As autumn weather sets in, two major events define the October calendar in Brooklyn: Columbus Day, a three-day weekend, and Halloween, which is celebrated with harvest festivals and children's and dog costume parades for several weekends. The cultural calendar is busy, too, with with exhibits at the Brooklyn Museum and BAM's Next Wave festival. In addition, there are charity runs, wonderful concerts and readings, and one of the biggest and best of the city's street fairs, the Atlantic Antic.
**Please note: THIS OCTOBER CALENDAR IS A LISTING OF ANNUAL EVENTS that happen every October in Brooklyn. It's organized alphabetically, not by date. For more details on these annual events, please click on the links below.
For more, and current listings with details, see our current monthly calendar.
A note for locals with guests, as well as tourists and visitors:1. 5K Walkathon "Run for the Wild — Charity Run for Wildlife (Coney Island)
There's lots happening in October in Coney Island. Photo courtesy of Julie Larsen Maher.
2. Atlantic Antic Street Festival (Boerum Hill, Downtown, Ft. Greene)
Don't miss the Atlantic Antic Street Fair. Every year it just keeps on getting better! Begun back in 1974, this two mile festival runs from about noon till six in the evening, rain or shine.From Hicks Street to Fourth Avenue on Atlantic Ave.
3. BAM Next Wave Series-Ongoing (Fort Greene)
BAM is one of New York City's premiere cultural venues, and the Next Wave festival always offers a challenging, interesting program series.4. Bay Ridge Harvest Festival and Dog Costume Contest (Bay Ridge)
Scheduled well before Halloween, this annual event features a famous haunted house and also a dog costume parade.5. Bed Stuy ALIVE Events (Bedford-Stuyvesant)
Visit this vibrant historic neighborhood for a Brooklyn experience.6. Bed-Stuy Annual House Tour and Studio Strut (Bedford-Stuyvesant)
Visit local artists at their studios, and enjoy viewing historic, landmark homes on the Annual House Tour of Bedford-Stuyvesant, begun in 1978.7. Big Eyed Blues Festival (Borough Wide, for youth)
Find out about the Big Eyed Blues Festival. It brings blues music to community youth and neighboring boroughs and cities. Proceeds support Big Eyed Blues Project Youth Program.
8. Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Ghouls and Gourds, One Day Halloween Fun
Gigantic costume parade at Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Ghouls & Gourds fest. Photo by Jason Gardner
