Things to do in NYC this weekend (October 16-18)
Updated for October 16-18. This page is refreshed every Thursday with the next weekend’s events.
Open House New York Weekend opens doors across the city, from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch at Grand Army Plaza to the historic houses of Conference House Park. Fall festivals fill parks in all five boroughs on Saturday, Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Harvest Festival among them, and the parade lineup includes the Disability Pride Parade and the 36th Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade.
Our picks
Photo: NYC Parks
Movies Under the Stars: Minions & Monsters
Spread out a blanket for a free outdoor screening of the third Minions spin-off, which is also the seventh film in the Despicable Me franchise. The movie starts once it gets dark. Glass bottles and alcoholic drinks are banned at the screening, and heavy rain or extreme weather can affect the show.
When: Friday, October 16, 8 p.m. · Where: South Playground (in Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park and Recreation Center ) · Details: nycgovparks.org
Photo: NYC Parks
Dog Halloween Costume Contest
Costumed dogs compete again at this yearly Washington Square Park Conservancy contest, and this time no registration is required. Lineup begins at 9:30 a.m., and pups have to join it by 10:30 a.m. to take part. Must Love Dogs and Comedy serves as host. Local residents and dog fans make up the judging panel.
When: Saturday, October 17, 10 a.m. · Where: Garibaldi Plaza (in Washington Square Park) · Details: nycgovparks.org
Photo: NYC Parks
Brooklyn Bridge Park Harvest Festival
The park’s yearly fall celebration takes over Pier 6 with live music, arts and crafts, face painting, a mini pumpkin patch and educational activities for the whole family. Entry is free and no registration is needed. The full schedule goes up on the park’s website closer to the day, and plans may change.
When: Saturday, October 17, 11 a.m. · Where: Brooklyn Bridge Park · Details: nycgovparks.org
Photo: NYC Parks
Historic Lawrence Cemetery Tour
Join the Bayside Historical Society on a free guided tour of a family cemetery that belonged to one of the families who founded Bayside. It was used for burials between 1832 and 1939. Cornelius Van Wyck Lawrence, who became the city’s first mayor chosen by popular vote, is buried here. So is Col. Frederick Newbold Lawrence, who once headed the New York Stock Exchange.
When: Saturday, October 17, 11 a.m. · Where: Lawrence Cemetery · Details: nycgovparks.org
Raptorama!
Live raptors come to the nature center so visitors can see them up close. NYC Bird Alliance presents the program with two partners, the MPA Forever Wild Committee and the American Littoral Society. Kids who love nature will enjoy it, and so will anyone who wants to learn about birding.
When: Saturday, October 17, 12 p.m. · Where: Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park) · Details: nycgovparks.org
Photo: NYC Parks
Docent-Led Tours of the Conference House
Guides take visitors through the two-story fieldstone house overlooking Raritan Bay, also known as the Billopp House. Royal Navy Capt. Christopher Billopp built it around 1680 to show off his wealth and signal the stability of the colonies, and nearly a century later it had become a center of colonial hospitality.
When: Sunday, October 18, 12 p.m. · Where: Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park) · Details: nycgovparks.org
All events by day
Friday, October 16
- Open Street EventAfterschool Fun Open Street · 8 a.m. · 34 Avenue between 93 Street and 94 Street, Queens
- Plaza EventImmigrant Culture Month at Avenue C Plaza · 8 a.m. · Avenue C Plaza, Brooklyn
- ArtVoices of 1776 Exhibit at the Conference House · 10 a.m. · Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park)
- NatureBlue Wave Volunteer Cleanup at Conference House Park · 10 a.m. · Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park)
- ArtAlice’s Terracotta Garden Outdoor Exhibit · 11 a.m. · H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park)
- ArtNew York’s Brick and Terra Cotta Industries Exhibit · 11 a.m. · H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park)
- ArtStill Waters: Maritime Community Exhibit · 11 a.m. · Rutan-Becket House (in Conference House Park)
- Street EventBoombox in Jamaica · 12 p.m. · Parsons Boulevard between Jamaica Avenue and Archer Avenue, Queens
- HistoryOpen House New York: Gravesend Cemetery Tour · 2 p.m. · Gravesend Cemetery
- NaturePumpkin Painting and Fall Festivities at Fantasy Garden · 3 p.m. · Fantasy Garden
- Street EventTrick or Streets on 32nd Street · 3 p.m. · 32 Street between 30 Avenue and Newtown Avenue, Queens
- Street EventMontessori Schools Fall Harvest Festival · 3:30 p.m. · West 22 Street between 6 Avenue and 5 Avenue, Manhattan
- FestivalsHallowscream Fright Walk · 4 p.m. · Basketball Courts (in J. Hood Wright Park)
- FilmMovies Under the Stars: Hocus Pocus · 6:30 p.m. · 45th Ave. and Broadway (in Moore Homestead Playground)
- FilmMovies Under the Stars: Michael · 7 p.m. · Lincoln Terrace Park (in Lincoln Terrace / Arthur S. Somers Park)
- FilmDyckman Marina Movie Night · 7 p.m. · Dyckman Marina (in Inwood Hill Park)
- FilmMovies Under the Stars: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie · 7:15 p.m. · Lawn (in Naples Playground)
- FilmMovies Under the Stars: Minions & Monsters · 8 p.m. · South Playground (in Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park and Recreation Center )
- Our guideKenny Scharf’s Scary and the Dancers at Rockefeller Center · Rockefeller Center, Center Plaza
Saturday, October 17
- DanceWellness For The People Festival · 8:30 a.m. · Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park)
- ParadeBreakthrough T1D Walk · 8:30 a.m. · Thomas Paine Park (Foley Square), Manhattan
- ParadeNational Indigenous Peoples of the Americas Parade · 9 a.m. · 11 Madison Avenue, Manhattan
- ConcertsFall Festival at Dyckman Farmhouse Museum · 10 a.m. · Dyckman Farmhouse Museum (in Dyckman House Museum)
- ArtVoices of 1776 Exhibit at the Conference House · 10 a.m. · Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park)
- Best for KidsDog Halloween Costume Contest in Washington Square Park · 10 a.m. · Garibaldi Plaza (in Washington Square Park)
- HistoryOpen House New York: Grand Army Plaza Arch Tour · 10 a.m. · Grand Army Plaza Arch (in Grand Army Plaza)
- ParadeBMS Community Domestic Violence Brides Walk · 10 a.m. · Mother Gaston Boulevard between Pitkin Avenue and Livonia Avenue, Brooklyn
- FestivalWashington Market School Street Fair · 10 a.m. · Duane Street between Hudson Street and Greenwich Street, Manhattan
- Street EventBronx Charter School for Excellence Trick or Street · 10 a.m. · East 182 Street between Valentine Avenue and Ryer Avenue, Bronx
- NatureHops Harvest at East 4th Street Garden · 10:30 a.m. · East Fourth Street Community Garden
- ConcertsJesse from Moozika Kids Concert · 10:30 a.m. · The Amazing Garden
- NatureFarmhouse Family Day: Autumnal Wonders · 11 a.m. · Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum (in Fidler-Wyckoff House Park)
- ArtAlice’s Terracotta Garden Outdoor Exhibit · 11 a.m. · H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park)
- NaturePumpkin Decorating Festival for Kids · 11 a.m. · Neighborhood Advisory Committee Community Garden
- FestivalsWilliamsbridge Fall Fiesta · 11 a.m. · Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center (in Williamsbridge Oval)
- NatureHart to Hart Fall Festival · 11 a.m. · Hart To Hart Community Garden
- HistoryHistoric Lawrence Cemetery Tour · 11 a.m. · Lawrence Cemetery
- FestivalsBrooklyn Bridge Park Harvest Festival · 11 a.m. · Brooklyn Bridge Park
- ArtSugar Skull Art Workshop · 11 a.m. · Herbert Von King Cultural Arts Center (in Herbert Von King Park)
- NatureFall Fest at West 104th Street Garden · 11 a.m. · West 104th Street Garden
- Street EventManhattanville Rehab Resource Fall Fair · 11 a.m. · West 134 Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, Manhattan
- ParadeAnti-Bullying Power Walk · 11 a.m. · 1545 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn
- Street EventWSMS Fall Festival · 11 a.m. · West 92 Street between Riverside Drive and West End Avenue, Manhattan
- Plaza EventHoliday Crafts and Music at Kensington Plaza · 11:30 a.m. · Kensington Plaza, Brooklyn
- NatureOut of the Box Biodiversity Student Art Show · 12 p.m. · Rutan-Becket House (in Conference House Park)
- FestivalsSpringfield Park Fall Festival · 12 p.m. · Lawn Area (in Springfield Park)
- ArtAmericana Songfest Painting Exhibit · 12 p.m. · H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park)
- FestivalsHallowscream Fright Walk and Fall Festival · 12 p.m. · Basketball Courts (in J. Hood Wright Park)
- NatureOpen House New York: Conference House Park Historic Houses · 12 p.m. · Conference House Park
- FestivalsThe Great Pumpkin Spooktacular · 12 p.m. · Entrance – Lafayette Avenue and Morrison Avenue (in Soundview Park)
- NatureOpen House New York: Brougham Cottage Grounds · 12 p.m. · Brougham Cottage
- FestivalsFaber Park Fright Fest · 12 p.m. · Outdoors at Faber Park Recreation Center (in Faber Pool and Park)
- FestivalsKaiser Park Fall Festival · 12 p.m. · Kaiser Park Lawn 2 (in Kaiser Park)
- Best for KidsFall Festival at Victory Field · 12 p.m. · Victory Field (in Forest Park)
- BirdingRaptorama! Live Birds of Prey · 12 p.m. · Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park)
- HistoryDocent-Led Tours of the Conference House · 12 p.m. · Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park)
- ConcertsMaggie’s Magic Garden Anniversary Celebration · 12 p.m. · Maggies Magic Garden
- FestivalsPumpkin Picking at El Batey de Dona Provi Garden · 12 p.m. · El Batey Borincano Garden
- Parade36th Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade · 12 p.m. · East 13 Street between Avenue A and Avenue B, Manhattan
- Open Street Event31st Avenue Open Street October Programming · 12 p.m. · 31 Avenue – 33 Street to 35 Street, Queens
- Open Street EventTrick-or-Streets: Haunted Celebration · 1 p.m. · Chauncey Street – Howard Avenue to Saratoga Avenue, Brooklyn
- ArtBiddle House Gallery Dedication: Sculptor George Brewster · 2 p.m. · H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park)
- FilmMovies Under the Stars: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie · 6:30 p.m. · Addabbo Playground (in Tudor Park)
- FilmMovies Under the Stars: Toy Story 5 · 7 p.m. · 43rd Street and 1st Avenue (in Bush Terminal Park)
- FilmMovies Under the Stars: Hocus Pocus · 7:15 p.m. · Outdoors at Faber Park Recreation Center (in Faber Pool and Park)
- Our guideGowanus Open Studios · Artist studios across Gowanus
- Our guideHunter Mountain Fall Festival · Hunter Mountain Resort, Main Lodge area · Free
Sunday, October 18
- Athletic RaceBike MS NYC 2026 · 7:30 a.m. · West Side Highway between West 34 St and West 43 St, Manhattan
- Athletic RaceTeam WEPA 5K and 10K · 7:30 a.m. · Astoria Park South between Shore Boulevard and 14 Street, Queens
- Athletic RaceLaGuardia Community Run · 8 a.m. · 29 Street between 47 Avenue and Skillman Avenue, Queens
- Athletic RaceRiverdale Temple Fall of Love 5K and 10K · 8:30 a.m. · Independence Avenue between West 246 Street and West 239 Street, Bronx
- ParadeInto The Light Walk for Epilepsy · 9 a.m. · John Street between Front Street and South Street, Manhattan
- ArtFree Halloween Puppet Pop-Up at the Old Stone House · 10 a.m. · Old Stone House (in Washington Park)
- HistoryOpen House New York: Prison Ship Martyrs’ Monument · 10 a.m. · Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park)
- Athletic RaceGet to the Point 5K Run · 10:30 a.m. · Driggs Avenue between Diamond Street and Newell Street, Brooklyn
- NatureFarmhouse Family Day: Autumnal Wonders · 11 a.m. · Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum (in Fidler-Wyckoff House Park)
- ArtAlice’s Terracotta Garden Outdoor Exhibit · 11 a.m. · H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park)
- Parade9th Annual Disability Pride Parade · 11 a.m. · East 24 Street between Park Avenue South and Madison Avenue, Manhattan
- Street EventFall Festival of Diasporas on Gleane Street · 11 a.m. · Gleane Street between Baxter Avenue and Britton Avenue, Queens
- ConcertsProspect Farm Fall Harvest Festival · 12 p.m. · Prospect Farm
- ArtAmericana Songfest Painting Exhibit · 12 p.m. · H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park)
- HistoryDocent-Led Tours of the Conference House · 12 p.m. · Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park)
- HistoryOpen House New York: Ecology Park · 12 p.m. · Ecology Park
- HistoryBayside Historical Society Castle Tour · 12 p.m. · Bayside Historical Society (in Fort Totten Park)
- Street EventHarvest on Tompkins · 12 p.m. · Tompkins Avenue Open Street, Brooklyn
- ParadeMalaysia Day Merdeka Parade · 12 p.m. · Main Street between Peck Avenue and Elder Avenue, Queens
- ParadeFilipino American History Month Parade · 12 p.m. · Hart Playground, Queens
- Plaza EventHONKtober at Underhill Avenue Plaza · 12 p.m. · Underhill Avenue Plaza, Brooklyn
- Best for KidsHalloween Trick or Treat at Powers Street Garden · 12:30 p.m. · Powers St. Community Garden
- NatureGatehouse Garden Fall Festival · 1 p.m. · Gatehouse Garden
- ConcertsCharlotte Mayerson’s Overlook Concerts · 2 p.m. · 116th Street Overlook (in Riverside Park)
- Plaza EventCo-Naming Celebration for Billy Jones · 5 p.m. · George B. Post Plaza, Brooklyn
Frequently asked questions
What free things are there to do in NYC this weekend?
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Harvest Festival, the Great Pumpkin Spooktacular in Soundview Park and the Bayside Historical Society’s tours of Lawrence Cemetery and the Fort Totten Castle are all free. Friday’s Minions & Monsters screening and Sunday’s Halloween puppet pop-up at the Old Stone House are free as well.
What can I do with kids in NYC this weekend?
Farmhouse Family Day at the Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum runs Saturday and Sunday with fall crafts, house tours and outdoor activities. On Saturday, kids 11 and younger can decorate pumpkins at the Neighborhood Advisory Committee Community Garden, and the Williamsbridge Fall Fiesta in the Bronx offers pumpkin decorating, autumn crafts and science activities.
Are there any parades in NYC this weekend?
Yes. City permits list the National Indigenous Peoples of the Americas Parade on Saturday, plus the Disability Pride Parade, the Filipino American History Month Parade and the Malaysia Day Merdeka Parade on Sunday. The 36th Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is also on Saturday.
Listings come from NYC Parks’ event calendar, the city’s street-activity permits on NYC Open Data, and our own event guides. Times and street closures can change, so check the official page before you go.