Feast of San Gennaro and more top street festivals in NYC
Join the Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy for its 100th anniversary, featuring food, music and the Grand Procession honoring San Gennaro. Credit: Corey Sipkin
September is prime time for a day trip to New York City, with some of the biggest street festivals taking over Manhattan and Brooklyn. From the Feast of San Gennaro's 100th anniversary celebration in Little Italy to LoxFest to the Atlantic Antic street festival, here's what Long Islanders need to know about getting there by Long Island Rail Road and making the most of a festival-filled day.
Sept. 17-27: Feast of San Gennaro
Getting there by LIRR: Take any branch into Penn Station, then hop on the N/Q/R/W subway to Canal Street/Broadway, just two blocks from the festival's southern entrance.
The Feast of San Gennaro returns to Manhattan's Little Italy this month for its 100th anniversary, closing 15 downtown blocks for the largest and longest-running Italian festival in the country. The annual feast honors San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples, and fills Mulberry Street with food vendors, religious celebrations, carnival-style festivities and live music, including a performance from Bethpage's Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti on Sept. 25 at 8 p.m.
People wander between rows of outdoor bars and food vendors on Mulberry Street during the annual Feast of San Gennaro celebration in New York's Little Italy neighborhood. Credit: AP/Kathy Willens
The marquee event, the Grand Procession carrying the statue of San Gennaro through the streets, is on Sept. 26 at 2 p.m., capped off that night with a live concert from visiting Neapolitan artists as part of a centennial "Napoli Expo" celebration.
Sausage-and-pepper heros and zeppole are the festival's signature bites, and vendors line Mulberry Street for all 11 days. Weekday afternoons are the calmest time to walk the strip; Friday and Saturday nights draw the biggest crowds.
- Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily, until midnight Friday and Saturday
- Where: Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston streets, plus stretches of Mott, Hester, Grand and Canal streets
- Cost: Free to enter; pay as you go for food, drinks and games
- More info: sangennaronyc.org
Sept. 19: LoxFest
Getting there by LIRR: Take any branch into Penn Station, then take the subway downtown. You can take the 2 or 3 train to Fulton Street. From the station, Pier 17 is about a 10-minute walk.
Bagel lovers can get their fix at Manhattan's LoxFest, a one-day celebration of New York's iconic breakfast combination of bagels and lox. The festival brings together local bagel shops, smoked-salmon purveyors and other food vendors at Pier 17 for an afternoon of tastings and drinks on the waterfront. There is a morning and afternoon session and tickets are required, starting at $28 per person. Tickets include one food token, and additional tokens can be purchased on-site or ahead of time online ($36 for three tokens).
Expect plenty of smoked salmon, bagels and creative takes on the classic pairing, along with drinks and entertainment. The festival takes place at Pier 17 in the Seaport, making it easy to turn the event into a full day downtown.
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Where: Pier 17, 89 South St.
- Cost: Tickets required; prices start at $28
- More info: loxfest.com
Sept. 25-Oct. 4: The Village Trip
Getting there by LIRR: Take any branch into Penn Station, then the PATH or the 1 train downtown to Christopher Street. Alternatively, walk the High Line from Penn Station south to Gansevoort Plaza.
The Village Trip brings the streets of Greenwich Village to life with a 10-day arts and culture festival celebrating the Village's history as a hub for folk music, literature and counterculture. For its eighth annual festival, expect vendors, shopping, live entertainment and activities at Gansevoort Plaza in the Meatpacking District and various locations across Greenwich Village and the East Village.
A concert themed around "We the People" kicks off the festival on Sept. 25 at St John’s in the Village (218 W. 11th St.), and food vendors and neighborhood restaurants will offer options for lunch, snacks and drinks, while businesses and artisans provide plenty of opportunities to shop.
While some events are free, certain walking tours and concerts cost between $10 and $35 per person. A full list of events and their locations can be found online.
- Hours: Varies each day based on events
- Where: Gansevoort Plaza, plus various venues across Greenwich Village and the East Village
- Cost: Free to enter; pay as you go for food, tours and concerts ($10-35)
- More info: thevillagetrip.com
Sept. 27: Atlantic Antic
Getting there by LIRR: Take the LIRR to Atlantic Terminal, which is served by multiple Long Island branches. The station puts you right near the eastern end of the festival.
Atlantic Antic takes over more than a dozen blocks of Atlantic Avenue for Brooklyn's oldest and largest street festival. The annual tradition is celebrating its 51st year and will have food vendors, local businesses, artists, live music and family-friendly activities.
New this year are three dedicated kids zones along the route and the return of the "Antic Sing" competition. Expect everything from Middle Eastern and Trinidadian food stalls to vintage clothing racks and live performances across multiple stages.
- Hours: Noon to 6 p.m.
- Where: Atlantic Avenue from Fourth Avenue to Hicks Street
- Cost: Free to enter; pay as you go for food, shopping and activities
- More info: atlanticave.com
How to save on the LIRR
- Family fare: Families traveling together can take advantage of the LIRR's Family Fare, where up to four children aged 5-17 ride for $1 each when accompanied by a fare-paying adult who is at least 18 years old. Children under five ride free.
- For travelers 65 and older: The LIRR offers discounted fares up to 50% off the full one-way peak fare for passengers 65 and older. They can also buy tickets onboard without paying the onboard surcharge.
