Brooklyn has no fewer than two indie art fairs and three major film festivals this weekend, plus a near-endless supply of live shows to take in.
The not-for-profit Arts Gowanus opens the doors to its member studios for a two-day free art stroll through the Gowanus neighborhood — check out hundreds of local artists in their natural habitats.
Musician ANOHNI and the Johnsons come to the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Friday and Saturday nights, ANOHNI’s first shows with the Johnsons in a decade. If pop-rock is more your thing, then Shawn Mendes is performing his new album at Brooklyn Paramount on Friday night.
Orville Peck brings his queer twang to Brooklyn Paramount on Saturday and Sunday. Also on Saturday and Sunday, the New York Aquarium transforms into the Ascarium for a weekend of family-friendly Halloween fun.
NYC FOR NC: A Comedy Benefit For Hurricane Relief caps off the weekend with a comedy benefit show at The Bell House on Sunday. Headliners include Todd Barry and Joe Zimmerman.
Trick or treat yourself to the best of Brooklyn all weekend long.
Friday, October 18
ANOHNI and the Johnsons at BAM
Friday and Saturday
ANOHNI presents a series of concerts with The Johnsons for the first time in a decade. Responding to a time of upheaval, she issues a challenge: “It’s Time to Feel What’s Really Happening” with a two-night residency at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on October 18 and 19. Embracing animist and eco-feminist themes, ANOHNI’s musical journey spans many genres—from electronic experimental to avant-classical, dance, and soul. 30 Lafayette Avenue. Tickets start at $57.
The Other Art Fair
Ongoing until Sunday
Brooklyn’s thriving art scene will be front and center this October as The Other Art Fair returns for its 14th edition. From October 17 to 20, art lovers and curious event-goers will gather at ZeroSpace for a weekend packed with unique works of art, immersive experiences and vibrant performances. Hosted by Saatchi Art, this fair edition is especially significant— it’s an extended celebration of The Other Art Fair’s 100th global edition, solidifying its place as a key event in the international art world. 337-345 Butler Street. Tickets are $27.17.
The 10th Annual BRIC JazzFest
Ongoing until Saturday
BRIC’s JazzFest returns this year for its 10th annual edition. This year’s lineup brings together legends and rising stars from both inside and outside the jazz genre. Come see and hear Brandee Younger, Gary Bartz, Makaya McCraven, Daniel Villareal, Reggie Workman and many more.
Food Network’s 2024 New York City Wine & Food Festival
Ongoing until Sunday
Food Network’s New York City Wine & Food Festival comes to Brooklyn for the first time in its 17 years in the city. Fan-favorite events such as the Grand Tasting and Pier Parties are now anchored in one sprawling 450,000 square-foot location at the new Invesco QQQ Campus at Brooklyn Army Terminal. The jam-packed weekend offers attendees an array of culinary events, like intimate dinners, walk-around tastings, informational sessions, and opportunities to see rising stars in the food industry and celebrities including Blake Lively, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and more.
17th Annual Bushwick Film Festival
Ongoing until Sunday
Bushwick’s big film festival returns for a week of screenings, featuring more than 125 independent films stemming from Brooklyn and around the world. This year’s festival theme, “Producing The Dream,” explores what it takes to realize a dream and celebrates the artistry and effort that filmmakers pour into their work to reflect our shared stories. The festival continues its tradition of recognizing exceptional talent through various events and awards in both documentary and narrative, including Best Feature, Best Short, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Audience Choice Award, Programmers Choice and more.
The New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival at BAM and Nitehawk
Ongoing until October 22
Just as NYFF wraps up, NewFest comes to BAM and both Nitehawk locations to celebrate the 36th anniversary of its annual New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival. Don’t miss the queer cultural event of the fall, featuring a thrilling lineup of highly anticipated LGBTQ+ films from around the world. The schedule includes over 140 narrative movies, documentaries, short films, TV series, panel conversations, and more — plus parties.
Brooklyn Horror Film Festival
Ongoing through October 24
Get Halloween started early at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival from October 17 to 24. Opening night features the world premiere of “Dead Mail” from co-directors Joe DeBoer and Kyle McConaghy. Director Emma Benestan’s “Animale” is the centerpiece screening, and the fest closes out with “The Rule of Jenny Pen,” starring Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow.
Halloween Harvest at Luna Park
Ongoing until October 27
Luna Park’s annual Halloween Harvest is underway with Halloween-themed activities, including pumpkin decorating, balloon twisting, face painting, tractor racing and trick-or-treating. Oh, and plenty of apple cider and pumpkin-spiced treats are for sale throughout the park.
Greg’s Great Pumpkin Patch
Ongoing until October 31
Need a pumpkin? Browse Greg’s collection of gourds in all shapes and sizes and tons of Halloween decor. Visit any time between 2 and 8 p.m. with the kids for pumpkin carving and painting with all supplies included. Located at Greenwood Park beer garden, 555 Seventh Avenue.
Black Lagoon Pop-Up at Someday Bar Brooklyn
Ongoing until October 31
The acclaimed Halloween pop-up Black Lagoon opened to the public beginning October 1 and will run through the 31st at Someday Bar. Black Lagoon is an immersive Halloween bar pop-up where mixology meets the macabre, a dark celebration for those who revel in the mysterious and bizarre, where guests can transport themselves to a world that blurs that line between reality and the supernatural.
NYPD Community Outreach Division Community Baby Shower
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
NYPD’s Community Outreach Division, sponsored by NewYork-Presbyterian, will host a community baby shower in Brooklyn on Friday. Families will have the opportunity to ask experts from NewYork-Presbyterian for general advice, swaddling lessons, lactation tips, doula services, mental health resources, pediatric care, resources to schedule follow-up appointments and more. 1561 Bedford Avenue. Free.
GERTIE’s New Neighbors Series
6 p.m.
In anticipation of GERTIE’s forthcoming expansion to Philly in early 2025, GERTIE is bringing the City of Brotherly Love to Brooklyn through its “New Neighbors” series. The run of Friday evening dinners and events will feature some of Philly’s finest chefs and restaurateurs. Kicking off the series is a Shabbat-style dinner hosted by James Beard Foundation Award-winning restaurateur Ellen Yin and Executive Chef Christina McKeough of High Street, a modern American restaurant known for its use of locally sourced grains and Mid-Atlantic produce. The team will serve up a three-course family-style menu comprising inventive collaborations like Celeriac Latkes brushed with Bone Marrow and Steak Tartare and Seat Trout and Caraflex Cabbage with Trout Roe Whey Beurre Blanc. 357 Grand Street. Tickets are $75.
‘Nightfall: Time Flies‘
7 p.m.
Nightfall: Time Flies is Green-Wood Cemetery’s culminating event of the season. Join Green-Wood for an evening where memories intertwine with the present, reminding us that in this sacred space, the essence of time is both ephemeral and eternal. Set across Green-Wood’s storied grounds, Nightfall features music and moving images curated by Death of Classical and Rooftop Films, spectacle provided by the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, and storytelling and show and tell by Morbid Anatomy.
Shawn Mendes at Brooklyn Paramount
8:30 p.m.
Shawn Mendes performs his new album “Shawn” live at Brooklyn Paramount on Friday night. Catch Mendes in conversation with John Mayer at Interview Magazine. 385 Flatbush Ave Ext. Tickets are sold out but available from third-party resellers.
Final Girl: An Homage to Slasher Films
10 p.m.
Brooklyn drag queens Thorgy Thor and Ginger Von Snap are back on Friday paying homage to the best horror films of all time at 3 Dollar Bill. Very special ghoul guest includes Detox and Brooklyn’s array of performers. 260 Meserole Street. Tickets start at $25.
Saturday, October 19
Arts Gowanus Open Studios
Saturday and Sunday
Arts Gowanus is a not-for-profit organization working to support, promote and advocate for local artists and a sustainable arts community in Brooklyn. For two full days, hundreds of artists open their studios as part of a massive, free art stroll through the Gowanus neighborhood. Artists without local studios will be showing at local businesses. Check out what your neighbors have been creating — and buy something to bring home with you. Various locations.
Wing Fest NYC
Saturday and Sunday
Come on down to Bk Backyard in Williamsburg for two days filled with everyone’s favorite pairing: football and wings. Bk Backyard sourced some of the best chicken wing restaurants in NYC to whip up wings all weekend long while you watch your favorite college and NFL teams on the big screens. Vendors include Pecking House, Namkeen, Wing Jawn and more. The festivities will include thrilling wing-eating contests, appearances by special guests, and a whole lot more. 61 Dobbin Street. Tickets start at $15.
Orville Peck at Brooklyn Paramount
Saturday and Sunday
America’s favorite masked South African country singer Orville Peck brings his “Stampede Tour” to Brooklyn Paramount for two nights this month. His latest album “Stampede” came chock-a-block with duets with everyone from Willie Nelson to Diplo to Beck to Elton John. So will he be bringing any of his famous friends with him on tour? There’s one way to find out. 385 Flatbush Ave Ext. Tickets begin at $64.
Ascarium
Saturday and Sunday and the following weekend
Ascarium is returning to the New York Aquarium on Coney Island this weekend. Ascarium takes over the Aquarium during the last two weekends of October and this year’s new activities include face painting, a revamped Aquatheater and storytelling. Other festivities include a costume parade, magic shows, Halloween crafts, a spooky scavenger hunt through the Aquarium, and more. 602 Surf Avenue. Various prices, free for members.
Sound & Color! Autumn Festival
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Watch the leaves turn colors before your eyes at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6 at a park-wide fall festival on Saturday. The Sound & Color! Autumn Festival is scheduled to have an afternoon of live musical performances, food vendors, kids activities, arts and crafts, field games, and more — including their signature pumpkin patch.
Gotham Roller Derby at LeFrak
5 p.m.
Bounce, rock, skate … bodycheck? On October 19, you can head to the Lefrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park for back-to-back match-ups of rockin’, rollin’ fun courtesy of some of NYC’s best up-and-coming derby talent. ️The first flat-track roller derby league in the metropolitan New York area, Gotham Roller Derby is celebrating its 20th year with a full season of hard-hitting games. 171 East Drive. Tickets are $40.
Sunday, October 20
Popography: Michael Jackson, ‘Thriller’
12 p.m.
Think you have moves like Michael Jackson? Join POPOGRAPHY, a choreography-based dance fitness class inspired by your favorite hits at Arlo Williamsburg on Sunday. Live your best pop star life in the hotel’s Mirror Bar during the class, which includes a warm-up, instructional section, and an opportunity to dance in groups. This class is open to all skill levels and requires no additional dance experience. 96 Wythe Avenue. Tickets are $20 and free for Arlo’s guests.
Nostalgiaween
5 p.m.
Get ready to laugh your cobwebs off at Nostalgiaween, the ultimate Halloween-themed comedy show at The Bell House. Featuring your favorite comedians revisiting retro horror flicks like “Hocus Pocus,” “Casper” and “Practical Magic.” Wear your best costume for a chance to win a nostalgic prize. It’s not a trick, only a treat! 149 7th Street (Between 2nd and 3rd Ave). Tickets are $25.65.
The Second City NY presents Fall Ball
6:30 p.m.
As The Second City approaches the end of their inaugural year in New York, they have so much to celebrate, and they recognize that it wouldn’t have been possible without their wonderful neighbors, patrons, and friends. With the holiday season around the corner, Second City is excited to invite you to their First Annual Fall Ball on Sunday. This festive open house is a community celebration for everyone, featuring a schedule that includes three shows leading up to the event. Add in the drink specials they’ll have at their restaurant, The Bentwood, and you’ve got yourself a party. 64 North 9th Street. Free.
NYC FOR NC: A Comedy Benefit For Hurricane Relief
8 p.m.
Show up for North Carolina on Sunday night when local comedians host a benefit at The Bell House. The evening features comedians Joe Zimmerman, Todd Barry, Emmy Blotnick, Aaron Chen and Michael Kosta. Proceeds go to BeLoved Asheville. 149 7th Street. Tickets are $30.75.
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