Looking for autism-friendly activities near you this month? Here's what's happening across NYC this September — theater, museums, concerts, fairs, networking, education, and more, several programmed with sensory needs and neurodivergent visitors in mind. Did we mention a costume contest?
What makes an event autism-friendly or sensory-friendly? Usually some combination of dimmed but never fully dark lighting, lower or controlled sound levels, a quiet space to retreat to if things get overwhelming, staff trained in accessibility, and permission to move, vocalize, or leave and return without judgment. The specifics vary by venue — we've confirmed details for most events below, sometimes even by phone! How very old-school.
Autism-Friendly Events in NYC This Month
If you know of events or organizations that should be listed here, please email us at [email protected]
NYC Buddy Walk® — Sat, Sept 12, 10am–2pm — Central Park, NYC — Event info
Dad Connect: Fathers Group — Sun, Sept 14, 7pm — Virtual — Register
ACANY Community Networking Event — Tue, Sept 15, 10am–2pm — NY Botanical Garden, Bronx — Event info
Turning 5 Talks — Wed, Sept 16, 6:30–8:30pm — Virtual — Register
Understanding the IEP and Special Education Process — Thu, Sept 17, 5:30–7pm — Tompkins Square Library, Manhattan — no link in source doc
Discovery Squad Tours — Sat, Sept 19, 9–10:30am — AMNH, Manhattan — Tickets
12th Annual Inclusive Services Family Resource Fair — Sat, Sept 19, 11am–2pm — Brooklyn Public Library Central Plaza
MEADOW SONG — Sat, Sept 19, 5:30–7pm — Greenway Botanical Garden, Brooklyn — Reserve your spot
Dive Into Inclusion — Sun, Sept 20, 8:30–11am — DreamWorks Water Park, NJ — no link; call 551-343-6031
Puppet Prom — Thu, Sept 24, 6–9pm — Museum of the Moving Image, Astoria — Register
Introduction to Transition Planning — Thu, Sept 24, 5–6:30pm — Virtual — Register
Fall Into Advocacy — IEP Fair 2026 — Sat, Sept 26, 10am–2pm — P.S. 91, Glendale, Queens
Early Morning Opening: A Day in the Life — Sat, Sept 26, 8:30–11am — Intrepid Museum, Manhattan — Event info
Bilingual Broadway en Vivo — Sat, Sept 26, 11am — Lincoln Center, Manhattan — Event info
District 75 Back to School Bash — Sat, Sept 26, 10am–3pm — Jacob Javits Center, Manhattan (check for details)
Bronx Classical Kids Fair — Sun, Sept 27, 12–4pm — University of Mount Saint Vincent, Bronx — Event info
Stars of the Spectrum Concert — Sun, Sept 27, 11am–1pm — Irving Plaza, Manhattan — Tickets
INCLUDEnyc 5K — Sun, Sept 27, 10am–1pm — Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens — Register
The Great Gatsby — TDF Autism Friendly Performance — Sun, Sept 27, 1pm — Broadway Theatre, Manhattan — Access via TDF
Costume Contest — Sun, Sept 27, 3pm — Museum of the Moving Image, Astoria — Enter the contest
BBQ for All 2026 — Sun, Sept 27, 11am–4pm — Staten Island — Buy tickets
Event Details: Accommodations, Tickets & What to Expect
Full descriptions below are open for this issue — in the future, they'll be for subscribers (it’s free, just requires an email!)
Saturday, September 12 · 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Thousands of families, friends, and advocates gather in Central Park for the annual NYC Buddy Walk®, hosted by the National Down Syndrome Society — the world's most widely recognized public awareness event for the Down syndrome community. The day includes an 8:30–9:30 am video presentation in Times Square (also streamed on Facebook Live) before the walk itself kicks off in Central Park at 10:00 am.
Registration to officially walk or fundraise is closed, and bus tickets between Times Square and Central Park are sold out — but the event itself is open and public. Come cheer on the walkers even if you didn't register. GiGi's Playhouse NYC will have a table at the event; stop by to say hello and meet their team.
Central Park, New York, NY
Help & support: [email protected] · 1-800-221-4602
Sunday, September 14 · 7:00 pm (ET) · Virtual (Zoom) · Free
A virtual community for fathers raising children with disabilities to connect, share experiences, and find encouragement — hosted by Parent to Parent of NYS, built specifically for dads. Registration closes 24 hours before the event, so sign up early.
Tuesday, September 15 · 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Advance Care Alliance New York (ACANY) brings together Care Managers, providers, and families for a day of resource-sharing and relationship-building around intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) services. This event includes a panel discussion on Benefits and Entitlements at 11:30 am, plus a 1:00 pm screening of Unseen, a documentary on the lived experiences of people with IDD and their families.
Note: provider registration to table at this event is already full and closed, but families, people with IDD, and Care Management teams are still encouraged to attend.
New York Botanical Garden, Garden Terrace Room, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10458
Wednesday, September 16 · 6:30 – 8:30 pm · Virtual (Zoom) · Free
"Parents often assume the Turning Five/Kindergarten IEP process will be similar to CPSE, both in evaluation and available services," said Sarah Birnbaum of NY Special Needs Support.
It isn't.
For parents of preschoolers currently receiving special education services or therapy — specifically kids born in 2022 — this session covers how to advocate for an appropriate kindergarten placement through the Turning Five process. Hosted by Birnbaum and attorney Greg Cangiano of Skyer Law, joined by neuropsychologists Dr. Laura Tagliareni and Dr. David Salsberg of PALS.
"The more you know what's available, the more effectively you can advocate," Sarah said.
Thursday, September 17 · 5:30–7:00 pm
Two special education attorneys — Dominic Buchmiller, who represents families in IDEA due process hearings, and Susan Horwitz, Supervising Attorney of Legal Aid's Education Law Project (the same office behind NYC's recent school avoidance settlement) — walk families through how the IEP process works: how students are evaluated, how services get decided, and how to participate effectively in meetings instead of just sitting through them.
The session is built for a wide range of families: those already navigating special education, those wondering if their child needs support, and anyone new to the process who wants to walk into a meeting with less uncertainty. It also covers what to do when something goes wrong — common roadblocks families hit, and the options available from there.
Tompkins Square Library, Basement (fully accessible), 331 E 10th St, New York, NY 10009
Free — registration strongly recommended
Saturday, September 19 · 9:00–10:30 am
The AMNH's Discovery Squad program gives neurodivergent kids ages 5-12 — including autistic children and those with other intellectual or developmental disabilities — a chance to explore the museum before the crowds arrive. Each session is a 45-minute guided tour of halls tied to that month's theme, followed by 45 minutes of free play in the museum's Discovery Room. September's theme is insects.
The whole experience is built to be sensory-friendly and neurodiversity-affirming — no pressure to engage a certain way, no crowds, no rush.
American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street
Theme: Insects
Free — advance tickets required
Saturday, September 19 · 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
The Brooklyn Public Library is hosting its 12th Annual Inclusive Services Family Resource Fair out on the Central Library Plaza. This event brings together a wide network of specialized health, education, legal advocacy, and recreation providers tailored entirely for children and teenagers with disabilities. Families and service providers can gather valuable tools, learn about self-advocacy pathways, and enjoy fun, interactive kids' crafts. Se habla español.
Central Library — Outdoor Plaza, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY
Saturday, September 19 · 5:30 – 7:00 pm · Free
Resident artist Juju Lane presents a theatrical retelling of The Tale of Airmed's Cloak, an Irish myth about family and betrayal, performed with a live chorus (Zein Karam, Milena Makse, and Emory Kemph) in the meadow at Greenway Botanical Garden. The piece is staged deliberately on the site's history as a former naval cemetery — the story engages with loss and mortality, tied to the setting itself.
Note: This isn't a sensory-accommodated event, and it isn't passive — it's a scripted theatrical performance that includes mature themes. Probably a better fit for teens than younger kids. For a teenager who finds loud, crowded events harder than quiet, open ones, this could be a good option.
We visited the site ahead of time: it's fully outdoors, on an elevated wooden boardwalk through a wildflower meadow — open sky and quiet greenery in every direction. A few practical things to know:
The boardwalk sits on a former naval cemetery. Visitors are asked to stay on the path at all times.
Casual family photos require an advance permit — the site only allows nature and wildlife photography otherwise.
Dogs, bikes, and scooters aren't permitted past the entrance.
This might be a deal-breaker for some families: the garden asks visitors not to pick flowers, harvest plants, or disturb insects. For a kid who regulates by touching or handling things they find outdoors, or has a PDA profile, that's worth knowing about.
Greenway Botanical Garden, 61 Williamsburg St. West, Brooklyn
Getting there: Nearest subway is the J/M/Z to Marcy Ave (11 min walk) or the G to Flushing Ave or Classon Ave (15 min walk). If driving, use "Kent Ave + Hooper Street" as your destination — Google Maps misroutes the site's own address. The boardwalk is wheelchair accessible via a ramp reachable from Kent Avenue.
Also at Greenway Botanical Garden: Free Kids' Nature Resources, Any Day
No date, no RSVP — available whenever the garden is open (Wed–Sun, hours vary by season, check current times before visiting).
Greenway Botanical Garden runs a few self-guided programs for kids year-round, unrelated to any specific event:
A free nature book per child, through a partnership with Brooklyn Book Bodega
Plant Heroes activity journals, free for grades K-5, covering plants, insects, and forest ecology
Monarch butterfly coloring pages, tied to the garden's status as an official Monarch Waystation
Good for a quiet, low-key outing — pick up materials at the entrance, no staff-led program to join or leave mid-way.
No restrooms on-site. The nearest option is likely the Brooklyn Navy Yard Center at BLDG 92, a short walk away. Plan bathroom stops before arriving.
Sunday, September 20 · 8:30 – 11 am
Whole Spectrum Autism is hosting a special sensory-friendly morning at DreamWorks Water Park. Families can experience a welcoming, low-sensory environment designed with special accommodations including capacity limits, a music-free environment, tranquil quiet rooms, and extra support services. The event costs $35 per person.
American Dream Mall — Parking Deck D (Gold), 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ
Confirm availability, safety requirements, and ticketing details directly with Whole Spectrum Autism at 551-343-6031 or via email at [email protected] before heading out.
Thursday, September 24 · 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Part of the museum's Jim Henson's Birthday celebration weekend, Puppet Prom is built to welcome kids of all sensory needs. "We are so happy to welcome visitors of all ages and abilities to Puppet Prom and beyond," said Katie Kita of the museum's Visitor Experience team, who confirmed the following accommodations directly to Lighthouse:
A dedicated quiet sensory space will be available all weekend, with dim lighting and kits stocked with fidget toys and ear plugs.
The courtyard will be open throughout the prom for anyone who needs a break or needs to move.
Early entry is available on request. "We are happy to allow anyone who might need a bit more time to adjust and familiarize themselves with the space to enter a little early upon request," Kita said. To arrange it, email her directly at [email protected].
A DJ will be playing music through speakers during the prom. Kita recommends bringing ear plugs or noise-canceling headphones for anyone sensitive to loud noise.
A paper mask activity will be offered, with many masks pre-cut for kids who have difficulty with fine motor skills. Personal comfort items — puppets, stuffed animals, toys — are welcome.
Staff — educators and visitor experience team members — are on hand throughout to assist and can direct families to the sensory space.
Free with RSVP (space is first come, first served): register here
Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35 Ave, Astoria, NY · 718-777-6800
Thursday, September 24 · 5:00 – 6:30 pm · Virtual (Zoom) · Free
A workshop covering the basics of transitioning out of high school for students with disabilities — changes in disability law, planning, evaluations, procedures, and next steps. Offered in English with Spanish interpretation.
A Spanish-language version of this event page is also available: Español
Fall Into Advocacy — IEP Fair 2026
Saturday, September 26 · 10 am – 2 pm
Community Education Council 24 & Community School District 24 present their annual resource fair for families navigating the special education system. Parents can access specialized workshops, connect with community resources, meet local vendors, and pick up valuable educational materials. The event features fun activities for kids, snacks, prizes, and more.
P.S. 91 — The Richard Arkwright School, 68-10 Central Ave, Glendale, NY 11385
Organized by: The Special Programs Committee
Co-sponsored by: The Queens Borough President Office
Saturday, September 26 · 8:30–11:00 am
The Intrepid Museum opens early for children with autism or sensory sensitivities (ages 3-18) and their families, before the public gets in. This month's theme covers life aboard an aircraft carrier. Families get a sensory bag and an advance social narrative, and can explore the mess deck, hangar deck, and flight deck before the museum opens at 10 am.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, W 46th St & 12th Ave
Questions: [email protected] — few tickets remaining
Saturday, September 26
Regal's sensory-friendly screenings pair this new Aardman film (from the creators of Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run) with lowered sound and brighter lighting than a standard showing. Rated PG, 1 hour 20 minutes.
Two nearby options with sensory-friendly showtimes on the 26th:
Regal UA Sheepshead Bay — 3907 Shore Pkwy, Brooklyn — 10:55 am
Regal UA Kaufman Astoria — 35-30 38th Street, Astoria, Queens — 11:30 am
Both locations also offer closed captioning and audio description devices by request, plus recliner and stadium seating.
Saturday, September 26 · 11:00 am
Hosted by Luis E. Mora for Hispanic Heritage Month, this free performance brings Broadway's greatest songs to life en Español — think Sondheim, Webber, Lippa, and Miranda reimagined in Spanish, with music direction by Saúl Nache. It's put on by the Bilingual Broadway Collective, a nonprofit focused on storytelling across English and Spanish.
This is a Relaxed Performance, open to all and especially welcoming for people with autism, sensory and communication disorders, or learning disabilities:
Guests can enter and leave the audience space throughout the event as needed
Guests can vocalize or move throughout the space
Fellow audience members are asked to create a no-"shushing" zone
House lights stay adjusted so the venue is never fully dark
Bright lights, loud noises, and surprise sensory elements are flagged in advance
A Chill Out Space is available for anyone who needs a break before rejoining
A visual guide with clear instructions is shared before the event
Noise-reducing headphones and fidgets are available to borrow
Staff and artists are trained in access and inclusion best practices
David Rubenstein Atrium, 1887 Broadway, New York, NY
Run time: approximately 1 hour 15 minutes
Free — general admission (first-come, first-served) or reserve a Fast Track spot starting the Monday before at noon.
Editor’s note: We asked Jenni Klauder, director of communications, what the best strategy was to getting in. She said: “The signup for the email list is definitely encouraged to be the first to know [about events], but there is no pre-registration for relaxed performances.”
Sunday, September 27 · Noon – 4 pm
WQXR is returning to the Bronx for a Classical Kids Fair. Families can experience live performances, arts and crafts, dance and composition workshops, and even try out some instruments. The event is free, though RSVPs are encouraged.
University of Mount Saint Vincent, 6301 Riverdale Avenue
Sunday, September 27 · 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism brings its "Stars of the Spectrum" concert series to New York City — a lineup of autistic musicians performing for the autism community, framed by the foundation as "real stories, real talent, and real advocacy through original music." Tickets are free for the autism community.
Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Pl., New York, NY 10003
Sunday, September 27 · 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
For over 40 years, INCLUDEnyc has been a leading resource for young people with disabilities and their families in NYC — and its third annual 5K brings that community together to run, walk, or roll through Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The race is fully accessible, and registered participants get a t-shirt and medal. Bring a team, or just show up to support the cause; proceeds fund INCLUDEnyc's year-round programs for youth with disabilities.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, NY
Transportation: 7 train, Q23 or Q58 bus, then a 15-20 minute walk south through the park; free parking available at the park's south end
Sunday, September 27 · 1:00 pm
TDF brings its long-running Autism Friendly Performances program to Broadway's The Great Gatsby for the first time — the first-ever AFP of this production, as part of TDF's 15th season of the program. TDF buys out the entire theater in advance, then resells tickets at a discount exclusively to families, schools, and groups that include someone with autism, meaning no unfamiliar audience to disturb or apologize to.
Adjustments for the performance include reduced strobes and jarring sounds, and house lights dimmed but never fully dark. Staffed break areas are available in the lobby for anyone who needs to step out, and downloadable Visual Narratives and Character Guides are available in advance to help prepare for the show.
One thing worth knowing in advance: the production itself uses pyrotechnics, a gunshot sound effect, and theatrical haze and smoke as part of its regular staging.
Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
Tickets are sold exclusively through TDF — sign up at tdf.org for access, or email [email protected] for larger group requests.
District 75 Back to School Bash
Saturday, September 26 · 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
NYC Public Schools' District 75 hosts a citywide back-to-school celebration for families — school supply giveaways, agency information tables, games and activities, and raffle prizes.
Jacob Javits Center, 429 11th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Sunday, September 27 · 3:00 pm
Part of MOMI’s Henson Birthday weekend, held outdoors in the Kaufman Courtyard. Kids and adults dress as a favorite character, puppeteer, or original creation — enter solo or as a group for a shot at prizes from a judging panel that includes special guest Kate Micucci, or just come to cheer. Costumes are welcome for every attendee whether or not you're entering the contest, but note: MOMI’s comms director Katie Kita described this one as "a large crowd in the outdoor space with lots of cheering and clapping, along with live music from speakers" — worth flagging for noise-sensitive kids, since space in the actual competition is limited but the crowd around it isn't.
Free — enter the contest here
Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35 Ave, Astoria, NY · 718-777-6800
BBQ for All 2026 — Special Needs Support Group Stronger Together
Sunday, September 27 · 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
A relaxed, family-friendly fundraiser gathering hosted by Special Needs Support Group Stronger Together, bringing families, friends, and neighbors together to share good food, conversation, and connection. Rain or shine.
Cost: $30 (ages 3–12) / $45 (ages 13+). Tickets are final sale — no refunds.
3465 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314
This calendar is updated every month. Subscribe to Lighthouse for last-minute additions we catch between updates.