Free & Paid Things to Do in NYC This Week (September 29-October 5)
The last week of September sliding into the first week of October is such a sweet spot in New York. It’s when the weather is cooling down, the leaves are starting to change, and everyone’s swapping iced coffees for pumpkin spice lattes. If you’re looking for fun ways to fill your week, I’ve put together this guide to free & paid things to do in NYC this Week (September 29–October 5). And I didn’t just stop at the city, I’ve included a few must-do events outside NYC too, perfect if you’re up for a little weekend adventure.
Event details can change, so we recommend checking official websites for the latest updates. Keep in mind that even with free admission, some events may require an RSVP or have separate costs for food, drinks, and activities.
Free Fun Events
Oktoberfest at Brooklyn Brewery
Start your fall with Brooklyn Brewery’s Oktoberfest party. Live music, beer specials, a stein-holding contest, and seasonal food set the tone for an easy, fun evening out.
- When: September 29, 2025
- Where: 79 N 11th St., Brooklyn
- Tickets: Free admission /$15 to enter the stein holding contest (first beer included)
- Website: https://brooklynbrewery.com
- Best for: Local craft beer fans, casual night out, and music lovers.
Smorgasburg
Food adventurers, your weekend plans just got tastier. From Ethiopian stews to Hawaiian street snacks and pani puri to potato puff poutine, there’s something to satisfy every craving.
- Fridays: WTC
- Saturdays: Marsha P. Johnson State Park (90 Kent Ave, Brooklyn)
- Sundays: Breeze Hill, Brooklyn
- Tickets: Free admission
- Website: https://www.smorgasburg.com
- Best for: Foodies, weekend explorers, locals, and visitors.
JAPAN Fes NYC
No need to hop on a plane to experience Japan. JAPAN Fes brings Japanese culture, food, and fun to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. You’ll enjoy street food, live events, and cultural experiences, all without leaving the city.
- October 4: New Rochelle
- October 5: Chelsea
- Tickets: Free admission
- Website: https://www.japanfes.com
- Best for: Food lovers, families, and culture lovers.
Neir’s Tavern 196th Anniversary Block Party
Looking for a relaxed, all-ages celebration? Neir’s Tavern is turning 196, and they’re throwing a block party to celebrate. Expect music, kids’ activities, food, drinks, awards, and a fun atmosphere.
- When: October 4, 2025
- Where: 87-48 78th Street, Queens
- Tickets: Starts at $0. More info here.
- Instagram: @neirstavern
- Best for: Families, locals, and casual social outings.
OktoberFest NYC – Watermark Bar on Pier 15
Want a waterfront view with your bratwurst? Watermark Bar’s OktoberFest brings German beer, oversized pretzels, and classic brats to the open-air pier. So, grab a stein, enjoy skyline views, and feel the crisp fall air while celebrating autumn.
- When: Until October 26, 2025
- Where: 78 South Street, New York
- Tickets: Free admission (RSVP required) / VIP Fast Pass & Royalty Open Bar Tickets also available
- Website: https://oktober-fest.nyc
- Best for: Beer enthusiasts and foodie adventurers.
Commentary on The Commute: A Century of The New Yorker’s Transportation Cartoons
If you’re looking for a quieter, quirky activity, head to the New York Transit Museum at Grand Central for this free exhibit. See how The New Yorker’s cartoons captured NYC commuting over the past 100 years.
- When: Until October 26, 2025
- Where: New York Transit Museum Store and Gallery (Shuttle Passage, adjacent to the Station Master’s Office, Grand Central Terminal)
- Tickets: Free admission
- Website: https://grandcentralterminal.com
- Best for: Art and history lovers, cartoon fans, and free cultural outings
Oktoberfest at Loreley Beer Garden
Loreley Beer Garden takes pumpkin beer seriously. Sip from pumpkin-shaped kegs, enjoy pumpkin spice cocktails, and grab seasonal cold brew while feasting on pretzels, sausages, and daily beer specials.
- When: Until October 31, 2025
- Where: 7 Rivington St, New York
- Tickets: Free admission
- Website: https://www.loreleynyc.com
- Best for: Beer and fall lovers, brunch-goers, and seasonal festival fans.
Paid & Ticketed Things To Do
Zum Schneider’s Oktoberfest
Zum Schneider’s Oktoberfest brings the German spirit right to NYC, complete with imported beer, Bavarian food, and live oompah music. With over 7,000 people attending in past years, it’s a lively, full-blown celebration.
- When: Until October 5, 2025
- Where: 12 Franklin Street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://nyc.zumschneider.com
- Best for: Party-goers, beer lovers, and traditional festival fans.
New York Film Festival
The NY Film Festival is in town, and you can catch premieres from big directors like Luca Guadagnino, Jim Jarmusch, and Bradley Cooper, plus indie films and thought-provoking documentaries. There are also panels and discussions if you want to get behind the scenes.
- When: Until October 13, 2025
- Where: Film at Lincoln Center (70 Lincoln Center Plaza 4th fl., Manhattan)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.filmlinc.org
- Best for: Film buffs, aspiring filmmakers, and culture seekers.
Oktoberfest at Black Forest Brooklyn
Oktoberfest in NYC just wouldn’t be complete without German beer and music. Black Forest Brooklyn offers authentic oompah bands, traditional decorations, drink specials, and even mug-holding contests.
- When: Until October 25 (Saturday afternoon and evenings, plus some Friday evenings, and Sunday afternoons)
- Where: Fort Greene (733 Fulton Street, Brooklyn) / Smith Street (181 Smith Street, Brooklyn)
- Tickets: Starts at $15
- Website: https://www.blackforestbrooklyn.com/
- Best for: Beer lovers, party-goers, and fans of German culture.
Bronx Zoo Harvest Glow
The Bronx Zoo is back with its Harvest Glow, lighting up the zoo after dark. Walk the pumpkin-filled trails, check out the Dinosaur Safari, watch live pumpkin carving, and enjoy new games and shows.
- When: Until October 31, 2025
- Where: 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://bronxzoo.com
- Best for: Families, kids, animal lovers, and Halloween enthusiasts.
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
Pumpkin lovers, The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze lights up the night with thousands of hand-carved pumpkins in incredible designs. You can stroll the trails, snap photos, or just feel the fall atmosphere with friends or family.
- When: Until November 16, 2025
- Where: Van Cortlandt Manor (525 S Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://pumpkinblaze.org
- Best for: Families, couples, photographers, and anyone who loves the fall season.
The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail – New York Botanical Garden
Ever wished Halloween could last longer? Wander through the New York Botanical Garden lit up with Jack, Sally, and Zero, plus all your favorite scenes from the movie. It’s ideal for a festive night out, a cute photo session, or just reliving childhood nostalgia.
- When: Until November 30, 2025
- Where: 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://thenightmarebeforechristmaslighttrail.com
- Best for: Families, Halloween lovers, Instagrammers, and movie fans
Concerts This Week
Lorde – The Ultrasound World Tour
Pop fans, Lorde hits NYC with her Ultrasound World Tour, performing tracks from her new album Virgin alongside fan favorites. So, prepare for high energy, heartfelt lyrics, and a show that’s both electrifying and intimate.
- When: October 1, 2025
- Where: Madison Square Garden
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.lorde.co.nz
- Best for: Music lovers, pop fans, and concert-goers.
Renee Rapp – Bite Me Tour
Fresh off her viral TikTok hits like Leave Me Alone, Renee Rapp is ready to light up the stage. It’s a high-energy pop night, perfect if you want to discover an emerging artist or just enjoy a lively concert experience.
- When: October 1, 2025
- Where: Barclays Center (620 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://shop.reneerapp.com
- Best for: Pop fans and concert-goers.
Michael W. Smith – Beyond the Far Horizon Tour
If you’re into Christian music or just love a good live show, Michael W. Smith brings decades of hits to NYC. From his Billboard chart successes to new tracks, the evening promises soulful performances and uplifting music.
- When: October 2, 2025
- Where: Patchogue, New York
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://michaelwsmith.com
- Best for: Worship music fans and longtime Michael W. Smith supporters.
$uicideboy$ – Hit The Road Tour
This October, $uicideboy$ brings their intense trap sounds to NYC. Known for mixing punk influences with hypnotic beats, their live shows are raw, loud, and immersive.
- When: October 3, 2025
- Where: Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater (895 Bay Pkwy, Wantagh)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://g59records.com
- Best for: Hip-hop fans and alternative music lovers.
Twenty One Pilots – The Clancy Tour: Breach 2025
Twenty One Pilots mix synth, rap, spoken word, and live energy in their Clancy Tour. This is a show you’ll remember—fun, energetic, and full of surprises.
- When: October 4, 2025
- Where: Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater (895 Bay Pkwy, Wantagh)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.twentyonepilots.com
- Best for: Twenty One Pilots fans, alternative music lovers, and concert-goers
Jesse McCartney – The Weightless Tour
Jesse McCartney is back on tour, bringing hits from Beautiful Soul and over 20 years of pop music with him. Sing along, relive the 2000s, and enjoy a night of upbeat, feel-good tunes.
- When: October 4, 2025
- Where: The Rooftop at Pier 17 (89 South Street, New York)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.jessemccartney.com
- Best for: Pop fans, 2000s music lovers, and live concert goers.
Andrea Bocelli
From selling nearly 90 million records to sharing the stage with Celine Dion and Ed Sheeran, the Italian tenor knows how to captivate a crowd. If you’ve never experienced Bocelli live, grab a ticket and let his voice sweep you away.
- When: October 5, 2025
- Where: The Metropolitan Opera House (30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York)
- Tickets: Click here.
- Website: https://www.andreabocelli.com
- Best for: Classical music fans and date night.
Other Events/Activities to Check Out
- Van Gogh’s Flowers at New York Botanical Garden – Until October 26 at 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx | Ticketed
- Movies at Rooftop Cinema Club – Select Days at 60 W 37th St 3rd Floor, New York | Ticketed
- Radegast Hall Oktoberfest – October 4 at 113 North 3rd Street Williamsburg, Brooklyn
- FAD Market Fall Pop-Up at Empire Stores in Dumbo – October 4-5 at 55 Water Street, Brooklyn | Free admission
Got your week sorted? Don’t stop there. Start planning your next outing with our guide to 20+ Kid-Friendly Attractions in NYC (That Adults Secretly Love Too).
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