October in New York is more than just Halloween – the city is aflame with gold and orange leaves, there's a perfect crisp chill in the air, and it actually feels appropriate to start drinking pumpkin spice lattes. If you're looking for something to keep you satiated before Halloweekend, we've got you covered.

Frankenstein’s Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab

October 1 to Nov 7 | Bomba Cocktail Bar, Meatpacking District

Frankenstein’s Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab is way more than just a bar. Create mysterious potions, shimmering elixirs, and spine-tingling concoctions from the array of ingredients provided and help the Mad Scientists complete their work. A ticket includes a 90-minute session, an interactive drink, and spooky photo ops. For an additional cost, you can get a private tarot reading on-site. Both cocktails and mocktails can be made, and there are plenty of spooky food options for purchase, like slime fries and grey matter sundae (it tastes better than it sounds, we promise).

EEEEEATSCON!

October 4-5 | Pier 76

Infatuation’s exclusive food festival is back and better than ever. The lineup includes New York favorites like L’Industrie, Caffe Panna, and Atoboy, alongside out of towners from Miami and LA. If the food isn’t enough, there are also speakers like Dave Chang and Alison Roman and performances from DJs and musicians all day. Tickets are available exclusively for Chase cardholders, and if you’re a Sapphire Preferred customer, you’ll get one hour early entry. Don’t have a Chase card? Get a friend or family member to get you one. Don’t like your friends and family? Find a random person on the street. It’s New York, after all.

Fall Fête: Monet and Venice and Seydou Keïta

October 9 | Brooklyn Museum

Who needs the club when you’ve got a 200-year-old museum? Celebrate two new exhibits at the Brooklyn Museum at their Fall Fête, featuring late-night access to galleries, DJ sets, drinks, and photobooths. Food is served from neighborhood staples Cafe Rue Dix and Gnocchi on 9th. Advance tickets are $30, or you can get tickets at the door for $40.

30th Annual Autumn Starfest

Sept 14 - 22 | East Meadow, Central Park

The other, better Triple A – Amateur Astronomers Association – is hosting its 30th annual Autumn Starfest in Central Park. Weather permitting, you’ll be able to get free views of Saturn, the moon, star clusters, and more. There will be speakers from Astronomy on Tap, which began in NYC in 2013 to bring fun, informal space conversations to bars across the country. The first 150 guests will get gift bags, and you’ll get the chance to win a ton of space-nerd prizes, including a brand new telescope. All ages are welcome.

Reading Rhythms Reading Party

October 11 | Hudson Yards

It’s not a book club – it’s a reading party! Reading Rhythms is bringing back our elementary school Independent Reading Time in cafés and parks across the city. This free event in Hudson Yards will also celebrate the debut of Wen-Yi Lee’s When They Burned the Butterfly, a fantasy book set in 1970s Singapore. Start the book with one of the 200 free copies available, or bring a book of your choosing and enjoy dedicated reading time with a backdrop of live and curated music. Can’t make it? There’s also a Happy Hour & Book Swap happening October 21 at Moondog HiFi in Bushwick.

Food Network Wine and Food Festival

October 15 to 19 | The Seaport

More than 300 chefs are attending the Food Network Food and Wine Festival, offering walk-around tastings, exclusive dinners, and master classes. Hosted by the Event Zero Foundation and the James Beard Foundation, the festival has generated more than $14.8 million in net proceeds for charitable causes over the last 17 years. Tickets to events include unlimited access to food and drinks offered. One of the events is a cocktail party with Martha Stewart – it’s sold out, but keep an eye out for next year and maybe you’ll rub elbows with Snoop Dogg. There’s still tickets for events during the week, including the Taste of the Tin Building party hosted by Jean-Georges and a bread-focused dining experience with Tony Shalhoub.

BRIC Jazz Fest

October 17 and 18 | Downtown Brooklyn

The 11th annual BRIC JazzFest brings together artists spanning six continents (unfortunately the jazz penguins have other commitments) to reflect on and celebrate the global diversity of music. Headliners include Dee Dee Bridgewater and Chief Adjuah. The lineup is curated by producer and composer Adrian Younge, and over half of the two-day program is led by women. Tickets are $50 for single-day tickets and $90 for a two-day pass.

Open House New York

October 17 to 19 | Across NYC

Hear ye, design nerds of Manhattan and beyond. Over 300 typically off-limits sites are opening for everyday New Yorkers to get a glimpse into some of the city’s most important buildings. From iconic residences and historic government buildings to artists’ studios and docked boats, see hidden gears that turn the city at this annual festival. This year’s sites make it the biggest and longest ever, so do your research and form your itinerary wisely. Tickets are released on Friday, Oct. 3, and you’ll want to be quick to grab access to some of the more popular sites. Entry fees start at $7, but many are free.

FAD Market

October 15 & 21 | Brooklyn Brewery

Over 35 independent makers, artists, and small businesses will be showing off their crafts at FAD Market in Williamsburg. Enjoy award-winning beers on tap while treating yourself to gifts by local makers (or maybe stock up super early on some Christmas presents). Entry is free, but RSVPs are appreciated.

Creative Charmscape Jewelry Making

October 15 & 21 | haricot vert’s dreamworld

Learn how to make bracelets, keychains, necklaces, earrings, and more with Haricot Vert’s signature Picto-Charms™ and vintage gems. This two-hour assembly includes all necessary hardware, as well as unlimited refills of organic natural wine. Tickets start at $18, and payment for charms and setup will be taken at the end of the workshop.

New Yorker Festival

October 24 to 26 | SVA Theatre and Webster Hall

The 25th annual New Yorker Festival is a special one, celebrating 100 years of the publication with a lineup of A-list speakers in conversation with New Yorker writers, as well as roundtables, workshops, and panels. The lineup includes Percival Everett, Salman Rushdie, Demi Moore, Jon Stewart, Ocean Vuong, and St. Vincent, who will also be performing.

The Great Pupkin Halloween Costume Contest

October 25 | Fort Greene Park

We’re going to say it, and we’re going to say it with pride – dog costume parades are better than human ones. Obviously. Along with their incredible (and very Brooklyn) branding, Fort Green’s Park Users and Pets Society – PUPS – puts on a few volunteer-led events a year to bring together Brooklyners and their furry friends. The Great PUPkin is the one to look forward to. Dogs come dressed as everything from cheese to Paddington Bear. Need we say more? Just go.

NYC Walk Club w/ Halfdays and Hoka

October 26 | Central Park

This one’s for the active New Yorkers, but not the really active New Yorkers. The ones who love a long stroll and a podcast. Activewear brands Hoka and Halfdays are teaming together to host walk clubs across the country. The New York event takes place in Central Park (where else?) where you can enjoy a slice of the city’s biggest green space while making new friends.

Looking for more things to see, eat, and drink in NYC? Check us out on Instagram @headboxnyc.