Weekend Planner: Fun Family Activities In NYC (October 16-18)

"Back to the Future" in Concert: 30th Anniversary with New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and Radio City Music Hall

Celebrate the classic film “Back to the Future” with the kids at this special live event. Enjoy the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra's live performance of the film score as the movie plays. Plus, enjoy 20 minutes of new music written specially for this live concert production. (Thursday and Friday)

Madison Square Park Kids Fest: Stages in the Square

Join other NYC families in Madison Square Park this Saturday for the park’s first performing arts fest for children! Throughout the day three stages will feature musical and theatrical performances, workshops, and storytelling for kids ages 0 through 12 and their families. Performers scheduled to appear include Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights, songs for seeds, the Catskill Puppet Theater, the Story Pirates, the Amazing Max, the Big Apple Circus’ Circus to Go!, the Little Orchestra Society, and others. There will also be face painting, a costume parade, and mouth-watering grub from local favorites like Hill Country Barbecue, Melt Shop, and more. (Saturday)

Open House New York

For two days each October, Open House New York opens hundreds of sites across the five boroughs—from the historical to the contemporary, and the residential to the industrial—for tours, talks, performances, and additional special events. Family-friendly sites this year include the African Burial Ground National Monument, the Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility, and the King Manor Museum. There are plenty of happenings just for kids—such as scavenger hunts, special tours, and art-making—around the city. (Saturday-Sunday)

The Laurie Berkner Band: The Greatest Hits Tour at the Concert Hall

Best-selling children’s musician and preschool television star Laurie Berkner and her band will bring their Greatest Hits Tour to Manhattan this Saturday with a show at the New York Society for Ethical Culture’s Concert Hall. The concert will feature a blend of fan favorites along with tracks that will encourage young audience members to get out of their seats and dance, intermixed with quieter tunes from the “Laurie Berkner Lullabies” album. (Saturday)

Dia de los Muertos at El Museo del Barrio

Bring your entire family to El Museo Del Barrio to celebrate Day of the Dead with face painting, art making, dance performances, musical procession, storytelling, and themed exhibitions created to introduce young ones to Mexico’s traditions. (Saturday)

Fall Family Weekend at Carnegie Hall

Families are invited to Carnegie Hall for this fall’s Family Weekend, filled with free, interactive musical activities in the Judith Burton Resnick Education Wing. Activities include sing-alongs, instrument building (and playing), songwriting workshops, transforming ordinary objects into musical instruments in a digital sound playground, and more. There will also be performances in the Weill Music Room by Sbongiseni Duma, Elizabeth Mitchell and You Are My Flower, as well as Shine and the Moonbeams. (Saturday-Sunday)

Honey Weekend at Wave Hill

Come out to Wave Hill for the super-sweet annual Honey Weekend! Highlights of this buzz-worthy celebration include the Be a Bee family art project, during which kids outfit themselves with wings, antennae, a pollen cup, and a kazoo before joining the bee parade and dancing in a cardboard hive; a honey extraction demonstration where you can help Wave Hill staff extract and bottle honey from the garden’s resident bees; plus participate in a candle-making workshop and honey tastings! (Saturday-Sunday)

"The Gruffalo" at the New Victory Theater

London-based troupe Tall Stories transforms Julia Donaldson’s award-winning picture book, The Gruffalo, into a family musical filled with slapstick humor, sing-along songs, and even some frightening fun for the little ones. Come see what happens when Mouse summons the Gruffalo (via his imagination) to guard against the creatures that roam the deep dark wood during this 55-minute performance. (Opens Saturday)

"Peter Rabbit Tales" at Tribeca PAC

Come to the Tribeca PAC for Enchantment Theatre Company’s adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s beloved Peter Rabbit, which will feature whimsical puppets, amazing masks, beautiful scenery and original music. (Saturday)

Michael and the Rockness Monsters at the Bronx Zoo's Boo at the Zoo

Michael and the Rockness Monsters will perform this Saturday at the Bronx Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo Halloween celebration! The band, founded by Preschool of Rock founder Michael Napolitano, released their first single, “Pirate,” this summer on Sirius XM’s Kids Place Live, and it’s been on top of their charts ever since. Performances will be held at 11:30am, 1pm, and 3pm. (Saturday)

Manhattan Country School Farm Festival on 96th Street

Ninety-sixth Street between Fifth and Madison avenues transforms into a farm-themed urban carnival featuring family-friendly music, rides, games, arts and crafts, and farm-fresh produce at this annual community and fundraising event, organized by Manhattan Country School parent volunteers. Kids of all ages can test their nerves in a haunted house staged in the basement of a 100-year-old mansion. (Saturday)

AYCO New York Regional Youth Circus Festival at Circus Warehouse

Does your child dream of joining the circus? Bring him or her to the daylong Regional Youth Circus Festival at Circus Warehouse and experience the magical world of young acrobats, clowns and jugglers! All youth attendants are welcome to be participants in the showcase as no experience is required. Kids will be divided by age level and taught in beginner workshops the basics of circus art, culminating in an hour long showcase at the end of the day and pizza party for all. Standalone tickets are available for purchase. (Saturday)

The Best Local Farms for Apple and Pumpkin Picking

Enjoy foliage, family time, and fresh produce at these local farms and orchards.

Haunted Happenings

Get ready to celebrate Halloween in NYC with these ghoulish gatherings!