Can you believe it? September is upon us. That means fall arrives in just a few weeks, and hopefully cooler weather will make up for the sudden crush of people on the subway after Labor Day. Where have these people been? Where are they going?
If they’re smart, they’ll be on their way to check out some of the best free events, festivals, parties, concerts and more that New York City has to offer this month. Everyone may be back at work, but a penny saved is also a penny earned.
Go to a boy band battle royale
Kids of the ’90s, rejoice! The Bell House in Brooklyn intends to settle one of the most important debates of all time: NSYNC or Backstreet Boys? At the Sept. 7 edition of its “Party Like It’s 1999” dance party, the issue will be decided once and for all as votes are tallied all evening. While you wait, you can continue grooving to all the familiar pop, rock, and R&B hits you remember from the halcyon days of the ’90s and early 2000s. It starts Sept. 7 at 10 p.m.
Attendees at a previous year’s Picnic Performance at Bryant Park featuring Arturo O’Farrill. The musician returns to Bryant Park Sept. 13.
Photo by Jennifer Taylor
Go for a run, walk or run-walk in the Bronx
The Bronx Femme Run group leads a free monthly run or walk – your choice – on the first Friday of every month. As the name suggests, it’s open to all women, but children and leashed pets are also welcome. BXFR, as the group is called, says beginners are welcome and no one will be left behind. This month, the meetup takes place on Sept. 6 at Joseph Yancey Track and Field in Macombs Dam Park starting at 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy opera in Harlem
If you want the opportunity to see a Grammy-winning tenor or an up-and-coming opera singer, the Harlem Opera Festival is the place to be. This annual event put on by the Harlem Opera Theater showcases young talent in opera, whether they’ve won awards or not. It’s free to anyone, but if you want a guaranteed seat you should reserve your place (also free). The Harlem Opera Festival takes place on Sept. 8 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Park in – of course – Harlem.
A previous year’s block party at House of Yes.
Courtesy of House of Yes
Hang out at the Yes! Block Party
Bushwick’s now-iconic House of Yes brings back its fall kickoff block party for the eighth consecutive year. It takes over an entire street and promises “performances, play, art and dance party magic.” The daytime block party will be followed by a night of dancing inside House of Yes – for those who want to keep the good vibes rolling, the afterparty is also free. The block party starts at noon on Sept. 22, near the Jefferson Avenue L train stop.
Edgar Allan Poe lived with his wife and aunt in this cottage in the Bronx.
Courtesy of the Poetry Downtown Festival
Explore Edgar Allan Poe’s NYC connections
You may associate famed gothic poet Edgar Allan Poe with the University of Virginia or Baltimore, Maryland. But the famed author of “The Raven” also has deep connections to New York City – he lived with his wife and aunt in a cottage right next to the Kingsbridge Road B and D train stop. His Gotham City links will be further explored in this lecture from Poetry Downtown and the Bronx Historical Society, which is part of the Poetry Downtown Festival. It happens Saturday, Sept. 28 at 12:30 p.m. in the Bronx’s Edgar Allan Poe Cottage.
Ponder modern physics and the cosmos in Red Hook
Museum and event space Pioneer Works always finds new reasons to bring people to Red Hook – expect it to be better than ever after its refurbishment kept it closed for about a year. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of physicist Brian Greene’s bestselling book “The Elegant Universe,” the writer will join Barnard professor Janna Levin to discuss his updated introduction and epilogue. Fans of quantum theory and black holes should be sure to attend. Make sure you RSVP, though, because it’s the only way to guarantee entry. It happens on Thursday, Sept. 19 – doors open at 7 p.m. and the talk begins at 8 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $10.
Learn to draw in Brighton Beach
You don’t have to be an artist to learn drawing. Or, if you have some drawing skill already, there’s always room to improve. The Brighton Beach Library will host a free adult drawing class on Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. All skill levels are welcome, and after honing your art, you can walk down to the beach and catch some early fall rays.
Check out the Brooklyn Americana Music Festival
The 10th annual Brooklyn Americana Music Festival goes down from Sept. 12 through 16, taking place in several Brooklyn neighborhoods and Greenwich Village’s Cafe Wha?
Modern Americana masters like Tyrone Cotton and Annie Keating will play a variety of shows outdoors and at traditional venues. There will be free performances under the Archway in Dumbo. You can see the full schedule here.
A group of people attends a silent dance party.
Courtesy Quiet Events Live
Dance quietly in Battery Park City
Those who have always wanted to attend a silent disco but thought they couldn’t afford it no longer have an excuse: Quiet Events Live is throwing a Friday the 13th dance party at Rockefeller Park. Seasoned silent discogoers are also welcome to attend the event, which starts at 7 p.m. and lasts until 10:30 p.m. They’ll even give you headphones for free!
The last Picnic Performance at Bryant Park happens Friday, September 13, and features music from James Bond films.
Photo by Ryan Muir
Relax to some James Bond tunes at Bryant Park
It’s The Man With the Golden Horn! Town Hall presents an evening of reimagined music from James Bond films, performed by Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra in tandem with slide trumpeter Steven Bernstein. It’s the last of summer’s Picnic Performances at Bryant Park, and it goes down on Friday, Sept. 13 starting at 7 p.m. Don’t forget to bring a blanket.
Arturo O’Farrill performs at Bryant Park’s Picnic Performance on Sept. 13.
Courtesy of the artist
Kick off Hispanic Heritage Month at Langston Hughes Library
The Langston Hughes Library in Corona, Queens throws a big party to mark the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. This year, attendees can expect face painting, dance and musical performances, food, balloon art and more! It’s fun for the whole family, in other words. Take the 7 train out to Corona on Saturday, Sept. 14 – the festival runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Celebrate the fall equinox with a hike on Staten Island
The Nature Interpretive Center at Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve on Staten Island is the starting point for a special 2-mile hike to celebrate the fall equinox. As the seasons change, you can connect to nature and imbibe the glory of Tappan’s Pond and the island’s pine barrens. The guided hike starts at noon on Sept. 22.
The rooftop at Pier 57 in lower Manhattan
Photo by J. Dangremond / Courtesy Pier 57
Take the kids to the Tunes and Treats Festival
Anyone who has kids or has to take care of kids knows all too well the constant struggle to find entertainment. On Sept. 28 and 29, though, you’re covered by the Tunes and Treats Festival. It’s an event to educate and promote healthy eating … but there will also be live music, scavenger hunts, and other family-friendly activities. The festival is free, but you also have the option to purchase tickets for hands-on cooking classes. It’s at Pier 57 near Little Island, and runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
