NYC, we’re officially trading sweaty subway platforms for crisp-air strolls, iced coffee for PSLs, and summer Fridays for fall plans. 🍂
From colorful foliage and sprawling fall festivals to corn mazes, live music, spooky season attractions, and iconic NYC traditions, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of the season.
Whether you’re looking to stay in the five boroughs or escape the concrete jungle for a day, these are the best things to do in NYC this fall.
Trade your usual night out for an evening surrounded by hundreds of flickering candles and live music at a Candlelight Concert in NYC. From classical masterpieces to tributes to some of your favorite artists, these intimate concerts make for a seriously memorable night out.
See the full list of upcoming Candlelight concerts in NYC and grab tickets here.
Frolic through all the fall festivals and street fairs
New York City–and its surrounding areas–come alive with fall festivals and fairs throughout September and October.
From seasonal bites and local finds to crisp-air strolls and the first pops of red and gold on the trees, there’s plenty of reason to get outside and soak up the season at these fall fairs and festivals:
New York City fairs & festivals:
- Sept. 17–27: Feast of San Gennaro
- Sept. 19: 2026 Bus Festival
- Sept. 20–27: Brooklyn Book Festival
See NYC’s full fall street fair schedule here.
Fairs & festivals outside of NYC:
- Sept. 17–20: Adirondack Balloon Festival
- Sept. 18–Oct.: Autumn Glow Festival (Secret Club members can win a pair of tickets, too!)
- Sept. 19–20: Warren County Hot Air Balloons, Fun & Games Festival
- Sept. 20: Sleepy Hollow Street Fair
- Sept. 26–27: Long Island Potato Festival
- Sept. 26–27: Hudson Valley Garlic Festival
- Oct. 2–4: The Freeport Fall Festival
- Oct. 4: Warwick Applefest
- Oct. 19: SUP Witches Festival
We recently went super viral for visiting On The Easel, which hosts fun mosaic workshops in Long Island City.
To celebrate, we’re teaming up with this amazing creative space to host another Secret Club meetup, where our members can design and create two custom drink coasters using colorful glass tiles, inspired by NYC’s legendary subway mosaics.
We’ll also be throwing in a free beer and complimentary tacos with every ticket, and all materials will be provided. All you have to do is show up, get creative, and meet other like-minded locals from the Secret Club.
Be sure to join the club and secure your ticket before it’s too late!
Apple picking season is about to be in full swing, and dozens of dreamy farms near NYC are welcoming visitors for pick-your-own apples, hayrides, fresh-pressed cider, and those golden-hour photo ops that practically scream autumn!
Whether you’re craving a classic family outing, a romantic fall date, or just an excuse to load up on cider doughnuts, these are the best apple orchards near NYC to visit this season.
And be sure to pay a visit to Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards, recently named the No. 1 Apple Orchard in America by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards!
For a classic autumn outing, Pumpkin Point returns to Nolan Park on Governors Island on October 24, 2026, bringing over 10,000 free pumpkins and a weekend of family-friendly programming, seasonal food vendors, spooky activities, and live entertainment.
The free festival includes pumpkin painting, guided ghost tours, nature walks, and community activations.
For a classic fall NYC spectacle, head to Manhattan’s Upper East Side on Saturday, September 19, 2026, when the 69th annual German-American Steuben Parade takes over the neighborhood with a parade kickoff on Fifth Avenue and an Oktoberfest afterparty in Central Park.
Expect traditional floats, marching bands, and large crowds in Bavarian dress.
Stock up on your favorite Halloween treats at NYC’s oldest candy shop
Economy Candy is a Lower East Side institution that has been satisfying New Yorkers’ sweet tooth since 1937—long before candy shops started taking over your TikTok feed.
Today, the family-owned Rivington Street shop stocks 2,500 different types of confections from around the world, including plenty of nostalgic, hard-to-find candies you probably haven’t seen since you were a kid.
Whether you’re hunting for Halloween treats or just want to relive your childhood in candy form, this old-school sweet shop is worth a stop.
If you’re looking for something a little darker than your typical NYC outing, step behind the police tape at Mind of a Serial Killer: The Experience, a massive immersive true crime exhibition in Manhattan.
Explore real artifacts, recreated crime scenes, FBI profiling, and a VR investigation as you dive into some of history’s most notorious cases—including Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer. It’s definitely not your average immersive experience, and graphic content means it’s best suited for mature audiences.
Kick off the holiday season the very New York way at the 100th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November 26. Watch larger-than-life balloons, dazzling floats, marching bands, and live performances make their way through Manhattan before the parade wraps up at Macy’s Herald Square.
And this year is a particularly big one: the centennial celebration will feature a record-breaking 100 inflatable elements, including new and returning character balloons—and yes, Snoopy is coming back as Joe Cool.
If your ideal fall plan involves carbs, add New York City’s inaugural Pizza Week to your calendar: it runs September 20–October 4, 2026, featuring exclusive Signature Slices at 23 independent pizzerias across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
No tickets or reservations are required—pay per slice and text a rating to help choose the citywide Best Slice, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Slice Out Hunger.
‘Tis the season for a trip to Spirit Halloween in search of the perfect costume and spooky decor. Whether you’re going full spooky or keeping things scare-free, the Halloween megastore has costumes, décor, accessories, and plenty of other seasonal finds to get you ready for October 31.
And good news for New Yorkers: locations are popping up all over the city, so you won’t have to travel too far to get your Halloween fix. Find your closest store.
Step inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral for a one-of-a-kind evening of 360-degree light projections, live orchestral music, and storytelling this fall.
The immersive 60-minute experience will transform the iconic cathedral’s soaring Gothic Revival interiors with vibrant projections, while a live orchestra, choir, and narration from The Chosen star Jonathan Roumie bring the building’s history to life.
It’s a pretty spectacular way to experience one of NYC’s most famous landmarks after dark.
Catch a live SIX performance over cocktails at Bowtie Bar
Add a little Broadway magic to your happy hour at Bowtie Bar, where Broadway performers are bringing the stage straight to guests’ tables.
On November 5, the Theater District cocktail lounge will host a live performance inspired by SIX, the high-energy musical reimagining Henry VIII’s six wives as pop stars. Sip The Crown Takeover, a specialty cocktail made with gin, elderflower liqueur, blood orange, lemon, and prosecco, while enjoying a decidedly theatrical happy hour.
Chase NYC’s best fall foliage at these standout spots
You don’t have to leave the five boroughs to get your fill of crimson leaves, golden trees, and peak fall vibes. Once autumn rolls in, NYC’s parks and gardens become their own colorful escape from the concrete jungle.
Here are a few standout spots to add to your fall bucket list:
- Central Park: Wander the Mall, The Ramble, and around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir for some of the city’s best leafy scenery
- Fort Tryon Park: Head uptown for sweeping Hudson River views surrounded by colorful trees, especially around the Heather Garden and Cloisters area
- Prospect Park: Brooklyn’s sprawling green space brings plenty of fall color, with especially pretty views around the Ravine, Long Meadow, and lake
- Van Cortlandt Park: Escape to the Bronx for wooded trails and plenty of foliage without actually leaving the city
- Inwood Hill Park: Hike through one of Manhattan’s last remaining natural forests for a much more wild-feeling fall outing
- Wave Hill: This Bronx garden overlooking the Hudson turns especially dreamy in autumn, with landscaped gardens, mature trees, and river views
Pro Tip: Central Park’s fall foliage map is officially live, and it tracks when the park’s 19,000 trees start changing! See it here.
…Then experience even more stunning fall foliage just outside NYC
When the leaves start putting on their annual show, you don’t have to travel halfway across the country to see it. These scenic spots just outside NYC make for easy fall escapes, with winding roads, historic estates, and plenty of colorful foliage to take in.
- Take a scenic road trip through America’s No. 1 fall foliage destination: Head north to the Adirondacks, recently crowned the country’s top destination for fall foliage, and cruise along the winding High Peaks Scenic Byway that offers some seriously spectacular autumn views
- Explore a historic Hudson Valley estate framed by fall color: Just about 2 hours from Manhattan, Olana State Historic Site is a 250-acre estate overlooking the Hudson River. Wander its five miles of historic carriage roads, take in sweeping views of the Catskill Mountains and Hudson River, and follow trails around its 10-acre lake
- Hop on “leaf peeper” Metro-North express trains for peak fall foliage viewing: Sightseers can take advantage of six extra weekend “leaf peeper” trains and five new weekday express services across the Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven lines for a traffic-free fall escape
- Head to the ‘Antiques Capital’ of the U.S., a historic East Coast town about to explode with brilliant fall foliage: When the local maples and hickories finally peak, the town’s famous seven-mile shopping corridor erupts into brilliant shades of amber and crimson, perfectly framing sprawling outdoor vintage markets and 18th-century stone farmhouses
The spookiest time of the year is upon us, and NYC is celebrating to the fullest.
From haunted houses and Halloween parties to spooky parades and over-the-top decorations, there’s no shortage of ways to get into the spirit around the city.
Whether you’re looking for a proper scare, a family-friendly celebration, or simply an excuse to dress up and roam the city, NYC has something spooky in store this Halloween.
And don’t forget about this haunted Victorian trolley that roams through Brooklyn’s hidden cemeteries, alien legends, and 400 years of dark history!
If you’re looking to cap off fall in NYC with something festive for all ages, Trick-or-Streets returns to New York City for its largest season yet—turning a record 160 Open Streets and plazas across all five boroughs into car-free, family-friendly Halloween destinations with free programming.
The citywide celebration runs throughout October, with the biggest day of festivities on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
If you’re looking for a can’t-miss seasonal spectacle, the 36th annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade returns to the East Village on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Featuring an elaborate costume competition, sponsor activations, live broadcast, and adoptable rescue spotlighting, it’s the cutest fall event in NYC.
Registration for the costume competition opens Wednesday, September 25 at 12 pm ET at NYDogParade.org.
This fall, Broadway Sings is bringing the songs of ABBA, Whitney Houston, and Fleetwood Mac to life with a theatrical spin at The Cutting Room.
Hear Broadway performers take on ABBA classics like “Dancing Queen,” Whitney Houston power ballads and Fleetwood Mac favorites like “Landslide” and “Rhiannon,” all backed by a 15-piece live orchestra.
With limited performances throughout September and October, these intimate concerts are a fun excuse to belt out some legendary hits.
Grab tickets below:
- Sept. 17 & Oct. 17: ABBA
- Oct. 9: Whitney Houston
- Sept. 23 & Oct. 24: Fleetwood Mac
If you like your fall runs with a side of sweets, the NYC Bakery Run returns on Sunday, October 25, 2026: a free 13.1-mile route through Manhattan and Brooklyn with 10 bakery stops and a seated pastry finish at Eleven Madison Park.
Entry is free but extremely limited — 100 spots are raffled via a lottery (open now; winners announced Oct. 15).
If you’re looking for a can’t-miss fall pop-up in NYC, Cj Hendry’s viral Flower Market is returning to Rockefeller Center this September.
From September 24 through 27, 2026, the larger-than-life floral playground is transforming the iconic plaza with interactive art, NYC-native blooms, and a free flower for every single guest. The best part: it’s free and open to the public!
Get lost in a giant corn maze
Put your sense of direction to the test at one of the many sprawling corn mazes just outside NYC this fall.
From NYC’s only corn maze at Queens County Farm Museum to a 10-acre labyrinth in New Jersey, these farms turn their fields into winding autumn adventures filled with hidden clues, puzzles, themed paths, and plenty of chances to get deliciously lost.
Many also have pumpkin picking, hayrides, apple cider donuts, and other fall activities to make a full day of it. See the full list.
Nothing screams fall more than cozying up with a good book, and if you’re in search of your next read we’ve got you covered.
Read, explore, and connect with the lit-obsessed Secret NYC team by joining the Secret NYC book club via Fable!
The club is completely free to join, and we also host IRL meet ups each month to discuss what we’ve read!
See art in a whole new way at Mercer Labs, where classic masterpieces meet cutting-edge technology, interactive installations, and immersive soundscapes across 15 rooms in Downtown Manhattan.
Walk through a 500,000-LED hologram, explore a room filled with pink hydrangeas, feel the floor vibrate with 4DSOUND, and even play the cello with robotic arms. It’s part art museum, part futuristic playground—and definitely not your typical museum visit.
Get the very best out of Secret NYC–and fall in New York City–by joining our Secret Club, offering members premiere perks and benefits to use across the city!
This must-join membership provides unbeatable deals, discounts, giveaways, and more around NYC.
Some of our current offerings include:
- 20% off the Sephora Summer Club at The William Vale
- Buy One Get One Free BATSU! ticket, plus a free secret menu item
- 20% off live music events like piano brunches and concert tributes
Cheer on thousands of runners at the NYC Marathon
One of NYC’s biggest fall traditions returns on Sunday, November 1, as the TCS New York City Marathon takes over all five boroughs.
The 2026 race marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic five-borough course, with nearly 60,000 runners expected to make the 26.2-mile trek from Staten Island to Central Park.
You don’t have to be running to join the fun: line the streets with fellow New Yorkers, cheer on the runners, catch the elite athletes, and soak up the electric energy that takes over the city every November.
This year’s professional field includes three defending champions, 40 Olympians and Paralympians, and 25 Olympic, Paralympic, and World Championships medalists.
If you’re looking for a high-energy fall event in NYC, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart are giving Knicks fans a reason to keep celebrating their championship win at The Roommates Show Block Party, which is taking over Randall’s Island Park on September 24.
The massive live event will feature live podcast tapings, musical performances, special guests, and appearances from Knicks teammates and NYC icons, with Fabolous, Jim Jones, Maino, and Dave East among the performers.
…Then catch the Knicks’ championship banner-raising home opener
Basketball season is almost back, and this year’s Knicks home opener is a particularly big one.
On October 20, the team will face the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden for the first game of the 2026–27 regular season—and before tipoff, the Knicks will raise their first championship banner since 1973 after winning the NBA title last season.
The night will also mark LeBron James’ first game as a 76er, making for a pretty stacked way to kick off the new NBA season in New York.
For a fall night out just outside the city, Harry Potter™: A Forbidden Forest Experience returns to Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park in Yorktown Heights this fall, turning the park’s wooded trails into a wand-lit walk with over 4,000 lights, 20+ life-size magical creatures, and new interactive scenes.
Follow the mist, brave the shadows, and revisit the iconic scenes from the Harry Potter films that defined a generation. Are you ready to step into the dark? If so, grab tickets here!
Head to an outdoor fall concert
Once the temperatures cool down, there’s no better way to spend a day outdoors than with live music.
From a stacked three-day festival in Queens to a massive free concert in Central Park, these fall shows bring some seriously big names to NYC.
- Dance along to 18 artists at All Things Go: The beloved music festival is taking over Forest Hills Stadium from September 25–27, bringing Zara Larsson, Brandi Carlile, MUNA, Carly Rae Jepsen, Lola Young, Rebecca Black, and more to Queens for three days of live music
- See Ms. Lauryn Hill, Lenny Kravitz, and more for a good cause: Head to Central Park on September 26 for the 2026 Global Citizen Festival, featuring Ms. Lauryn Hill & Wyclef Jean, Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Lainey Wilson, Shaboozey, and TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT)
Celebrate Arte Museum New York’s first birthday this September with special ticket prices and a journey through 14 mesmerizing digital art installations.
Step inside a world of cascading waterfalls, crashing waves, mythical creatures, and dreamy landscapes, all brought to life through vivid visuals, sound, and scent. You can also wander through digital versions of works by Monet and Van Gogh and unwind with a tea at the immersive ARTE CAFE.
And through September 30, you can snag the lowest ticket price to experience it for yourself.
For a quick fall freebie, Dunkin’ will hand out free bat-shaped koozies at select NYC locations on Friday, October 16, 2026, to customers who purchase the new Berry Battie Daydream Refresher.
Supplies are very limited (10–20 per location) and distributed first-come, first-served, so be sure to get there early before they all fly away!
Grab a meal or drinks at NYC’s newest restaurants and bars
Now that the worst of the summer heat is finally easing up, we can actually go outside again without immediately sweating through our clothes.
Naturally, the city’s dining scene is keeping pace, with a fresh slew of bars and restaurants making their debut.
From breezy sidewalk spots to buzzy new hotspots already vying for a spot on your group chat’s dinner rotation, there are plenty of new places to eat, drink, and linger. Find our lists below:
Calling all sushi lovers: SUSHI-CON 2026 is taking over Pier 36 on October 11, bringing more than 60 exhibitors from Japan, the U.S., and around the world for one seriously stacked day of Japanese food and culture. Your ticket gets you unlimited tastings of bluefin tuna, uni, caviar, scallops, salmon, A5 Wagyu, matcha, yuzu, and more.
The main event? A 400+ pound live Bluefin tuna cutting show, where expert sushi chefs will carve the massive fish right before your eyes before serving up fresh otoro, chutoro, and akami.
Get a head start on holiday season happenings
New York City is apparently skipping right over fall and looking ahead the most wonderful time of the year, announcing the return of some of the city’s most classic holiday happenings.
If you’d like to get a head start on the festive season, we have just the plans for you:
Just outside NYC, Autumn Glow Festival transforms Glen Island Park in New Rochelle into a dazzling nighttime wonderland this fall.
Wander through hundreds of handcrafted Chinese lanterns illuminated by brilliant LED lights, with towering sculptures, intricate displays, cultural traditions, local food and drinks, and family-friendly entertainment along the way.
Running Fridays through Sundays, the roughly 90-minute experience is a magical way to spend an autumn evening just outside the city. Grab tickets here.
For a simple fall night-out in New York City, look up and stargaze!
Two meteor showers will light up the October night sky, with the Draconid meteor shower peaking October 8 and the Orionids reaching their peak October 21–22.
The Orionids are especially worth watching–NASA calls them one of the “most beautiful showers of the year,” thanks to their bright, fast-moving meteors and the lingering, glowing trails they leave behind.
The 2026 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will arrive in Midtown Manhattan on Saturday, November 7, 2026 for Meet the Tree Day, marking the start of preparations for the holiday season at Rockefeller Plaza.
We’re still waiting to find out exactly where this year’s tree is coming from, how tall it will be, who donated it, and who will take the stage for the televised lighting ceremony. But the calendar dates are officially on our radar!