45 Spectacular Things To Do In NYC This September

September in New York is arguably the best month of the year–it’s still warm of course, but with the fall quickly approaching, the possibilities for outdoor activities are pretty much endless!

And, as always, we’re not leaving you hanging with the plans. Here are some of the most sensational things to do in NYC this September:

1. Make the most of the remaining summer weather at the beach

Whether you’re wanting to soak up the sun at the popular city beaches or explore the hidden ones no one really knows about, there’s so many beaches to cool off at in NYC. Find the best ones here before fall weather is upon us!

2. Eat your way through the Feast of San Gennaro

NYC’s feasts of all feasts is back! The Feast of San Gennaro takes over Little Italy each year for 11 days. This year will mark the 98th anniversary of the special festival. The street fair will be back in all its Italian glory beginning Thursday, September 12th through Sunday, September 22nd. Maybe this will be the year you enter into the cannoli eating contest! Read more here.

3. …Or head to the Bronx for Ferragosto Festival

Did you know NYC is home to two Little Italys? That’s right, along Arthur Avenue and East 187th Street in the Bronx lies another Little Italy. And every September, the Bronx Little Italy celebrates the Italian tradition of Ferragosto with food, music and more! This year, the festival will take place on September 8th from 12 pm to 6 pm. Get all the details here.

4. The NY Philharmonic Brings Favorite Film Soundtracks To Life At These Screenings

From Sept. 26th-28th the New York Philharmonic marries the invigoration of a live orchestra performance with an epic film screening. “The Art of the Score” begins with “Jaws,” where the NY Phil will perform the movie’s soundtrack as the film plays above the orchestra! “Jaws” is a classic and this is a whole new way to see this film. See the full line-up of films (and scores) this year here!

5. Explore top music acts, good food, fierce fashion, & more at Porte Fest

This September Brooklyn is getting a festival that’s reimagining the World Fair in 2024. The Porte Festival, which is set to feature incredible music, food, panels, shopping, culture and more, is coming to the Brooklyn Navy Yard from September 7th-8th. The lineup includes Diablo, Zillion, Block & Crown and many more, and you can grab tickets here.

6. Catch the changing fall foliage

I LOVE NEW YORK’s annual fall foliage report provides weekly insight on New York State’s changing fall foliage throughout the season. Keep watch on the reports and check out our most recommended spots to catch those beautiful shades of orange, red, and yellows in the region here.

6. See a match at the US Open in NYC

The US Open is taking over NYC from Monday, August 26th through Sunday, September 8th. To find out all the deets–from where to watch it and how you can snag tickets for yourself–check out our ultimate US Open guide here.

7. Try out an entirely new dining experience and dine in the dark

Allow every sense but sight to guide you and elevate your tasting experience as you dig into a a curated 3-course meal completely blindfolded! Guests will be able to tap into their tastebuds full potential once sight is removed and really experience dishes in a new way. Reserve your spot now.

8. Attend the annual West Indian Day Parade

The National West Indian Day Parade is returning to NYC on Monday, September 2nd. The tradition, which first began in Harlem, celebrates the heritage of the Caribbean with a lively day of festivities including singers, dancers, extravagant costumes, food vendors and more. Find out all the details of this year’s event here.

9. Get the chills at this new haunted experience inspired by Jimmy Fallon’s worst nightmares

Get ready for a haunted maze experience at “Jimmy Fallon’s Tonightmares” which features ten spine-chilling rooms that bring Jimmy’s worst nightmares to life. Opening on September 20th guests will come face to face with sinister characters and scares around every corner–enter if you dare! Grab your tickets here.

10. See the annual 9/11 “Tribute In Light”

The meaningful Tribute in Light tradition to honor those lost on 9/11 will shine this year, from dusk to dawn at the site of Ground Zero on September 11th. The beams of light are made with eighty-eight 7,000-watt xenon lightbulbs that shine four miles into the sky. Learn more here.

11. Secure your spot to participate in a real-life Squid Game Experience

Ready for the games to begin? In October, Midtown will be the home to “Squid Game: The Experience.” Test your nerves through five intense challenges such as coming face to face with the iconic Young-hee Doll in “Red Light, Green Light” or stepping across the treacherous “Glass Bridge.” Will you be able to identify which tiles are good to make it safely across? Find out by saving your spot here.

12. Take in a stunning concert by candlelight in NYC’s most spellbinding spaces

Treat yourself to a relaxing evening surrounded by shimmering candlelight and beautiful music at Fever’s incredible Candlelight concerts in NYC. From classical to jazz, to movie soundtracks on strings, and in spaces spanning from stunning historic cathedrals to pristine rooftops, there’s something for everyone. Some highlights include:

• Candlelight: Mozart’s Requiem and More
• Candlelight: Best of Chinese Classics

See the rest of our favorites here.

13. Feast on endless $1 Dumplings at the annual Momo Crawl

Jackson Heights hosts the biggest Himalayan food and cultural festival, giving visitors a taste of some of the neighborhood’s best Tibetan, Nepalese, and South Asian restaurants at the annual Momo Crawl, and it returns this month on Sunday, September 25! Now in it’s 12th year, this year’s event will give attendees the chance to try momos from over 30 of the neighborhood’s restaurants! Read all about it here.

14. …Or eat your way through 300+ mouthwatering Latin and Caribbean-inspired dishes at this 2-day food festival

On Friday, September 13th & Saturday, September 14th the NY Latin Food Fest is bringing a culinary carnival straight to Pier 76. Visitors will eat their way through endless Latin American and Caribbean flavors as well as fully immerse themselves vibrant Latin cultures. Get all the details about the food fest here.

15. Admire stunning views of NYC from 100 stories up at One World Observatory

For the most stunning 360º views of NYC–from Harlem to the Staten Island Ferry and the Hudson to the East River–you have to check out One World Observatory. And now is the perfect time as fall is approaching and you’ll be able to see all the stunning foliage from above! If you’re ready to take to the clouds, grab your tickets here.

16. Pick apples just outside of the Big Apple

New York isn’t known as the Big Apple for nothing! While the orchards aren’t actually located in the city, they tend to be just a hop, skip, and a jump away. Get in the fall mood with family and friends with a basket full of apples to bring home to bake into a crispy apple pie. Yum! Check out our list of spots near NYC here.

17. Visit the pumpkin patch

Much like apple picking, heading to a pumpkin patch is a great weekend idea for later on in the month. Get ready to start carving your jack-o-lanterns! Find our favorite pumpkin patches near NYC here.

18. Get lost in a corn maze near NYC

A day of riddles and hidden clues lies only a short journey from the city–so be sure to visit an epic corn maze this September! Navigate your way through a maze of maize and beat your besties by being the quickest one out. Find the corn maze nearest you here.

19. Be mesmerized by hot air balloons decorating the sky at the Adirondack Balloon Fest

Though you’ll have to head upstate for this one, the view will be worth it! The Adirondack Balloon Fest is returning from September 19-22. The fest is a non-for-profit organization that is entirely ran by a dedicated group of volunteers. Free to the public, the event invites visitors to experience sunrise/sunset balloon fights, camping, an exciting craft fair, and delicious food vendors. Learn more here.

20. Watch childhood favorite “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” comes to life onstage

See “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” through a new lens as the beloved book is turned into an enchanting show with over 75 magical puppets! Eric Carle’s classic story follows one very hungry caterpillar as he eats a variety of food before becoming a butterfly, teaching children about a butterfly’s life cycle but also incorporates counting, days of the week and food. Grab tickets to the show here!

21. Score 2-For-1 Broadway ticket deals during Broadway Week

Broadway Week gives people access to their signature deal: 2-for-1 tickets to some of the best musicals and plays currently on stage. It has been going on since 2011, and it’s returning once again September 3-15th (yes, it is actually longer than just one week). Learn all the details here.

22. Sing along to Chappell Roan, Reneé Rapp, & more at ‘All Things Go’ Festival’s NYC debut

All Things Go Festival has been happening in Washington D.C. for ten years now, with three 3 consecutive sold out iterations, but now us New Yorkers can join in on the festivities without hopping on a plane! The festival will take place on Saturday, September 28th, and Sunday, September 29th and you can read all about it here.

23. Enjoy the fall breeze at an NYC street fair

NYC is always buzzing with energy, and throughout the summer and fall NYC street fairs take over tons of blocks across all five boroughs. Most often a visit to a street fair means tasty bites, shopping opportunities from unique vendors, and the chance to socialize the day away–and that obviously can’t be missed. Find all of NYC’s street fairs here.

24. Have a blast at the Great New York State Fair

Get ready for daily concerts, thrilling rides, and as many funnel cakes as you can stomach for an epic way to celebrate the last few weeks of summer! The Great New York State Fair has returns to Syracuse August 21 through September 2. Plus a new train service will bring you from NYC straight to the fair this year! Read all about this year’s exhilarating attractions and big-name performers here.

25. Explore the catacombs of Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral by candlelight

September is here which means it’s almost spooky season, and what better way to ring it in than with a one-of-a-kind tour of Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral’s historic catacombs?! Those brave enough can explore it by candlelight, strolling through the city’s past, which until recently was closed off and forgotten. Get your tickets here.

26. Head to this secretive over-the-top dinner party

Get ready to see a sea of New Yorkers dressed head-to-toe in white once again, as the legendary Dîner en Blanc has announced its return to NYC on Thursday, September 26th. This French-inspired, pop-up dinner party made its US debut in NYC a decade ago where they have gathered thousands of people to iconic NYC locations such as Lincoln Center and Bryant Park. It’s certainly a unique experience you can’t miss, and you can learn all about it here.

27. Get a head start on spooky season on a haunted trolley tour

Madame Morbid’s Trolley Tours are NYC’s #1 ghost tour, taking thrill seekers on a journey through the dark shadows of Brooklyn. Thrill seekers will cruise around Brooklyn in a turn-of-the-century trolley hearing spooky tales of mob murders, Revolutionary War battles, and rumored alien abductions. Learn more about how to hop aboard here.

28. Take in the last of rooftop season

As the fall weather quickly approaches, be sure to take one more opportunity to grab drinks at one of NYC’s breathtaking rooftops while it’s still warm. Whether you’re Uptown or Downtown, Queens, or Manhattan, there’s sure to be one near you.

• Panorama Room, Roosevelt Island
• The Ready Rooftop, East Village
• Vista Sky Lounge, LIC
• Westlight NYC, Williamsburg

Find our full list here.

29. …Or hit up a beer garden

Not feeling a rooftop, good thing NYC is Beer Garden galore! Take advantage of the end of the summer while sipping on a brew at any of these beer gardens throughout the city.

• Loreley, Lower East Side
• Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden, Astoria
• Clinton Hall, FiDi
• Radegast Hall & Biergarten, Williamsburg

30. Channel your inner bookworm at NYC’s Beloved Brooklyn Book Festival

Calling all literary lovers: the Brooklyn Book Festival is returning this fall! Featuring 200+ authors, poets, and graphic novelists from across the globe and as nearby as Brooklyn, events for the 19th Annual Brooklyn Book Festival kick off Sunday, September 22 and go through Monday, September 30. Read all about this fun event here.

31. Visit an NYC coffee shop for a fall-inspired drink

The city is full of amazing coffee shops, and here’s hoping they’re all adding pumpkin, brown sugar, maple lattes and more to the menu! Find all of of our go-to coffee shops here.

32. Surround yourself in nature at the New York Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden is a beautiful place to visit all year long. With the fall season comes the beautiful foliage on their grounds. Make sure to make your way there to see it. Find their website here.

33. Go on a mac & cheese tour of NYC

How about sitting down with some friends for a nice bowl of tasty mac and cheese? With the chilly weather coming in, there’s no better way to warm up than a nice warm bowl of cheesy goodness! Check out one of these delicious restaurants for their cheesy pasta.

• Murray’s Cheese Bar, West Village
• Sek’end Sun, Astoria
• The Smith, Multiple Locations
• Jacob’s Pickles, UWS

34. Pick up some local produce at an NYC farmer’s market

Although many farmer’s markets across NYC take place all year long, what better time to take a walk through and get some fresh produce or artisan breads and cheeses than the fall? Just around harvest time, the produce this time of year is amazing. Find some of our fab markets here.

35. Get down(ward dog) at a free yoga class at Bryant Park

Bryant Park’s free yoga classes returned for their 21st year earlier this summer, but they’re not going away any time soon–they’ll once again be extending the program into the fall! These hour-long classes focus on healing and stress reduction and will take place Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings through September 25. Learn more here.

36. Explore one of NYC’s many neighborhoods

The great thing about NYC is how different all its neighborhoods are, and there’s endless fun to be had while simply just strolling around and exploring. Here are guides to some of our favorite neighborhoods in NYC:

• Lower East Side, Manhattan
• Astoria, Queens
• Bushwick, Brooklyn
• Chinatown, Manhattan

37. Catch Doja Cat, Post Malone, Rauw Alejandro, & more perform for free at Central Park

This year marks the 12th iteration of Global Citizen Festival in NYC and we couldn’t be more excited! On Saturday, September 28th Post Malone, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll, and Rauw Alejandro and more will perform in NYC’s Central Park, and you can grab tickets fore free! Learn more about the festival here and learn more about snagging free tickets here.

38. Hop aboard a vintage R32 ‘Brightliner’ subway train

This September the NY Transit Museum will roll the vintage R32 “Brightliner” out onto the tracks for one day only in celebration of their 60th anniversary! Riders will get to hop aboard the R-32s return for two special Nostalgia Rides on Saturday, September 14th: one at 10 am and another at 2 pm. Learn more about how to travel back in time here.

39. Be blown away by an array of flavors, sounds, and cultural activities at Taste of Times Square

Back for the first time since 2019, Taste of Times Square, one of NYC’s longest running food festivals, will return to the city this September with neighborhood restaurants serving up flavors from around the world! On Monday, September 9th, head to Times Square to enjoy bites from over 25 participating restaurants from the district will be representing cuisines from all over the world. Read more about the festival here.

40. Explore Fotografiska before it closes for good

Fotografiska New York has been taking visitors on a journey through Swedish photography for nearly five years inside the historic Gramercy building, but New Yorkers will have to say goodbye to the museum on Sunday, September 29th. The good news, though, is not all hope is lost–learn why here.

41. Stuff your face at this enormous sushi festival

SUSHI-CON, one of the world’s largest seafood distributors, is bringing an enormous sushi festival to NYC this September to celebrate sushi and Japanese culinary culture. The festival will feature over 50 food-related companies from the U.S. and across the globe offering tastings followed by a Tuna Cutting Demonstration. Read more about the festival here–you won’t want to miss it!

42. Make a virtual friend in Ireland before The Portal closes

Flatiron’s portal connecting NYC and Dublin has had quite the run, but we’ll have to wish them Slán go fóill (that’s “goodbye for now” in Gaelic!) as it plans to officially close this September. New Yorkers will have until September 2nd to stop by the portal in Flatiron’s South Plaza for the last time, so don’t wait! Read more about The Portal here.

43. Bring in the fall with bratwurst, dancing, and plenty of brews at NYC’s many Oktoberfest celebrations

Oktoberfest is a treasured, annual German festival, and though it’s celebrated in Germany beginning mid to late September, tons of events carry through the month of September in the city (because the festivities are just too much fun!) Some exciting Oktoberfest celebrations happening this year can be found here.

44. Make the most of the end of summer with these exciting NYC plans

If you haven’t explored our favorite things to do this summer in NYC, now is the time to add a few events to your calendar before the summer comes to a close! Take a look at some of the quintessential summer happenings throughout the five boroughs and plan accordingly—autumn beings on September 22. Find the best plans here.

45. …Then get started on your fall bucket list!

There’s nothing like feeling the crisp fall breeze while cuddled in a cozy sweater and sipping on a pumpkin spice beverage to warm even a cold New Yorker’s heart. And just like we did for summer we rounded up the must-dos of the season–from the obvious (yes, pumpkin and apple picking) to the more unique (weekend away in a medieval castle, anyone?). Find all our picks here.