- October Street Fairs in New York City -- Enjoy the street fairs of New York this September. Check out our guide to where to find a street fair near you this weekend.
- Medieval Festival in Fort Tryon Park -- The area around the Cloisters Museum will be transformed into a medieval village on Sunday, October 4, 2009. Hang with knights, jesters, magicians, storytellers, and puppeteers in authentic medieval garb. Featured events will include a Living Chess Game, a Children’s Costume Parade, and a Joust Tournament with knights on horseback.
- Light the Night Walk -- Join the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for their annual Light The Night Walk in Manhattan on October 15, 2009. Thousands will walk from South Street Seaport across the Brooklyn Bridge and back to build awareness of blood cancers and fund research for cures.
- New York Film Festival -- This year's New York Film Festival will feature 28 film premieres, Q&As with top directors, showcases, panels, parties, and more.
- Open House New York -- Get an inside look at some of New York's most significant architectural and design sites during Open House New York weekend. Enjoy rare opportunities to tour fascinating places that are usually off-limits to the public. Sites include the High Line, Rockefeller Center rooftop gardens, the Chrysler Building, the United Nations, Ellis Island, and nearly 200 other sites.
- New York Spa Week -- Get pampered for less at New York's best spas during New York Spa Week from October 12-18, 2009.
- PrettyCity.com's $31 Spa Deals -- PrettyCity.com is sponsoring a cheaper alternative to New York Spa Week with $31 beauty treatments at top NYC spas and salons. Participating salons are also donating to Bright Pink, a non-profit organization devoted to prevention of breast and ovarian cancer in young women.
- New York Cares Day -- Join thousands of volunteers to help revitalize 120 public school New York Cares Day on Saturday, October 17, 2009. Volunteers will create colorful new murals, re-organize libraries, plant flowers, paint classrooms and fences, fix up playgrounds, organize storage areas, and more. Like a walk-a-thon, participants fundraise in honor of the time they spend volunteering. Money raised supports the event and New York Cares’ year-round volunteer programs.
- Meet the Breeds -- For the first time ever, every purebred breed of dog and cat will be under the same roof at the “Meet the Breeds” convention on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The American Kennel Club® (AKC) and the Cat Fanciers’ Association® (CFA) invite every doggie devotee and feline fan to attend. Advance tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for children under 12. Tickets will be available at the door for $12 for adults, $8 for children under 12.
- Imagine Science Film Festival -- The Imagine Science FIlm Festival is committed to promoting a high-level dialogue between scientists and filmmakers and providing exposure to films that make science accessible. The festival runs October 15-24, 2009. Many of the screenings and panel events are free, others are $6-$15 per ticket.
- Gotham Screen Film Festival -- From October 20-25, the Gotham Screen Film Festival will present fresh voices and perspectives from local, national and international filmmakers. Gotham Screen focuses exclusively on new names and lesser known filmmaking regions. The festival aims to be a place for new discoveries, for both audiences and industry professionals.
- NYC Underground Comedy Festival -- The New York City Underground Comedy Festival, now entering its 7th year, is a weekend of live comedy featuring established comedy stars and emerging comedy artists. This fall, the NYUCF closes the festival with the All-Stars “Best of the Fest” performance featuring a line-up of stars performing in a theater setting. Tickets are $25/$15 for students and seniors.
- Big Apple Circus -- The Big Apple Circus returns to New York on October 22nd with an all-new show.
- CMJ Music Marathon and Film Festival -- The CMJ Music Marathon brings more than 1,000 artists to 50+ venues throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn from October 20-24, 2009. The CMJ Film Festival runs concurrently at film venues around the city.
- Village Halloween Parade -- Don't miss the only Halloween parade rated as one of the 100 Things to Do Before You Die. Dress up, let loose, and make it a night to remember.
- More New York City Halloween Events -- If the parade's not your thing, check out our guide to what else is going on in New York City this Halloween. Get scared at a haunted house, frolic in the park, or go club-hopping.
October 2009 Events in New York City
Events and Things to Do in New York City in October
By Pamela Skillings, About.com Guide
Get more information about can't-miss events in New York City this October.
October in New York City
October in New York City
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