Can you believe it's already the middle of September?!
Summer feels like a distant memory, and our weekends are becoming less exciting as the sun creeps away a little more each day.
We're not too worried. The leaves are about to change and we've already kicked off fall with a good ole' PSL. But still. We need a li'l picker-upper.
To get your weekend started off right, we've compiled a guide for all your festival, art, and food needs for the perfect start to fall. Have a looksy!
[anad]
Friday, September 22nd
If you haven't already taken a trip down to Little Italy this week for the feast, then you're a fool! Just kidding, you're not a fool. You just seriously need to get down there ASAP.
Running until the 24th, San Gennaro is a historic block party featuring free music, yummy Italian bites, and live lectures celebrating Saint Day, and the spirit and faith of early Italian immigrants. The feast opens at 11:30 a.m. and closes at midnight on Friday and Saturday. That's about 12 hours of time for you to get in line for the cannoli-eating competition!
GO, GO, GO!
This Friday, make sure you set aside some time for a true homage to the historic Queens Hip Hop scene. Made "for and by Queens," this festival will include local Queens musicians, food vendors, and filmmakers.
Enjoy the opening ceremony and art show for free, then grab a ticket to Hip Hop Yoga (ooooo, that sounds fun!) or get a full weekend VIP pass for $50. Also, stop by the donation tent and donate all the money you have (okay, save a few bucks for rent) to benefit the artists and humans of Queens!
Get your artsy pants on Friday and enjoy free galleries all weekend from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the 11th annual Bushwick Open Studios festival this weekend. Don't miss the kick-off party from 7-10 p.m. to get you in the mood for all kinds of fun gallery viewing adventures.
Stick around Saturday and Sunday for live painting, performance, and yes, of course, the killer after party you know you can find a cute sweater-inspired outfit for.
Saturday, September 23rd
You like doing good, don't you? Of course, you do. How else can you explain the feeling of doing something nice for someone and watching their face light up in joy? If you like doing good, we hope you've been earning points in the name of good (and a free concert!) for this year's Global Citizen Festival.
This year's musical lineup features Stevie Wonder, The Lumineers, Green Day, and more. It's a perfect way to celebrate the 11 million actions taken by citizens all around the world for positive change by 2030.
The party will take place at the Great Lawn in Central Park at 2 p.m. Download the Global Citizen app now to start doing good so you can get inside!
If you've been looking for the perfect, wholesome fair to get your corn-huskin', pie-eatin' fix, this is the fair for you.
Come down from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for everything you never knew you needed in your weekend plans, including but not limited to: arts and crafts, carnival rides, beer gardens, Big Bands, and our personal favorite... adopting a worm for your home-made compost bin.
Um, you had us at "corn-huskin'."
6. Astor Alive!
This year, Astor Alive! outdoor performing arts festival is pulling out all the stops, bringing favorites like the Blue Man Group, Joe's Pub at The Public, and Bowery Poetry to Astor Place– and it's all FREE yo'.
Enjoy free participatory workshops for all ages like collages, crafts, puppet making, and beatboxing!
Looking for something a li'l different this weekend? Pop by East River State Park next to Smorgasburg to check out 60 record store vendors, and snag your favorite vintage tunes for your turntable.
While you're at it, RSVP to win the perfect Brooklyn Flea Record Fair experience, including $100 in Smorgasbucks, $50 tab for beer, wine, and cider, a free tote, and much more! RSVP here!
Come celebrate Oktoberfest early! Get yourself down to Coney Island Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. for 22oz Freak Stein's, yummy brats, live DJ's, and obscure beer contests that will be sure to have you chilling all the way through the weekend.
Yay!
Sunday, September 24th
If you're looking for an awesome cultural event, why not check out the Muslim Day Parade on Sunday to expertly bookend your weekend?
Founded in 1985, the parade seeks "to promote better understanding and cooperation among Muslims and with other interfaith communities." At 12:30 p.m. join the march at 38th Street and Madison Ave and show some love for our Muslim NYC family!
10. Chef One Dumpling Eating Festival
This year, Chef One is partnering with Atlantic Antic for an event of epic dumpling-eating proportions! Get it? Because you're going to eat a ton of dumplings and regret absolutely nothing.
[anad2]
Swing by from 12 to 6 p.m. and watch (registration and waiting list are closed!) 24 males and 24 females compete for a grand prize, and eat as many dumplings as possible in 2 minutes flat. You can also try your taste buds out on some local vendors.
So much yes!
11. Kosciuszko Bridge Demolition
BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE!
Wave bye-bye to the old Kosciuszko Bridge at 10 a.m. as it gets blown sky high! We haven't been this excited since the last time–oh, wait. Yeah, we've never seen this kind of thing before, so this is kind of a big deal.
Certain streets will be closed off to protect citizens from falling bridge parts (just like in the movies!) so check this cool map to see where you can watch your very own Bruce Willis action flick come to life.
Bring your earplugs and protective goggles, y'all!
[Feature Image Courtesy Guest of a Guest]