Events &amp; Things To Do

Halloween returns to New York City’s streets at its largest scale yet, with 160 streets and public spaces closing to vehicles for spooky celebrations. Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn on Wednesday announced the return of "Trick-or-Streets," an annual initiative that closes streets, plazas, and other commercial corridors across the five boroughs to cars, providing safe space for free programming, trick-or-treating, and other Halloween activities.
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Manhattan’s Little Red Lighthouse is getting a makeover

Photo by Pfgelfan on Wikimedia

September 30, 2026

Manhattan’s Little Red Lighthouse is getting a makeover

The Historic House Trust of New York City this week announced plans to restore the Little Red Lighthouse, a landmark in Washington Heights made famous by the 1942 children's book "The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge" by Hildegarde H. Swift. Originally built in 1880 in New Jersey, the 40-foot structure moved to Fort Washington Park in 1921. After more than a century on the Hudson River, the lighthouse, the last remaining in Manhattan, is getting a renovation that will preserve its historic cast-iron architecture while improving accessibility and the surrounding park space.
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Photo credit: Baarast project via pexels

September 25, 2026

A bunny cafe hops into East Harlem

If current events have you looking for news that's just plain fluff, here's some: NYC is getting a bunny cafe. Similar to the familiar cat cafe idea, The Carrot Cup Cafe at 354 Pleasant Avenue in East Harlem is a community space where you can enjoy coffee and other artisanal refreshments while learning about rabbit care (there really is a lot to learn!), adopt a new friend, purchase treats for small critters, and, of course, get some bunny cuddles in. The cafe is an extension of Bunnies & Beyond, a rabbit rescue founded in 2016 by Cindy Stutts; the grand opening will be Sunday, September 27, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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NYC is giving away 70,000 Met Opera tickets to New Yorkers

Credit: Robert Brands on Flickr

September 24, 2026

NYC is giving away 70,000 Met Opera tickets to New Yorkers

New York City is giving away 70,000 tickets to the Metropolitan Opera, making performances more accessible to those who might not otherwise be able to afford them. Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Thursday announced "Opera for All," a partnership with the Met that will release 10,000 free tickets each month during the 2026-27 season. New Yorkers who have never purchased a Met Opera ticket can enter the monthly ticket lotteries through the Met’s app or the city's website.
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Events & Things To Do

NYC Marathon will change its route for first time in 15 years

Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

September 22, 2026

NYC Marathon will change its route for first time in 15 years

The New York City Marathon returns to the five boroughs next month with a new route for the first time in 15 years. Taking place on Sunday, November 1, the race will send tens of thousands of participants along a slightly different course in the Bronx, cutting the number of turns runners must make from seven to five and minimizing the event's impact on Mott Haven residents. In previous years, the roughly one-mile-long stretch in the borough looped around a block containing a supermarket and laundromat, cutting off local residents from accessing them. The new route will redirect runners around the block, maintaining access to the businesses while reducing the number of turns they must make.
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Events & Things To Do

Track New York’s fall foliage with this weekly report

Courtesy of I LOVE NY

September 18, 2026

Track New York’s fall foliage with this weekly report

Fall is on the horizon, bringing with it the brilliant autumn colors that will soon blanket the treetops across New York. The state this week released the season's first Fall Foliage report, an annual interactive map and guide documenting the changing leaves across New York, informed by a team of nearly 100 volunteers who provide on-site accounts of the progression of foliage. Updated every Wednesday throughout the season, the report allows New Yorkers to stay up-to-date on the status of fall foliage across the Empire State’s regions, including the Adirondacks, Catskills, Capital-Saratoga, the Finger Lakes, and New York City.
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Events & Things To Do

23-foot Earth sculpture to hang inside Cathedral of St. John the Divine

“Gaia” at Tewkesbury Abbey, UK, 2024. Photo © Jack Boskett Media Ltd.

September 14, 2026

23-foot Earth sculpture to hang inside Cathedral of St. John the Divine

A massive, detailed sculpture of the Earth will hang inside Morningside Heights’ grand Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. Created by UK artist Luke Jerram, "Gaia" measures 23 feet in diameter and features NASA imagery of the planet’s surface as it slowly rotates in the cathedral’s nave, offering a three-dimensional view of Earth floating in space. Installed to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, the sculpture will be celebrated with a special opening reception on Friday, September 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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NYC’s biggest Himalayan food festival returns with $1 momos and more

This weekend, dumpling devotees have yet another reason to head to Jackson Heights, Queens. The 14th annual Momo Crawl, NYC’s largest Himalayan food and cultural festival, is happening on Sunday, September 13. The event will showcase the Himalayan favorite snack as well as live music and dance performances. Purchase a passport and enjoy dumplings from over 30 local vendors for one dollar each.
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Yayoi Kusama creating the My Eternal Soul series in her studio.© YAYOI KUSAMA. Courtesy David Zwirner, Ota Fine Arts

September 4, 2026

Where you can see late artist Yayoi Kusama’s work in NYC

Yayoi Kusama, the iconic Japanese artist known for her distinctive polka dot style, pumpkin sculptures, and infinity mirror rooms, died on August 14 at the age of 97. Born in Matsumoto, Japan in 1929, Kusama lived in New York City from the late 1950s through 1975, where she established herself as an avant-garde artist through "groundbreaking performances, happenings, events, and exhibitions," according to David Zwirner, who represented her since 2013. While her work has been recognized for decades globally, Kusama's legacy in New York City will be especially remembered, from her early "Infinity Room" series to more recent exhibitions at the New York Botanical Garden and mosaics at Grand Central.
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Events & Things To Do

NYC expands free rooftop tours at historic Manhattan Municipal Building

Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

August 28, 2026

NYC expands free rooftop tours at historic Manhattan Municipal Building

Larger groups are now permitted to attend the city's free tours of the historic David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building following growing demand. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Yume Kitasei on Friday announced expanded access to “Centre 360,” a panoramic experience inside the Beaux-Arts government building's 36th-floor cupola, increasing the maximum group size from five to eight. The move comes just months after the tours launched in June following a $6 million renovation, with reservations for the experience selling out in less than two minutes.
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August 27, 2026

17 spots in NYC to watch the U.S. Open and sip a Honey Deuce

The U.S. Open is set to return to Queens' Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for another year of world-class competition. As the world's best tennis players battle for the final Grand Slam titles of the year, the tournament will once again bring plenty of excitement to the five boroughs, along with one of its most iconic drinks: the Honey Deuce. If you weren't willing to splurge on tickets to the increasingly expensive event in Queens, we've found some of the best spots across NYC to watch the U.S. Open while enjoying a Honey Deuce cocktail.
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Events & Things To Do

Mamdani announces 1,000 discounted U.S. Open tickets for NYC residents

Photo by Kate Tann on Flickr

August 25, 2026

Mamdani announces 1,000 discounted U.S. Open tickets for NYC residents

Amid backlash over high U.S. Open ticket prices, Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday announced he secured discounted tickets to the tournament for New York City residents. The mayor and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) will offer 1,000 tickets priced at $100 to see main-draw matches taking place from Sunday, August 30, through Tuesday, September 8. The tickets, which go on sale on this Wednesday at 10 a.m., will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible New Yorkers. New Yorkers will be able to purchase two tickets each.
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Events & Things To Do

Prospect Park to host Battle of Brooklyn reenactment for borough-wide 250th anniversary commemoration

Battle of Brooklyn reenactment in Green-Wood Cemetery. Credit: Allison Meier on Flickr

August 21, 2026

Prospect Park to host Battle of Brooklyn reenactment for borough-wide 250th anniversary commemoration

Relive the first and largest battle of the American Revolution this weekend as part of a borough-wide commemoration of the Battle of Brooklyn's 250th anniversary. Fought in August 1776, just weeks after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the battle took place across parts of present-day Prospect Park, Green-Wood Cemetery, Fulton Ferry Landing, and Fort Greene Park. To mark the anniversary, Prospect Park will host a reenactment of the battle on Saturday August 22, following in the footsteps of the soldiers who fought there 250 years ago, while Green-Wood will host its own reenactment on Sunday. The events are part of Brooklyn 250, a borough-wide commemoration by six cultural institutions with free events, tours, and discussions on the historic battle's role in American independence.
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Inwood’s new immigrant arts center announces inaugural season

Photo by Luis Luque/Capture Imaging

August 20, 2026

Inwood’s new immigrant arts center announces inaugural season

A new theater dedicated to immigrant-centered works opening in New York City this fall released its inaugural schedule of performances. Located on West 206th Street in Inwood, Centro Cultural Inmigrante provides a permanent home for The People's Theatre, the first immigrant cultural center in New York. The season begins on September 19 with a community open house and jazz power jam, followed by the play "GUAC," written and performed by Manuel Oliver, whose son Joaquín "Guac" Oliver was killed in the Parkland shooting in 2018.
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Events & Things To Do

Broadway Week is back with discounted tickets for 25 shows

Photo credit: Lucia Vazquez

August 18, 2026

Broadway Week is back with discounted tickets for 25 shows

With summer about to take its curtain call, New Yorkers can start planning for fall. Tickets for the semi-annual Broadway Week are now on sale, offering 2-for-1 deals on select shows, New York City Tourism + Conventions announced. Running from September 8 through September 20, this year's event includes 25 shows, from longtime favorites like "The Lion King" and "The Book of Mormon" to newcomers "Schmigadoon!" and "Titaníque."
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Events & Things To Do

Photo credit: Mark Shaw

August 12, 2026

Data Vandals turns facts about NYC into art and conversation in an abandoned subway kiosk

Some New Yorkers have complained that they miss the old subway platform kiosks that were recently replaced by vending machines, seeing the change as a sign that human interaction is becoming a thing of the past. Data Vandals has an even better idea: As part of the MTA’s Vacant Unit Activation Program, the artist-activists created the Data Vandals Newsstand, a data-art gallery on the downtown 6-train platform at 51st Street and Lexington Avenue. A colorful mural outside the former kiosk reveals New York’s history in fascinating detail for the 52,000 riders that pass through the station daily. Creative visualization of vital data includes the country of origin for each of the city's 8.8 million residents anchored by a freshly updated Statue of Liberty and a six-foot-tall rat mascot offering facts about the 6-train stops. Inside, the kiosk turns into a center for community conversation, with rotating surveys, changing exhibitions, in-person events, talks, music, and a free newspaper.
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Events & Things To Do

Camp out overnight in NYC parks with the Urban Park Rangers

All photos courtesy of NYC Parks

August 11, 2026

Camp out overnight in NYC parks with the Urban Park Rangers

Here's a chance to pitch a tent under the stars in parks around New York City. First launched over 20 years ago, the NYC Parks Department's Family Camping program provides a free way for New Yorkers to experience overnight camping without leaving the five boroughs. The events, hosted by the Urban Park Rangers, include night hikes, storytelling, and, of course, s’mores. As space is very limited, with just 30 participants per program, according to Gothamist, interested campers must enter a lottery for each event. While registration for the Central Park event has passed, there are plenty of opportunities in other parks across New York, like Inwood Hill Park in Manhattan and Orchard Beach in the Bronx.
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Events & Things To Do

Explore how ‘The Odyssey’ is depicted in art at the Met

Photo by Rebecca Schear, Courtesy of The Met

August 10, 2026

Explore how ‘The Odyssey’ is depicted in art at the Met

If you haven't been able to snag one of the elusive tickets to see Christopher Nolan's adaptation of "The Odyssey" in IMAX 70-millimeter film at AMC Lincoln Square (join the club), a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art may temporarily suffice. The museum's collection of Greek and Roman art comprises more than 30,000 works, including several related to Homer's epic poem, a story that has inspired artists for thousands of years. Ahead, discover pieces currently on view at the Met that retell the story of Odysseus' 10-year journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War.
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World Trade Center Oculus to host 10 days of events for 10th anniversary

Images courtesy of Westfield World Trade Center

July 27, 2026

World Trade Center Oculus to host 10 days of events for 10th anniversary

The World Trade Center Oculus will mark its 10th anniversary next month with 10 straight days of celebrations honoring the architectural landmark. Running from Friday, August 7 through Monday, August 17, festivities at the Lower Manhattan transit hub will include the unveiling of a new floral sculpture, giveaways, live music, artwork created on-site, and other free offerings open to the public. The event series kicks off with an exclusive rededication ceremony and the unveiling of the 10-foot “TEN IN BLOOM” floral installation, designed by world-renowned floral design company Fleurs de Villes.
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NBA championship trophy on display at Natural History Museum

Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

July 23, 2026

NBA championship trophy on display at Natural History Museum

When the New York Knicks said they would bring their first championship in 53 years back to the five boroughs, they meant it. Starting Monday, July 27, the American Museum of Natural History will display the NBA's Larry O'Brien Trophy, where it will remain on view through January 3, 2027. The glittering 30-pound trophy, engraved with the Knicks' championship details, joins the museum's "For the Win: Objects of Sports Excellence" exhibition, which celebrates some of the greatest achievements in sports history.
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Roy Lichtenstein exhibition at the Whitney will explore the evolution of images

Roy Lichtenstein, Crying Girl, 1963. Offset lithograph: sheet, 17 3/4 × 23 3/4 in. (45.1 × 60.3 cm); image, 17 1/4 × 23 1/8 in. (43.8 × 58.7 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of Scott Newman 2021.135. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2026

July 22, 2026

Roy Lichtenstein exhibition at the Whitney will explore the evolution of images

The Whitney Museum of American Art is set to host a career-spanning exhibition this fall celebrating legendary pop artist Roy Lichtenstein, featuring more than 130 works exploring the evolution of his artistic career. Opening October 11, "Roy Lichtenstein: Like New" will examine the artist's engagement with mass culture and his belief that no work is ever truly "stable," but instead exists in a constant state of duplication, reproduction, and being "made new." The featured works span from the early 1940s through the 1990s and offer a reconsideration of Lichtenstein's relationship with image culture at a time when images are endlessly "cropped, filtered, reposted, and recirculated."
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July 17, 2026

Where to watch the FIFA World Cup final in NYC