STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island is set for a lively and flavorful festival season from September through December, celebrating the borough’s rich cultural heritage and culinary creativity. From souvlaki-centric feasts and mozzarella stretching demos to international performances and historic holiday traditions, the calendar is packed with events that bring the borough together in spirited style. First up — say “hello” to fellow Staten Islanders working the stands at the San Genarro Feast in Manhattan.
Check back to this link for more updates as events are added.
Sept. 19, 20, 21 — Greek Fest in Bulls Head is a three-day food and dance festival that’s always a massive draw to Holy Trinity St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. The food is exceptional from savory to sweet and the coffee and drinks in between. Park in the Bulls Head neighborhood around the church.
Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday Sept. 21 — The Feast of San Gennaro in New York City will take place from Thursday, Sept. 11 through Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. The festival is held in Little Italy, along Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston Streets, and includes daily entertainment, food vendors, religious processions, and cultural celebrations.
A rich field of Staten Islanders normally presents at the event which runs from 11 a.m. to about 11 p.m. daily with Friday/Saturday until midnight. Look for your S.I. brethren at S’Mores Food Truck by Rosebank’s own Joanna Smiley, Stretch the Mozz with Anthony Agostino and Chef Mike DiLeo of Cacio E Pepe, plus Ralphie Grotto’s I Got Balls.
Chef Mike will do pasta-wheel demos each hour on the hour.
Sept. 19-21 — WASTELANDIA by Edisa Weeks/DELIRIOUS Dances at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden will be held at the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art. Audiences journey through sculpted trash landscapes, participate in creative reuse workshops, and engage with performers in a thought-provoking experience.
Also note: On Sept. 19, 26, and 27, a Creative Reuse Workshop begins at 6 p.m., followed by the performance from 7 to 9 p.m. On Sept. 20, the workshop starts at 6 p.m., the performance runs from 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., and a premiere toast and celebration follows from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Sept, 21 and 28, the workshop begins at 2 p.m., with the performance from 3 to 5 p.m.
Admission is tiered: $20 for students, seniors, veterans, and Snug Harbor members; $30 general admission (recommended); $50 for supporters; and $75 for rockstar-level patrons. Another segment of this will be held from Sept. 26–28. Tickets are available athttps://bit.ly/45JZFJM.
Sept. 20 — Oysterfest at Flagship Brewing Co. — The event kicks off at 2 p.m. and runs until midnight, featuring fresh oysters shucked on site, local food and artisan vendors, Flagship beer, craft cocktails, wine, and live music all day and night. It’s Staten Island’s favorite end-of-summer celebration —flagshipbrewery.nyc/upcoming-events.
Sept. 20 — Westerleigh Folk Festival (WestFest 18) at Westerleigh Park — This premium music event runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and features live music, artisan vendors, children’s activities, and free pony rides from noon to 2 p.m. —communityartscommission.org/events-1/the-westerleigh-folk-festival-2025-westfest-18.
Sept. 21 — Pakistani Picnic (South Meadow) — Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens, Livingston —snug-harbor.org.
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
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. 11 through 14 — The Festa Italian feast at Mount Loretto— Without a borough parade, the festival features food, entertainment and competitive eating competitions with Italian flavors —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!
Link: 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.
The Annadale Green Park tree lighting is an event that happens each December. Its date will be announced by the South Shore BID. It is always a premium event.Scott R. Axelrod
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.
Pamela Silvestri is Advance/Silive.com Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.