Fall is my favorite season. I just love the crisp air and transitions that come along with autumn. There are also plenty of fun free family activities during this time of the year including numerous festivals, Halloween and cultural events. As such, I challenged myself to come up with 50 free fall (9/22/12 – 12/20/12) activities for kids in NYC. Do you think that I was able to meet my goal? Well actually, there are SO many more options than 50! I have to stop somewhere though, so here is Part I. I will be back tomorrow next week with Part II along with the entire list in pdf form for your ease of use. Enjoy!
1. Fourth Arts Block (FAB!) Festival 2012 on East 4th Street between Bowery and 2nd Avenue:
Enjoy a variety of dance, theater and music performances by local artists and activities from FABnyc’s partners. Local artisans and gourmet food vendors and hands-on activities for families are just a couple of the other things planned for this event.
9/22/12
Manhattan
2. Morningside Lights Workshops at Columbia University’s Miller Theatre:
Creative workshop participants will be able to paint, craft, sew, and papier-mâché to create mobile sculptures and large-scale puppets.
9/22/12 – 9/29/12
Manhattan
3. The Bronx Native American Festival at Pelham Bay Park:
Visitors can enjoy music, storytelling, dance, children’s arts and crafts, face painting and more at this annual family festival.
9/23/12
Bronx
4. Brooklyn Book Festival at Brooklyn Borough Hall and Plaza:
(See the MitC event picks from this week for more details.)
9/23/12
Brooklyn
5. Common Ground Festival at Morningside Park:
Face-painting, pony rides, balloon art and a variety of performances are on the schedule.
9/29/12
Manhattan
6. National Estuaries Day Festival at Alley Pond Environmental Center:
FREE boat rides, activities, entertainment, hands-on demonstrations, crafts, and much more is planned.
9/29/12
Queens
7. Atlantic Antic:
At the 38th year of this street festival on Atlantic Avenue, visitors can enjoy food, art, music and other entertainment. There is also an entire block that is totally dedicated to kid-friendly activities (pony rides, storytelling and such).
9/30/12
Brooklyn
8. Medieval Festival at Fort Tyron Park:
Below is a glimpse of the 2011 festival:
9/30/12
Manhattan
9. South Street Seaport Children’s Day:
This is one of New York’s largest (and most anticipated) family festivals. The performers and schedule for this year’s fest will be on their site soon.
9/30/12
Manhattan
10. Dutch Delights at Lott House:
Enjoy traditional Dutch food treats – Hot and Cold Cider, Zandkoekjes (Sand Cookies, Friese Dumkes (Frisian Thumbs), and Boterkoek (Butter Biscuits) – at this 1719 farmhouse.
10/6/12
Brooklyn
11. Czech Street Festival on East 73rd Street:
Celebrate the Czech Independence Day at this festival that features live music, a kids’ tent, Czech food, a free raffle and more.
10/6/12
Manhattan
12. MJM Culture and Arts Festival at The Morris-Jumel Mansion:
The second annual Culture and Arts Festival (CAFé) will highlight the music, artistry, crafts and food of the Mansion’s Washington Heights and neighboring communities.
10/6/12
Manhattan
13. Staten Island Annual Soap Box Derby:
Make your own derby in order to participate!
10/6/12
Staten Island
14. Open House New York:
Held at various locations in the five boroughs, this is a great opportunity to experience sites – that are normally “off-limits” – which have special programs that are open to the public during this weekend.
10/6/12 – 10/7/12
Multiple Boroughs
15. Apple Festival at Queens County Farm Museum:
Kids can learn more about apples and play free children’s games at this fun annual event.(The nation’s largest apple cobbler will also be baked on site!)
10/7/12
Queens
16. Columbus Day Parade on Fifth Avenue:
Celebrate Italian-American culture at this memorable parade featuring a variety of bands and floats.
10/8/12
Manhattan
17. Madison Square Park’s Annual Fall Kids Fest:
Rain or shine, the Madison Square Park Conservancy will celebrate their 10-year anniversary at this festival dedicated to kids. The entire family will enjoy live performances, arts and crafts, a costume parade march around the park and much more.
10/13/12
Manhattan
18. Fall Festival at King Manor Museum:
Celebrate the harvest at this fest that features fall-themed crafts, activities, food and more.
10/13/12
Queens
19. Harmony on the Hudson:
This family festival at Battery Park City’s Wagner Park will feature “The Complete Everything Everywhere Dance Circus” performed by Bread & Puppet Theater. Food, jump rope, art activities and more surprises are also on the agenda.
10/14/12
Manhattan
20. Halloween Harvest Festival at Socrates Sculpture Park:
Costume-making with Socrates Sculpture Park artists, live music, art-making and the annual Canine Costume Contest are just some of the planned activities.
10/20/12
Queens
21. Rockaway Fall Festival:
At Bayswater Park, this fest includes a pumpkin patch, free pony rides, a petting zoo and more.
10/21/12
Queens
22. Bats at Belvedere Castle in Central Park:
Recommended for families with kids ages 4 and up, this live animal encounter is a great chance for kids to learn about bats.
10/26/12
Manhattan
23. Halloween: Parade & Pumpkin Sail:
Bring the family (in costumes) and a carved jack-o’-lantern to Central Park’s Dana Discovery Center to participate in the twilight pumpkin flotilla. There will also be “spooky” music, crafts, live entertainment and a parade.
10/28/12
Manhattan
24. Day of the Dead – Dia de Muertos 2012:
This tenth annual family celebration at St. Mark’s Church in the Bowery offers a variety of events and workshops to celebrate one of Mexico’s most important festivals. Mexican food and crafts will be available for purchase throughout the event.
11/1/12 – 11/4/12
Manhattan
25. Lincoln Center Local Final Series Performance:
This performance celebrates Latin culture with classical jazz and modern musical compositions along with ballroom dancers.
11/5/12
Manhattan