NEW YORK, NY.- This October, The Metropolitan Museum of Art will host a series of community-engaging events ranging from celebrations of the changing seasons to programs related to current exhibitions and The Met collection, and more. All events are free with Museum admission; admission is pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents and free for children age 12 and under with an adult as well as a caregiver accompanying a visitor with a disability. The Met Cloisters event, Late Night: All Hallows' Eve, will require tickets for purchase ($50).

“Throughout the year, we build relationships with community partners and friends all over the City, and The Met Fall Festival is our invitation to get even closer to The Met,” said Heidi Holder, The Met’s Frederick P. and Sandra P. Rose Chairman of Education. “You can make art, have conversations with curators and scientists, listen to a live band and more as you get to know The Met in your way. If we’ve never met, we can’t wait to meet you soon. And if we already know each other, we can’t wait to see you again!”

A Celebration—Día de Muertos at The Met Cloisters
(The Met Cloisters, Sunday, October 12, 2025, 11 am–4 pm; free with Museum admission)

Join a vibrant day of bilingual activities at The Met Cloisters to celebrate Día de Muertos, a day of remembrance honoring loved ones who have passed away. The event will offer a range of activities, such as Storytime, musical performances, and art making activities by community-based organizations including Mixteca, Artistic Noise, Dominican Writers Association, and more.

Programs also include a pop-up bookshop showcasing a selection of English, Spanish, and bilingual books from Washington Heights’ Word Up Community Bookshop; photo booth with the Bronx Documentary Center’s Youth Photo League; ofrenda installation by artist Blanka Amezkua (on view through November 4); and a closing live DJ set performance by hello tones.

The Met Fall Festival
(The Met Fifth Avenue, Saturday, October 18, 2025, 12–5 pm; free with Museum admission)

The Met Fall Festival returns on October 18 for a day filled with performances, art making, family-friendly activities, programs, and more. Activities will take place at the Museum’s Fifth Avenue location both outside, on The Met’s Plaza (weather permitting), and inside from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event is for all ages and programming will be offered in multiple languages. All outdoor events are free; indoor events are free with Museum admission and no registration is required.

The festival will kick off at noon with a musical performance by Brazilian Samba Reggae drumline Fogo Azul on The Met’s iconic steps. The afternoon continues with a range of special programming spotlighting a number of exhibitions on view this fall, including art making inspired by Divine Egypt; creating a collaborative artwork inspired by Witnessing Humanity: The Art of John Wilson; interactive activities led by Met Teen interns bringing the exhibition The Magical City: George Morrison’s New York to life; and gallery chats discussing works from The Met collection.

Storytime at The Met Cloisters—Spooky
(The Met Cloisters, Tuesday, October 21 and October 28, 2025, 11:30 am–12 pm; free with Museum admission)

Join Met educators on Tuesdays (October 21 and October 28) for picture-book readings in English and Spanish connected to objects at The Met Cloisters and to our uptown community. Storytime programs are recommended for families with children ages 18 months to 6 years.

The Met Cloisters Late Night: All Hallows' Eve
(The Met Cloisters, Thursday, October 30, 2025, 6–9 pm; $50)

Join for a special after-hours event at The Met Cloisters and discover the mysterious, mystical, and magical world of the Middle Ages. Make art, meet experts for gallery talks, enjoy a performance, view the exhibition Spectrum of Desire: Love, Sex, and Gender in the Middle Ages, and much more.

Met Expert Talks at The Met Cloisters—Mortality and Immortality
(The Met Cloisters, every Friday, 3–3:30 pm)

Every Friday, Museum experts, including curators, conservators, scientists, and scholars, offer a deep dive into a selection of objects in The Met Cloisters galleries. Hear new insights and untold stories and take a closer look.