Randall's Island has a genuine working urban farm on it, and this is the afternoon it opens up to mark the end of the growing season, with a pumpkin patch, cooking demonstrations and partner organizations running hands-on activities across the fields. It is free, walk-up, and sits in the middle of the East River with skyline on both sides. If you have young kids and want a fall festival without a ticket queue or a car, take the footbridge.
What to expect
You arrive on foot or by bike over the footbridge and find the festival spread between the Urban Farm and the open fields beside it. Activities are drop-in rather than scheduled, so you wander between the pumpkin patch, the demo tables and the performance area. Everything is outdoors on flat, open ground.
Good to know
- Walk over the 103rd Street footbridge from East Harlem, or take the M35 bus from 125th Street
- No registration is needed; simply turn up within the three-hour window
- The site is flat and open, which makes it easy with strollers and wheelchairs
- Bring water and sun cover; there is little shade on the fields
- The Alliance takes accessibility requests in advance by email if you need an accommodation
- It runs only three hours, so arriving in the first hour gets you the most out of it
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Common questions
Do I need to book?
No. NYC Parks lists the festival as free with registration not required, so you can simply walk up during the three-hour window.
How do I get to Randall's Island without a car?
The 103rd Street pedestrian footbridge from East Harlem is the most direct route on foot or by bike, and the M35 bus runs from 125th Street.
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