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🗓️ New York · October 2026

Things to do in New York in October 2026

A few of the month's best festivals, parades, markets and nights out — 34 on Whosly's calendar in all. Dates marked "expected" follow the event's usual pattern and haven't been confirmed yet.

34dates in October
2free picks here
THRU
22
OCT

Brooklyn Horror Film Festival

Thu, Oct 15 – Thu, Oct 22 · Weekend screenings morning to late night; weekdays start late afternoon · Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg · Williamsburg

Eight days of new horror features and shorts plus repertory screenings, all at a Williamsburg cinema that serves food and drinks at your seat.

🎬 Film
OCT
20
TUE

Knicks Home Opener & Banner Night

Tue, Oct 20 · vs. Philadelphia 76ers; rings and banner before tip-off · Madison Square Garden · Midtown

The Knicks get their championship rings and raise the banner at the Garden before opening their title defense against the 76ers.

🏟️ Sports
OCT
23
FRI

The New Yorker Festival

Fri, Oct 23 – Sun, Oct 25 · Talks, interviews and performances at venues around the city · Venues citywide · Citywide

The magazine's weekend of onstage conversations with writers, actors, musicians and comedians, this year including Conan O'Brien and Mahershala Ali. Tickets are per event.

🎨 Arts & culture
OCT
24
SAT

Diwali at Times Square

Sat, Oct 24 · Daytime into evening on Broadway between 46th and 48th Streets · Times Square

A day-long Diwali festival on Broadway in the middle of Times Square, with dance and music on stage, Indian food and vendors.

🌎 Culture & heritageFree
OCT
28
WED

Winter Village at Bryant Park

Wed, Oct 28 – Sun, Feb 28 · Rink daily 8 a.m.–10 p.m., to midnight Nov 19–Jan 3. Holiday shops through Jan 3: Mon–Fri 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Sat–Sun 10 a.m.–8 p.m. · Bryant Park · Midtown

Free skating on the Bryant Park rink, its 25th season, ringed by holiday shops and places to eat. The shops close after New Year's; the rink runs through February.

🧺 Market
OCT
31
SAT

Village Halloween Parade

Sat, Oct 31 · 7 p.m.; up Sixth Ave from Canal St to 15th St. March in costume by lining up at Canal and Sixth, 6:30–9 p.m. · Sixth Avenue · Greenwich Village

Giant puppets, bands and tens of thousands of costumed New Yorkers march up Sixth Avenue. Watch from the sidewalk, or show up in costume and march. This year's theme: Body & Soul.

🎃 HalloweenFree
🗓️

28 more NYC dates in October in Whosly

Every date in the NYC Festivals & Events list — star the ones you're into and see which friends are going.

🙋 The Whosly app

Never miss what's on in NYC

These are a few of the dates in NYC Festivals & Events — 200+ a year. The app keeps all of them, and tells you when it matters.

  • ✓Star a date for reminders — the morning of, before it starts, and when presales and on-sales open
  • ✓See which friends are interested, and let them see you
  • ✓Turn any date into a plan: text one link and see who's in — friends RSVP with no app
  • ✓Pair it with the city's best spots and happy hours, all on one map
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City Packs in the Whosly app: Chicago Festivals & Events with upcoming dates, Chicago Essentials and Deep Cuts
City Packs in the app
FAQ

NYC in October

What is there to do in New York in October?
Highlights include Brooklyn Horror Film Festival (Oct 19), Knicks Home Opener & Banner Night (Oct 20), The New Yorker Festival (Oct 23), Diwali at Times Square (Oct 24) and Winter Village at Bryant Park (Oct 28).
What free events are in New York in October?
Diwali at Times Square and Village Halloween Parade — all free.
Plan ahead

More in NYC