Fall in NYC brings with it plenty of excuses to get outside and make the most of the season. As the temperatures drop and the city takes on its signature autumn glow, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate, whether you’re browsing seasonal finds while shopping, heading out for a classic pumpkin-picking adventure, or testing your nerves at one of the city’s haunted houses. From festive fall outings to spooky thrills, these are some of the best ways to make the most of autumn in and around New York City.
Fall Shopping for Seasonal Vintage Gems at Grand Bazaar NYC
Grand Bazaar NYC (100 W 77th St.), the city’s longest-running indoor and outdoor market, will be the perfect destination to shop, explore, and enjoy fall’s crisp ambiance this season. Every Sunday, the iconic Upper West Side market brings together more than 150 curated vendors offering everything from vintage fashion, designer bags, antiques, and one-of-a-kind jewelry to artisan home goods, upcycled finds, and other classic treasures. Throughout the fall, shoppers can look forward to seasonal weekends including the Autumn Home Decor Bazaar on September 27th, Spooky Spectacular Bazaar on October 25th, and expanded programming like Grand Bazaar NYC at Hudson Square Plaza (155 Avenue of the Americas), a special limited-time activation running now through October 7th on Wednesdays from 11 AM to 6 PM. These events give shoppers a chance to experience the market’s signature mix of independent makers, vintage finds, artisanal goods, and emerging brands across the city while embracing everything the season has to offer. For more information visit, https://grandbazaarnyc.org
Raise a Stein: Clinton Hall Celebrates Oktoberfest
Clinton Hall is going all out for Oktoberfest this season. Guests can enjoy festive food and drinks from a special Oktoberfest menu at all of Clinton Hall's Manhattan locations now through the end of October. Themed games and contests like Pretzel Toss, Beer Pong with Steins, an Ice Cold Grab Bag with hidden prizes inside and of course, Clinton Hall's annual Stein-Hoisting Contest, will take place weekly on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays beginning at 7pm with a $50 gift card up for grabs each go around. The atmosphere will be fueled by Oktoberfest-themed music, while Clinton Hall's menu delivers oversized fun with sausages, jumbo pretzels, 'wurst' tots, and the Wurstfest Oktoberfest Platter ($35), a rotating fest beer flight for $20 plus a German Burger served on a pretzel roll. Guests looking for a challenge can take on Clinton Hall’s Challenge Burger. There will be plenty of photo-worthy moments to capture—from giant pretzels and wurst platters, to stein-hoisting triumphs.
Pregame at Time Out Market Union Square
Kick off your weekend with Pregame Saturday and Sunday nights at Time Out Market Union Square (124 East 14 St.). From 7 PM –11 PM on Saturdays and 12 - 9 PM on Sundays this weekly party brings together all-day happy hour, food from Time Out Market’s diverse vendors, and live sets from some of NYC’s hottest DJs for a high-energy start to the night. Whether you’re meeting up with friends, grabbing a bite and drinks before heading out, or simply looking for a lively weekend destination, Time Out Market Union Square sets the mood with plenty of music, food, drinks, and good vibes. Eat, drink, dance, and pregame here before taking the party into the city.
College Football Watch Parties at Ainslie Bowery
Football season is taking over the Lower East Side, and Ainslie Bowery (199 Bowery) is bringing the energy with college football watch parties. Catch your favorite teams on the big screens while enjoying cold drinks, great food, and plenty of game-day atmosphere. Guests can reserve a table in The Hall and settle in for every big play, surrounded by Ainslie’s expansive beer hall, 50-foot bar, 32 beer taps, foosball, shuffleboard, and lively social scene. With its airy beer garden opening directly onto the sidewalk and massive hangar-style doors, Ainslie Bowery is the perfect Lower East Side destination to gather with friends and cheer on your team throughout the college football season.
Pick the Perfect Pumpkin at Greg’s Great Pumpkin Patch Beginning on 9/25
Greg's Great Pumpkin Patch will transform Greenwood Park Beer Garden (555 7th Ave.) into a festive fall destination from September 25th through October 31st with fun for the whole family. Pick from a massive selection of pumpkins, fancy gourds, and tons of Halloween decor. There will be a special child-friendly and adult pumpkin painting available, along with Instagrammable photo opportunities throughout, hay bales, corn stalks, painted pumpkins for sale, along with fall mums. Find more information by visiting Greg's Trees.
Trivia Fridays Debuts at Courtside at Pier 6 Beginning on 9/25
Enjoy a perfect Friday night at Fornino located in Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 6 with sunset views, wood-fired pizza and free trivia. Start the evening on their seasonal rooftop where you can dine al fresco and take in an early sunset while enjoying antipasti, wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, and cocktails with an epic view. Then head downstairs to Courtside at Pier 6 for the launch of Weekly Trivia Fridays, presented by NYC Trivia League, beginning at 7pm. Trivia is free to play, with teams answering questions digitally from their phones and great prizes up for grabs. The first weekly trivia event will take place on Friday, September 25th.
Taste of Sunnyside is Returning to Queens on 10/4
Taste of Sunnyside will return to Queens on Sunday, October 4th for its 16th annual celebration of the neighborhood’s vibrant culinary scene. Presented by the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District, the community festival will bring together local food, live music, family-friendly activities, and other entertainment throughout the neighborhood, giving attendees the opportunity to discover and sample offerings from Sunnyside’s diverse dining scene while enjoying a festive afternoon with friends and family. The fun will begin at 1 PM and guests will have a chance to explore the participating vendors until 7 PM. For more information visit www.sunnysideshines.org
Get Spooked at BloodManor All Season
BloodManor (359 Broadway), New York City’s premier haunted attraction is thrilled to return and celebrate over two decades of spine-chilling scares and thrilling entertainment. As pioneers of the haunted house experience, BloodManor is a Halloween season staple in NYC, delighting and terrifying millions of visitors over the years. This year promises an unprecedented level of horror and excitement, spanning new rooms, eye-catching costumes from Abracadabra, and a terrifyingly talented team of actors, set designers, make-up artists and more! Following its popularity, Blood Manor will bring back their ticketed Scare Actor experience where guests can get suited up in makeup and costume, and join the cast to scare visitors for an hour complete with admission to the haunted attraction itself. Inside BloodManor, guests confront their deepest fears as they journey through dark, sinister corridors filled with twisted characters and scares at every turn. Incorporating state-of-the-art special effects, BloodManor brings unparalleled realism to the haunting experience, immersing visitors in a nightmare that blurs the lines between fact and fiction. Each attraction within the house is based on carefully crafted, original storylines, transporting visitors into eerie and macabre worlds. From cursed mansions, to abandoned asylums, every theme promises to invoke terror and adrenaline. Timed-entry tickets can be purchased online at https://www.bloodmanor.com or at the door. You can also follow @bloodmanornyc for real-time information, images, videos, and more.
Comedy Spillage Returns to Slate During Its 10 Year Anniversary Celebration on 10/18
Celebrate Libra season with an evening of laughs, live music, community, and popular talent during Comedy Spillage at Slate (54 West 21st Street) on Sunday, October 18th! Back by popular demand, the event continues a decade-long tradition of bringing audiences together through interactive fun, hilarious performances, and an inclusive atmosphere designed for connection and joy. The show begins at 6:30 PM and will be hosted by Shawn Cornelius, starring headliner Jay the Sing-a-Median featuring Mugga. Enjoy performances from Kenny Woo, Dominic Leonelli, Daniel Geneen, and Sashalyn Medina, followed by a live DJ and after-party from 8 PM to 10:30 PM. Whether you're looking to laugh with friends, enjoy live entertainment, or simply embrace the spirit of Libra season, Comedy Spillage promises a lively night out at Slate. Doors open at 5 PM and tickets can be purchased for $35 at the door or $30 in advance by visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bonnerfied-ent-csf-enterprises-tickets-1998386677347
Foxtail Will Host A Spooky Movie Nights Series at The Living Room All October Long
Every Friday in October from 7PM to 10 PM, Foxtail at 231 Hudson St., an intimate cocktail den known for its playful beverage program and speakeasy atmosphere, will get into the Halloween spirit with a monthlong Spooky Movie Month activation in the “Living Room” at Arlo SoHo. The free, non-ticketed screenings will feature a spooky or horror classic each week, with a two-item minimum purchase of food or drinks required. This series coincides with the release of a new Fall Espresso Martini Flight which features a Roasted Pumpkin Spice option, topped with a pumpkin cookie, which provides all the signature PSL flavor we know and love. The flight is priced at $21 for the ultimate fall tasting experience. Guests can settle in for themed films while enjoying special food offerings, $18–$20 themed cocktails, and a $19 spooky deal featuring a sandwich, chips, and cookie, with everything available to order directly from Foxtail or through servers in the screening space. The October lineup includes The Lost Boys on October 2, Donnie Darko on October 9, Hereditary on October 16, The Craft on October 23, and The Shining on October 30. For more information visit, https://www.foxtailnyc.com/events/
Celebrate Harryween at Golden Child on 10/30 and 10/31
Golden Child (444 Park Ave S) at Hotel Park Ave NYC is getting into the Harryween spirit this Halloween with a Harry Styles-inspired celebration on October 30th and 31st. Guests can sip three $18 Harry Styles-inspired cocktails, including The Golden Styles, a honeybee hive cocktail made with Absolut Elyx Vodka, Beehive Honeydew, wildflowers, Prosecco and lemon; Sunflower, a bright, sunny sipper featuring Great Jones bourbon, apple, lychee, matcha and lemon; and Sign of the Times, a romantic cocktail made with Tom Cat Gin, mango and cardamom. On Friday, October 30th, guests can also show off their best Harry Styles-inspired look during the Harry-ween Costume Contest, with those dressed as their favorite Harry receiving their first drink on the house, valued up to $22. The best costume will take home a free dinner for two at the hotel’s Park Rose restaurant, valued at up to $150, while a Harry Styles cardboard cutout will be on hand for photo ops. The team is also looking to coordinate the festivities with a flash tattoo pop-up from Uplift Tattoo, bringing complimentary custom Harry-inspired designs to the celebration.
The Baroque Burlesque Spectacle Nutcracker Rouge from Company XIV Begins on 11/12
The beloved baroque burlesque Nutcracker Rouge from Company XIV returns to Théâtre XIV in Bushwick for another limited engagement, inviting audiences into the intoxicating Kingdom of the Sweets for an unforgettable mix of acrobatics, dance, burlesque, music and theatrical magic. Praised by Time Out Theatre and Dance Editor Adam Feldman as "naughty but nice", the lavish production opens on November 12th and blends returning fan favorites with fresh acts, dazzling costumes, aerial artistry, high-energy choreography and plenty of Champagne, culminating in the show’s signature seductive pas de deux between the Sugarplum Fairy and her Nutcracker Prince. A beloved New York holiday tradition with a passionate following, Nutcracker Rouge offers an immersive, adults-only twist on the classic Nutcracker. Presented by creator, choreographer and director Austin McCormick at Company XIV’s intimate Théâtre XIV, the experience begins the moment guests step inside, with burlesque performers greeting guests and bespoke cocktails flowing from the venue’s speakeasy bar. For more information, showtimes and to purchase tickets, visit https://companyxiv.com/