Fall in New York City is the perfect time to visit or explore. The weather is cooler, and the leaves are changing vibrant colors of yellow, orange, and red, making it a beautiful time of year to explore the city.
There are also plenty of fall festivals in NYC, from Halloween celebrations to harvest festivals. The Fall Festival at Bryant Park is a particularly popular event, with live music, food stalls, and activities for kids. Whatever your interests, there’s sure to be a fall festival in New York City that’s perfect for you.
Fall Festivals NYC
Food Network Food & Wine Festival, 2024
Presented by Capital One, the Food Network Food & Wine Festival is a four-day destination event that explores the talents of the world’s most nationally renowned wine and spirits producers, including well-known chefs, TV, and culinary personalities. This NYC fall festival is one of the most fun fall activities in New York City, and of course, plenty of food and cocktails!
The famous event started in 1997, known as the Florida Extravaganza, and lasted only one day. A few years later, the event welcomed the King and Queen of Spain as a special tribute to the wines and food of Spain! More recently, the Food Network Food & Wine Festival celebrated its 21st year, having first entered its partnership with the Food Network in 2006.
As the largest and most widely recognized food and wine festival, many people visit this hot spot celebration for walk-around tastings of America’s favorite foods by their favorite chefs. World-renowned chefs craft exquisite dinners, while guests can take a stab at it for themselves with fun hands-on classes as they savor wine and spirits.
The celebration partners with God’s Love We Deliver, whose mission is to aid New Yorkers affected by severe illness. All net proceeds go straight to this mission to support fellow New Yorkers.
Head to this fabulous NYC fall festival celebration for exclusive wine and spirits and the industry’s most refined foods and drinks for an unforgettable experience that will rock your tastebuds!
You can find the full event lineup and purchase tickets right here.
Get super savings on New York City hotels here.
New York Film Festival
The New York Film Festival is where people come to see the highlights of the best in world cinema. Top filmmakers and celebrities worldwide, including fresh new hit stars, come to witness the significant world-renowned festival.
For the past sixty years in the fall in NYC, the New York Film Festival has been presented by Film at LincolnCenter. As one of the most prestigious and longest-running film festivals in the United States, this event has screened over 1,800 movies from 81 countries since its inception. Through the festival, amateur filmmakers are discovered and showcased to the world, especially in the entertainment industry.
Having helped shape and set high standards for cinematic art continuously year after year, the New York Film Festival now has three spaces where films are screened—the Amphitheater, Howard Gilman Theater, and the Francesca Beale Theater.
Compared to many film festivals, the New York Film Festival does not give any awards. Instead, the festival’s primary dedication is to present the best movies to showcase to their dedicated audience.
The New York Film Festival: You can find showings, passes, and information right here.
The Feast of San Gennaro-Little Italy
Also known as San Gennaro Festival, The Feast of San Gennaro is a boisterous fall festival in NYC dedicated to Saint Januarius. A bishop of Benevento and patron saint of Naples, Saint Januarius, died a martyr in 305 AD by the persecution of Emperor Diocletian.
The saint is famous for the annual liquefaction of his blood that had been saved after the saint’s death. According to the yearly liquefaction of Saint Januarius’s blood, if the blood fails to liquefy, then it signals disaster such as war, disease, or famine. NYC
Therefore, Neapolitans pray to Saint Januarius for protection from these calamities. His blood and bones are currently preserved in the Naples Cathedral as relics.
The Feast of San Gennaro is earmarked in his dedication as the patron saint of Naples and Little Italy, New York. The feast is consistently celebrated on September 19 in the calendar of the Catholic Church.
The Feast of San Gennaro started in New York City in 1926 when Italian immigrants moved to the lower east side of Manhattan. The one-day block party persisted annually until it became the iconic celebration it is today, extending from one day to eleven days and eleven blocks of the neighborhood of Little Italy.
At this event, visitors can sit down for the church service and explore other fall activities like the parade, meatball eating competition, zeppole eating competition, and the favored cannoli eating contest for a day of fun and celebration.
The Feast of San Gennaro takes place on Mulberry Street (Little Italy) between Canal and Houston AND on Hester between Baxter St. and Centre St. AND Grand between Baxter St. and Centre Market Place.
The Feast of San Gennaro. Get all the information for this fantastic NYC fall festival, San Gennaro Feast, right here.
Watermark Oktoberfest
The Watermark Oktoberfest transports Germany to NYC’s Seaport District, located on the East River in Lower Manhattan. This destination features waterfront views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the city’s iconic skyline in the city’s original commercial hub.
The authentic German beer is paired with traditional German cuisine for a family-friendly event. Dressed in lederhosen, be served only the best German beer, brats, and giant pretzels to please your taste buds as you explore Oktoberfest fall festival NYC.
Visitors can attend this event for free without spending money on tickets. The only money you’ll be spending is on the unrivaled traditional German beer and food.
Watermark Oktoberfest runs consistently with the official Oktoberfest in Munich—so if you’re not going to Munich this year, revel in German tradition at this upbeat celebration. There are plenty of games to play and music to dance and sing along to, and if you don’t have lederhosen, we recommend buying some as a traditional dress is highly encouraged for a fun cultural day!
Reservations are highly recommended for this NYC fall festival. It is wildly popular and fun. There are events for the whole family. Check dates and times for events right here.
Taste of Seaport
In October, New York City’s Seaport district comes alive with the Taste of Seaport. This food festival features dishes from over 50 of the city’s best restaurants, live music, and entertainment.
The Taste of Seaport is the perfect opportunity to sample NYC’s diverse culinary scene while supporting the funding of education initiatives in its two public schools, Spruce Street School PS 397 and Peck Slip School PS 343.
The Taste of Seaport l is open to everyone, and donations are greatly appreciated. More information can be found right here.
New York Comedy Festival
Centered in Times Square in New York City, the New York Comedy Festival is produced in association with big names like Comedy Central, Caroline’s Comedy Club, and the Huffington Post. Usually hosted in November, this fall festival of New York City boasts some of the biggest names in the comedy world. Names like Andy Samberg, Dane Cook, Rick Gervais, and Artie Lange are only a few of the top comedians who have performed at this rambunctious event.
The New York Comedy Festival hosts a few notable venues, including the Hulu Theater at MSG, Carolines on Broadway, and the Madison Square Garden.
This seven-day festival features more than 200 comedians who perform in more than 100 shows in venues across the five boroughs of NYC. Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday, August 19 at noon, so get your wallet ready for a boisterous time of laughter and fun at the New York Comedy Festival!
The New York Comedy FestivalYou can find shows, venues, and talent right here.
New York City Guides-Further Reading
Fall in NYC: Autumn is the best time to be in New York City. The weather is cool and crisp, and the city is fantastic for exploring. Read this guide on fall activities in New York City here.
Central Park in the fall: There’s no better time to visit Central Park than during autumn. The leaves are changing color, the air is crisp, and there’s a feeling of magic in the air. Check out some of our favorite things to do in this famous park during fall right here.
Fall Foliage Cruise NYC: There is nothing better than a brunch or lunch cruise up the Hudson River to the Palisades Cliffs to see the magnificent fall colors. You can find the best NYC fall foliage cruises here.
Best Fall Vacations USA: Looking for a fall destination? Here are some suggestions for apple cider drinking and leaf peeping! Read more here!
New York City Money Saving Resources
Hotels: Booking.com | Budget Hotels (Where our family stays) Herald Square or Arlo Hotels | Midrange Hotel: The Library Hotel | Luxury Hotel: Baccarat Hotel or Equinox Hudson Yards | Broadway Shows: Vivid Seats | Restaurant recommendations & reservations: OpenTable | Sightseeing Pass NYC | CityPass NYC | NYC Travel Essentials
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