Experience the pageantry of Cirque du Soleil's holiday show at the Kravis Center. Photo by Brandon Todd
Tree Lightings, Winterfest, and More Great Things to Do in Miami This Weekend with Kids
GUIDE
Christmas and Holiday Activities Guide for Miami & South Florida Kids
Enjoy the pageantry of the Holiday Boat Parade in Boynton Beach. Photo courtesy of the event
51 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Miami for Kids
Delight in the free pop-up art and light displays around Broward County during IGNITE. Photo courtesy of the Broward County Cultural Division
75 Free Fun Things to Do in Miami & South Florida with Kids
Enjoy aquatic shows, aquarium tanks, even a chance to swim with dolphins at the Miami Seaquarium. Photo courtesy of the Seaquarium
3 Days in Miami with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Bond with your baby at My Grownup and Me classes at Baby Stars. Photo courtesy of Baby Stars
15 Best Mommy and Me Classes in Miami and South Florida for Kids
Enjoy MAGNA-TILES® at the Museum of Science and Discovery. Photo courtesy of MODS
35 Free Museum Days and More Free Admission Activities with Kids in Miami & South Florida
Enjoy autumn fun at Flamingo Road Nursery's Harvest Festival, weekends through November 7. Photo courtesy of Flamingo Gardens
Best Harvest & Fall Festivals in Miami for Fall Family Fun
Kids Empire in West Palm Beach offers more than 15,000 square feet of fun for children of all ages. Photo by Jackie Jones
14 Great Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, & West Palm Beach
GUIDE
Guide to Free Things To Do in Miami with Kids
Learn water safety and more with friends at a South Florida swim school.
Swimming Lessons for Miami Kids: 10 Best Swim Schools in South Florida
There are more than just lions at Lion Country Safari.
Lion Country Safari: Drive-thru Zoo with Wildlife, Water Rides, & More in South Florida
Shark Wake Park is a daredevil's delight. Photo courtesy of Shark Wake Park
15 Great Outdoor Water Parks and Lazy Rivers in Miami and South Florida
The Venetian Pool in Coral Gables features 820,000 gallons of water fed from an underground aquifer. Photo courtesy of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
12 Great Public Pools for Kids and Families in Miami & South Florida
GUIDE
Miami Kids Summer Guide: 367 Best Festivals, Deals, Activities & Free Things to Do
Bowlero birthday parties include bowling, arcade fun, and shoe rental. Photo courtesy of Bowlero
Top Indoor Birthday Party Places in Miami for Kids
JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Tidal Cove Waterpark - Photo courtesy of Tripadvisor
Best Ft. Lauderdale and Miami Beach Hotels and Resorts for Kids and Families
Meet the horses and enjoy a free ride at Happi Farm in Davie. Photo courtesy of the farm
Meet the Animals at These 10 Great Miami and South Florida Petting Zoos and Animal Farms
Enjoy great outdoor music at The Lawn at Dania Pointe during Family Sundays. Photo courtesy of the venue
Free Summer Concerts and the Best Outdoor Music Festivals for Families in Miami and South Florida
Kids Empire in West Palm Beach offers more than 15,000 square feet of fun for children of all ages. Photo by Jackie Jones
14 Great Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, & West Palm Beach
The Burger Shack welcomes small children who enjoy the state-of-the-art playground, attached to the restaurant. Photo courtesy of Burger Shack at Lighthouse Cove
Restaurants in Miami Where Kids Can Play While Parents Eat
Kayaking is one of the many outdoor activities available at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park.
  VIDEO
West Palm Beach with Kids: 50 Things To Do in West Palm Beach, Florida
Enjoy some mommy-daughter time at Beach House Fort Lauderdale.
Beach House: An Ideal Family-Friendly Oceanfront Stay in Fort Lauderdale
GUIDE
Guide to Free Things To Do in Miami with Kids
Get close to underwater creatures at the Frost Science Museum's massive aquarium. Photo by Jackie Jones
Frost Science Museum: Miami's Must-See Family Attraction
Let your imagination soar at the
Best Playgrounds in Miami & South Florida
Bond with your baby at My Grownup and Me classes at Baby Stars. Photo courtesy of Baby Stars
15 Best Mommy and Me Classes in Miami and South Florida for Kids
Get up-close with crocodiles at Zoo Miami. Photo by Ron Magill for Zoo Miami
55 Fun Things To Do around Miami with Kids Before They Grow Up
Zoo Tampa has lush tropical exhibits that will leave visitors in awe. Photo courtesy of the zoo
Tampa with Kids: 20 Best Things to Do in Tampa, Florida
The secluded St. Augustine Beach is a perfect respite from daily life. Photo Photo by Mancy Carter
St. Augustine with Kids: 30 Best Things To Do in St. Augustine, Florida
Anclote Key, made up of four islands off the Gulf Coast's Tarpon Springs, is a popular gathering place for boaters. Photo courtesy Visit St. Pete-Clearwater
Best Sandbars Near Orlando and Central Florida for Families Interested in Adventure
Go snorkeling in the stunning water at Tranquility Bay Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
30 Things To Do in the Florida Keys with Kids (Besides Key West )
Photo by Jackie Jones
Butterfly World in Coconut Creek: Why Kids Love this South Florida Bug Zoo
These gentle giants love the warm waters at Blue Springs in Central Florida. Photo by the author
Best Places to See Manatees in Orlando & Central Florida
All Aboard South Florida's New Train: Riding the Brightline to Miami
Experience the pageantry of Cirque du Soleil's holiday show at the Kravis Center. Photo by Brandon Todd
Tree Lightings, Winterfest, and More Great Things to Do in Miami This Weekend with Kids
Take in the Day of the Dead celebration at CityPlace Doral ... if you dare. Photo courtesy of Canva
Halloween Weekend 2025 in Miami & South Florida: Trick-or-Treat and More Things To Do with Kids
GUIDE
Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for Miami & South Florida Kids
Take in the Day of the Dead celebration at CityPlace Doral ... if you dare. Photo courtesy of Canva
Halloween Weekend 2025 in Miami & South Florida: Trick-or-Treat and More Things To Do with Kids
Can you outrun the zombies at Evelyn Greer Park? Photo courtesy of the Village of Pinecrest
Best Halloween Events in Miami and South Florida for Kids and Families
Dress up as a princess, dinosaur, or any other favorite character for trick-or-treating in Miami and South Florida. Photo courtesy of Laura Olivas, via Canva
Best Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat on Halloween in Miami and South Florida
Enjoy a traditional three-course Thanksgiving dinner at Fleming's. Photo courtesy of Fleming's
15 Kid-Friendly Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving Dinner in Miami & South Florida

62 Top Free Activities in NYC October 2025 for Kids

Cirque Kikasse brings its zany show—with a food truck as a stage—to Lincoln Center for one weekend only. Photo by Doug Combe/courtesy of Lincoln Center
Cirque Kikasse brings its zany show—with a food truck as a stage—to Lincoln Center for one weekend only. Photo by Doug Combe/courtesy of Lincoln Center
10/2/25 - By Drew Kristofik

October is bubbling over with bushels of free things to do in NYC. In addition to our huge, spooky pile of free Halloween activities, we've found tons more cost-free fun happening in NYC this month, from St. John the Divine's heavenly Blessing of the Animals to Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations, a big Diwali celebration in Times Square, Open House New York, and the return of Bryant Park's Winter Village.

Read on for all our picks for free activities in New York City this October, including events in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx. Find more top events on our best-of-October list. Of course, our Guide to Fall Activities and New York City Kids Guide to Halloween have all the seasonal must-do's.

Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Free Things To Do in NYC All October 2025 Long

The Six Foot Platform

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Saturdays through Saturday, October 18, 2025
New York City’s most iconic block becomes home to full-day immersive performances by seven Brooklyn-based artists.    READ MORE

Fall Movie Nights at Hudson Yards

Midtown West
Fridays through Friday, October 24, 2025
Grab your crew and head to the Big Screen in the Public Square & Gardens, where you can kick back in a lounger (or spread out on a blanket you bring from home) and take in a movie outside while the sun sets. READ MORE

Waterfront Walks

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Select dates through Sunday, October 26, 2025
Learn about the history of the Brooklyn waterfront, the park’s sustainable design, and how the park came to life on this free walking tour. Waterfront Walks are held every Sunday through October starting from Pier 1. READ MORE

Tunes & Tales for Toddlers in Teardrop Park

Battery Park City
Mondays through Monday, October 27, 2025
Toddlers and their caregivers are invited to enjoy interactive music-making, storytelling, and more entertainment at these weekly sessions in Teardrop Park. READ MORE

Stargazing on The High Line

Chelsea
Tuesdays through Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Gaze at the stars, planets, and moon through the high-powered telescopes of the Amateur Astronomers Association, and chat with the experts about the sights you see. READ MORE

Sing with Suzi in JJ Byrne Playground

Park Slope, Brooklyn
Thursdays from Thursday, October 8-Thursday, October 30, 2025
Enjoy an interactive, family-friendly concert series featuring award‑winning children’s performer Suzi Shelton and special guests staged in this beloved park. The entertainment includes giant bubbles, dancing, and sing‑alongs in the heart of Park Slope.   READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC from Wednesday, October 1-Sunday, October 5, 2025

Yom Kippur in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Join the Prospect Park Alliance when school is closed for Yom Kippur. Enjoy free nature education activities, animal encounters, bird walks, and more at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, and take a ride on the beloved Prospect Park Carousel. READ MORE

Flowers for Skyscrapers at the Skyscraper Museum

Battery Park City
Saturday, October 4, 2025
The Skyscraper Museum team ventures out to Battery Park City Authority’s Go Fish! and City of Forest Day festival to celebrate terrestrial and estuarine ecosystems! This family program takes place outdoors at the museum's table in Wagner Park, where kids can learn about environmentally friendly skyscrapers, then design paper flowers and plants to help turn a skyscraper green! READ MORE

Little Red Lighthouse Festival

Hudson Heights
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Celebrate Manhattan’s only remaining lighthouse with Urban Park Ranger presentations, readings of The Little Red Lighthouse and The Great Gray Bridge children’s book, live music, and activities for all ages. READ MORE

Fall Festival in Fort Totten Park

Bay Terrace, Queens
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Fort Totten beckons with family fun. Enjoy games and activities, a puppet show, and more. READ MORE

Turtle Island in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Prospect Park Alliance, Haudenosaunee artist G. Peter Jemison (Seneca, Heron Clan), the Skywoman Iroquois Dance Theater, and Plasticiens Volants present an outdoor family-friendly production that brings to life the foundational Haudenosaunee Creation Story through a vibrant fusion of aerial puppetry, dance, and community engagement. READ MORE

Hands On History: City of Forest Day at King Manor Museum

Jamaica, Queens
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Kids can participate in tree looming crafts, and all ages are welcome for a paper casting workshop and tree walk with artist Reijin Lyes in celebration of her Touch Jamaica exhibit at King Manor. READ MORE

Dia de los Muertos Fun in Battery Park City

Battery Park City
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Learn how to prepare for Dia de los Muertos and explore the roots, meanings, and purpose of the holiday while participating in activities. Arts and crafts are facilitated by a teaching artist. Guests can enjoy live music and register for the open mic! READ MORE

Carroll Park Fair

Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
Saturday, October 4, 2025
The annual Carroll Park Fair returns. Find some bargains and meet your neighbors. Enjoy activities, including face painting, music, crafts, housewares, art, books, clothes, jewelry, antiques, collectibles, and more. READ MORE

Sunnyside Gardens Park Annual Oktoberfest

Sunnyside, Queens
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Sunnyside Gardens Park transforms its picnic grove into an authentic biergarten with German-style beer, traditional German food, and live music and entertainment for the whole family. READ MORE

Free Admission Family Day at MoMA

Midtown West
Saturday, October 4, 2025
MoMA invites families for a day of hands-on activities, performances, readings, and creative exploration.   READ MORE

Family Concert: Brown Rice Family at Carnegie Hall

Upper West Side
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Experience a joyful musical adventure with Brown Rice Family at free, interactive performances that invite kids ages 3-10 and grownups to sing, dance, and celebrate together. Brown Rice Family performs an irresistible mix of reggae, hip-hop, dance hall, Afrobeat, jazz, Latin, and funk music. READ MORE

Shoelace Park Forest Fest

Woodlawn Heights, the Bronx
Saturday, October 4, 2025
The Bronx River Alliance hosts a free, family-friendly event that includes canoeing on the Bronx River, a guided nature walk through the park, a park clean-up, educational information about research projects along the Bronx River, and ways to get involved and help steward this amazing community resource. READ MORE

Fall Festival at St. Mary's Park

South Bronx
Saturday, October 4, 2025
NYC Parks and Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala host a fall festival event at St. Mary's Park with family games, sports, fall crafts, and more. READ MORE

City of Forest Day Dance Program on Roosevelt Island

Roosevelt Island
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Choreographer Jody Sperling and her Time Lapse Dance Ensemble return to Roosevelt Island for the annual City of Forest Day with a visually stunning program exploring the human relationship with nature. READ MORE

Fungus Festival on Randall's Island

Randalls Island
Sunday, October 5, 2025
The New York Mycological Society (NYMS) hosts its annual Fungus Festival, welcoming mushroom-curious amateurs and experts of all ages. READ MORE

50th Annual Atlantic Antic: Playtopia

Fort Greene to Bed Stuy, Brooklyn
Sunday, October 5, 2025
NYC's largest street fest, the Atlantic Antic, fills Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue with food and craft vendors, family fun, and amazing performances. A highlight for families is Mommy Poppins and Brooklyn Bridge Parents' Playtopia at Atlantic Antic, powered by Prospect Schools. This block-long family fun zone is stuffed to the brim with STEM activities, balloon twisting, freebies, arts and crafts, interactive games, circus activities, and more for kids of all ages. READ MORE

Blessing of the Animals at St. John the Divine

Morningside Heights
Sunday, October 5, 2025
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine welcomes families for a day of music, prayer, joy, blessings, and fun in honor of Saint Francis, the patron saint of animals and the environment. READ MORE

Blessing of the Animals at St. Mark's Church in the Bowery

Lower East Side
Sunday, October 5, 2o25
Creatures great and small are welcome in the sanctuary of St. Mark's in the Bowery for the annual blessing of the animals. READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, October 6-Sunday, October 12, 2025

How to Train Your Dragon in Sol Lain Playground

Lower East Side
Friday, October 10, 2025
On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup stands apart. The inventive, yet overlooked, son of Chief Stoick the Vast, Hiccup defies centuries of tradition by befriending Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. READ MORE

When Julia Danced Bomba at the Bronx Library Center

Kingsbridge, the Bronx
Friday, October 10, 2025
Dr. Raquel Ortiz talks about her bilingual book, When Julia Danced Bomba/Cuando Julia bailaba bomba. This booktalk will be followed by a screening of the award-winning short film, Julia's Dance: A Bomba Flamenco Bedtime Tale, and an interactive Bomba dance lesson.   READ MORE

Raptorama at Salt Marsh Nature Center

Marine Park, Brooklyn
Saturday, October 11, 2025
See live birds of prey up close at the Salt Marsh Nature Center with NYC Bird Alliance, American Littoral Society, and the Marine Park Alliance Forever Wild Committee. READ MORE

Wonderspark Puppets at Hudson Yards

Midtown West
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Wonderspark Puppets performs a free interactive show that brings classic tales to life with engaging storytelling, colorful characters, and plenty of audience participation. READ MORE

Fall Fest Atlantic Terminal Mall Plaza

Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Atlantic Terminal Mall and Brooklyn Bridge Parents host a free family-friendly fall festival on Atlantic Terminal’s outdoor plaza and car-free Fort Greene Place with an "urban pumpkin patch" with 1,000 pumpkins waiting to be decorated by the kiddos, along with arts and crafts, pumpkin painting, block building, haunted trucks to enter (if you dare), soccer, costume dance party, face painting and more! READ MORE

Children's Harvest Festival at Far Rockaway Farms

Rockaways, Queens
Saturday, October 11, 2025
The Children's Harvest Festival is an annual street fair hosted by The Campaign Against Hunger. Stop by for face-painting, scavenger hunts, performances, free food, games, and more. READ MORE

Gladiators NYC in Central Park

Central Park
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Knights in full armor battle on the grass in Central Park behind The Met. Bring a blanket and a picnic.  READ MORE

Compostapalooza in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Celebrate the Riverside Park Conservancy’s work with compost and its impact on the local soil with demonstrations, science experiments, and live entertainment.   READ MORE

The Legend of Gideon at the Central Park Carousel

Central Park
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Meet Gideon, the carousel horse set free by a wizard's spell, as he gallops off to rescue his best friend with help from a sweet rat, brave pigeons, and a touch of magic.   READ MORE

Carl Schurz Park's Annual Harvest Festival

Upper East Side
Sunday, October 12, 2025
Carl Schurz Park's annual harvest fest packs a punch with plenty of festive fall activities for the whole family. Visit the pumpkin patch on the Mayor's Lawn at East End Avenue and East 88th Street to pick your own pumpkin and decorate it. ​ READ MORE

Diwali at Times Square

Midtown West
Sunday, October 12, 2025
Billed as "the largest Indian Festival outside India," Diwali at Times Square features cultural performances, folk dances, concerts, Indian food, Indian clothing and jewels, Henna/Mehandi artists, balloon figures, and face painting plus free gifts and raffle drawings.   READ MORE

Indigenous Peoples Day on Randall's Island

Randall's Island
Sunday, October 12-Monday, October 13, 2025
Head to Randall's Island for a celebration of NYC's indigenous people. This two-day fest includes performances of spoken word, live music, and guest speakers. Food and wares are available for purchase. READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, October 13-Sunday, October 19, 2025

Columbus Day Parade

Midtown
Monday, October 13, 2025
The 81st annual Columbus Day Parade processes up Fifth Avenue from 44th Street to 72nd Street—with red carpet performances on Fifth Avenue between 67th and 69th Streets—including high school bands, professional musicians, folk dance troupes, floats, and more.  READ MORE

Indigenous Peoples Day in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Monday, October 13, 2025
Join the Prospect Park Alliance when school is closed for Indigenous Peoples Day. Enjoy free nature education activities, animal encounters, bird walks, and more at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, and take a ride on the beloved Prospect Park Carousel. READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars: A Minecraft Movie in Colden Playground

Flushing, Queens
Friday, October 17, 2025
Four misfits are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they'll have to master this world while embarking on a quest with an unexpected, expert crafter. READ MORE

Open House New York

Citywide
Friday, October 17-Sunday, October 19, 2025
Open House New York is an annual festival that unlocks 300 destinations across the five boroughs for behind-the-scenes tours and special activities. Look at new buildings transforming the skyline, step inside infrastructure facilities keeping the city running, explore parks offering respite, discover state-of-the-art performance spaces, visit manufacturing workshops, browse private collections, and much more. READ MORE

Fall Festival at Dyckman Farmhouse Museum

Inwood
Saturday, October 18, 2025
The fall festival returns to the Dyckman Farmhouse with live music, a contemporary exhibition by Cheyney McKnight, a community altar curated by Regina Evans, and more. READ MORE

Brooklyn Bridge Park's Harvest Festival

Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Celebrate the fall season at the 14th annual harvest festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park. A fun procession kicks off the event, which includes arts and crafts, storytelling, lawn games, and more—plus BBP's signature pumpkin patch. READ MORE

Old Home Day at Historic Richmond Town

Richmond, Staten Island
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Head to Historic Richmond Town for the annual Old Home Day. Visitors can witness historic trade demonstrations like blacksmithing, tinsmithing, carpentry, cabinet-making, and more. Enjoy music, food, crafts, and sweet treats.  READ MORE

Hands On History: Corn Husk Dolls at King Manor Museum

Jamaica, Queens
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Celebrate autumn with a cornhusk doll crafting afternoon at King Manor. READ MORE

Fall Foliage Fiesta at Soundview Park

Soundview, the Bronx
Saturday, October 18, 2025
NYC Parks and Council Member Amanda Farias hosts a fall festival event at Soundview Park with family games, sports, fall crafts, and more. READ MORE

Mozart for Munchkins at Hudson Yards

Midtown West
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Mozart for Munchkins puts on free Saturday concerts that focus on a different style of music each week—classical, jazz, bluegrass, and more—performed by first-rate artists who have played the stages of Carnegie Hall, Broadway, Lincoln Center, and other top venues. READ MORE

College Point Street Fair

College Point, Queens
Sunday, October 19, 2025
College Point boasts the only NYC street fair that offers free rides, including a bouncy house. Enjoy games, fair food, and more. READ MORE

Corn Husk Doll Making in Marine Park

Marine Park, Brooklyn
Sunday, October 19, 2025
Learn this easy Native American craft made of one of the most useful grasses.  READ MORE

Pippi Longstocking in Andrew Haswell Green Park

Upper East Side
Sunday, October 19, 2025
EsplanadeFriends presents the wonderful CityParks PuppetMobile production of Pippi Longstocking, plus enjoy added fun and free treats after the show. Come dressed as Pippi!  READ MORE

Family Science: Fall Edition at Greenbelt Nature Center

Greenbelt, Staten Island
Sunday, October 19, 2025
Learn about bats, acorns, and other wonders of the fall season through a series of experiments, demonstrations, and STEAM activities that families can do together. READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, October 20-Sunday, October 26, 2025

Diwali in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Monday, October 20, 2025
Join Prospect Park Alliance for nature education programs during the school holiday for Diwali at the Prospect Park Audubon Center. READ MORE

Family Fridays: Math Meets Motion at MoMath

Gramercy
Friday, October 24, 2025
What happens when you combine math, movement, and massive amounts of fun? You get Giant Math Winder, a life-sized puzzle game created by David L. Hoyt. In this fun, team-based game, players create winding paths of math equations across a giant game board — thinking strategically while working together and solving problems on the fly. Along the way, David shares how he designs puzzles that engage minds of all ages and make learning feel like play. READ MORE

Grand Opening of Winter Village at Bryant Park

Midtown West
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Bryant Park braces for winter with the official launch of its 25th annual winter village. That means one of NYC's favorite, free ice skating rinks is ready to make its season debut, too. Enjoy a twirl on the ice and a snack at the Lodge Deck.  READ MORE

Lenfest Kids: Hook

Morningside Heights
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Years after his adventures in Neverland, the whimsical Peter Pan (Robin Williams) has forgotten the magic of childhood and grown up into a grouchy, middle-aged lawyer named Peter Banning. Stick around after the movie for entertainment and fun hosted by Columbia Artist/Teachers (CA/T)! Activities may include storytelling, poetry, songwriting, and maybe clowning around with Loony Lenny.   READ MORE

Campfire Stories and Songs in Teardrop Park

Battery Park
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Cozy up to a campfire for stories and singalongs with family and friends, take part in a City of Forest Day nature project, Halloween craft, lawn games, and more! READ MORE

Lenfest Teens: The Outsiders

Morningside Heights
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Enjoy a showing of Francis Ford Coppola’s star-studded adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s coming-of-age novel. Stick around after the movie for entertainment and fun hosted by Columbia Artist/Teachers (CA/T)! Activities may include storytelling, poetry, songwriting, and maybe clowning around with Loony Lenny.   READ MORE

Circus Kikasse: Sante! at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Saturday, October 25-Sunday, October 26, 2025
Cirque Kikasse, a one-of-a-kind, extraordinary mobile circus, where daring acrobatics are performed on top of and around a food truck, wows with juggling, tumbling, music, spectacular surprises...and tasty food and drinks! READ MORE

Movies on the Waterfront: Hunters Point Park

Long Island City, Queens
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Hollywood epics illuminate a 30-foot inflatable screen, with Midtown Manhattan twinkling in the background.   READ MORE

Open House at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Sunday, October 26, 2025
David Geffen Hall welcomes guests to experience the performing arts up close, with free workshops, participatory art-making, music, and dance.  READ MORE

Free Things To Do in NYC from Monday, October 27-Friday, October 31, 2025

Release of the Fishes in Hudson River Park

Greenwich Village
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Help the Hudson River Park’s River Project team return its Wetlab fish residents to the Hudson River as the flow-through aquarium closes for the season. READ MORE

33rd Annual Canstruction Competition at Brookfield Place

Battery Park City
Opens Thursday, October 30, 2025
This extraordinary annual design competition is the most unique food charity in the world, Canstruction challenges teams of architects, engineers, and contractors to build sculptures made entirely out of unopened cans of food.  READ MORE

Top Free Halloween Events in NYC in 2025: BAMBoo!, Great PUPkin, Labubu Fest, and More

Citywide
Multiple dates
Here's the best treat of all: A roundup of totally FREE Halloween events for families in NYC. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Robert F Wagner Jr Park
Little Red Lighthouse (in Fort Washington Park)
Carroll Park Carroll Gardens
Lighthouse Park - Roosevelt Island
Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
St Mark's Church in-the Bowery
Hudson Yards - Public Square and Gardens
Citywide and online
Hudson Yards - Public Square and Gardens
Lawn at Fillmore Avenue in Marine Park
National Museum of Mathematics Pop Up
David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center For The Performing Arts

About the Author

Drew Kristofik
Drew Kristofik’s career took a twist from editing teen magazines to a seven-year stint at MacNeil/Lehrer, followed by a long run at Nickelodeon/Viacom as Director of Content for Nick Online and Editor-in-Chief of ParentsConnect.com. A founding member of the Webby Award-winning GoCityKids, she’s written for Family Fun, Vanity Fair, and New York. Her middle school novel, The Time Boat, is available on Amazon Kindle. Drew keeps the MommyPoppins New York Events calendar spot-on and can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.
Recent Articles By Drew Kristofik:
Read more articles by Drew Kristofik.