This post lists the many great things to do in NYC in September 2025, including free, family-friendly, and nighttime activities and events.
Let's dive in!
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN SEPTEMBER
This is our list of the ten best events and things to do in NYC in September. For even more suggestions, see our comprehensive guide to things to do in NYC.
Several of the items below are already included for free with the purchase of a tourist concession pass.
For tips on the most popular activities in NYC, check out the following posts:
Keep in mind that Labor Day, a public holiday falls on the 1st Monday in September so some activities may be affected that day.
1. See a Sports Event!
This month you have a bunch of different options to see a sports event. Baseball is still going strong and the football season kicks.
The U.S. Open Tennis Tournament is finishing up this month. A soccer match is also an option.
Baseball
- New York Mets
- New York Yankees
Note that the classic tour of Yankee Stadium is available with both the New York Pass and the Explorer Pass. For more information, check our post about New York tourist passes
Football
Games are played at MetLife Stadium. For instructions on how to get there, click here.
- New York Jets
- New York Giants
Soccer (Football)
The NYC FC plays at Yankee Stadium, and the NY Red Bulls play at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ.
- New York City FC
- New York City FC II
- New York Red Bulls
- New York Red Bulls II
Tennis
The US Open runs from Aug 25th - Sep 7th, 2025
Sports events are a great way to spend an evening and also a family-friendly activity.
2. Attend a Concert
Music is all around the NYC area in September!
You can hear diverse kinds of music in a variety of settings -- from iconic Madison Square Garden to the outdoor Jones Beach Amphitheater.
Concerts
- Justin Timberlake | September 28
- Pearl Jam | September 3, 4
- Jon Batiste | September 6, 7
- Post Malone | September 28, 29
Check out this list of other September performances in the New York City area. You'll find artists such as Howard Jones, Hootie and the Blowfish, Usher, Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper, Paul Weller, Hans Zimmer, Usher, and more.
Festivals
- Sea.Hear.Now. Festival | North Beach Asbury Park | September 14 - 15
- All Things Go Festival | Forest Hills Stadium | September 28
TIP: Madison Square Garden offers All-Access Tours so you can see how this iconic arena has become a world landmark.
3. See a Broadway Show
When in New York City, you should try to get to a Broadway show. Some great ones are on this month.
See what is playing when you are here or take a look at our select shows below.
Here are some of the popular musicals playing in September 2025:
- & Juliet
- Aladdin: The Musical
- Back to the Future the Musical
- Book of Mormon
- Chicago
- Hamilton
- Hadestown
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
- The Lion King
- Little Shop of Horrors
- MJ The Musical
- Monty Python's Spamalot
- Moulin Rouge! The Musical
- Six
- Shrek the Musical
- Stomp
- Sweeney Todd
- The Who's Tommy
- Wicked
- and more!
Search for the show here and you'll find performance dates and times, as well as tickets
Make sure to read our Broadway Week Guide and find out how to get cheaper Broadway tickets.
4. Enjoy a Salsa Dance Festival
The annual New York International Salsa Congress returns to the city in September.
At the festival, you'll find dance companies and salsa dancer performances, live music, and workshops conducted by pros.
You'll also get to dance yourself and practice your salsa steps. It's sure to be a colorful and exciting event.
The festival takes place August 28 - September 1, 2025, at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.
For more information, visit the New York International Salsa Congress website.
5. Take a Walking Tour
September is a really nice time of the year to take a walking tour. Temperatures are comfortable both day and night.
We offer pay-what-you-wish walking tours in several neighborhoods throughout the city, including a Brooklyn Bridge
Check our schedule of pay-what-you-wish walking tours.
6. See New York City from the Water
This month is a fine time to see the skyline of the city from a deck of one of the many NYC boat tours and cruises.
You can also take the free Staten Island Ferry or ride on the East River Ferry which costs the same as a subway ride but with a prettier view!
7. San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy
For over 90 years, the Feast of San Gennaro, is still going strong. It exists in celebration of a Bishop who was martyred in 350 BC.
Activities include a processional with floats; cannoli, pizza, zeppoli, and meatball eating contests; live music; and fantastic Italian food from local vendors.
2025 season date TBD. Last year, the festival took place in Little Italy and ran from September 12-22.
For more information, visit the San Gennaro website.
Tip: if you want to experience more New York food, then why not join us for one of our pay-what-you-wish food tours?
Both the San Gennaro festival and our pay-what-you-wish food tours are family-friendly activities.
8. September 11th Tribute in Light
From dusk through dawn every 9/11, two massive beams of light are projected into the sky as a tribute to the Twin Towers.
The 9/11 Memorial can be visited at any time of the day or night. Use our guide to the 9/11 Memorial Plaza to plan your visit.
If you would like to learn more about the memorial and the historic events of 9/11, check out anytime GPS audio tour.
We also offer several pay-what-you-wish tours that include the 9/11 Memorial. Check out our schedule.
9. Walk Over the Brooklyn Bridge - Day or Night
The Brooklyn Bridge can be walked over 24 hours a day. There's so much to know about this iconic bridge and the views from it.
You can use our guide to walking the Brooklyn Bridge to make the most out of your experience. Or try our GPS-enabled audio tour of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Be sure to consider our daily guided tour or if you'd like to see the bridge at night, join us for our combined 911 Memorial and Brooklyn Bridge Night Tour.
10. Utilize a Tourist Attraction Concession Pass
If you're looking to see and do as much as possible, using a New York City tourist attraction concession pass can help you save money and time.
Attractions Available on Concession Passes Include:
- Museum of Modern Art
- Empire State Building
- Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour
- Madame Tussauds
- 9/11 Memorial and Guided Tour
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Madison Square Garden All Access Tour
These passes save you money by bundling dozens of popular attractions and tours into one lower price ticket (up to 55% off).
They can also save you time by allowing you to skip the ticket lines and numerous locations. Read our post comparing your options.
For more ideas for any time of year, be sure to read our master post on things to do in NYC.
Brooklyn Book Festival
2025 dates are yet to be revealed. Last year, this annual week-long free literary event took place from September 22-30 in and around Brooklyn Heights.
There are dozens of free readings and panel discussions with both world-famous and up-and-coming authors.
Find all the details of the Brooklyn Book Festival here.
TIP: Why not join us on our pay-what-you-like Brooklyn Heights tour since you are already in the neighborhood? For even more free activities, see our guide to free things to do in NYC.
FREE THINGS TO DO IN SEPTEMBER
Below are just a few of the many, many free things you can do in NYC in September. Be sure to read all sections of this post, as there are other free activities throughout.
For year-round free things to do see our comprehensive post about free things to do in NYC.
Attend the New York Film Festival
2025 dates TBD. Last year, the prestigious New York Film Festival took place from September 27-October 14. This is its 62nd year!
To find out which films are playing and to purchase tickets click here. They are shown in beautiful Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center.
While tickets are $25 and up, the higher price is worth the experience of being in this special venue.
Visit the New York Film Festival website for more information.
TIP: Lincoln Center offers a tour of several of its most famous performance spaces. Find out more here.
Ride the Free Staten Island Ferry
Take a free ferry ride from Manhattan to Staten Island and back again.
Whether you ride it during the day or at night, you will get spectacular views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.
Our guide to riding the Staten Island Ferry should come in handy.
Attend the West Indian American Day Carnivale & Parade
On September 2nd, things are getting hot, hot, hot with the colorful, flavorful, and lively parade in Crown Heights, Brooklyn at the largest Carribean Carnival in North America.
There will be floats with fantastic dancers shaking their stuff to the sounds of Caribbean music.
Grab a Ginger Beer and a Jamaican Beef Patty and you are all set!
Find out more information on the WIADCA website.
NOTE: This parade can get pretty wild and extremely crowded. If you do not like crowds, you should skip this event, and it's best not to bring the little ones!
Enjoy a Festival in Greenwich Village & the East Village
The Village Trip is an annual festival celebrating arts and activism.
You'll find music, comedy, talks, and more. A full list of activities can be found here.
2025 dates TBD. Last year, the festival ran from September 14-29.
Tip: Learn more about this neighborhood or combine your visit to the exhibit with one of our Greenwich Village Tours.
Attend Free Friday at the Intrepid
2025 dates TBD. Last year, on September 27th, Astronomy Night was held at Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
There will be activities, demonstrations, talks from astronauts and more.
If you cannot get tickets on to this event, read our post on cheaper tickets to the Intrepid.
For a list of museums that are free or almost free year-round, click here.
Watch the African-American Day Parade
2025 dates TBD. Last year, on September 15th at 12:30 pm in Harlem, festive African-American Day Parade wad held.
The parade is the largest of its kind in America and is now celebrating its 55th year.
It showcases African-American culture and heritage, with more than 200 participating organizations from all over the world.
While in Harlem, take some time to stroll the neighborhood and see historic sights and popular sites.
We have a GPS-enhanced Audio Tour, as well as a pay-what-you-wish Harlem walking tour.
You can also use our guide to Harlem to discover this interesting neighborhood.
Go to the German-American Steuben Parade New York
For over 65th years the German-American Steuben Parade has taken place. 2025 dates TBD. Last year, the parade took place on September 21.
There are decorated floats, over 50 dance groups, folks dressed in traditional costumes, music, and much more.
The parade starts on the east side of Central Park, at 64th St. on 5th Avenue - heading north to 86th St.
Several groups from Germany come in for the event each year, and it's truly fun for all involved.
For more information, visit the German-American Steuben Parade website.
Afterward, if you feel like trying some German foods, consider joining one of our food tours.
Attend another Art Fair
Known as the “Anti-Fair for Independent Artists”, the Clio Contemporary Art Fair has received rave reviews from the 'establishment' art world.
2025 dates TBD. Last year, the Clio Art Fair was held in Chelsea and ran from September 5-8.
Tip: If you decide to go take a look at our post on the High Line Park which is located in Chelsea.
We also run several different tours of Chelsea and the High Line as well.
THINGS TO DO AT NIGHT IN SEPTEMBER
Below are just some of the ideas for things to do in September in NYC at night.
Some of the events and things to do in the other sections of this post are also great nighttime activities, so be sure to read this post in its entirety.
For even more ideas, see our post about things to do in New York City at night.
See a Free Concert at Central Park’s Summerstage
Summerstage is a summer series of (mostly) free performances that have been held in Central Park since 1986!
The concert line-up has everything from pop, alternative rock, jazz, soul, avant-garde, and good old rock and roll.
The series starts in May but wraps up in September. You can see shows until the end of the month.
Check our Summerstage guide for information on this year's performances, maps, and more.
Take a Night Walking Tour
New York is really two cities - one by day and a very different one by night.
Temperature-wise, September is an ideal month for taking a night tour.
We offer several pay-what-you-wish night tours including:
Attend Picnic Performances at Bryant Park
Throughout the summer Bryant Park offers free access to their Picnic Performances series.
Over 25 live music, dance, and theatrical events will take place, all with the help of some of New York's best performing arts institutions.
Bring food and drink, or purchase it once you are there. Blankets and chairs are free for the borrowing or you can bring your own.
See the Metropolitan Opera Summer HD Festival
In the past, you have been able to see an amazing performance by this world-famous opera on a huge HD screen in the heart of Lincoln Center's Plaza.
The Met Opera Summer HD Festival is free to attend. There are more than 3,000 seats and additional standing room.
2025 dates TBD. Last year, the festival ran from August 23 - September 2.
If you are interested in seeing what goes on behind the scenes at Lincoln Center, you can take a tour.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN SEPTEMBER
Here are just a few fun activities that will keep the kids and adults amused.
Many events listed above are family-friendly, such as the San Gennaro Festival.
You can find even more information about visiting New York with kids at Top 10 Things to Do with Kids in New York City as well as our 3-day itinerary for families.
Visit Governors Island
Governors Island is a small, recreational, vehicle-free island just 7 minutes by ferry from Lower Manhattan.
You can rent bikes, kayak for free, picnic, visit the various playgrounds, and try out the longest slide in NYC — three stories high and 57 feet long!
Read our post on Governors Island for information on ferry hours, how to get there, and what activities are offered.
Visit the Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is one of the best zoos in the country and September is the best month to visit as the animals are more active this time of year.
The Zoo's Harvest Festival throughout the month allows kids to participate in apple tasting, to learn about composting and how to press flowers.
Find out the details from the Zoo's website.
Be sure to see our post on ways to get price cuts on tickets to the Bronx Zoo!
Attend the Mid Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Fest is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar.
There will be traditional Asian music and dance, food, and even storytelling for kids
The Mid-Autumn Family Festival takes place September 14 at the Museum of Chinese in America.
You can also find Chinese Dance in the Parks on September 26 at Seaward Park.
Find even more things to do in Chinatown.
Take a Superhero Tour
Not just for kids, our self-guided Super Hero tour takes you all over the city to the sites of many movie scenes filmed here.
You'll see locales of memorable scenes from X-Men, Spiderman, the Avengers and many more.
Kids might really like our self-guided Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles tour that includes some popular destinations around the city that Ninja Turtles fans might enjoy.
Be sure to read our post on the best things to do with kids in NYC.
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