re there, walk through The TCS New York City Marathon Expo Presented by New Balance, which is the largest running expo in the United States. Shop at the vendor booths, speak to experts at the NYRR Running Lab, and visit the Runners’ Wall and Celebration Wall.
If you’re a spectator, one of the most inspiring things is to stand at any leg of the race and cheer on the runners!
WhiskeyFest New York
If you’ve ever wanted a luxury whiskey experience, this evening event is your chance. Hosted in Time Square’s Marriott Marquis (Booking | Hotels),
you’ll meet master distillers and blenders who are on hand to talk about their whiskeys as you sample spirits from all over the world.
They also host seminars throughout the night with representatives talking about the process behind making your favorite whiskey brands. You can purchase tickets on their website for general admission and VIP level, which gives you exclusive access to the Grand Ballroom an hour earlier than everyone else to start sampling sooner!
New York Comedy Festival
- Last Year’s Dates: November 8 – 14, 2021
- Location: All around New York City
Since 2004, over 200 comedians come together in New York City each year for the New York Comedy Festival. If you love to laugh, you don’t want to miss this! Catch favorites like Nicole Byer, Iliza Shlesinger, Stephan Colbert, Jenny Slate, Trevor Noah, and more at the 60 different shows throughout the city.
In addition to the many sketches and stand-up sets, the festival offers panels and workshops with the comedic geniuses, as well as film screenings, podcast recordings, and pop-ups. From Madison Square Garden to small bars around the city, you’re sure to find a laugh!
Salon Du Chocolat NY
- Last Year’s Dates: November 20 – 21, 2021
- Location: Pier 36
Finally, to round out our fall festivals in NYC, we have the champion of chocolate. Salon Du Chocolat, the world’s largest chocolate festival based in Paris, is coming to New York City for the first time. With tickets at only $40 for adults, you have the opportunity to taste chocolates and pastries created by some of the most prominent chocolatiers, including local New York shops.
In addition to the tastings, panels, workshops, and demonstrations, the festival will include its signature Chocolate Fashion Show. The clothing is really sweet enough to eat – they are made, in part, with chocolate.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
- Last Year’s Date: November 25, 2021
- Location: Central Park West to Macy’s in Herald Square
As fall’s last hurrah, you can’t miss the festivities of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The streets surrounding the Natural Museum of History are dedicated to the Parade on the day before Thanksgiving. Here, you can actually watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons being blown up, starting about 1 p.m. The balloons are so big, and there are so many of them, that the process usually extends into the evening. While this used to be a more niche, local New Yorker activity, it’s become more popular in recent years.
Then, get outside on Thanksgiving morning and watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in person! While the parade actually starts at 9 a.m., you absolutely need to wake up and get to the parade route early for a good spot, since this is a major NYC event for locals and tourists. The parade route is traditionally from Central Park West to Macy’s Herald Square and takes about 3 hours from start to finish.
The New York City holiday season starts after Thanksgiving. If you’re looking for something to do during the most wonderful time of the year, check out my list of great holiday tours in NYC and my guide to the best things to do in New York at Christmas!
In short – you have liquor. You have food. And, you have history. No matter your interests, you’re sure to find fun at the fall festivals in New York City!
Which of these fall festivals in NYC interests you the most? Any festivals you love not mentioned here?
