As summer gives way to fall, New York City is alive with festivals, concerts, art, theater, food, and cultural traditions. This weekend brings everything from cocktail expos and Latin food celebrations to historic tours, outdoor movies, and vibrant parades.
The Best Things to Do in NYC This Weekend
Whether you’re craving a martini, a garlic feast, or a jazz concert in the park, here are the best things to do around NYC this weekend.
Festivals & Celebrations
Feast of San Gennaro
Little Italy comes alive with the Feast of San Gennaro, running all weekend long. The neighborhood transforms into a vibrant street fair with parades, music, carnival rides, and mouthwatering Italian fare. Don’t miss the legendary cannoli-eating contest and the joyful processions honoring the patron saint of Naples. Mulberry Street is the place to be for this annual tradition.
Martini Expo at Industry City
Brooklyn’s Industry City hosts the inaugural Martini Expo this Friday and Saturday, bringing together cocktail lovers for tastings, seminars, and book signings with mixology legends. Highlights include a glamorous Martini Mixer and deep dives into the history and artistry of one of the world’s most iconic drinks. Proceeds benefit hospitality charities, so your indulgence helps support a great cause.
Latin Food Fest at Industry City
Also lighting up Industry City is the Latin Food Fest, running Saturday and Sunday with over 70 vendors serving 300+ dishes from Latin and Caribbean cuisines. Expect empanadas, tacos, tropical desserts, and plenty of live music to keep the energy high. It’s a feast for the senses and a celebration of culture and flavor.
Long Island Garlic Festival
Now in its 23rd year, the Long Island Garlic Festival offers a perfect weekend day trip for families and foodies. Explore artisan garlic products, savor roasted treats, and browse local vendors while enjoying live performances and farm activities. From garlic ice cream to classic spreads, it’s a delicious celebration of the “stinking rose.”
Mexican Independence Parade
Brooklyn’s streets fill with pride and culture during the Mexican Independence Parade on Sunday afternoon. Expect colorful floats, live performances, and traditional music in celebration of Mexican heritage and independence.
Arts & Theater
Free Shakespeare in the Park: Twelfth Night
The season’s final performances of Shakespeare in the Park take place this weekend at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. The beloved comedy Twelfth Night, featuring a stellar cast, blends mistaken identities, romance, and music in an enchanting outdoor setting. Free tickets are available by lottery—don’t miss your chance to experience this NYC tradition.
Art Exhibitions Across the City
NYC’s galleries and museums are brimming with exhibitions this weekend. Explore surrealism with Leonora Carrington: Dream Weaver, see Tomokazu Matsuyama’s bold new works in Morning Sun, or experience the group show Synthetic Sanctuaries. Installations like Shifting Landscapes at the Whitney offer thought-provoking perspectives on identity and environment. Don’t miss the Arsenal Gallery exhibition in Central Park, Vital Parks for All: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, which showcases the history and future of New York’s parks.
New York Fashion Week
The glamour of New York Fashion Week continues across Tribeca, Hudson Yards, and the Meatpacking District. While many runway shows are invite-only, the city buzzes with street-style moments, pop-ups, talks, and activations that give the public a taste of the high-fashion world..
Live Music & Concerts
Picnic Performances: American Symphony Orchestra – New York Profiles
On Friday evening, Bryant Park’s stage hosts a free Picnic Performance with the American Symphony Orchestra. The concert, New York Profiles, debuts the 2025–26 season with works by five composers who called New York home, including Aaron Copland and Julia Perry. Pack a blanket, enjoy the skyline backdrop, and let the music sweep you away.
Two Friends at SummerStage
LA-based DJ duo Two Friends bring their high-energy set to Summer Stage at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park Friday night. Known for their viral “Big Bootie Mixes,” their SummerStage performance promises a night of dance-worthy beats under the open sky.
Candlelight Concerts
Escape the city bustle and enjoy an evening of music by candlelight. This weekend, you can hear a string quartet tribute to Coldplay at The Sheen Center on Saturday. On Friday, St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church hosts a tribute to Ed Sheeran, and another to Taylor Swift. Find a serene atmosphere and beautiful music in some of the city’s most unique venues.
Jazz in Historic Harlem Parks
Morningside Park hosts the Second Saturday Jazz Series with the Danaya Band. Bring a blanket and enjoy soulful sounds in one of Harlem’s most scenic green spaces. On Sunday, visit Ralph Ellison Plaza for a free Jazz in the Park concert.
Outdoor Fun & Film
Movies Under the Stars
NYC Parks offers free, family-friendly film screenings all weekend across the boroughs with their Movies Under the Stars programming. Friday features Moonstruck at Van Cortlandt Park, Top Gun: Maverick at Frederick Douglass Playground, Moana 2 at Seaside Wildlife Nature Park, and Thunderbolts at St. Mary’s Park. Saturday brings more showings, including a screening of IF at Highland Park and Megamind at Samuel Seabury Playground. Grab a blanket and settle in for a free outdoor cinema experience.
Summer on the Hudson: Game Night!
Head to West Harlem Piers on Friday for a fun evening of games by the river. Bring your own food and drinks, team up with neighbors, and enjoy multiple rounds of bingo, quiz shows, and other games, with prizes for winners. Hosted by the NYC Trivia League, this is a relaxed community night perfect for friends and families.
Fantastic Fungi Mushroom ID Hike
Explore the forests of Pelham Bay Park on a Mushroom ID Hike led by Urban Park Rangers Saturday afternoon. Learn to spot different fungi and understand their essential role in ecosystems during this guided nature walk.
Tribute in Light
On Thursday evening into Friday morning, the Tribute in Light illuminates the Lower Manhattan sky in remembrance of September 11. Two powerful beams shine from dusk until dawn, visible for miles across the city. Best viewed from Lower Manhattan, this moving display honors those lost and offers a moment of reflection.
History & Community
Prospect Park Her-story Bike Tour
Join the Urban Park Rangers for the Prospect Park Her-story Bike Tour, a one-hour guided ride exploring the inspiring stories of women connected to Prospect Park’s history. Bring your bike and helmet, and enjoy a fun, educational ride through one of Brooklyn’s most iconic green spaces.
Grand Army Plaza Arch Tour
Join Urban Park Rangers on Sunday for a special Grand Army Plaza Arch Tour in Brooklyn. Learn about the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch and the history of Prospect Park’s iconic plaza during this behind-the-scenes guided visit.
Historic New York: 20th Century Flushing
Take a Sunday afternoon walking tour of Kissena Park in Flushing, exploring the Long Island Motor Parkway, the Kissena Velodrome, and the neighborhood’s ties to the 1964 World’s Fair. Led by Urban Park Rangers, this tour highlights Queens’ 20th-century history.
Plan Your NYC Weekend
From Bryant Park’s orchestra performance and Central Park’s Shakespeare to Little Italy’s Feast of San Gennaro and parades in Brooklyn, this weekend showcases New York City’s unmatched mix of tradition, artistry, and community spirit. Whether you’re tasting garlic, dancing to DJs, or reading poetry by the river, NYC offers countless ways to make this September weekend unforgettable. What are you most excited to do?
