Things to Do for Kids in New York City in October 2026
Mathematics and the Art of M.C. Escher Opens at MoMath
Chelsea
Opens Thursday, October 1, 2026
The first major M.C. Escher exhibition in Manhattan highlights the many ways in which Escher's work intersects with mathematics. It features more than 60 wood engravings, lithographs, woodcuts, mezzotints, and drawings and includes woodblocks and a lithographic stone used by the artist, plus three-dimensional objects that he designed. Website
Little Red Lighthouse Festival
Hudson Heights – FREE
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Celebrate Manhattan’s only remaining lighthouse with performances by Moosiki Kids, Leadlights Ensemble, General Mischief Dance Theatre, and a special presentation of Jessica Ann Carp’s Little Red Lighthouse Musical. Website
Pat Oleszko's GI-Ant Picnic in Wagner Park
Midtown West – FREE
Saturday, October 3-Sunday, October 4, 2026
Artist Pat Oleszko hosts an exuberant, absurdist picnic spectacle featuring dancers and prancers of Resist-Ants as they take over Wagner Park. Website
Opening Weekend: The Art of Manga at Brooklyn Museum
Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Opens Saturday, October 3, 2026
Art of Manga is the first major exhibition in the Americas to explore manga—Japanese comics and graphic novels—as an art form. The exhibition includes more than 600 drawings by influential manga artists of varied ages and backgrounds, revealing their distinct approaches to storytelling. Website
Celebración Latina: Family Day Block Party at Ballet Hispanico
Upper West Side – FREE
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Ballet Hispánico New York hosts an afternoon of performances and dance classes, live music, family-friendly activities, local vendors, food, and community celebration. Website
Harvest Festival on Randall's Island
Randall's Island – FREE
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Celebrate the end of the growing season with a family-friendly day of outdoor fun. Explore the pumpkin patch, watch seasonal cooking demonstrations, enjoy live performances, get creative with face painting, and discover nature through hands-on activities with local partners. Website
The Blessing of the Earth at St. John the Divine
Morningside Heights – FREE
Sunday, October 4, 2026
To celebrate the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s passing, the cathedral is reimagining the popular tradition and presents the breathtaking Gaia installation. While the formal procession of animals will no longer be part of the ceremony, all pets and their human companions are welcome inside the cathedral, and the afternoon fair and pet blessings are held rain or shine, outside on the cathedral grounds. Website
Kid Frankenstein: The Musical at Actors Temple Theatre
Midtown West
Sundays from Sunday, October 4-Sunday, October 25, 2026
What starts as a science project turns into a funny, spooky adventure filled with monsters, mad science, friendship and things that definitely do not go according to plan. Website
New York Comic Con
Midtown West
Thursday, October 8-Sunday, October 11, 2026
Cosplay, anime, story-telling, and more are on the agenda for NYC's annual comic convention. Kids' day—geared toward ages 6-12—is Sunday, October 11. Website
Celebrating Pooh at 100 at the SNFL
Midtown West – FREE
Saturday, October 10, 2026
The library hosts an all-ages family reading of Winnie-the-Pooh and invites kids to create a birthday card for the iconic stuffed bear to add to a display wall featuring hundreds of contributions from readers nationwide. Website
Rockefeller Center Skating Rink Opening Week
Midtown West
Opens Saturday, October 10, 2026
The world's most famous ice rink opens for it's 90th season. Grab your ice skates and your reservations, and take a spin on this iconic ice skating rink. Website
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music Grand Opening Parade
Park Slope – FREE
Sunday, October 11, 2026
March in (or just watch) a musical parade from BKCM's brownstone at 58 7th Avenue to the corner of President Street and Prospect Park West, with live music from dozens of BKCM ensembles. After the parade, everyone can visit the new campus at 963 President Street. Website
Open House New York
Citywide – FREE
Friday, October 16-Sunday, October 18, 2026
Open House New York is an annual festival that unlocks 300 destinations across the five boroughs for behind-the-scenes tours and special activities. Look at new buildings transforming the skyline, step inside infrastructure facilities keeping the city running, explore parks offering respite, discover state-of-the-art performance spaces, visit manufacturing workshops, browse private collections, and much more. Website
Brooklyn Bridge Park's Harvest Festival
Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn – FREE
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Celebrate the fall season at the 15th annual harvest festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park. This family-friendly celebration offers live music, arts and crafts, storytelling, lawn games, face-painting, educational activities, and more. Website
Rosie Revere, Ada Twist, and Iggy Peck at the New Victory Theatre
Midtown West
Opens Saturday, October 17, 2026
Based on the bestselling STEM-centric book series, this original musical sees everyone's favorite kid engineer, scientist, and architect team up to tackle big problems with ingenuity, cooperation and a measure of encouragement from the adults in their lives. Website
La Mama Block Party
Lower East Side – FREE
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Celebrate La MaMa’s 65th birthday with a full day of performances, workshops, dancing, local food, family fun activities, and more on Ellen Stewart Way (East 4th Street). Website
Drone Art Show: Harry Potter at Randall's Island
Randall's Island
Friday, October 23-Saturday, October 24, 2026
An army of illuminated drones recreates favorite characters and the most beloved moments from the Harry Potter films. As darkness falls, a live violinist and a stunning canvas of light salute memorable moments from the films, reimagined through aerial displays set to the iconic soundtrack and dialogue from the films. Website
Diwali at Times Square
Midtown West – FREE
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Billed as "the largest Indian Festival outside India," Diwali at Times Square features cultural performances, folk dances, concerts, Indian food, Indian clothing and jewels, Henna/Mehandi artists, balloon figures, and face painting plus free gifts and raffle drawings. Website
Fall Harvest Festival at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Celebrate the fall season surrounded by some of Brooklyn’s most fabulous foliage. Enjoy live music, horse-drawn carriage rides, hands-on activities for families, a cider and beer garden, pumpkin-decorating, and more. Website
Court Street Spectacular Street Fest
Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Brooklyn's last big street festival of the year features shopping, food, and lots of kid-friendly amusement rides. Website
Open House at Lincoln Center
Upper West Side – FREE
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Lincoln Center’s Open House, an annual campus-wide extravaganza, is filled with creativity, community, and exhilarating performances for families and audiences of all ages—all for free. Website
Red Riding Hood: The Musical at 92Y
Upper East Side
Various weekend dates through Sunday, October 25, 2026
The 92Y's hit version of the beloved classic Little Red Riding Hood comes to life in dance and song. The Y's family-friendly take on this classic tale features an original score. Website
The Met Pajama Party
Upper East Side
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
The Met Pajama Party is a special Halloween-themed event that includes a variety of art activities, a Halloween-inspired menu, and live entertainment in the Temple of Dendur and The Charles Engelhard Court. Website
Grand Opening of Winter Village at Bryant Park
Midtown West
Opens Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Bryant Park braces for winter with the official launch of its 26th annual winter village. That means one of NYC's favorite, free ice skating rinks is ready to make its season debut, too. Enjoy a twirl on the ice and a snack at the Lodge Deck. Website