Weekend Wonders: Light Festivals, Norse Music, and Pumpkin Parades in NYC

Welcome, listeners, to Things to do in New York City! It’s Friday, September 26, 2025, and I’m Oly Bennet—your globe-trotting, sports-loving sidekick, ready to launch you into the wild, weird, and oh-so-wonderful world of New York’s daily adventures. The Big Apple today has that crisp fall edge—think cool breezes, golden leaves, and the electric anticipation of weekend energy. There’s a magnetic buzz in the air as thousands descend on Times Square at 9am for the massive march demanding action at the United Nations General Assembly, uniting voices in one of the city’s most passionate protests. Meanwhile, the streets are a patchwork of umbrellas and scarves, perfect for hopping from one event to the next. Let’s dive into today’s main events! First up, for all you night owls and light-lovers, the Light Festival on the Water kicks off at 6:30pm. Picture immersive light installations dancing across the harbor, live music, and every food truck from kimchi tacos to deep-fried Oreos setting up along the East River—absolutely Insta-worthy and absolutely free, as Club Free Time highlights. Culture vultures, the city’s fall lineup refuses to quit! Head to the Beacon Theatre tonight where Norwegian folk phenomenon Wardruna, joined by the mysterious Chelsea Wolfe, takes the stage. Expect Norse drums, haunting vocals, and probably someone wearing antlers—if you’ve never experienced Viking music in Manhattan, this is your moment, as announced by the Beacon Theatre. If your spirit animal is more indie film geek than Norse warrior, pop up to Queer Voices: NYC Film Festival, which launches today and runs all weekend, centering and celebrating LGBTQIA+ filmmakers and creatives of color at The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. GO Magazine is buzzing about this one! For families, don’t miss the Ragamuffin Parade and Festival down on 4th Street—think costumes, music, and mini paraders in the kind of outfits only grandmothers and Brooklynites can dream up, as featured on NYC’s official events portal. And over in Dumbo, the FAD Market's fall pop-up means artisanal goods, slow fashion workshops, and, yes, more snacks. Shifting gears to local buzz: Word on the street is there's a hot, new vegan bakery in Williamsburg baking up “cronuts” stuffed with pumpkin mousse, and the MTA just announced an express Q train running through the weekend to help you glide uptown hassle-free—a rare New York miracle, according to local news sources. Whether you’re a lifelong New Yorker or a freshly-minted transplant, you simply can’t skip the city’s unbeatable fall essentials: a stroll through Central Park’s fiery foliage, a pit stop at Washington Square to catch jazz buskers battling it out for loose change, and a late-night pizza quest in Greenwich Village. Local tip: While everyone’s clustered at the big-name parks, the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn quietly transforms into a leaf-peeping wonderland at sunset—a hidden gem for those who like their autumn with This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.