STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Fall on Staten Island is officially in full swing — and this weekend kicks it off with a bang.
From the shores of Tottenville to the taps of Kills Boro Brewing Co., the borough is bursting with festivals, music, food, and family-friendly fun. Whether you’re kayaking at the Raritan Bay Festival, raising a stein at Faßfest, or browsing artisan treasures at Cottage Row Curiosities, there’s something for everyone to celebrate the season.
Also get a peek at October and November which is packed with pumpkin patches, haunted houses, cultural showcases, and cranberry feasts, Staten Island proves once again that autumn is its time to shine.
Have an event to share? Reach out to Pamela Silvestri, Advance/Silive.com Food Editor. Put “festival” in the memo and email silvestri@siadvance.com.
Sept. 27 — Raritan Bay Festival is free at the Conference House in Tottenville at historic Ward’s Point from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Chris the Hobby Guy and his wife Lisa will emcee a celebration of the outdoors and all things Staten Island in the fall. There will be face painting, free kayaking, food and drink, plus family-friendly fun including arts and craft. Special for young ones: at 11:30 a.m., Music and Antics for Kids with Patrick is a highlight.
Live music for everyone starts at noon with intros by Chris and Lisa. Groups include: Jacuzzi Fire, Joan Caddelll and the Midnight Choir, Yoko’s Acoustic, Al & Lenore Lambert and Elm Sun. It’s brought to the borough by the Parks Department, the Tottenville Civic Association and other small business sponsors. Also enjoy some of the historic tours through the house and property.
Sept. 27 — Kills Boro Faßfest — Staten Island’s own Oktoberfest arrives at Kills Boro Brewing Co. with the debut of Faßfest, a celebration of Bavarian beer culture. Guests will enjoy unlimited pours of stichfaß-served German lagers, exclusive brewery collaborations, and a multi-course feast from the famed Nürnberger Bierhaus which now lives in Lake Ariel, Pa. Traditional live music by the Bavarian Kings sets the tone for a day of overflowing steins, good company, and authentic Oktoberfest vibes. Tables and tickets are limited—reserve early for this one-of-a-kind experience. — killsboro.com
Sept. 27 — Cottage Row Curiosities — The sprawling food and craft show will take place from noon to 5 p.m. The rain date for the monthly artisan assembly is Sept. 28. Admission is free. — snug-harbor.org
Sept. 27 — Open Streets Festival — This recurring Saturday street festival happens between Westervelt Ave. between Victory Blvd. and Brook St. from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The events run each Saturday through October. 25. — NYC.gov
October
Oct. 4 — Pumpkin Picking at Decker Farm — Historic Richmond Town — hayrides, pumpkin slingshots, a corn maze, and fall treats every weekend in October. Times are noon to 5 p.m. (also on Oct 5, 11–13, 18–19, 25–26) Tickets: Adults (12+): $12 | Seniors (65+): $10 | HRT Members: $10 | Youth (3–11): $8 | Children (0–2): Free — historicrichmondtown.org/visit
Oct. 4 — Oktoberfest — Bring unique goods or handcrafted creations to this fantastic fall event. With thousands of guests ready to enjoy beer, food, live entertainment, and all things Oktoberfest, this is your chance to showcase your products in a fun-filled atmosphere, rain or shine.— sioktoberfest.com
Oct. 4 — Autumn Moon Festival (Chinese Scholar’s Garden) — Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens, Livingston, with details still to be announced — snug-harbor.org
Oct. 5 — International Lighthouse Point Fest will be held on this Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. at the National Lighthouse Museum Plaza, 200 Lighthouse Point, next to the Staten Island Ferry.
The event features children’s activities, international performances, and free museum admission. A $3 donation is suggested; children under 12 enter free.
And — hurrah! — the popular soup contest returns— entry is free, and soup tastings are $7.
Artists and performers are welcome to join. For details, soup contest entries and vendor inquiries, email info@lighthousemuseum.org or call 718-390-0040.
Oct. 10 through 13 — The Festa Italian feast at Mount Loretto— Featuring rides, games, vendors, food competitions and a fireworks display on October 11th. This year’s headlining musical acts include Judy Torres, MGM and R3 Band. Contests will include a cannoli and zeppole eating contest, Tiger Schulmann’s of Tottenville demonstration, and an onstage limoncello making event hosted by Staten Island’s own, Ciao & Cello. —Cc-si.org/staten-island-feast-2/.
Oct. 18 — Old Home Day — Historic Richmond Town— Celebrate Staten Island’s cultural heritage with historic trades, cider pressing, and open-flame cooking. The event runs from 11 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and is free — historicrichmondtown.org/visit.
Oct. 18 — Healthy Path Festival (South Meadow) — Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens, Livingston — snug-harbor.org
Oct. 17 and 18 — Nightmare On Seaview is an exclusive walk thru Haunted House Experience like no other, featuring live actors and theatrical rooms tapping into the spirits that already lurk over the abandoned Seaview Hospital next door! This year includes axe-throwing, live music, food, vendors and more. Tickets are extremely limited. — Statenislandhauntedhouse.com
Oct. 18 — Not So Scary Sensory Friendly Haunted House — The GRACE Foundation is proud to present its Second Annual Family & Sensory Friendly, Not So Scary Halloween Attraction! Join us for one day only on October 18th for Halloween fun the whole family will enjoy. Our professionally built walk thru attraction is designed with you and your family in mind. There will be no use of strobe lights, no fog, no animatronics, and no loud noises or music. — graceofNY.org.
Oct. 18 — Cottage Row Curiosities — The sprawling food and craft show will take place from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The rain date for the monthly artisan assembly is Oct. 18. Admission is free. — snug-harbor.org
Oct. 25 through Oct. 26: The island’s biggest pumpkin patch, rides, food, vendors, and more. — https://cc-si.org/staten-island-fall-festival/
Oct. 25: Mayhem at The Mount with the island’s newest interactive haunted experience. One night only this year from 6 p.m. to midnight. — cc-si.org.
November
Nov. 8 — Bethel United Methodist Church members host their annual salute to the cranberry started by their late congregant Carol Plum decades ago. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., there are both an outdoor flea market and an extensive baked good sale including, as the fest name suggests, cranberry breads, cranberry coffee cakes, cranberry muffins, cranberry sauces, cranberry cobbler and much more.
However, the annual showstopper is the cranberry pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. — go early for a seat. And the lunch includes a sneak peek at Thanksgiving food with a hot open-faced turkey sandwich and, yes, cranberry sauce. Lunch starts at 12:30 p.m. sharp. — bethelumcsi.com/cranberry-festival.html
Nov. 8 —Pumpkin Smash (Heritage Farm) at Snug Harbor — snug-harbor.org
Nov. 15 — Hearth & Harvest Festival — Historic Richmond TownExplore indigenous culture and hearth cooking with costumed interpreters and historic recipes. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tickets are as follows: Adults (12+): $10 | Youth (6–11): $5 | Children (0–5): Free —historicrichmondtown.org/visit.
December
Dec. 5 — Community Tree Lighting — Historic Richmond Town — A festive evening with music, sweets, and a visit from Santa Claus. The program is set for 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free. — historicrichmondtown.org/visit.
Dec. 6 — Christmas in Historic Richmond Town — Historic Richmond Town’s Victorian carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides and holiday shopping set the mood in this historic village. The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are as follows: Adults (12+): $12 | Seniors (65+): $10 | HRT Members: $10 | Youth (3–11): $8 | Children (0–2): Free — historicrichmondtown.org/visit.
Dec. 6-7 — Holiday Hop —Tentatively scheduled at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens, Livingston; details are to be announced.