What’s Happening: Fall festival at St. Mary’s Park, Beauty in the Bronx Shopping Expo and Italian Heritage Month

Cute Little Girls Pulling Their Pumpkins In A Wagon
Catch the numerous fall festivities happening all over the Bronx in the next couple of weeks — whether it’s the NYC Parks Fall Festival or the Pumpkin Nights at the Bronx Zoo, there is something to do for everyone.
Photo courtesy Getty Images

St. Mary’s Park

NYC Parks Presents: Fall Festival at St. Mary’s Park

Oct. 14, 12-4 p.m.

All are invited to join NYC Parks and Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala for a fall festival event at St. Mary’s Park. Join fellow Bronxites for an afternoon of family games, sports, fall crafts and more! The event will be taking place at the play area at Playground West — perfect for some family time. All you need to do is show up, as the fall festival is free and open to the public.

Bronx Brewery 

Be Bronx, Be Big Launch Party

Oct. 18, 6-8 p.m.

Join The Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of NYC for an unforgettable night of impact and inspiration at the Kickoff Party for NYC’s “Be Bronx, Be Big” initiative! This is your chance to be a part of something truly extraordinary. As BBBS launches this groundbreaking initiative, they’re inviting you to be the change-makers, the mentors and the heroes our Bronx youth need. This is a free event with the goal of activating the Bronx community and introducing this campaign and the work BBBS of NYC does in the borough. Get ready to experience high-energy entertainment, delicious drinks and bites, live music and DJ sets and inspiring stories from mentors and mentees. Don’t miss out – reserve your spot here and be the difference our Bronx youth deserve. Together, we can make the Bronx even bigger, better and brighter!

 

Mott Haven

South Bronx Unite’s Mott Haven & Port Morris Waterfront Walk

Oct. 14, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Join NYC H2O to learn about South Bronx Unite’s community-envisioned waterfront plan to create a network of connected open green spaces and access to the waterfront, help produce cleaner air and better health outcomes and protect residents from river flooding while creating coastal resilience. The walk will commence at East 134th Street & Lincoln Avenue, and will continue through parts of the Port Morris waterfront, through the Randall’s Island Connector and to Randall’s Island where participants will be able to enjoy the Bronx Kill on canoes. Get a free ticket here!

Waterfront
A look at a South Bronx public access point along the East River. Photo courtesy Waterfront Alliance

Beauty in the Bronx Shopping Expo

Oct. 15, 1-5 p.m.

Attend the Beauty in the Bronx Shopping Expo, a unique pop-up event designed to showcase the diverse and vibrant beauty that thrives within the Mott Haven, South Bronx community. Immerse yourself in a world of beauty products, fashion and more at 15 Canal Place. At the Shopping Expo, you can discover the latest trends in makeup, skincare, haircare and fashion from a wide range of vendors, and connect with fellow beauty and fashion enthusiasts, share tips and tricks and get inspired by the vibrant South Bronx community. Whether you’re a beauty enthusiast, a fashionista or simply looking to update your style, this event is perfect for you. Mark your calendars and get ready to indulge in a day of beauty and shopping like no other — reserve a spot here.

Bronx Zoo

Italian Heritage Month Celebration

Oct. 12, 5:30-9 p.m.

Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month is celebrated by proclamation of the U.S. president and Congress to honor the achievements and contributions of Italian immigrants and their descendants living in the United States, particularly in the arts, science and culture. Join Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson in celebrating Italian-American Heritage Month at the Schiff Family Great Hall of the Bronx Zoo this Thursday — the event is free you can find more information here!

Celebrate Italian-American Heritage Month with Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson at the Bronx Zoo this Thursday. Photo courtesy Getty Images

 

Pumpkin Nights at the Bronx Zoo

Sept. 28 -Oct. 29, 6-10 p.m. Last entry is at 9 p.m. 

Pumpkin Nights at the Bronx Zoo, with more than 5,000 carved, animal-themed pumpkins over a half-mile jack-o’-lantern trail, will debut Thursday, Sept. 28 with live pumpkin carving demonstrations, games, festive fall treats and food trucks and fun for all ages. 

Tickets are $34.95 for adults 12 and up, and $24.95 for children ages 3-12 on Thursdays and Sundays, and $36.95 for adults and $26.95 for children on Fridays and Saturdays. Children under 3 are free. Wildlife Conservation Society members will receive a 40% discount.

 

Hebrew Home at Riverdale

Zhen Guo: Chroma Comes from the Margins

Sept. 10-Jan. 21, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sunday-Thursday 

Zhen Guo: Chroma Comes from the Margins features 10 recent large-scale ink paintings on rice paper, some with brightly colored stripes in oil pastel, a neon light installation and a seven-minute film by Chinese feminist artist Zhen Guo. Her newest paintings evolved from a series of black and white, semi-abstract landscapes that Guo titled “Muted Landscape,” a body of work she began in 2016 that alludes to the marginalization of vulnerable people and places — in this case, women and the environment — and the experience of being silenced and effaced. Intentionally eschewing the strong lines characteristic of traditional Chinese ink painting, the “Muted Landscape” works are amorphous, monochromatic plumes that suggest the contours and crevices of the female body and the natural world. Guo achieves this effect by diluting the ink with water and softened brushstrokes. She describes the final compositions as “abstract images, as if seen from far away, softened and defaced.”

The exhibition will be accompanied by a catalogue with an essay by Gail Levin, distinguished professor of art history, fine and performing arts, American studies and women’s studies at Baruch College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Get more information here!

Explore the diverse array of products and services available and take advantage of exclusive deals and discounts at Beauty in the Bronx this weekend. Photo courtesy Getty Images

Bronx Library Center

Bronx Fashion Week 

Oct. 14, 5 -7 p.m.

In collaboration with the Bronx Library Center, Bronx Fashion Week joins again in a vibrant fashion celebration in honor of National Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month. Embrace the Hispanic community’s rich and diverse cultures, traditions and contributions during this unforgettable event. You will be greeted by the rhythmic beats of Latin music, filling the air with an infectious energy that will make your feet tap and hips sway. The colors of flags and traditional decorations from various Hispanic countries will adorn the space, creating a festive ambiance that reflects the essence of our heritage.

The event will also feature a tour of the Bronx Library Center’s Latino and Puerto Rican Cultural Collection on the 4th floor, immersing yourself in the heart of Hispanic culture and heritage. It’s a chance to connect, share stories and foster community, culture and creativity. Let’s honor our roots, preserve our legacy and embrace the unity that comes from sharing the beauty of our cultures through the power of fashion. Whether you have Hispanic heritage or appreciate its richness, this event promises to be a joyous and enlightening experience for all. There is limited seating and it’s first come, first serve, so make sure you register here

Van Cortlandt Park 

Bronx River Tibbets Brook Walk: Bronx to White Plains

Oct. 28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Explore with Freewalkers, the Bronx River Reservation, a picturesque backdrop along this paved trail adjacent to the Bronx River Parkway. Walk 14.5 miles of the beautiful trail starting in the Bronx, particularly at Van Cortlandt Park, and ending at White Plains — it’s a great opportunity to challenge yourself with options to shorten the mileage and catch a train back to Grand Central at several points! Reserve a spot here

 

The Huntington Free Library and Reading Room

Legacy of the Bronx Latino

Oct. 12, 7-9 p.m.

Join Huntington Free Library president Angel Hernandez in an interesting presentation highlighting contributions made by Latinos to Bronx history. This is a free lecture celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month, so don’t miss the opportunity to learn about Latino history in the Bronx from the Bronx historian himself! 

 

Bronx River Art Center

Pick Me Up, Put Me On

Sept. 22 – Oct. 28

“Pick Me Up, Put Me On” is a visual conversation between Estelle Maisonett and Oscar Morel, two Bronx-born artists who exemplify the enduring resonance of collage through themes of community, identity and place. Their works celebrate everyday scenery, familiar objects and subjects deeply personal to the artists yet resonant with a broader shared experience that transcends borough bounds. While Maisonett and Morel work in different stylistic manners, the Bronx can be noted as a foundational inspiration origin. “Pick Me Up, Put Me” On invites us to transcend boundaries, explore the intricate tapestry of community, and celebrate the many dimensions of home — get your free tickets here

 

New York Botanical Garden

Fall-O-Ween

Sept. 16 through Nov. 12

The New York Botanical Garden becomes the region’s pumpkin headquarters during NYBG Fall-O-Ween, offering a fun and engaging array of activities, programs, and photo opportunities for all ages. Experience hundreds of pumpkins and gourds on display; food and beverage talks, demonstrations and tastings; and two family-friendly Spooky Garden Nights, offering Halloween-themed entertainment for adults and children alike. Fan favorite Adam Bierton returns to NYBG to create his intricate and nature-inspired pumpkin carvings and to host a master carver competition. Once again, the Botanical Garden is the place to see giant pumpkins during the last two weeks of October, culminating in the exciting Giant Pumpkin Carving Weekend. 

Weekend Beer Garden

Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 29

Every weekend through October, enjoy seasonal brews on tap at the Visitor Center’s Beer Garden, at the Hudson Garden Grill Bar and at pop-ups across the Garden grounds. Sip on seasonal IPAs, stouts, and lagers from local Bronx breweries, chill out with a frozen apple cider cocktail, and snack on a variety of savory and sweet treats. Enjoy a beer or two at any one location, or take flight across the Garden by purchasing tickets redeemable for additional draft beers at locations throughout the grounds. For heartier fare, sit down at the Hudson Garden Grill, featuring fall-inspired farm-to-table dishes, or stop by the Pine Tree Café for artisanal panini, Neapolitan-style pizza and signature salads.

 

Fall Foliage

Explore the largest remaining expanse of New York’s original wooded landscape as the Thain Family Forest’s seasonal transformation takes hold. 

Visit the New York Botanical Garden Farmers Market every Wednesday through Oct. 18, 2023. Photo courtesy Getty Images

Farmers Market

Every Wednesday through Oct. 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Visit the New York Botanical Garden Farmers Market to enjoy locally grown produce, baked goods and other speciality items. The NYBG’s farmers market is one of the top 10 farmers markets in NYC, and it is located near the Mosholu entrance. Find out more here.


For more things to do in the Bronx, visit our Bronx Times Events page.