This weekend (Sat., Oct. 24 and Sun., Oct. 25) in New York falls one week before Halloween itself (Oct. 31). It’s a weekend packed with events you can enjoy without spending much, including free pumpkin picking, dog costume parades and Lincoln Center’s free open house. JAPAN Fes, with its Japanese street food stalls, and Shichigosan at Japan Society also fall on this Saturday and Sunday.
What you’ll learn in this article
- Dates, times, locations and prices of the main New York events on Sat., Oct. 24 and Sun., Oct. 25
- Things you can enjoy for free, such as Pumpkin Point on Governors Island, JAPAN Fes and the Lincoln Center Open House
- Japan-related events for Japanese people living in the U.S., including Shichigosan, JAPAN Fes and the fairs at Mitsuwa
Dates, times and prices were checked on the organizers’ official pages as of October 22, 2026. They may change, so please check the latest information at each link before you head out.
This weekend at a glance
| Event | Date and time | Location | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin Point 2026 (pumpkin picking) | Sat., Oct. 24 and Sun., Oct. 25, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Nolan Park, Governors Island | Free (round-trip ferry $5 for adults) |
| JAPAN Fes New York | Sat., Oct. 24 and Sun., Oct. 25, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Sat.: East Village (Astor Place) / Sun.: Upper West Side | Not listed (food and drinks purchased at each booth) |
| Lincoln Center Open House | Sat., Oct. 24 and Sun., Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. | Across the Lincoln Center campus | Free, no reservation needed |
| Halloween Boo Bash | Sat., Oct. 24, noon–3 p.m. | The White Garden, Randall’s Island | Free |
| Riverside Park Pup Halloween Parade | Sat., Oct. 24, noon–3 p.m. | Riverside Park, 96th to 105th St | Free |
| Great PUPkin (dog costume contest) | Sat., Oct. 24, noon–1 p.m. | Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn | Not listed (register on Eventbrite) |
| Domino Park Woof-o-ween | Sun., Oct. 25, 1–4 p.m. | Domino Park, Williamsburg | Not listed (RSVP available) |
| Legend of Sleepy Hollow | Sun., Oct. 25, 2–4 p.m. | Lefferts Historic House, Prospect Park | Free (RSVP required) |
| Boo at the Zoo | Every Sat. and Sun. through Nov. 1 | Bronx Zoo | Included with admission (adults from $28.95) |
| Amazing Maize Maze (corn maze) | Sat., Oct. 24 and Sun., Oct. 25, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. | Queens County Farm | $10–$17 (online purchase required) |
| Shichigosan (Japan Society) | Sat., Oct. 24, 1 p.m. / Sun., Oct. 25, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. | Japan Society (333 E 47th St) | $70 per child (registration required) |
Pumpkin and costume events the week before Halloween
Pumpkin Point 2026 (Governors Island)
A free annual pumpkin patch and fall festival held at Nolan Park on Governors Island. Pumpkins are limited to one per person (one per household), and you need to bring your own bag to carry yours home. Besides pumpkin picking, both days feature trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, an island ghost tour (12:45–1:45 p.m., no reservation needed), a fall foliage walk (11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m., registration required), a reading corner by Brooklyn Book Bodega (10 a.m.–4 p.m.) and live folk music from Porch Stomp. There is also a “Thriller” dance class from noon on Saturday.
Food vendors on the island include Kimchi Taco, Fan Fan Doughnuts and Six Coasts by Smorgasburg. The event takes place rain or shine. The official page notes that large crowds are expected and asks visitors to arrive 20 minutes before their ferry departs.
- Date and time: Sat., Oct. 24 and Sun., Oct. 25, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Location: Nolan Park on Governors Island (about a 3-minute walk from Soissons Landing)
- Price: Free admission. The round-trip ferry is $5 for adults and free for those 65 and older, children 12 and under, and IDNYC holders. Ferries before 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays are free for everyone
- Getting there: Take the ferry from the Battery Maritime Building (10 South St) in Manhattan. Nearest stations are South Ferry (1), Bowling Green (4, 5) and Whitehall St (R, W). Weekend ferries from the Brooklyn side (Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 and Red Hook/Atlantic Basin) also run through Nov. 1
- Official pages: Pumpkin Point 2026 | Governors Island / Ferry information
The same weekend, NYCRUNS is also holding the Haunted Island 10K (Oct. 24) and 5K (Oct. 25) on the island. Please check the official website for entry fees and registration.
Halloween Boo Bash (Randall’s Island)
A free Halloween event for young children hosted by the Randall’s Island Park Alliance. Programs you can join in costume run one after another, including a bubble performance (noon–2 p.m.), hip-hop juggling (12:30–1 p.m. and 2–2:30 p.m.), story time with stretching, and a dance class (1–2 p.m.).
- Date and time: Sat., Oct. 24, noon–3 p.m.
- Location: The White Garden in Randall’s Island Park (see the directions on the official page)
- Price: Free
- Official page: Halloween Boo Bash | Randall’s Island Park Alliance
Three dog costume events (Riverside Park, Fort Greene and Domino Park)
Following last week’s parade in Tompkins Square, there are three dog costume events this weekend. If you just want to watch, you can enjoy them without registering.
- Riverside Park Pup Halloween Parade: Sat., Oct. 24, noon–3 p.m. (rain date Oct. 25). Participants gather at the Dinosaur Playground at 96th St and walk to Ellington’s Cafe at 105th St for a costume contest. Free. Dog registration closed on Oct. 19. Nearest station: 96 St (1, 2, 3). Official: Riverside Park Conservancy
- 28th Annual Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest: Sat., Oct. 24, noon–1 p.m., Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn. Hosted by Fort Greene PUPS. Registration is on Eventbrite (no price listed). Official: Fort Greene PUPS
- Domino Park Woof-o-ween: Sun., Oct. 25, 1–4 p.m., Domino Park in Williamsburg (in front of the fountain on River St between S 2nd and S 3rd St). Costume contest check-in is noon–1:30 p.m., judging is 1:30–2:30 p.m., and winners are announced at 3 p.m. Photos of dogs with their families are free. RSVP on Eventbrite. Nearest stations: Marcy Av (J, M, Z) and Bedford Av (L). Official: Domino Park
Boo at the Zoo (Bronx Zoo)
The Bronx Zoo’s Halloween celebration, held every Saturday and Sunday through November 1. Activities such as costume parades and shows run until 4 p.m. It’s included with regular admission, so you can make a full day of it together with the zoo. We also cover it in Halloween in New York 2026.
- Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 26–Nov. 1 (weekend hours are 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Halloween activities run until 4 p.m.)
- Location: Bronx Zoo (2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx). Nearest station: West Farms Sq–E Tremont Av (2, 5)
- Price: Included with admission. Adults (13 and older) from $28.95, children (3–12) from $20.95, 2 and under free (Flex Pricing that varies by date)
- Official page: Boo at the Zoo | Bronx Zoo
Amazing Maize Maze and pumpkin patch (Queens County Farm)
Queens County Farm Museum, a farm museum at the eastern edge of Queens, holds a corn maze every weekend in October. Throughout October there is also a pumpkin patch (free) and food vendors. On event days you need a ticket to enter the grounds, and tickets must be purchased online in advance. On Halloween itself (Oct. 31), there is a separate event, “Halloween on the Farm” ($15–$25).
- Date and time: Sat., Oct. 24 and Sun., Oct. 25, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Location: 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Queens (it’s far from subway stations, so driving is convenient; check the official page for public transit)
- Price: $10–$17 (online purchase required)
- Official page: The Amazing Maize Maze | Queens County Farm Museum
Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Prospect Park)
A free program inspired by “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” will be held at Lefferts Historic House, a historic building in Prospect Park. It’s hosted by the Prospect Park Alliance, and an RSVP on Eventbrite is required. In the same park, the Prospect Park Zoo is also holding “Spooktober!” on Saturdays and Sundays in October (included with zoo admission).
- Date and time: Sun., Oct. 25, 2–4 p.m.
- Location: Lefferts Historic House (inside Prospect Park)
- Price: Free (RSVP required)
- Official page: Legend of Sleepy Hollow | Prospect Park Alliance
Note that the Pumpkin Flotilla, held every year at the Harlem Meer in Central Park, has been canceled for 2026, according to a Time Out New York report (September 17, 2026), because crowds had grown too large for it to be run safely, and no replacement event is planned.
Free cultural events
Lincoln Center Open House
Lincoln Center’s annual free open house, spread across the entire campus. Family-friendly programs run all day, including an opera storytelling workshop by the Metropolitan Opera, dance workshops by the School of American Ballet and New York City Ballet, performances by Jazz at Lincoln Center, story time by Lincoln Center Theater, and costume and puppet making. On Sun., Oct. 25, there is also a sound bath and meditation for parents and kids at 11 a.m. (Sidewalk Studio at David Geffen Hall) and a participatory sing-along at 1 p.m. (David Rubenstein Atrium).
- Date and time: Sat., Oct. 24 and Sun., Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. (all day, first-come, first-served open entry)
- Location: Venues around Lincoln Center Plaza (New York, NY 10023). Nearest station: 66 St–Lincoln Center (1)
- Price: Free. No registration needed
- Official page: Lincoln Center Open House | Lincoln Center
Japan-related events
JAPAN Fes New York (East Village on Oct. 24, Upper West Side on Oct. 25)
JAPAN Fes, a street food festival lined with Japanese food stalls, takes place at two locations this weekend. On Sat., Oct. 24, it’s around Astor Place in the East Village, and on Sun., Oct. 25, it’s on Broadway (103rd–104th St) on the Upper West Side. The vendor list on the official page includes hashimaki (okonomiyaki rolled on chopsticks), chicken-bone broth ramen, ika-yaki (grilled squid), hand-rolled sushi, takoyaki, yakitori, kakigori (shaved ice), taiyaki and mochi cookies. The official page does not list an admission fee; food and drinks are purchased at each booth.
JAPAN Fes continues after this weekend: Fri., Oct. 30 in New Rochelle (20 Anderson St), Sat., Oct. 31 on the Upper West Side (Broadway at 115th–116th St) and Sun., Nov. 1 in Long Island City (5-25 46th Ave). If you want to stock up on Japanese groceries, see our guide to Japanese supermarkets in New York and New Jersey.
- Date and time: Sat., Oct. 24, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sun., Oct. 25, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Location: Saturday in the East Village (Astor Place; nearest stations Astor Pl (6) and 8 St–NYU (R, W)), Sunday on the Upper West Side (Broadway at 103rd–104th St; nearest station 103 St (1))
- Price: No admission fee listed (check the official website). Food and drinks are purchased at each booth
- Official pages: Oct 24 | JAPAN Fes New York (East Village) / Oct 25 | JAPAN Fes New York (Upper West Side)
Shichigosan (Japan Society)
A Shichigosan celebration co-hosted by Japan Society and the International Shinto Foundation. Boys ages 3 and 5 and girls ages 3 and 7 can take part together with an accompanying adult. It’s open to everyone regardless of nationality or religion. The fee is $70 per child (including a donation to UNICEF, sweets and an omamori good-luck charm). Registration opened on August 30, so please check the official page to see whether spots are still available. If you bring a kimono, there is a changing area for children. In the gallery in the same building, the exhibition “Gen’ichirō Inokuma’s NYC Salon,” about painter Gen’ichirō Inokuma’s years in New York, runs through January 10, 2027 (Saturdays and Sundays noon–6 p.m.; $20 general, $15 students and seniors; Japan Society Gallery). Directions and opening hours are covered in our guide to visiting Japan Society in New York.
- Date and time: Sat., Oct. 24, 1 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 25, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Location: Japan Society (333 East 47th Street). Nearest stations: Grand Central–42 St and 51 St (6)
- Price: $70 per child (advance registration required)
- Official page: Shichigosan: Celebrating the Health of Children | Japan Society
Fairs at Mitsuwa Marketplace New Jersey
At Mitsuwa Marketplace New Jersey in Edgewater, a Calbee Fair, Calpico Fair, Maedaen Fair and Otafuku Fair run at the same time from Fri., Oct. 23 to Thu., Nov. 5. From Oct. 23 to Nov. 2, there are also live demonstration sales by Mamegami, Kimukatsu and Kon An. Store hours are 9:30 a.m.–9 p.m. daily. For directions and shopping tips, see our shopping guide to Mitsuwa Marketplace New Jersey.
- Dates: Fri., Oct. 23 – Thu., Nov. 5 (demonstration sales through Nov. 2)
- Location: 595 River Rd, Edgewater, NJ
- Official page: Mitsuwa Marketplace New Jersey
Coming up after this weekend
Next weekend, Sat., Oct. 31, is Halloween itself, with events across the city, starting with the Village Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village. We’ve covered how to watch it and the parades for kids in Halloween in New York 2026. Fall foliage outside the city can still be enjoyed, so also see 6 fall foliage day trips from New York. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026 at the end of November marks its 100th edition this year.
What to wear, what to bring and things to keep in mind
- What to wear: Mornings and evenings in New York get chilly in late October. Governors Island and Randall’s Island are windy, so for outdoor events, wear layers and a windproof jacket. It’s getting dark earlier, so plan your trip home as well.
- What to bring: For Pumpkin Point, you need a tote bag for your pumpkin. For dog events, bring a leash and water. For Shichigosan, if you’re bringing a kimono, allow plenty of time for changing.
- Crowds: Pumpkin Point gets crowded every year, and the organizers advise arriving 20 minutes before your ferry departs. Booking the ferry in advance is recommended. JAPAN Fes also tends to have lines around lunchtime, so right after opening or late afternoon is the easiest time to get around.
- Weather: Pumpkin Point takes place rain or shine, and the Riverside dog parade moves to Oct. 25 in case of rain. For outdoor events, check the official social media accounts or official pages on the day to confirm the event is on before you head out.
- Safety: Take basic precautions, such as sticking to busy streets on your way home at night. For small children’s costumes, prioritize ease of movement and a clear field of vision.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Do I need a reservation for Pumpkin Point on Governors Island?
The event itself is free and requires no reservation, but booking ferry tickets in advance is recommended (round trip $5 for adults, free for children 12 and under, and free for everyone on Saturday and Sunday ferries before 11 a.m.). Pumpkins are limited and available while supplies last.
Q. What’s the difference between JAPAN Fes on Saturday and Sunday?
The locations are different. On Sat., Oct. 24, it’s around Astor Place in the East Village, and on Sun., Oct. 25, it’s on Broadway at 103rd–104th St on the Upper West Side. Both run 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and you can check the vendors on the Vendors List on the official page.
Q. Which events are easiest to attend with small children?
The Halloween Boo Bash on Randall’s Island (free, noon–3 p.m.) and the Lincoln Center Open House (free, no reservation needed) focus on programs that even preschoolers can easily join. If you want to combine it with a zoo visit, Boo at the Zoo is a classic choice.
Summary
Oct. 24–25 in New York is a weekend full of events where you can have a whole day of fun for free, like Pumpkin Point and the Open House. For Japan-related events, the highlights are JAPAN Fes, held two days in a row, and Shichigosan at Japan Society. Dates, times and details of any event can change at the last minute, so please check the latest information at the links in this article before you head out.
Sources and references (checked October 22, 2026)
- Pumpkin Point 2026 | Governors Island
- Ferry | Governors Island
- Halloween Boo Bash | Randall’s Island Park Alliance
- Riverside Park Pup Halloween Parade | Riverside Park Conservancy
- Great PUPkin | Fort Greene PUPS
- Woof-o-ween | Domino Park
- Boo at the Zoo | Bronx Zoo
- The Amazing Maize Maze | Queens County Farm Museum
- Legend of Sleepy Hollow | Prospect Park Alliance
- Lincoln Center Open House | Lincoln Center
- Oct 24 | JAPAN Fes New York (East Village) / Oct 25 | JAPAN Fes New York (Upper West Side)
- Shichigosan 2026 | Japan Society / Japan Society Gallery
- Mitsuwa Marketplace New Jersey
- Central Park cancels its 2026 Pumpkin Flotilla | Time Out New York
This article is also available in Japanese.
