STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island’s fall festival season kicks off with two flavorful favorites:Pig IslandandFig Fest NYC. On September 6, Pig Island returns to Snug Harbor Cultural Center, where over 20 NYC chefs and pitmasters will serve up creative pork dishes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with VIP entry at 11 a.m. and general admission at noon. The following weekend, on September 13, the 15th annual Fig Fest NYC moves to Nansen’s Park, featuring fig-themed competitions, live music, and culinary creations from noon to 4 p.m.
Sept. 6 —Pig Island (South Meadow) — Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens, Livingston — A popular food and drink festival celebrates all things pork, featuring top NYC chefs, pitmasters, and restaurants serving up creative pork dishes. This year it runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with VIP entry at 11 a.m. and general admission at noon; tickets range from $49.14 to $91.70 and include all food from 20+ chefs serving BBQ and global flavors —pigisland.com.
Sept. 11 – 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.
Go fig or go home…or go to the Fig Fest NYC held this year at Nansen’s Lodge — with parking. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Sept. 13 — The 15th annual Fig Festival NYC celebrates all things ficus and will be held at Nansen’s Park from noon to 4 p.m. Usually it is at the National Lighthouse Museum but due to the size of the festival, it has moved to Travis and will include on-site parking. A portion of the proceeds will go to the National Lighthouse Museum.
The festival, sponsored by FigFanatic.com and Perfect Golf Event, will feature multiple competitions including awards for the grandest fig by weight, best baked fig product, most delectable savory fig creation, and most exceptional fig judged by color, size, and flavor. The competitive portion of the event culminates in the crowning of a Fig King at 3 p.m. For contest entries of baked goods and whole, fresh garden-grown figs from the region send name, entry and cell phone number to chef348@gmail.com with “Fig Contest” in the memo.
Throughout the afternoon, attendees can enjoy performances by various artists, including Karlus Trapp, vocalist and guitarist and, separately Jonathan Green, baritone with Riverside Opera Company who will sing “Figaro.” Feel the Beat will provide musical entertainment during the festival’s kickoff.
Food will be available for purchase by Butter Me Up, Farm to Bagel, Taste of Honey Caterers, and Charleston Farmers Market. There will be a cash bar and free fig samplings plus a limited wine/cheese/fig pairing.
A limited number of tickets are available through FigFestNYC.com. They are $20 per person and $30 per couple.
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.
Flagship Brewing Co. holdsits annual Oyster Fest to celebrate New York City’s oystering history and a fall style from Staten Island, Oyster Stout.
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.
Flashback to one of the earliest Westerleigh Folk Festivals with a classic Island musical lineup, including the late Stan Jay, left, Morty Jacobi, Bob Conway and Norm Pederson. This festival showcases the many talented musicians on Staten Island in a sweet park setting.
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
The Decker Farm is about 14 acres and managed by Historic Richmond Town. 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
In prior soup contests at the National Lighthouse Museum, contestants went head to head, cup to cup with cooks from as far away as Virginia. (Courtesy of Dr. Adrienne Ferret
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
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
The cranberry festival in Tottenville is a decades-old tradition that includes all things cranberry from pound cakes to pancakes. staten island advanceNovember
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.
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