NYC Happenings: Food, Fun, Family & Furry Friends
October 2026
Fall is officially here, my favorite season in NYC! The city is back in full swing, buzzing with street fairs, fall festivals, and all the creative energy that makes New York so special.
Speaking of energy, did you see the buffalo roaming the streets this month? Only in New York! It’s one of those "you have to see it to believe it" moments that reminds us why we love living here. If you missed the footage, I’ve included a link below so you can catch up on the city's latest unexpected guest.
Much like a herd of roaming buffalo being spotted in NYC, the real estate market can occasionally throw us a curveball. As we head into the fourth quarter, we’re seeing some interesting shifts. With recent movement in interest rates, there’s a renewed sense of urgency from buyers who spent the summer on the sidelines and are now ready to make their move.
Inventory continues to drive the conversation. Well-priced, beautifully presented apartments, both co-ops and condos, are still attracting healthy competition. Today’s buyers are savvy; they are quick to act on a gem but remain selective when a property feels overpriced or requires significant work.
On the financing front, mortgage rates have ticked upward in recent weeks, with the average 30-year fixed rate now hovering around 7.5%. While these figures are higher than what we’ve grown accustomed to over the last few years, it’s important to keep an open mind. There are still incredible opportunities for those who are prepared and flexible.
There are also a variety of financing paths available, and rates can vary significantly based on your down payment and overall financial profile. A great lender is your best asset right now to help identify competitive options. Remember, you can always refinance down the road, but you can’t go back and buy the home you loved and lost.
As the fall market unfolds, success will remain very property-specific. Pricing, condition, and location are the keys to how quickly a home sells and the level of interest it generates.
October is a season of transition, and I’m here to help you navigate yours. Whether you’re thinking about buying or selling, curious about your property’s current value, or just want a recommendation for the best cider donuts in the city, don’t hesitate to reach out.
In case you are interested, I have moved the Corcoran Market Reports to the bottom of the page.
All the best,
Dawn
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.
Food
NYC Wine & Food Festival
Over 50 events featuring more than 300 chefs, mixologists, winemakers, and culinary personalities.
French Pastry Showdown
Top pastry chefs go head-to-head in the 5th annual Paysan Breton Kouign Amann Contest competing to see who can make the best version of Brittany’s iconic pastry.
Zig Zag Oyster Bar *New
It’s already a neighborhood favorite, a raw bar wide open to the street with a fun food menu, classic cocktails, lots of wine, and a relaxed, inclusive attitude that makes you want to be a regular.
Smor Bakery *New Brooklyn bakery
Smør Bakery is a popular Scandinavian-inspired cafe, bakery, and wine bar known for light, fresh Nordic cuisine and top-tier baked goods.
* The cinnamon buns are amazing!
Doubles – Coming Soon
Casual Caribbean-inspired eatery. Locations in Amagansett & Sag Harbor
Fun
Brooklyn Bridge Park Gala
This year, everything raised at the Gala will help bring our new Education Center to life. Join us at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Gala to celebrate what Brooklyn Bridge Park is today – and help build what it will be tomorrow.
Brooklyn Heights Showhouse
The Brooklyn Heights showhouse features rooms transformed by over 15 cutting-edge interior designers inside a landmarked 1852 Greek Revival corner mansion.
The New Yorker Festival
The 27th annual celebration of culture, ideas and entertainment in NYC. Conan O'Brien (with David Remnick), Aaron Sorkin, Ken Burns, Michael Douglas, Ethan Hawke, Mariska Hargitay, Parker Posey, and Hannah Einbinder.
Open House NY
OHNY is an annual festival that unlocks 300 destinations across the 5 boroughs for behind the scenes tours and special activities.
Harbor Festival
Join the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium and partners for a free, family-friendly STEM festival. Learn about the ecological, economic and cultural importance of Hudson Canyon and its connection to New York Harbor. Free
Harvest Festival
Pumpkin Point – Governor's Island
Oct 24 & 25, 10:00am-5:00pm
Maze by Moonlight
Two nights only! Bring your flashlight and enjoy the fun; Maze By Moonlight adds an entirely new level to the challenge of finding your way through this interactive maze. Age 16 and up
🎃 Halloween Events (Saturday) 🎃
Brooklyn
Halloween Fest Fort Greene Park – Oct 24, 4:00pm-7:00pm
Brooklyn Heights Parade – Oct 27, 10:30am
Dumboween – Oct 31, 3pm
Halloween Family Skate – Oct 31, 12:00-6:00pm, BBP Pier 2
Brooklyn Children's Museum – Oct 31, 10:00am-6:30pm
BAMboo! – Oct 31, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Other Boroughs
Washington Mkt Halloween Parade – Oct 27, 1:00pm-3:00pm
AMNH Halloween Celebration – Oct 31, 11:00am-4:30pm
Boo at the Zoo – Weekends Through Nov 1
Village Halloween Parade – Oct 31, 7pm
Crypt Crawl St John the Divine – Oct 31, 10:30-11:30 (Over 12 yrs)
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
🐾 🎃 Halloween Events 🎃 🐾
Oct 17 – Tomkins Sq Park Dog Parade (E Village – Time TBD)
Oct 17 – Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade – Carroll Park 3pm-5pm
Oct 24 – Riverside Park Pup Halloween – UWS 12-3pm
Oct 23 – Bark after Dark Howl-O-Ween – AKC Museum (Kids 4-6 & Adults 6-8pm)
Oct 24 – Great PUPkin Contest – Ft Greene Park 12pm-1pm
Oct 25 – Halloween dog parade – Stuyvesant Park 1-3:30pm
Oct 31 – Howl-O-Ween costume contest – Under the Archway 2pm
Waggytail Rescue
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!
NYC Dog Events
Your calendar of dog-friendly and dog themed events happening in and around NYC!
Blessing of the Animals – Oct 4
St John the Divine 11:45 – 1047 Amsterdam Ave
St Ann & Holy Trinity 1:30 – 157 Montague St
Featured Properties
E 73rd street
Price Improvement!
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.
Corcoran Market Reports
Manhattan
- Last week, 159 contracts were signed, up 1% week-over-week but down 16% year-over-year.
- This was the second time since the 4th of July that sales declined year-over-year for three consecutive weeks.
- New development sales have now fallen for 11 consecutive weeks for the first time since April 2025, including eight weeks with year-over-year declines of at least 30%.
- Sales over $5M fell 50% from a year ago (six fewer deals), marking the second-largest annual percentage decline in this price segment this year. In the 23 weeks since the pied-à-terre tax announcement, sales over $5M are down 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
- The week's highest-priced contract was 9W at The Verona asking $14.5M ($3,554 PSF)
Brooklyn
- Last week, 111 contracts were signed, up 3% week-over-week and year-over-year.
- New development and resale co-op contracts rose 43% and 39% year-over-year, respectively. Townhouses and resale condos declined annually.
- Transactions under $500K led gains in both percentage (85%) and absolute change (11), driven by a surge in co-op contracts. The $2M to $3M price segment was also up 38%.
- Three of the eight submarkets saw positive year-over-year changes. Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Dumbo & Downtown Brooklyn saw a 90% gain (nine more contracts) while Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill, & Red Hook saw the largest percentage gain (150%), a difference of three deals.
- The most expensive sale of the week was unit 26B at Olympia Dumbo, a resale with west-facing views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. It was last asking $6.75M ($2,543 per square foot), $500K above the developer's 2024 sale price.
