These Cozy Autumnal Festivals And Fun Seasonal Activities Make New York City Come Alive In The Fall

In comparison to the cheery holiday festivities in winter and the dreamy weather of summer, autumn often gets shoved to the side when picking a season for a New York City vacation. Yet ask any legitimate New Yorker and they'll tell you how the fall months from mid-September through the end of November are actually one of the most magical periods of the entire year. The temperature drops slightly from the sweltering heat of August, tourist crowds thin out, and every green space in Manhattan turns fiery reds and oranges with the changing leaves. 

During my university years living in Brooklyn, I always eagerly awaited fall because there is just something so cozy about New York City during this time. As a visitor to the expensive Big Apple, fall can be optimal for a budget trip as well, since the prices of hotels tend to decrease a bit between the busier seasons. Best of all, though, there is a whole new swath of fun things to do across NYC's beautiful neighborhoods in autumn. 

You won't have to worry at all about being bored because the city is ripe with activities that can be fitting for anyone, from solo travelers to families with children. However, in a place like New York, where there are a million and one things happening at any given moment, it can be difficult to take full advantage of the oftentimes niche fall offerings as a tourist. That's why we used a combination of official city calendars, reviews, and my firsthand NYC experience to develop this list of the autumn festivals and activities that make this season shine in New York City. 

The first thing that comes to mind when I anticipate the fall season is watching the leaves change. New York as a whole is actually one of the best destinations in the United States for seeing the fall foliage. While visitors may not expect many opportunities to appreciate it in Empire City, the chances are quite high. Even just strolling around Central Park can provide epic glimpses of the colorful natural phenomenon. If you want an even better perspective of the spectacle, though, consider booking a fall foliage cruise down the Hudson. 

There are lots of tour operators that will happily take you on a charming ride along the water to witness the mountain landscapes lit up with the transforming autumn leaves from September through October. Classic Harbor Line, for example, offers several variations of autumn cruises to experience the season's beauty with food. They range from $98 to $142 and all embark from NYC's Chelsea Pier. If you're looking for something a little cheaper, Event Cruises NYC also has fall foliage cruises that set off from Pier 41 in Lower Manhattan and cost only $59 per ticket for adults. 

At either price point, this can be a very romantic way to appreciate the season. The other upside of opting for this experience is that you can enjoy the leafy views without any chaotic NYC crowds around you. This makes it a good escape for anyone who needs a dose of nature during an otherwise skyscraper-filled trip. 

New York City is a mecca for all things Italian food, and there is even an entire neighborhood dedicated to the delicious culture called Little Italy. Since my Dad grew up right there on Mott Street and it's one of my favorite areas to eat, I always recommend visiting Little Italy at any time of year. However, it is an absolute requirement when you're visiting in the fall because that's right in time for The Feast of San Gennaro. 

For 10 days in September, the streets of this neighborhood come alive in celebration of Saint Januarius or San Gennaro. He is the official patron saint of Naples in Italy, where the event originated. Nearly a century ago, Italian immigrants brought it over to New York City, and it's been a beloved autumn tradition ever since. 

Throughout the San Gennaro festival, there will be a range of activities going on, from live music and games for children to parades and religious practices. The star of the show for many visitors, though, is the endless options for delectable food. Whether you're in the mood for a sugary treat like zeppole or a heartier meal such as pork bracciole, you can get it all during this Italian feast. 

Anyone who has ever wanted an elite introduction to the world of professional dance should block out some time to attend the Fall For Dance Festival during a NYC trip in autumn. At just $30 per daily ticket, this 11-day festival is an extremely affordable way to secure a spot in the audience of spectacular dance performances from every style under the sun. There are around three different shows per day, and the performers come from all over the globe. In 2025, there will be shows by Germany's Stuttgart Ballet, select dancers from the Dutch National Ballet, the Paris Opera Ballet, and more. 

You can check out the official Fall For Dance Festival schedule to help you decide which productions you're the most interested in. Typically, the chance to witness just one of these prestigious teams do their thing would cost well over this festival's very reasonable ticket price. Especially in an expensive city like New York, this is such a steal, and it's a favorite event for locals as well. As one person affirmed in r/AskNYC, "Another lower cost option I would recommend highly is the annual Fall For Dance festival at New York City Center – they bring an amazing variety of dance troupes from around the world and you usually get to see 3-6 different groups of perform, so an perfect low-commitment intro to a whole lot of styles and genres."

Experience an international autumn delight without ever leaving the United States by attending the NYC version of Oktoberfest. This world-renowned festival, centered mainly around beer, originated in Munich, Germany, well over two centuries ago. New York City's take on this lively celebration aims to cultivate much of the same energy you can find in the Bavarian region during the fall season.

Oktoberfest New York sets up for a full month on Pier 15, and it has free general admission every single day as long as you reserve your spot in advance online. This makes it an excellent option if you're trying to stay on budget while vacationing in the Big Apple. Of course, you probably will be pulling out your wallet to purchase at least a pint of beer (or a few). 

Even though the celebration mainly highlights authentic German libations, all ages are still welcome to attend(you just have to be over 21 to drink).  Not to worry, though, there are plenty of tasty eats like pretzels and bratwursts to try if you're not drinking, along with attendees in full traditional costumes, entertaining games, and music. 

Travelers who want a real taste of life in New York should make it their business to attend the Annual Atlantic Antic on October 5th. This free one-day-only event is all about bringing the community together, and it is actually the oldest street festival in the borough of Brooklyn. It also happens to be one of the biggest, with an estimated 450,000 people in attendance every year. 

Throughout the long stretch of festival along Atlantic Avenue, there will be all sorts of food options from local eateries around Brooklyn, musical performances, and craft vendors. It's a wonderland of exciting activities for children as well, with things like face painting, circus artists, bouncy houses, and even pony rides. All in all, the Atlantic Antic has become a local favorite when it comes to fall events. One former attendee even praised it in a Facebook review, writing, "Great music, great vendors and as always GREAT FOOD! If you've never gone before I highly recommend doing so next year. And wear sneakers or comfortable shoes...you'll thank me later!"

If you want a more elevated culinary experience in the midst of New York's fall season, look no further than the NYC Wine & Food Festival. This five-day event has become quite famous for bringing together acclaimed mixologists, chefs, and other sorts of culinary celebrities for demonstrations, lots of complimentary tastings, and more. The 2025 rendition will highlight practically every cuisine you can imagine in one way or another through its over 50 events. 

There is an Asian Night Market (October 16), Tacos & Tequila (October 18), and even FoodieCon that will welcome all sorts of culinary influencers whom you can meet in person (October 19). This is also the ultimate place to learn the art of cooking or cocktail creating straight from the experts. The NYC Wine & Food Festival has master classes where you can learn how to make cocktails, sushi, muffins, dim sum, and more. 

Is it really fall if you haven't gone to hand-pick a few pumpkins from the patch with your family? You might not think that a quintessential seasonal experience like this would be available in such a metropolis, but New York City has a funny way of delivering everything you could possibly want. In NYC, one of the best pumpkin patches is the Queens County Farm Museum.

Throughout the whole month of October, the 329-year-old farm tucked away in the borough of Queens welcomes visitors to wander through their patch for free until they discover the pumpkin of their dreams. Once you find that bulbous orange gem, you'll just be charged based on the weight and can take it home to carve. Beyond the pumpkin patch, there are a bunch of other fun things to do on the expansive grounds of the 47-acre farm throughout the fall, like corn mazes, hayrides, and hay available for purchase that little ones can feed to sheep and goats.

Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs are some of the top destinations for a Halloween vacation because residents take this holiday very seriously. For days leading up to the actual day of Halloween, the streets will fill with costumes that vary from being extraordinarily impressive to downright shocking. The passion for the spooky season is a big reason why I think autumn is such an entertaining time of year to visit. 

All of this energy culminates during the Village Halloween Parade that saunters through the Greenwich Village neighborhood and is completely free to attend or join. It is a long-standing tradition that's been going down for 52 years so far and typically brings in around 80,000 participants who walk in the parade all costumed up. Even if you don't feel like dressing up for the occasion yourself, it is still such a memorable experience to watch all the characters walk around the streets of New York, especially for children. As one long-time lover of the event explained in a Yelp review, "I have been participating in this parade for the last 4 years, and it never fails to disappoint. Thousands of folks dress up in different themes based on movies, TV shows, pop culture, etc. The Halloween parade is also accompanied by sponsors, and their DJs as well as some classic performers! Must visit annual event, either by participating in the parade or just standing on the streets and watching it – a lot of fun either way!" 

Blend two of the best holidays for an evening by visiting New York City's The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail. Based on the classic Tim Burton film, this event recreates the iconic scenes and characters from the movie with detailed LED light installations that come aglow in the evening, accompanied by songs from the movie. It's all set up inside the New York Botanical Garden, and it's such a unique seasonal way for families to experience this major NYC attraction. 

This activity is obviously a must for anyone who is a big fan of the movie, but it can be a fun experience regardless. After all, you are getting to experience a beautiful botanical garden under the cover of night, and that's pretty interesting in itself. Even better, this event is available for over two full months of the autumn season, so you can likely fit it into your trip no matter which month you're visiting. 

While this seasonal marketplace does technically have the word "winter" in its name, the Bryant Park Winter Village still qualifies as a fall activity because it opens up in late October. I'd even argue as a New Yorker that this is the prime time to visit the popular attraction since you won't be stuck in the painful foot traffic of inevitable Christmas tourists. As one individual in r/nyc broke down, "If you go early in the season it's only about as crowded as anywhere else in Manhattan. Most stuff isn't so bad if you go before, let's say, the 15th." Hence why you'll be lucky to catch it really early in autumn. 

Plus, it will get you in the mood for the upcoming season. This delightful outdoor New York City Winter Village reminds me of the ones in Europe, and there are a couple of reasons why they're reminiscent. First of all, it's the ideal place to eat your heart out. There are over 60 vendors featuring stacked menus of sweet and savory treats that are sure to get you excited for the holiday season. 

Secondly, it's a one-stop shop for holiday gifts, decorations, and other sorts of trinkets because they have anything from clothes and home goods to toy shops and lots of independent jewelry makers. While you could easily spend hours just perusing your way through all the merchants, the Bryant Park Winter Village has much more to do than just that. There is a full ice skating rink, ice bumper cars, stations for curling, and romantic igloos where you can retreat to enjoy your food and drinks in the warmth. 

The last big hoorah of the autumn season is celebrating Thanksgiving with your family and a huge meal complete with all the fixings. While most people spend the holiday hanging out at home, New York City is actually one of the most exciting destinations in the country for a Thanksgiving vacation. That's largely because the city holds the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade through the city every year on Thanksgiving Day. 

This tradition started over 100 years ago, and today it is the largest parade on the planet, attracting more than 3.5 million people who come in person to watch the whole extravaganza. That is the most fitting word for it, too. Between the gigantic character balloons, 30+ intricate floats, and live performances from marching bands, cheerleaders, dancers, and even the Radio City Rockettes, it is absolutely a mega extravaganza. Even if you can't attend the event right on the sidelines or just prefer to appreciate it from afar, you can still watch the entire Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on NBC or the streaming service Peacock. 

This list of the best autumn festivals and seasonal activities in New York City was developed through a multi-step process. First, the Islands team consulted official NYC calendars of events, such as this NYC.gov Events Calendar and this I Love NY Events Calendar, for interesting things happening in autumn. Relevant recent mega threads on Reddit, like this one in r/visitingnyc, were combed through as well to find potential activities. 

This research yielded a list of 11 diverse and highly recommended things to do during the fall in NYC. To gather all the most up-to-date information about each activity, we then finished by digging deeper into the official websites for each event and first-hand reviews online. Additionally, the writer of this article grew up in New York state and lived in Brooklyn for multiple years. This infused the final piece with an extra layer of insider knowledge about New York City and the fall season there specifically.