So you might be wondering what could possibly bring you over to Staten Island... or you live there (god bless) and want to see what's going on in your 'hood.
Here's the thing, we like to knock Staten Island as much as anyone– but it's all in good fun, we promise.
In reality, Staten Island is home to some of the most seriously #fallgoals events you can hope to experience... and just a short, FREE ferry ride from Manhattan away!
Sure, we looove Manhattan in the fall but local music festivals, pumpkin picking, and kayaking on a nature reserve? Yeah, we're loyal to our island but SI is where you need to be to bring your fall 'gram game to the next level.
We've rounded up the funnest, fall-iest events for you to check out, so grab your squad and hit up Shaolin– you won't regret it (We think. WE'RE KIDDING.)!
Festa D'Italia (September 24th)
If you didn't make it to Ferragosto or The Feast of San Gennaro, you have another chance to celebrate Italian culture (Italian food. You want to celebrate Italian food.) this year on Staten Island.
There will also be an Italian car and motorbike show, so a good enough reason to hop on the ferry as any.
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This annual event, at Casa Belvedere, The Italian Cultural Foundation, will be chock-full of the BEST food, live music, wine tastings, and more.
Admission is $10.
Yoga in the Scholar's Garden (September 25th)
Take a deep breath... this might be difficult to hear, but it's time to branch out from Yoga to the People. Attending this yoga lesson, which starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 12 noon, will support the New York Chinese Scholar's Garden, which is a part of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden.
The lesson, which is hosted at the garden, is the only authentic outdoor Chinese Scholar's Garden on the East Coast and is specifically designed with harmony and tranquility in mind, to enhance your yoga experience.
They ask for a donation of $30 for the lesson and again, all the funds they raise will go directly to maintaining the garden. This event is BYOM (Mat. Bring Your Own Mat.)
Maritime Visions, Sea Tales and Lighthouse Legends (October 1st)
Ahoy, seafarers!
This Maritime-themed outdoor arts & crafts festival will feature retail merchants, food vendors, live music, and a tour of the historic site of the newly opened National Lighthouse Museum, which is just a two minute walk from the Staten Island Ferry.
Local writers and poets will also be reading their work in a public spoken word event inside the museum at 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.
The festival begins at 11 a.m. and lasts until 5 p.m.– the rain date is the next day, October 2nd. Also, the suggested donation is $2.00 so if you need a cheap date, here ya go.
Kayak Freshkills Park (October 9th)
As long as you're prepared to get wet, squeeze in some last minute kayaking in this year at Freshkills park! This excursion will lead you into the William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge, where you'll get the chance to get up close to some of the wildlife that live in the park.
Let them know if you have your own kayak, otherwise, they provide kayaks, life vests, and brief safety training.
Tickets go on sale here on September 25th and go for $10 donation each– set a phone alarm, space is limited and these tickets are in seriously high demand!
Staten Island Jazz Festival (October 15th)
Shout out to all jazz enthusiasts, this is where you need to be this fall.
This is the festival's 29th year of bringing extraordinary jazz to loyal audiences. Keep a tab on their website for when they announce their featured performers this year; previous years have included The Sun Ra Intergalactic Arkestra, Kenny Barron, Reggie Workman, Barry Harris, Bluiett, and more!
This will be an all day festival with jazz-themed workshops designed for the entire family to enjoy. Head down to Snug Harbor Music Hall at 2 p.m. and get your jazz on until 7 p.m.– get your tickets for the festival here.
Día de Muertos (October 23rd)
Celebrate the 24th annual New York City Day of the Dead Festival at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Benedicta School on Staten Island.
Dia de Muertos, in case you don't know, is a Mexican holiday that honors the lives and memories of loved ones that have passed away. The point is to focus on the joy of our past relations, not grieving with loss, and treating death as something that isn't scary.
At this free, public event, you'll be able to experience the culture of this holiday with music, dancing, and traditional crafts workshops.
The Great American Harvest Fest (October 23rd)
Celebrate life in an American historic town and down on a family farm at this two for one event. Whether you stop in Richmond Town or Decker Farm first, your day is going to be peak #fallgoals.
Stroll down Center Street in Richmond Town and explore craftsmanship spanning centuries of American life. Check out cider pressing, candle making, embroidery and needlework, furniture making, knitting, lace making, tinsmithing, (which we have to Google later) and more.
Take a trolley up to Decker farm for pumpkin picking, pumpkin (and face!) painting, hayrides, and to get lost in a corn maze.
This year, there will also be three performances of an original short play called Sins of Salem, which is about, you guessed it, the Salem Witch Trials. Don't miss it!
Tickets will be sold at the door for $6 each, and if you're with a family of four, you can get the discounted price of $20.
Subway Moon (November 11th)
More for jazz and music lovers! Subway Moon features two New York City high school music groups playing with musician/teacher Roy Nathanson's professional jazz band, Sotto Voce.
Subway Moon was founded by Nathanson in 2007 and is a series of on-going musical/video performances that combine the talents of professional jazz musicians and filmmakers with high school music students worldwide.
This event is also at the Snug Harbor Music Hall, from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
[Feature Image Courtesy SILive]