We've rounded up the top 5 events for kids and families in Manhattan this October, including the return of the Big Apple Circus, the annual Meet the Breeds event, and the NYC Wine & Food Festival, plus tons of great Halloween events!
Family Saturdays with the New York City Ballet
David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center
Oct. 6
New York City Ballet’s Family Saturdays series, which features short works that are perfect for introducing youngsters to the world of classical dance, kicks off this month on Oct. 6 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. NYCB artists guide you through the program, offering insights on the music and choreography.
Urban: Poets of the Street
New Victory Theater, Times Square
Oct. 12-14, 19-21
If you’d like to take your kids to a show but are worried they’re not ready for a traditional theater production, Urban is the perfect solution. An original commission for CircusFest 2010 at London’s Roundhouse in the United Kingdom and created in the barrios of Colombia, the take-no-prisoners acrobatic tour de force is an autobiographical performance that balances risk and reward, defiance and delight. Vigor, danger, and attitude infuse every act, from feats of strength to the trapeze, tightrope, and triple-dutch routines.
Halloween Events
October is jam-packed with spooky concerts, haunted cruises, and pumpkin-filled fairs. Here’s a select sampling of the silly, scary fun the city is offering up. Make sure to head to nymetroparents.com/halloween for even more Halloween fun, including tons of giveaways and our annual photo contest!
Fun and Fit in the City
Basketball City, Pier 36, Lower East Side
Oct. 13
The fifth annual Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival, presented by Food & Wine magazine, hits NYC from Oct. 11-14 this year, and as always there is tons of grown-up and kiddie foodie fun to be had. Best of all, the festival supports a good cause: it benefits the Food Bank for New York City and Share Our Strangth, a national nonprofit working to end childhood hunger in America. Last year we told you about the best kid-centric activities, including cake decorating, sushi rolling, and a pancake party. This year’s full kiddie line-up hasn’t been released yet, but one event is confirmed and you won’t want to miss it: Fun and Fit in the City, presented by Guy Fieri. Families will enjoy a full day of healthy food samplings, fitness activities, star-studded cooking demonstrations, and other culinary surprises. Celeb chefs will include Sunny Anderson, Melissa d’Arabian, Giada De Laurentiis, Rachael Ray, Andrew Zimmern, and of course, Guy Fieri.
Big Apple Circus Presents Legendarium
Lincoln Center Damrosch Park
Opens Oct. 20
The circus is coming to town, and this year’s theme is nostalgia. The Big Apple Circus presents Legendarium, a show complete with bygone big tops and performances featuring beauties, daredevils, and clowns from another era. Travel back to when circus traditions were born and witness incredible acts including mid-air flips on the trapeze, a captivating controtionist, majestic horses and talented pups, and a jaw-dropping juggling tango team.
Meet the Breeds
Jacob Javits Center
Oct. 20-21
Presented by the American Kennel Club and The International Cat Association, the fourth annual AKC Meet the Breeds will showcase nearly 225 purebred dogs and cats. An animal lover’s paradise to be sure, but even the casual pet enthusiast will enjoy the variety of games, giveaways, programs, and demonstrations that take place at this two-day festival. Events include dog and cat agility competitions, K9 search and rescue dog demos, a grooming techniques expo, and a feline fashion show. And c’mon—who doesn’t want to see a cat dressed up as a cowgirl?
