From Broadway shows to book festivals, September in New York City has something for everyone. As we say goodbye to summer and hello to autumn, the city comes alive with celebrations, performances, and traditions old and new.
Here are five things to do in New York City this September:
1. Celebrate Italian Culture at Ferragosto Festival
Visit the Bronx’s own Little Italy for Ferragosto, a beloved Italian harvest festival that dates back to the time of the Roman Empire. New York City’s Ferragosto festival has been held along Arthur Avenue for over 25 years, featuring live music, old-world charm, and irresistible Italian fare from local family-run businesses.
Sunday, Sept. 7, 12 – 6 p.m., Arthur Avenue and East 187th St., the Bronx

2. Saya Woolfalk: Empathic Universe Dance Performance
Within the immersive exhibition Saya Woolfalk: Empathic Universe at the Museum of Arts and Design, you can catch a site-specific dance performance this month by Ailey-Fordham BFA dancers inspired by the artist’s work. The performance will offer a unique blend of visual art and movement, and is free with museum admission.
Sunday, Sept. 7, 4 p.m., Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle, Manhattan

3. Catch a Show During NYC Broadway Week
See Broadway shows at a great value during NYC Broadway Week, running from Sept. 8 to 21. Get two-for-one tickets for dozens of Broadway hits, including & Juliet, The Outsiders, Chicago, The Lion King, Hadestown, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The Great Gatsby, and more.
Sept. 8 – 21, Manhattan

4. Explore the History of the High Holidays in NYC
Step back in time with the Tenement Museum’s walking tour and explore how Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur were celebrated on the Lower East Side in the early 1900s. Discover stories of makeshift synagogues, holiday cards that swamped the post office, and artifacts hidden in floorboards. Then enjoy a presentation and citron cake tasting with culinary historian Sarah Lohman.
Sept. 14, 18, 21, 25, and 28, Tenement Museum, 103 Orchard St., Manhattan

5. Hear from Top Authors at the Brooklyn Book Festival
Bookworms rejoice, because the Brooklyn Book Festival is back this month. It’s the free festival’s 20th anniversary, and they’re celebrating with a top-notch literary lineup of over 200 authors, including Alexander Chee, Joyce Carol Oates, Karen Russell, and many more.
Sept. 14 – 22, Downtown Brooklyn
