Hi guys! How was everyone’s weekend? I had brunch with a friend at Maman in Soho, and saw The Light Between Oceans last night with my sister…it was really good but I thought the book (as usual) was better!
Ok, so I know summer’s not over and I plan to enjoy the last bits of it, but I think autumn is probably most everyone’s favorite time in New York City. The hot, sticky days of summer become a distant memory as crisp, fresh air and colorful leaves take over…pumpkins are seen on every corner…Halloween decorations adorn the fancy townhouses…and there’s a feeling in the air of renewal and fresh starts. There are also lots of events and interesting things going on, which is why I put together this list of ten things to do in NYC in fall. After I did my first “upcoming events in NYC” post, I had a lot of people request another, so here it is…and let me know if you know of any other great events going on in NYC this fall!
Affordable Art Fair: September 28-October 1
The Affordable Art Fair NYC is just what it sounds like – a place where you can browse and peruse hundreds of pieces of original, affordable art in a relaxed and un-intimidating atmosphere.You’ll find literally thousands of pieces of original art – photography, sculpture, paintings, prints, all under one roof, with prices ranging from $100-$10,000. If you’re new to art collecting or looking to dip your toe in, this seems like a great way to get your feet wet. The event takes place in the Metropolitan Pavilion, and over 70 local, national, and international galleries take part.
Cider Week: October 21-30
A celebration of cider! As far as I can tell, the full details are yet to be released, but you can sign up for the mailing list to be kept up-to-date when events are announced. Last year they had dozens of events all over the city celebrating the beverage and its makers (many of whom are located in the Hudson Valley).
Harvest in the Square: September 22
Attention, foodies: You might want to check out Harvest in the Square, an annual event where chefs from some of NYC’s best restaurants create tastings of signature dishes using fresh produce from the Union Square Greenmarket – with wine and microbrew pairings to match. General admission is $125 in advance, or $150 day of, with proceeds supporting the Union Square Partnership’s efforts to beautify and improve Union Square Park.
2016 Open House New York Weekend: October 15 and 16
Open House New York is a weekend long event during which the public is given access to normally off-limits parts of the city, like historical landmarks, architectural masterpieces, sites like the Google headquarters and the Woolworth Building, spectacular rooftops, new construction, and more. Hundreds of sites will be open for visitors across all five boroughs, with walking tours, talks, performances, and other events. The full list of participating sites will be released on October 5, but word on the street is that the Metropolitan Opera House is a brand-new addition to the event this year (I guess they take you to parts of it that are normally off-limits, like maybe the stage or something? Could be cool!). Some events are ticketed and apparently they sell out super fast, so keep your eyes on the site if you’re interested!
Take Me, I’m Yours, at The Jewish Museum: September 16-February 5
40 artists will be taking part in this unconventional art exhibition in which visitors participate by not only touching the art, but taking bits of it home. The concept originated in at the Serpentine Gallery in London, and this is the first time a US presentation has been mounted. The idea is to explore shared experiences and different ways that artists can engage with society, while creating a “democratic space” for viewers to interact with art. Should be interesting!
Lauren Collins book signing for When in French, at McNally Jackson: Monday September 19th
Really looking forward to reading this book and I always think book signings are fun! McNally Jackson is one of my favorite bookstores too.
Random House December Open House – tickets go on sale September 23 (and they sell out FAST)
Random House’s Open House event is held three times a year, and it’s a full day of a “behind-the-books” look at what’s new at Random House. Past speakers have included authors like Jodi Picoult, Emily Giffin, Curtis Sittenfeld and more. In addition, the day includes a behind-the-scenes look at publishing at RH, early finished copies of books, and a big gift bag full of literary goodies! The event itself is in December, but tickets go on sale September 23rd and I’ve heard they sell out instantly, so set yourself a reminder!
Big Ideas Night with Jodi Picoult: October 11
I imagine a lot of you are probably Jodi Picoult fans, and I think this could be a really interesting event! Enjoy wine and light bites as Picoult discusses her latest novel, Small Great Things, and the issues it touches upon – race, prejudice, and justice.
Items: Is Fashion Modern?, at the Museum of Modern Art: October 1, 2016-January 28, 2017
This exhibition explores iconic designs like DVF’s wrap dress, Levis 501s, “the little black dress,” and other garments and accessories that have had an impact on history and society. The focus is on the design, not the designer – this exhibition sounds like a really interesting way of exploring fashion.
The New York Coffee Festival: September 16-18
A festival celebrating coffee – um, yes please! There will be free coffee tastings, demonstrations from top baristas, gourmet food stalls, music, live latte art demonstrations, and more. The event takes place at the 69th Regiment Armory at 68 Lexington Avenue (between 25th and 26th streets).
Also:
– Spa Week (October 17-23), a biannual event where hundreds of spas and wellness centers across North America offer 2-3 full service spa treatments for $50 each (major discount).
– NYC Food and Wine Festival: October 13-16
– U.P. at Dominique Ansel Kitchen will be launching a new menu for October!
Hope that helps for anyone mourning the end of summer, or planning a fall trip to the city. If you have any questions about things to do in NYC in fall, let me know in the comments!
photography by Jacqueline Clair
I love it. And yes, autumn is my favorite time of year in the city. I just upgraded my camera and I need to head out and do a study of the decorated townhouses. Also, I know our Saturday farmer’s market here is small but they do cooking demonstrations every Saturday. Sometimes, I’m even the one doing them. 🙂
Where is the farmer’s market? I would love to stop by, I’m just so bad at finding and actually going to them but I need to make more of an effort! Especially with all of the cute pumpkins and gourds that will be showing up 🙂 And would love to see your cooking demonstration!