NYC Things to Do in September

Saint Gennaro, the martyr saint of Naples, Italy, died in 305. His death was rather gruesome and for centuries people have been honoring his life with festivals and feasts. The New York city branch of this feast has been held since 1926, making it the longest-running religious festival in the city. The festival is held on Mulberry Street in Little Italy, north of Canal Street. It was started by Italian immigrants from Naples. The festival runs for 11 days, culminating in a religious procession that includes a statue of Saint Gennaro.

For those who are film enthusiasts, few festivals in the United States mean as much as the New York Film Festival. Sponsored by the Film Center of Lincoln Center, the festival has been happening every year since 1963. Every September, the festival begins and debuts some of the best of new cinema. The festival also celebrates one performer a year as making special contributions to the art world. Past gala tribute recipients include Charles Chaplin, Audrey Hepburn, Clint Eastwood and, most recently, Tom Hanks.

Every September, Fort Tryon Park becomes a Medieval market town for a day. The park is located in northern Manhattan, near the last standing group of original woodland on the whole island. The event takes place near The Cloisters, the medieval branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Music of the period is presented and those who work the event do so in traditional garb. Crafts true to the period are sold and the place is decorated with colorful banners. The event ends with a rousing jousting event that includes knights on horseback.