Things to Do in NYC, October 2025
The Blankman List of music, art, theater, and more happening in New York City this October
The Blankman List is a monthly curated list of things to do in New York City. It showcases the full range of what there is to do, for residents and tourists alike.
I especially seek out artistic and cultural events like concerts, plays, and art exhibits, along with anything that is high-quality, notable, and/or free. There is at least one event for every day of October 2025, and no borough or event type is off limits.
Creating this list is a lot of work for me! Thus, seeing events past the first week requires a paid subscription. All subscribers, however, will receive a free highlights post.
Disclaimer: Before going anywhere, please confirm the date, time, location, cost, and description using the listed website. Any event is at risk of being rescheduled, relocated, sold out, at capacity, or canceled. Costs are rounded to the nearest dollar and may change. I try to vet quality and describe accurately, but I may misjudge. All views are my own.
Wednesday, October 1
Paola Prestini: Houses of Zodiac
Reception with light bites and cocktails by Via Carota followed by a performance of the 2022 work Houses of Zodiac by composer Paola Prestini; 6 & 7:30 pm; Oct 1–3
$80 (includes light bites and cocktails)
The Green-Wood Cemetery and Catacombs
500 25th St (Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn)
Networking-focused meetup aimed at tech entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals; 6:30–9 pm
Free (registration required)
Arlo Williamsburg rooftop
96 Wythe Ave (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
Thursday, October 2
Juilliard Drama Presents “nut”
Conservatory performance of the 2013 play by debbie tucker green about a young Black woman who is an “obsessive, list-making semi-recluse”; 7:30 pm; Oct 2–5
$30
The Juilliard School, Stephanie P. McClelland Theater
155 W 65th St (Lincoln Square, Manhattan)
Friday, October 3
75-minute close-up, interactive magic show tucked away in an East Village basement featuring Hayden Childress; 8 pm; Fridays and Saturdays
$95–$145
Urban Illusions
95 E 7th St (East Village, Manhattan)
Interventions: Firebird by Touki Delphine
“Rule-breaking concert” by the artist collective Touki Delphine inspired by Igor Stravinsky’s The Firebird and featuring hundreds of recycled car tail lights; 7 pm; Oct 3 & 4
Governors Island Parade Ground
15 Evans Rd (Governors Island, Manhattan)
Saturday, October 4
Kissena Park Forest Restoration
Volunteer to help care for and restore forested area in Kissena Park; 9 am–12 pm; part of City of Forest Day
Free
Meet at the Kissena Park Velodrome Parking Lot
Booth Memorial Ave & Parsons Blvd (Kissena Park, Queens)
Brooklyn Nets vs. Hapoel Jerusalem Bank Yahav [Basketball Club]
Exhibition preseason basketball game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Israeli club Hapoel Jerusalem; 8 pm
$23–$143+
Barclays Center
612 Atlantic Ave (Prospect Heights, Brooklyn)
Sunday, October 5
Family-friendly festival with art, performances, and activity stations celebrating Chinese culture; 2–5 pm
$15
China Institute in America
100 Washington St (Financial District, Manhattan)
T’nA: A Horror-Themed Drag Trivia Extravaganza
Horror-themed trivia contest with prizes hosted by drag queen Pacha and featuring the “dark priestess of purgatory” Selena Surreal; 8–11:45 pm
Free entry (tips appreciated)
Pink Metal
253 Bushwick Ave (Bushwick, Brooklyn)
Monday, October 6
Volunteer to help prepare compostable waste and learn about composting, recycling, and zero waste; 8:45 am–12:45 pm; every Monday
Free
Governors Island Compost Learning Center
758 Enright Rd (Governors Island, Manhattan)
Tuesday, October 7
Dress, Fashion, and National Identity in Puerto Rico
Book talk and signing with FIT [Fashion Institute of Technology] Associate Professor José Blanco F. and researcher Raúl J. Vázquez-López on their newest book on Puerto Rican identity and visual culture; 5:30 pm
Free
The Museum at FIT, Fred P. Pomerantz Art and Design Center, Katie Murphy Amphitheatre
227 W 27th St (Chelsea, Manhattan)