From the Philharmonic’s glittering gala to the first-ever Perú Mucho Gusto Festival, September in New York unfolds with art fairs, rooftop concerts, culinary feasts, and society gatherings that set the rhythm of the season.

Midnight Moment: The River is a Circle presented by Times Square Arts

What’s happening: For the month of September, Times Square Arts will present The River is a Circle (Times Square Edition) by artists Marina Zurkow and James Schmitz, in partnership with the Whitney Museum of American Art and The Armory Show. This large-scale, algorithm-driven animation will illuminate over 95 digital billboards nightly from 11:57pm to midnight. The work offers a split-screen view of the Hudson River—above and below the surface—reflecting New York’s real-time weather and seasonal changes, while weaving together centuries of ecological and historical narratives.

Why go: Midnight Moment is the world’s largest, longest-running digital art exhibition, and this edition brings together two major cultural forces—the Whitney and The Armory Show—with an artist whose practice is rooted in exploring the complex relationship between nature and culture. By transforming Times Square’s neon canyon into a living river, Zurkow invites the public to encounter environmental systems in an unexpected, immersive way. It’s a rare chance to see ecological storytelling on this scale in the heart of the city.

What’s involved: Artwork presented across 95+ billboards in Times Square.

Sunday, September 1st through Monday, September 30, 2025, from 11:57pm until 12:00am in Times Square, between 41st and 49th Streets. Information here.

COLLECTIBLE Design Fair 2025

What’s happening: COLLECTIBLE, the world’s only fair exclusively dedicated to 21st-century collectible design, returns to New York for its second edition. Held at the newly renovated Water Street Projects (WSA), the fair spans over 30,000 square feet of striking industrial space overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge and East River. This year’s fair expands with new curated sections, immersive installations, and a heightened focus on design as storytelling, critique, and cross-disciplinary dialogue.

Why go: Founded by Clélie Debehault and Liv Vaisberg, COLLECTIBLE is known for its curatorial rigor and experimental spirit. The 2025 New York edition introduces new sections like Vignette (curated by Michael Hilal) and Curated: In Praise of Folly (curated by Hannah Martin of Architectural Digest). Attendees will experience a full program of panels, scenographic installations, bespoke commissions, and a dedicated fashion-design crossover. It’s a must-visit for collectors, curators, designers, and architects alike.

What’s involved: Design fair exhibitions, emerging galleries, immersive scenography, VIP home tours, panel talks, and Club COLLECTIBLE activations.

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025 through Sunday, September 7th, 2025 from 11:00 AM until 7:00 PM (6:00 PM Sunday) at Water Street Projects (WSA), 180 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038. Information and tickets here.

The Armory Show 2025

What’s happening: Since 1994, The Armory Show has defined the start of New York’s fall art season, bringing together top-tier international modern and contemporary galleries in a sweeping fair at the Javits Center. This year’s edition spans solo artist spotlights, experimental design showcases, and a regional deep-dive into the American South. Visitors can explore thoughtful curatorial sections plus the return of Platform, the show’s celebrated program of large-scale installations. Among the must-see presentations, Hannah Traore Gallery unveils an all-new body of work by American artist James Perkins, whose practice redefines Land Art and Minimalism through collaboration with nature. These works, anticipating his first museum solo at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, showcase “Post-Totem Structures”.

Why go: The Armory Show has long been a global nexus for collectors, curators, and the culturally curious. Its 2025 edition features a bold new section—Function—alongside returning favorites. Function explores the intersection of art and design, examining artistic practices from a design perspective. Experience over 200 galleries, critical public art activations, and leading voices shaping visual culture today. The fair’s curatorial and institutional partnerships promise a richly intellectual and immersive experience.

What’s involved: Gallery presentations and scheduled programming.

Friday, September 5, 2025 through Sunday, September 7, 2025 from 11:00 AM until 7:00 PM (6:00 PM on Sunday) at Javits Center, Crystal Palace Entrance, 429 11th Avenue, New York, NY 10001. VIP Preview is by invitation only on Thursday, September 4th, 2025. Information and tickets here.

FREE EVENT: The National September 11 Memorial & Museum Tribute in Light
In remembrance of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and all those who were killed, the iconic Tribute in Light commemorative art installation returns for another year, marking the 24th anniversary of 9/11. These twin beams of light, which evoke the original Twin Towers, have become an essential element of how New York City remembers the city’s resilience. The 9/11 Memorial plaza opens to the public at 3:00PM on September 11, 2025 and will remain open until midnight so that visitors from across the city and around the world can view the installation from this sacred site of remembrance and learning.
Visible from dusk on Thursday, September 11, 2025 until dawn on Friday, September 12th, 2025. The lights are visible within a 60-mile radius around lower Manhattan. Information here.

FREE EVENT: Outshine Fruit Bars at Hudson Yards

What’s happening: Outshine brings its signature fruit-forward spirit to Manhattan with a one-day pop-up at Sailor’s Choice in Hudson Yards. This vibrant takeover celebrates the brand’s newest innovation—Outshine Fruit Blends Frozen Fruit Bars—through immersive experiences designed to capture the joy of summer. Guests will enjoy mocktails, tropical backdrops, and artful installations, all evoking the carefree glow of the season’s final days.

Why go: The event offers an exclusive first taste of Outshine Fruit Blends in flavors like Cherry Limeade, Piña Colada, and Tropical Punch. Alongside the frozen creations, guests will sip refreshing mocktails, explore interactive moments, and collect custom summer-inspired merch. With its photo-ready settings and celebratory energy, this pop-up doubles as both tasting and memory-making, perfectly timed to bid summer farewell in style.

What’s involved: Taste new frozen bars, sip fruit-forward mocktails, explore interactive experiences, and capture photo-worthy moments.

Friday, September 12, 2025 from 1:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Sailor’s Choice, Hudson Yards, New York, NY. Information here.

We Love Waffles: Uncle Waffles Live at The Rooftop at Pier 17

What’s happening: The Rooftop at Pier 17 becomes a high-energy stage as Uncle Waffles, the DJ and producer who has redefined Africa’s amapiano sound, brings her signature mix of rhythm and atmosphere to New York. Known for her electrifying performances and global following, she will transform the skyline venue into a late-summer celebration of music, dance, and culture. With panoramic views over the East River and Brooklyn Bridge, the night promises a fusion of sound and setting that is distinctly unforgettable.

Why go: Uncle Waffles has captivated international audiences with her artistry, earning a reputation as one of the most exciting performers in contemporary music. For one evening only, New Yorkers will experience her blend of amapiano beats and charismatic stage presence in an open-air venue that merges music with the city’s most iconic backdrop.

Sip and Savor at The Seaport
Before or after the show, guests can heighten the experience at Gitano NYC, Pier 17’s glamorous transplant from Tulum. With its bohemian atmosphere, modern Mexican cuisine, and signature mezcal cocktails beneath the city’s largest disco ball, it is the perfect complement to an already electric night. Information and reservations here.

What’s involved: DJ set.

Sunday, September 14, 2025 from 6:00 PM until 10:00 PM at The Rooftop at Pier 17, New York, NY. Information and tickets here.

One Night Only: Hearth & Harvest Dinner with Chef Tomer Blechman

What’s happening: Collective Retreats Governors Island invites seventy fortunate guests to an intimate, one-night gathering on its Great Lawn, where Chef Tomer Blechman of Theodora will present a multi-course, family-style feast. Known for his soulful Mediterranean flavors and inventive use of seasonal ingredients, the chef will curate a menu that bridges late summer into fall. With views of the Manhattan skyline and New York Harbor, the evening is designed to cultivate connection, celebrate creativity, and transform dining into a shared cultural experience.

Why go: Blechman, whose restaurants Miss Ada, Nili, and Theodora have earned critical acclaim and a Michelin nod, brings his artistry to a rarefied setting just minutes from downtown Manhattan. Guests will enjoy welcome cocktails by Yola Mezcal, thoughtful wine pairings, and dishes that highlight his celebrated approach to balance and refinement. For those seeking to extend the experience, overnight packages offer fireside s’mores, stargazing, and morning yoga—a truly singular way to linger on Governors Island after dark.

What’s involved: Chef-curated multi-course dinner, paired cocktails, and wine in an unforgettable island setting.

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Collective Retreats Governors Island, New York Harbor. Information and tickets here.

Longines Global Champions Tour New York City

What’s happening: For three days, Liberty State Park transforms into an open-air theatre of elegance and athleticism, as the world’s foremost riders and horses converge for the final American stop of the Longines Global Champions Tour. With the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty as its constant backdrop, the event blends elite competition with cinematic scenery. The program spans Concours de Saut International 5 Star (CSI5*) and Concours de Saut International 2 Star (CSI2*) classes, each ride a display of calculated precision, power, and poise on a course designed to challenge even the sport’s most decorated names.

Why go: This is show jumping at its most rarefied—an international roster of champions competing within sight of New York City’s towers and legendary harbor. Past tour legs have drawn Olympians, World Cup winners, and the equestrian world’s most devoted patrons. Between rounds, the GC Shopping Village offers luxury retail and refined fare, while premium seating and hospitality options—from shaded grandstands to the champagne-poured VIP Lounge—make the sport as much a social affair as a competitive spectacle.

What’s involved: World-class show jumping.

Friday, September 19, 2025 until Sunday, September 21, 2025 daily at Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ. Information and tickets here.

FREE EVENT: Perú Mucho Gusto Culinary Festival

What’s happening: For the first time, New York will welcome Perú Mucho Gusto, the country’s celebrated culinary fair that has dazzled audiences in Lima for over fifteen years. Having made its international debut in Madrid earlier this year, the festival now arrives at Brooklyn’s Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse, transforming the historic waterfront into a three-day showcase of Peru’s extraordinary flavors and traditions. From ceviche and roasted chicken to cacao and artisanal design, the festival offers a sweeping portrait of a nation’s gastronomic and cultural artistry.

Why go: Peru is consistently ranked among the world’s top culinary destinations, and this fair brings its star chefs, master bartenders, and cultural performers directly to New York. Past editions have drawn global acclaim for their immersive approach, combining fine dining with heritage and innovation. Guests will sample iconic dishes, sip pisco cocktails, and discover the country’s famed superfoods while enjoying live music and dance. It is at once a tasting, a market, and a cultural performance—an unmissable feast for the senses.

What’s involved: Taste Peruvian dishes, sip pisco cocktails, shop artisanal goods, and enjoy live cultural performances.

Friday, September 19, 2025 until Sunday, September 21st, 2025 at Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse, 73 West Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222. Information here.

Perú Mucho Gusto Culinary Festival Hours:
- Friday, September 19, 2025: 5:00PM-8:00PM
- Saturday-Sunday, September 20-21st, 2025: 11:00AM-6:00PM

New York Philharmonic Opening Gala

What’s happening: The New York Philharmonic Opening Gala not only marks the start of the orchestra’s own season, but the social season for the city itself. Continuing the most elegant tradition, this year’s celebration honors philanthropist Vera Blinken and the memory of Ambassador Donald Blinken, whose steadfast support has shaped the institution’s history. The evening begins with cocktails and a refined dinner in the company of Philharmonic artists and patrons, before culminating in a singular concert led by Anthony Parnther and featuring Grammy-winning vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant, whose voice brings a modern glow to the evening’s grandeur.

Why go: The Gala is both a cultural milestone and a gathering of New York’s artistic vanguard. Guests will not only witness Salvant’s luminous artistry but also the vision of Parnther, praised as “a conductor for the future.” Attended by luminaries across music, philanthropy, and society, the event represents an unmatched convergence of art and influence. To be present is to stand at the threshold of a new season while honoring those whose devotion to culture has ensured its flourishing.

What’s involved: Cocktail reception, gala dinner, and concert.

Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 6:00 PM until late at David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, New York, NY. Information here. For tickets or tables, send requests to events@nyphil.org or call (646) 870-4054.

Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York 50th Anniversary Opening Night Party

What’s happening: For half a century, the city’s most admired designers have gathered under the auspices of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club to transform a chosen residence into a grand, living showcase of design. This anniversary year unfolds across two addresses in Greenwich Village, with each room reimagined by a celebrated talent. The Opening Preview offers a rare, unhurried immersion before the public arrives, when the paint is fresh, the flowers at their most fragrant, and conversation hums among the city’s design elite.

Why go: Beyond its aesthetic allure, this gathering supports the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, a cause long embraced by New York’s cultural patrons. Past participants have included design luminaries such as Bunny Williams, Alexa Hampton, Thom Filicia, and Victoria Hagan—names synonymous with taste and influence. Attendees may encounter the decorators themselves, exchange observations over champagne, and secure bragging rights as among the first to see the landmark 50th edition. For devotees of interiors, it is less an event than an initiation into the season’s most anticipated salon.

What’s involved: Tour exquisite designer spaces, sip cocktails, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, and mingle with New York’s design circle.

Monday, September 29, 2025 from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Kips Bay Decorator Show House, 20 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10011. Information and tickets here.