NYC Happenings Food, Fun, Family & Furry Friends
September 2026
September always feels like a fresh start in New York. After the slower pace of summer, the city comes back to life, school is back in session, and the real estate market begins its busy fall season.
I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. I was fortunate to spend some time in Norway in August, hiking, exploring the fjords, and enjoying a little time away before jumping back into the fall market.
September is one of my favorite months in the city. There are so many events, street fairs, festivals, and music happening throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. I’ve included some of my picks below, hopefully you’ll find something fun to add to your calendar.
As we head into fall, I’m looking forward to reconnecting with clients, friends, and neighbors. Whether you’re thinking about buying or selling, curious about what your home is worth, or simply need a recommendation for a contractor, painter, restaurant, or just about anything else, please reach out. One of my favorite parts of what I do is connecting people with the right resources.
Wishing everyone a wonderful September and start to fall!
Market Update
As we head into the fall market, both Manhattan and Brooklyn continue to be defined by limited inventory and a steady buyer demand. September traditionally brings a new wave of listings after the summer slowdown, so buyers should have more choices in the coming weeks. The question will be whether enough new inventory comes to market to satisfy buyers who have been waiting to make a move.
Mortgage rates remain a factor, with 30-year fixed rates currently hovering in the high-6% range. While these rates continue to affect affordability, buyers have had time to adjust to the higher-rate environment and remain active when the right property comes along.
For sellers, limited inventory creates an opportunity, but buyers remain selective. Properties that are well prepared, show well and are priced correctly are in the strongest position to attract attention, while overpriced properties may sit even in a low-inventory market.
As the fall market gets underway, I expect it to remain very property-specific, with pricing, condition and location making a significant difference.
If you or someone you know is looking to buy, sell, or rent, I’d love to help. As many of you know, being a connector is part of who I am. I genuinely enjoy helping people find the right fit, whether it’s a home, a contractor, or a great restaurant.
Corcoran Market Reports
- Last week, 175 contracts were signed, down 7% versus the prior week but up 4% year-over-year. This was the first annual gain for contracts signed in four weeks.
- For the first time since 2023, new development sales have now declined annually by 15% or more for six consecutive weeks. All other product types saw year-over-year gains in contract activity.
- All segments over $1M matched or exceeded last year’s levels, led by a 17% gain over $5M (two additional sales). Reported contracts asking under $1M fell 6% year over year (three fewer deals).
- Versus 2025, contract activity above 34th Street fell a combined 4% due to drops in Midtown and the Upper West Side, whereas sales below 34th Street increased a significant 22%, with both Downtown and the Financial District & Battery Park City posting double-digit annual percentage increases.
- Last week, 77 contracts were signed in Brooklyn, down 25% versus last week and 9% year-over-year.
- Resale condo and single-family townhouse signings experienced annual gains of 23% and 38%, respectively. On the other hand, new development and resale coop signings saw double-digit annual percentage declines.
- Versus 2025, contracts reported over $1M increased 32%, while those under $1M, just over half of all activity, decreased by 30%.
- Fort Greene/Clinton Hill/Prospect Heights and Brooklyn Heights/Cobble Hill/Dumbo/Downtown Brooklyn were the only areas to report annual increases in contract signings; the rest either decreased or did not change.
Food
Sams Restaurant ** Re-opening
238 Court Street- Cobble Hill
Sept 10
Led by Georgia Fulton, a longtime server from the nearby Long Island Bar, alongside involvement from Andrew Halitski of La Rose Pizza
Frenzie **New
129 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn Heights
From the owners of Confident, a late night Pizza bar open until 2am on weekends. Serving 6 slice sourdough pies, small plates and dessert. The owners spent 6 years making pizza at Roberta's so it must be good.
Light Switch Coffee & Bar **New
333 Court Street. Carroll Gardens
Operates as a specialty coffee shop and bakery by day (featuring coffee from Red Hook's Abbotsford Road and pastries from Mille-Feuille), transitioning into a cozy wine, beer, and spritz bar with light bites and charcuterie by night
Lox Fest
Pier 17 South Street Seaport
Sept 19
10 am–12:30 pm and 1–3:30 pm.
Presented by Fulton Fish Market. This massive Bagel and lox festival featuring premium lox tastings, live music and views Expect a celebration of smoky, salty goodness featuring classic lox and wild new interpretations.
Feast of San Gennaro
Sept 17-27
This year is particularly significant because it marks the festival’s 100th anniversary. The festival takes over Mulberry Street and surrounding streets with food vendors, entertainment, processions and events celebrating Italian-American culture.
Fun
Return of the Buffalo
Sept 18 & 19
5 pm Friday Lower Manhattan
2 pm Saturday Downtown Brooklyn
Return of the Buffalo is one of the largest public art spectacles this year. It' will feature a herd of 50 life-size buffalo puppets roaming Downtown Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. Organized by St. Ann's Warehouse and The Walk Productions, 150 volunteer puppeteers will guide the massive creatures through the city alongside live music, dance, and Indigenous ceremonies
Broadway Week
Sept 8-20
t’s happening now: grab 2-for-1 seats with code 241BWSHOW or level up your night with the $135 upgrade using code UPBWSHOW today*. Browse the lineup and book ASAP.
Beethoven’s Fifth
Fort Green Orchestra
Sept 17 & 19 at 8pm
St Joseph Co-Cathedral
856 Pacific St
Four notes the world knows, one hour of storm fate and blazing triumph in one of Brooklyn's beautiful sanctuaries.
Buy Tickets $45 doors open 7:30
Met Opera’s Summer HD Festival
Sept 2-7
Roughly 2,500 general admission seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis each night. Arriving early is strongly encouraged because seats fill up fast.
Free
Brooklyn Book Festival
Sept 20-28
Sept 26 10-4 pm
Children’s day - Borough Hall.
Sept 27. 10- 6 pm
Festival Day & Literary marketplace
CBGB Festival
Sept 26, 2 pm start
Under the K Bridge- Greenpoint
2 stages, 17 bands, 1 day of punk paradise in Brooklyn
The CBGB Festival celebrates NYC's gritty past through the lens of modern punk era with a lineup bridging punk's origins to it's future.
Snapple Island Ferry
Pier 17, 89 South Street
Sept 17 Doors open 7pm.
Show starts 8:30
Free one night comedy show hosted by Pete Davidson and Colin Jost. The remaining slots are reserved for six "emerging talents" and rising comedy stars.
Free Snapple and Snacks
Tickets drop daily at 3 pm
Atlantic Antic
Brooklyn
Sept 27 12:00-6:00
NYC's largest street fest, the Atlantic Antic, fills Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue with food and craft vendors, family fun, and amazing performances. A highlight for families is the block-long Mommy Poppins Kid Fest with free arts and crafts, music and lots of active play.
Global Citizens Festival
Great Lawn, Central Park
Sept 26
4 pm- 10 pm. Gates open at 2 pm
Hosted by Hugh Jackman, Featuring Lauren Hill & Wyclef Jean, John Legend, Lenny Kravitz and more
Family
Annual Bus Festival
Emily Warren Roebling Plaza
Sept 19. 10:00-3:30
The New York Transit Museum invites visitors aboard some of its beloved vintage vehicles at this annual fest. Explore buses from the vintage fleet representing more than 80 years of New York City surface transit history.
Snoopy in Style NYC
25 Little W 12
Sept 2-26 10:00-6:00
Peanuts presents Snoopy in Style NYC—a multifaceted exhibition celebrating Charles M. Schulz’ comic strip through the lens of fashion, creativity, and culture.
Free
Broadways Magic Hour
318 W 53rd St
Sat & Sun Shows 2 pm
An hour-long, all-ages magic and mind-reading show featuring master illusionists and heavy audience participation.
Back To Fall Fest
Pier 57
Sept 20, 12-3 pm
Join Mommy Poppins for their Fall Fest in the Living Room and Community Classrooms with tons of games, arts & crafts, and activities for the whole family.
Apple Picking Season
Begins Sept 5
Apple picking near NYC typically starts in early September and continues throughout the fall, with apple orchards in the tri-state area offering families a chance to pluck a perfect fruit right from the tree. Many of these apple orchards near NYC also host fun apple festivals and offer cool kid-friendly attractions.
Fishkill Farms E Fishkill NY
Harvest Moon Croton Falls NY.
Alstede Farms Chester NJ
Maskers Orchards Warwick, NY
Wilkins Fruit & Fir Farm Yorktown Hts
Harbes Orchard Mattituck LI.
Wickham's Fruit Farm Cutchogue LI
Milk Pail Watermill LI
Furry Friends
Paws on Parade
Bryant Park
Sept 19 12:00-5:00 pm
Come bark in the park! Dog parade and social featuring live music, food and drink vendors, crafts, workshops, and more!
Pups & Pints
DBA
41 1st Ave
Sept 13 & 27 1:30 pm
A dog-friendly watercolor painting session led by artist Michele Cahill (advance registration and photo submission required).
Founded in 2004, WaggyTail Rescue is a non-profit organization based in NYC, dedicated to the rehoming and rehabilitation of small breed dogs and cats. Adopt or Foster, both dogs and cats are currently available. Get Involved!
Your calendar of dog-friendly and dog-themed events happening in and around NYC!
Dog Friendly NYC
Featured Properties
Lenox Hill, UES
E 73rd street
2 BD 2 BA 1250 SF $1,350,000 price $3,135 Mt
Coming back to the market after Labor Day!
An exciting building update: The co-op is currently considering allowing washer/dryers to be installed in individual apartments. The board is reviewing the details and determining which units will be able to accommodate them, with more information expected soon.
