New York City in October

There is so much to see and do in the City, from films and parades to tours and exhibits.  Here is a partial listing of October events – hope you can visit!  

October 3 - October 5 - New Yorker Festival - Make a date for the ninth annual New Yorker Festival, a three-day celebration of art and ideas. The program features interviews, readings, screenings, performances, debates and events around the City.    

October 4 – November 2 (Weekends; 2 & 3 pm) – Dr. Frankenstein at the New York Hall of Science - Kids can join Dr. Frankenstein to learn about the secrets of lightning and electricity. See the amazing Van de Graff generator, the jolting Jacob’s Ladder, and the paralyzing plasma ball, as direct current, alternating current, and lighting and electricity all help to make something ALIVE!!!!  Also available: Ghoulishly Glowing Crafts and Spooky Sounds Activity Session.  718/699-0675

October 4 - Pumpkin Picking at Decker Farms - Embrace the best of fall with a trip to Decker Farms to go pumpkin picking. The farm, located on Staten Island, is the last private working farm in New York City and is operated by the Staten Island Historical Society.  Parking is available at Historic Richmond Town where you can catch the free shuttle bus to the farm.

September 26 - October 12  - New York Film Festival - Inspiring and provocative films in cinema can be viewed at the 46th annual New York Film Festival, produced by the Film Society of Lincoln Center. This year features works by directors from around the world. Screenings take place at the Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center. 

October 13 - Columbus Day Parade and Festival - Join the crowds lining Fifth Avenue for the famed Columbus Day Parade. A tradition since 1929, the parade travels from 44th to 79th St. and features marching bands, floats and colorful costumes-- all in celebration of the City's Italian culture and heritage. The Columbus Day Festival occurs downtown on Broadway from Fulton Street to Battery Place.

October 19 (rain date: October 26) - Tour de Bronx - See the best parts of the Bronx from a new vantage point with the 14th annual Tour de Bronx. This free cycling event includes both 25- and 40-mile routes, giving riders a chance to experience areas such as Co-op City, City Island, the Bronx Greenway bike paths and more. Festival and Jazz Concert at the New York Botanical Garden.    

October 27-November 1 – 2008; 8:00 pm - DancenOw/NYC Festival – Performances by 65 aspiring, mid-career, and time-honored dance-makers in seven different performance events, including two 4OUp showcases, four Base Camp showcases, and a Site-Specific pre-show series in and outside of the theater's street-level lobby.  212/924-0077

October 31 - Village Halloween Parade - Head to Greenwich Village for this annual parade; a costumed processional that draws close to 60,000 marchers and many more spectators. Participants go all out in this one-up display of Halloween creativity-- and anyone in costume is welcome to join the revelry. The parade marches up Sixth Ave., from Spring to 21st St. It also airs live on TV.   

ONGOING:

September 13 - October 26 - Metropolitan Home Showtime House - A guide to modern design, in collaboration with Showtime Networks, creates Metropolitan Homes Showtime House - the ultimate multimedia showhouse. Open to the public for tours at 23 Gramercy Park South, the $20 million, 8,800-sq -ft Greek revival town house is being transformed into a chic, upscale residence by seven of the world’s most talented designers: Vicente Wolf, Jamie Drake, White Webb, Laura Kirar, Amy Lau, Tori Golub and Johnny Grey.  Each will use a different Showtime hit show “Dexterâ,” “Californication,” “The Tudors,” “Weeds,” “The L-Word,” and “United States of Tara” for inspiration as they transform each room into a modernist masterpiece.  Proceeds from tour ticket sales will benefit the non-profit organization, Happy Hearts Fund.  212/414-4245

September 21 - January 4, 2009 - The Dead Sea Scrolls: Mysteries of the Ancient World- See one of the most important archaeological sensations of the 20th century at the Jewish Museum this fall/winter. The Dead Sea Scrolls were created over 2,000 years ago and contain previously unknown Jewish compositions as well as the oldest surviving copies of the Hebrew Bible. This new exhibition features fragments of six scrolls, which have never been seen in New York City before.  212/423-3200

Please visit New York City’s official website for further events and information.