If you’re already googling fall events in Queens, you’re in the right place. Autumn is when this borough leans into everything we do best: food, culture, music, and family time without the August heat. I pulled together a practical, locals-first guide to the biggest, most-loved happenings this fall, with dates you can actually put on your calendar.
Get Ready for Fall: What’s Happening Near You
The Queens County Agricultural Fair + Maize Maze
Sept 27–28, Queens County Farm Museum (Floral Park)
Consider this the official kickoff to fall. Tractor pulls, pie-eating, blue-ribbon contests—the works. It’s the city’s longest-running county fair, and this year it runs 11 a.m.–6 p.m. both days. Pair it with the Amazing Maize Maze (NYC’s only corn maze), and you’ve got the perfect weekend with kids, cousins, and out-of-town guests who never believe this is still New York City. Advance tickets recommended.
Apples and Honey Day at Queens Botanical Garden
When & Where: Sunday, September 28, 12 to 4 PM, 43-50 Main St, Flushing
What to Expect: Apples and honey tastings, seasonal beer and cider, live music, crafts, and lawn games. Entry included in regular garden admission.
Why Go: It’s a celebration of harvest season in a peaceful garden setting. Great for couples, families, or anyone who wants to slow down and enjoy autumn in a quieter space.
Queens Night Market: Fall Session
Saturdays, Sept 13–Oct 25, 4 pm–Midnight (Flushing Meadows Corona Park)
Yes, it’s back for a fall run, and the late-night energy is half the fun. The price cap on food keeps it friendly, and the mix of vendors is a tour of the borough in bite-sized form.
Pro tip: arrive early, do a fast lap to scout, then commit. Bring cash for the fastest lines and an extra tote for impulse buys
For Foodies and Beer Lovers: Oktoberfest in Western Queens
When: September 12 to October 26
Where: Venues across Astoria, Long Island City, and Woodside, including Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden, Alewife Brewing, Murphy’s Bar, SingleCut Beersmiths, and The Bier and Cheese Collective.
What to Expect: German beer, bratwursts, music, and big communal tables. Some venues serve traditional fare, while others offer a Queens twist.
Why Go: Queens’ beer scene has deep roots, and Oktoberfest is the best excuse to explore it with friends.
Astoria Mystic Circle Mega Market
When & Where: Sunday, October 5, 1 to 6 PM, 31st Ave Open Street
What to Expect: Tarot and palm readers, astrology sessions, psychics (for humans and pets), plus classes and artisan vendors.
Why Go: It’s as much a neighborhood street fair as it is a mystical gathering. A little quirky, very local, and always packed with creative energy.
Forest Hills Stadium: Big Music, Cool Nights
Sept 20–28 (multiple shows) + October dates (Forest Hills)
Fall is prime time on the grass courts. This year includes multi-night pop-up shows from Chappell Roan (Sept 20–24) and the three-day All Things Go festival (Sept 26–28). October adds more headliners, so check the calendar if you want a last blast of outdoor music before hoodie season takes over.
Transit tip: E/F/M/R to 71st-Continental; leave a buffer for security and a snack lap.
Queens Botanical Garden: Pumpkin Patch Weekends
Weekends, Oct 12–26 (Flushing)
If you’ve got littles or you just love a wholesome photo op, QBG’s Pumpkin Patch weekends bundle crafts, readings, and plenty of pumpkins you can actually carry home. Tickets are timed; book ahead and plan for a calm 60–90 minutes, then wander Main Street for dumplings or bakeries afterward.
Socrates Sculpture Park: Halloween Harvest
Sat, Oct 25, 12–5 pm (Astoria/LIC waterfront)
Free, creative, and very Queens. Expect workshops, pumpkin decorating, and what’s billed as NYC’s second-largest dog costume contest—the sidelines are half the show. Pack layers; the river breeze can sneak up on you.
Diwali Motorcade & Parade (Little Guyana)
Sat, Oct 18, afternoon into evening (Richmond Hill/Liberty Ave)
One of the borough’s most dazzling street celebrations: illuminated floats, tassa drums, food vendors, families in their best outfits—little moments that make a big memory. If it’s your first time, arrive before dusk near 133rd–125th Streets on Liberty, and let the lights lead you.
Open House New York Weekend (Citywide, Queens sites included)
Oct 17–19
Architecture fans, this is your Super Bowl: behind-the-scenes access to public works, historic buildings, and design studios—many in Queens and usually closed to the public. Bookmark the site and build your route when the list drops; popular sites do “sell out” (free but limited slots).
Bonus: Museum & Gallery Days That Feel Like Fall
Noguchi Museum (Astoria): Free First Friday on Sept 5 (11 am–8 pm) and a strong fall exhibition schedule—perfect on a crisp afternoon, followed by a waterfront walk.
Queens Museum (Flushing Meadows): Keep an eye on their fall programs and family Sundays; pairing it with the Night Market is a smart double-header. (Check their calendar closer to your date.)
How to Plan Like a Local
Transit > Parking. The 7 train gets you to Citi Field/Night Market; E/F/M/R serve Forest Hills; buses put you right at QBG and Queens Farm. If you drive, build in 20–30 minutes for parking hunts on the busiest days.
Time your day. For anything family-heavy (Farm Museum, QBG, Socrates), aim for the first hour or last hour for gentler crowds.
Layer up. Waterfront events cool off fast after sunset; a light jacket saves the day.
Eat nearby. Night Market speaks for itself. For Queens Farm, hit Bell Blvd. after; for QBG, Flushing’s food scene is steps away; for Socrates, LIC has café options within a 10-minute stroll.
Why Fall Weekends Matter When You’re House Hunting
I say this a lot to clients: choosing a home isn’t only about bedrooms and square footage; it’s about weekends. Can you wake up, grab a coffee, and be somewhere magical in 15 minutes? Queens in the fall answers “yes” over and over. These events stitch neighborhoods together: you’ll bump into your baker at the Night Market, your kid’s teacher at the Pumpkin Patch, and your future running buddy on the esplanade after a concert.
If you’re weighing a move, pick a Saturday and test-drive the routine. Start at Queens Farm or QBG, swing through a museum, and end the night under stadium lights or market string lights. If that loop feels easy and right, we’re shopping in the right places.
I can help map commutes, compare lifestyle fits, and time your home search so you can settle in before the holiday season. Reach out when you’re ready.
Details and lineups can shift—always check official sites the week you go.