Looking for what to do in NYC today, or this week, or this weekend (9/16-9/22)? There's tons of things to do in New York, like festivals, pop ups, photo ops, and more. We've got the full roundup of New York activities here.

• Things to do in NYC this weekend
• Cultural things to do in NYC
• Immersive things to do in NYC
• Even more things to do in NYC
• Live performances this week in NYC

THINGS TO DO IN NYC THIS WEEK AND WEEKEND

OKTOBERFEST

Oktoberfest is a September phenomenon and Watermark has launched its 2024 version. Running until October 27th, hit Pier 15 for traditional music and dress, jumbo pretzels, turkey legs, brats, mini kegs, games, and killer skyline views.

MAGIC: DISTILLED

Photo credit: Michael George.

Great Jones Distilling Co. is Manhattan’s first and only whiskey distillery since Prohibition. Their NoHo location celebrates whiskey past and present along with the culture of Prohibition-era New York. Gain in-depth insight into the whiskey distilling operation through tours of the distillery. There are performances as well, like Friday’s installment of Magic: Distilled. Led by illusionist Jeanette Andrews, you’ll be mesmerized by Prohibition Era magic while sipping on craft cocktails (tickets include a reservation in the Art Deco lounge, a complimentary whiskey tasting, the performance, and two drinks).

TRANSYLVANIAN DANCE

Mat Maneri, Lucian Ban © Mircea Albutiu / ECM Records.

Fotografiska New York is a museum experience for the modern world, with a vibrant atmosphere unlike any other NYC institution. In addition to current photography exhibits, the museum is bringing in even more culture on Thursday night. Romanian pianist Lucian Ban and Brooklyn-born violist Mat Maneri draw on their new album Transylvanian Dance, which takes inspiration from folk music gathered by composer Béla Bartók in Transylvania. The performance will feature a montage of photos taken by Bartók himself, in Transylvania in 1910. Tickets to the concert include museum admission. 

BROADWAY FLEA MARKET & GRAND AUCTION

Broadway fans will take to the Theater District on Sunday for the 38th annual edition of The Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction. Streets around Shubert Alley will be filled with Broadway-themed treasures, unique experiences, and theater magic. You can shop one-of-a-kind mementos and autographed collectibles and bid on exclusive Broadway experiences and items like  props, costumes, and opening night theater packages. The event is one of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ longest-held traditions and now brings in more than one million dollars annually to raise awareness and provide critical support for people affected by HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses. 

MOVIE NIGHTS

Movie Nights on the big screen are back at Hudson Yards. This week's showing is Barbie, followed by screenings every Friday night for five more weeks. Grab a seat or bring a blanket; Mexican street food-inspired bites are available.

THE SAN GENNARO

Photo: © Stu99 | Dreamstime.com

More than a million people will make their way to The Feast of San Gennaro, which started Thursday the 12th. The 98th version features music, processions, deep-fried Oreos, sausage ‘n’ peppers, and Grand Marshall Chef Anne Burrell. The feast continues through through Sunday September 22nd.

NEW IMMERSIVE

Bravo fans are getting an immersive all their own. For a limited run, the rather random location of Hanover Square hosts the Diamonds & Rosé Experience by Bravo. Look for table-flip-worthy photo ops, themed bites, and cocktails like the Physically Shaking Margarita. There's also trivia, bingo, merch, and drag brunches.

BLUE MAN GROUP SPLASH SALE

Blue Man Group will rock your world, blow your mind, and unleash your spirit. Combining chaos, paint, drums, airborne marshmallows, and an art gallery taken over by three men painted blue that can only be described after as “I don’t even know where to begin.” If you’re ready to see what can barely be described, see for yourself. Catch great deals on tickets with Blue Man's Summer Splash Sale. Offer expires September 22nd. 

ELECTRIC SHUFFLE

Photo credit: Electric Shuffle.

Shuffleboard gets the modern-day treatment at newly opened Electric Shuffle. Shuffleboard tables use camera vision technology to track every puck, keep score, and create live shareable replays. Bites and drinks are modern as well, with cocktails like the Salted Caramel Espresso Martinis and snacks like truffle parmesan fries.  

SATIN DOLLZ

Photo by: Joshua Kessler.

Vintage pin-up-inspired performers The Satin Dollz are once again hosting enchanted evenings at the USA Brooklyn Delicatessen in Times Square. Drawing on the timeless classics of the ‘40s and ‘50s, the Satin Dollz give a high-energy performance as they weave their way through the aisles while you dig into first-rate comfort food. Expect plenty of sizzle and sass. Show nights are weekly, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, no cover charge.

NEW IMMERSIVE INSTALLATION

Image: INTER_.

SoHo/Tribeca’s interactive art space INTER_ presents two floors of otherworldly environments. Be among the first to explore the newest installation here: The INTERnet. In collaboration with The Treenet Collective, 80,000 feet of hand-woven rope now floats over the space. Guests are invited to jump, climb, relax, and get lost, taking in the artwork from within.

(UN)LOST PHOTOGRAPHS

Chicago, IL, May 16, 1957 © Estate of Vivian Maier, Courtesy of Maloof Collection and Howard Greenberg Gallery, NY. 

Fotografiska New York is a museum experience for the modern world, with a vibrant atmosphere unlike any other NYC institution. The newest exhibition here, Vivian Maier, celebrates an obscure New Yorker who photographed the city’s streets while working as a nanny. The uncovering of Maier’s work in a storage locker revealed a rich legacy, on display here through 200 color and black and white images and Super 8 films and soundtracks, produced between the early ‘50s and the mid-’80s. “The discovery of Vivian Maier’s archive and her extraordinary work is one of those rare stories that captures the public’s imagination,” says Sophie Right, Executive Director of Fotografiska New York. “We are thrilled to be premiering this beautiful exhibition in her hometown of New York—it’s a testament to her distinct perspective and talent, and an honor for the museum.”

WHALE WATCHING

As New York waterways get healthy, bottlenose dolphins, seals, sea turtles, and even whales are paying visits to the city. You can check out all of the maritime action on Seastreak, which encounters charismatic humpback whales on 90% of its nature trips. Whale Watching tours leave directly from Manhattan on Saturdays for a quick ride to the whale watching grounds. This is a comfortable ride with climate controlled cabins, an open-air top deck, 360° panoramic windows, and a full-service cash bar (the city views are every bit as spectacular as the wildlife). The vessels were designed with both stability and speed in mind, so you can expect a smooth ride. You can also hop aboard for local getaways to destinations like Sandy Hook Beach, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Newport, and Providence.

BEHIND THE CURTAIN

Madame Tussauds New York pulls back the curtain for a behind-the-scenes tour, newly launched. For the first time ever you can access the attraction's studio and see the work that goes into making and maintaining the world's most famous wax figures. You'll see the intricate painting and sculpting process (every single hair has to be set in by hand), plus a look at clothes and accessories—many straight from celebrity closets!

DINNER AND A SHOW

Italian favorite Bond 45 is now also the home of legendary comedy club Stand Up NY. Take advantage of a new “Dinner and Show” package, with a three-course prix fixe highlighted by house signatures like Nonna’s Shortrib Meatballs, Famous Chicken Parmigiana, and chocolate blackout cake. After the meal, head downstairs for premium seating for live comedy.

BANKSY MUSEUM

Image courtesy the Banksy Museum.

He may be anonymous, but he's one of the world's most famous artists. The world's largest collection of Banksy’s life-sized murals and artwork is now open in NYC. An immersive experience, the Banksy Museum also features some of the artist's studio work, animated visual elements, and videos.

NYC AUTUMN BAZAAR

Every Sunday on the Upper West Side you can check out Grand Bazaar NYC, the city’s largest curated market—and most distinctive. This week you’ll also find the NYC Autumn Bazaar. Discover the latest collections from emerging fashion and accessories designers, craft-makers, and artists. There are great vintage finds as well, with 140-pus vendors in total. Come hungry! There are great artisanal bites as well. 10am-5pm, both indoors and out.CULTURAL THINGS TO DO IN NYC

Walton Ford (b. 1960), Study for “Ars Gratia Artis,” 2017. Watercolor, gouache, and ink over graphite. The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, gift of the artist; 2019.196. © 2024 Walton Ford. Photography by Janny Chiu.

American artist Walton Ford (b. 1960) established his reputation in the 1990s with monumental watercolor paintings of wild animals. Now open at the Morgan Library, Walton Ford: Birds and Beasts of the Studio celebrates the artist's recent gift of 63 studies and sketches, being shown publicly for the first time. The exhibition also features work that ranges from Rembrandt to Eugène Delacroix to John James Audubon, selected by Ford himself from the Morgan’s collection. Through October 20th.

Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan. 1998 © Bruce Gilden.

Fotografiska New York is a museum experience for the modern world, with a vibrant atmosphere unlike any other NYC institution. New on display is Why These?, an exhibition highlighting the confrontational shots of street photographer Bruce Gilden. Informed by his tumultuous Brooklyn upbringing, Gilden’s work conveys the immediacy of urban energy. The show features 45 images selected by Gilden himself, including notable projects in Coney Island, Haiti, New York, and Tokyo.

Historic vessels are among the highlights of the South Street Seaport Museum. The ships are accessible to the public, with the 2024 sailing season newly underway. The 1930 tugboat W.O. Decker is New York-built and the last of its kind, giving passengers the chance to travel back in time. Or explore the city by water aboard the 1885 schooner Pioneer for daytime, sunset, and programmatic sails (they'll even let you pitch in and raise a sail).

Photo by Linda Sheridan.

How do elephants “hear” with their feet, use the 16 muscles in their trunks, or reshape the forests and savannas they live in? The Secret World of Elephants, a new interactive exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History, explores the astounding minds, bodies, and interactions of the Earth's largest land mammals.

Image Credit: Courtesy of SK Films.

The American Museum of Natural History has a new offering on the giant screen. The 40-foot-high, 66-foot-wide projection in the Samuel J. and Ethel LeFrak Theater is now showing Turtle Odyssey. Russell Crowe narrates the journey of an Australian green sea turtle named Bunji as she grows from a hatchling into adulthood. Screens daily.

In a city where dogs seem to be prancing down every street corner, and napping by every outdoor table, it’s no surprise that there’s an entire museum dedicated to them. The permanent collection at the AKC Museum of the Dog includes a treasure trove of dog-related art and artifacts, from watercolors and prints to bronzes and ceramics (including some of the world’s finest porcelain makers, from Royal Doulton to Meissen).

Toyin Ojih Odutola, The Treatment 20, 2015. Pen ink, gel ink, and pencil on paper, 12 × 9 1/16 in. (30.5 × 23 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; purchase with funds from the Drawing Committee 2016.102. © Toyin Ojih Odutola. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.

The Whitney is keeping things fresh with a new season of shows. Open now is What It Becomes. New and rarely seen works from the Whitney’s collection spotlight renowned artists like Darrel Ellis, David Hammons, Ana Mendieta, and Catherine Opie. Explore the transformative power of drawing and its ability to reveal the unseen. Through January 12th.

Kite, still from Pahá kiŋ lená wakháŋ (These hills are sacred), 2017. Video, sound, color; 8:32 min. © Kite Studio.

This spring includes the launch of a New York cultural tradition. The Whitney Biennial is back with 71 innovators on display. Themed Even Better Than the Real Thing, contemporary artists and collectives share their stories across film, performance, painting, sculpture, digital art, and more. When you need a break, check out the newly revamped Studio Bar, with views from open-air terraces. On partial view through September 29th. 

Mark Rothko (1903–1970), Untitled (The Subway), 1937. Oil on canvas. New-York Historical Society, Promised gift of Elie and Sarah Hirschfeld, Scenes of New York City, IL2021.51.80 / © 1998 Kate Rothko Prizel & Christopher Rothko / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

The inaugural exhibition in the new Hirschfeld Gallery and Hall is now open. Scenes of New York City: The Elie and Sarah Hirschfeld Collection presents vivid images of NYC and its streetscapes, including priceless works by Mark Rothko and Roxie Munro.

De La Prelette Wriley (active in New York, 1842–1850), No. 7 1/2 Bowery, New York City, ca. 1837–1839. Oil on wood panel. New-York Historical Society (detail).

The latest exhibition at the New-York Historical Society is Lost New York, exploring departed landmarks, vistas, pastimes, environments, monuments, communities, and modes of transportation that once defined the city. Through September 29th.

The Museum of Food and Drink is back open, in a new home at Empire Stores in DUMBO. The latest exhibition, Flavor: The World to Your Brain, was designed by food scientists and culinary anthropologists.

Get out in the fresh air on Saturdays and Sundays for weekly walking tours of Sinister Secrets of the Seaport, hosted by the Seaport Museum. Learn the scandals lurking in the cobblestone streets across two centuries. There's also an “Ear for Crime” interactive game and a drink at the bar.

Shushank Shrestha; Male Guardian Lion Dog (one of a pair from Two Guardian Lion Dogs); 2023; ceramic, in glaze lustre; 52 × 27 × 44 in.; photo courtesy of Shuhank Shrestha, Massachusetts, USA.

The Rubin Museum of Art will be closing the doors to its building in October. But there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy a visit, including the final in-person show. Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now is a museum-wide group show of 32 contemporary artists whose work is presented in dialogue with objects from the Rubin’s permanent collection.

More on NYC museums can be found here.

IMMERSIVE THINGS TO DO IN NYC

New York City is famous for its gala culture. For the first time ever, you can immerse yourself in the scene right in Times Square. The Madame Tussauds flagship holds 19 celebrity figures, including new and never-before-seen wax figures of Ariana Grande and P. Diddy, at the Glow Gala.

(If your tastes are darker, don’t miss Madame Tussauds’s Warner Bros. Icons of Horror, displaying chillingly lifelike wax figures within four fully immersive scenes. Celebrate legends, including Pennywise and Regan from The Exorcist. If you dare.)

THINGS TO DO IN NYC: LIVE PERFORMANCES

LIVE JAZZ

Photo by Lawrence Sumulong.

For world-class musical experiences, head to Jazz at Lincoln Center’s intimate Dizzy’s Club. You’ll find a warm ambiance, a tasty seasonal menu, and panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline. There are shows nightly, in addition to Late Night Sessions Thursdays through Saturdays, starting at 11pm. Monday, influences of jazz, blues, funk, Latin, and world music guide the sound of The Javier Nero Jazz Orchestra, 18 players strong. On Wednesday, Grammy-winning identical twins Peter and Will Anderson, “virtuosos on clarinet & saxophone,” explore the legacy of Benny Goodman with their sextet.

THE ORIGINAL NYC TALENT SHOW

For coming up on 15 years, The Original NYC Talent Show has stood out as a rare stage experience showing off the eccentric, unparalleled talent native to New York City. A relaunch sees it taking up residence at the Parkside Lounge on Monday nights. The weekly show features artists, musicians, dancers, comedians, and guests who defy classification.

EVEN MORE THINGS TO DO IN NYC

Photo by Sarah Brown on Unsplash.

After a long Covid pause, the crown of Lady Liberty is once again open to visitors. This icon requires a 162-step climb (there is no elevator) but will reward you with an entirely unique perspective on the city. Along a double-helix spiral staircase you'll see the intricate structure that keeps the statue standing, capped by 25 windows overlooking New York Harbor.

NEW IMMERSIVE

Rockefeller Center immersive HERO has launched a new nature-inspired experience. BLOOM: The Secret Wonders of New York’s Forgotten Eden takes inspiration from America's first botanical garden, The Elgin Garden, which was located right where Rock Center is today. Go on a seed's journey from root to bloom through spaces like the Mushroom Forest and The Conservatory (the latter stocks libations). There’s also photo ops, interactive digital content, soundscapes, and scentscapes.

GAME ON

There's a new recreation spot open in the Seaport. Lawn Club's indoor and outdoor games include Bocce, Cornhole, Croquet, Shuffleboard, Beersbee, Kan Jam, and its own exclusive Putting Pool. Dedicated "Lawncierges" facilitate the fun and there are also two bars for food and drink and big-screen TVs.

THE BEAM

Image courtesy of Rockefeller Center.

Top of the Rock has a new thrill, and a new way to memorialize a visit here. Re-create an iconic 1932 photo as you're strapped onto a modern version of The Beam and lifted 12 feet above the observation deck. (The Beam rotates for even better views.)

BUCKET LIST

Ever since its 1931 completion, the Empire State Building has been the most famous skyscraper in the world. It remains a vital part of NYC and an inspiration to the millions who ascend to the ESB observation deck in every season. For a limited time, you can be among the first in the city to see the new day dawning from 86 stories up. The Starbucks Reserve Sunrise Experience, available on Saturday mornings, provides early bird access to the observatory deck. Tickets include Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building Microblend Coffee, artisanal pastries, and views of a lifetime. Perfect for bucket lists!

NEW FROM DAVID BURKE

Midtown’s happy hour landscape just got happier with the launch of Park Ave Kitchen’s version. Presented daily from 4 to 7pm, options range from Humpty Dumpty Deviled Eggs to steak frites with unlimited frites, with $9 wines, $12 cocktails and $15 martini flights. The casual cafe side offers a nightly three-course dinner special for $33.99, dine in or take out. (There's also a great $65 pre-theater prix fixe from 4 to 7pm nightly, including Chef Burke signatures like lobster dumplings and bison short ribs.)

A NEW INDO CHINESE MENU!

Woman-owned Utsav Indian Cuisine has been serving NYC fresh and flavorful Indian cuisine for more than twenty years. A recently introduced Indo Chinese menu brings new flavors to Times Square/the Theater District for the first time. You'll find fried rice, noodles, appetizers like chili prawn dry and chicken lollipops, and entrees like fish with hot garlic sauce and lamb with chili soya sauce. (Chefs are trained in the Calcutta style of Chinese food, where the cuisine has its home in India.) Don't miss the new Bengali selection!

HAVANA IN TIMES SQUARE HAPPY HOUR SPECIAL

Havana Central has introduced 1/2 price empanadas during Happy Hour at the bar! Diners must purchase a drink, 3 empanadas max per drink purchase. Available in the bar only, Monday-Friday from 3-7pm. Choose from a variety of homemade savory pockets including beef, chicken, cheese, shrimp, and ropa vieja! Havana Central also features Happy Hour drink specials including $7 classic mojitos, classic margaritas, and red sangria, in addition to other specials.

WHAT TO DO IN NYC

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TALKS, LECTURES, AND EVENTS

Thought Gallery has hundreds of livestream talks, lectures, performances, and more. Check out sessions with celebs, live concerts, and opportunities to learn the latest on everything from science to philosophy to social justice.

NEW YORK'S ACTIVITY AUTHORITY

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