As far as Jewish holidays go, Sukkot is one of the most kid-friendly ones around. You get to hang out outdoors in the Sukkah —and everyone loves a picnic. If you drop some food, no worries – it becomes a great snack for a squirrel or a bird. You get to shake the lulav and etrog and smell the lemony scent of the etrog and the spicy smell of the myrtle. There are crafts involved, too—because Sukkahs always need decorating.
At the end of the holiday, there is Simchat Torah, which is essentially a giant party for the Torah with a parade, singing, dancing, flags, and treats. And who doesn’t like a parade and treats?
Whether you are a Sukkot veteran or newbie, we’ve put together a giant list of things to do all over the New York area, Long Island, and Westchester. You can celebrate on rooftops, on a farm, with drums, concerts, story times, and lots and lots of yummy food.
Brought to you in partnership with PJ Library in New York
Sukkot 2017 begins on Wednesday evening, Oct. 4 and concludes with Shemini Atzeret on Thursday, Oct. 12 and Simchat Torah on Friday, Oct. 13.
Brooklyn | Long Island | Manhattan | Staten Island | Westchester
Brooklyn
Sukkah Decorating Party
Get ready for the holiday of Sukkot with crafts, sukkah decorating, and an interactive drumming program with Musical IQ.
Kane Street Synagogue, 236 Kane St
Sunday, October 1, 10:30 a.m. – Noon
Sukkah Decorating Party
Help build and decorate the synagogue sukkah with crafts for all ages and power tools for those who want to help with building.
Park Slope Jewish Center, 1320 8th Ave
Sunday, October 1, 10 a.m. – Noon
Wee Jam 
A drop-in class for toddlers with singing, dancing, stories, puppets, parachutes, bubbles, and other kinds of fun. Sponsored by Tkiya: The Jewish Community Music School, JCC Brooklyn, and the Kings Bay Y. Choose from multiple days, time, and locations.
Edamama Cute Cuts & More, 568 Union Ave
Mondays, October 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 9:30 – 10:15 a.m., 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. & Noon – 1:15 p.m.
Busy Bodies Brooklyn, 1004 Fulton St
Mondays, October 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
JCC Brooklyn Clinton Hill, 309 Grand Ave
Tuesdays, October 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31, 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
ShaJam Fridays @ JCC Brooklyn: Clinton Hill
A weekly Shabbat celebration for neighborhood families and children from the early childhood programs at the Y with music, dancing, stories, and snacks. Sponsored by JCC Brooklyn, a project of Kings Bay Y and Tikya: The Jewish Community Music School.
JCC Brooklyn Clinton Hill, 309 Grand Ave
Fridays, October 6, 13, 20 & 27, 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
ShaJam Singalong
Celebrate the October holidays with a fun and interactive Shabbat experience open to all. RSVP requested.
Fort Greene Park, Dekalb Ave & Washington Park,
Saturdays, October 7 & 21, 4 – 5 p.m.
Pizza in the Hut
Shake a lulav in the synagogue sukkah, nosh on pizza and snacks, create holiday-themed crafts and enjoy music and playground time. For families with children of all ages. Free.
Bay Ridge Jewish Center, 4th Ave & 81st St
Sunday, October 8, 2 – 5 p.m.
PJ Library Sukkah Drop-in
Join other families with young children for storytime and coffee in the sukkah. Bring your own brown bag lunch and enjoy books for all ages, crafts, and a service project to benefit PJ Library families in Houston who were impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Free.
Park Slope Jewish Center, 1320 8th Ave
Tuesday, October 10, 10:30 a.m. – Noon
Simchat Torah Services
A family-friendly service with a Torah parade, flags, candy apples, crafts, and snacks. Fun for all ages.
Bay Ridge Jewish Center, 4th Ave & 81st St
Thursday, October 12, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Shabbat Dinner at Brooklyn Commune
A short, family-friendly Shabbat service for kids ages 5 and under and their families followed by dinner catered by Butterfunk Kitchen and a cash bar. Sponsored by JCC Brooklyn and Tkiya: The Jewish Community Music School. RSVP required, space is limited.
Brooklyn Commune, 601 Greenwood Ave
Friday, October 13, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
ShaJam Singalong
A fun and interactive Shabbat experience in the park sponsored by Tkiya: The Jewish Community Music School & The Kings Bay Y. RSVP requested.
Bushwick Inlet Park, 54 Kent Ave
Saturday, October 14, 4 – 5 p.m.
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Long Island
Family Build-a-Sukkah and BBQ
Build your own model sukkah and learn about the holiday of Sukkot through songs, stories, and other activities. Finish up with some delicious BBQ.
North Shore Synagogue, 83 Muttontown Eastwoods Rd, Syosset
Sunday, October 1, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Sukkahpalooza
Decorate the sukkah, play life-size games, jump on the bounce house, compete in bubble soccer, sing and dance, and shake your lulav. Food will be available for purchase from food trucks. All ages. Free.
The Community Synagogue, 160 Middle Neck Rd, Port Washington
Wednesday, October 4, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Beginning the Year
Celebrate Sukkot and the Jewish New Year with crafts, storytelling, music, and a pizza dinner. Free.
Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore, 101 Plandome Rd, Plandome
Friday, October 4, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
PJ Library Celebrates Sukkot
Celebrate Sukkot through stories, crafts, and song and have a light snack in the synagogue sukkah. For children ages 8 and under. RSVP requested. Free.
Central Synagogue – Beth Emeth Sukkah, 430 DeMott Ave
Wednesday, October 4, 7 – 8 p.m.
Once Upon a Shabbat Dinner in the Sukkah
Join old friends and new in the synagogue Sukkah and celebrate the holiday of Sukkot with chicken fingers and fries for the kids and appetizers and crudité for the grown-ups. Free and open to all.
Merrick Jewish Centre, 225 Fox Blvd, Merrick
Friday, October 6, 5:45 – 6:30 p.m.
Music Together Sing Shalom
A traditional Music Together class along with Jewish songs and dances. For infants through age 4 accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Register online. Music Together Sing Shalom is offered in collaboration with the Jewish Education Project with funding by UJA-Federation NY. This Music Together class will be run by Not Just Art.
Mid-Island Y, 45 Manetto Hill Rd, Rm 201, Plainview
Fridays October 6 – December 15, 9:15 – 10 a.m.
Havdalah & Dinner in the Sukkah
A child-friendly havdalah service and dinner in the sukkah. Address provided upon RSVP. Sponsored by Makom NY.
Private Home, Plainview
Saturday, October 7, 6 – 8 p.m.
Stronger Than Cancer 5K
A 5K to support the Nancy Marx Cancer Wellness center which provides free holistic care to people living with cancer and their families. Registration includes a t-shirt, food, refreshments, and race awards.
Sid Jacobson JCC, 300 Forest Drive, East Hills
Sunday, October 8, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Sukkot Celebration at Hobb’s Farm
Celebrate Sukkot at Hobb’s Farm with snacks in the sukkah, a live honey-bee hive demonstration, and crafts—and help harvest produce for those in need. Free.
Bethel Hobbs Community Farm, 178 Oxhead Rd, Centereach
Sunday, October 8, 1 p.m.
Pizza in the Hut
An evening of pizza, stories, and puppetry with performing artist Janice Buckner in the synagogue sukkah. RSVP requested. Free.
Hewlett East Rockaway Jewish Centre Nursery School Sukkah, 295 Main St, East Rockaway
Tuesday, October 10, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Sukkot Family Celebration
Pizza and a reading of the PJ Library story ‘Tamar’s Sukkah’ in the beautiful JCC sukkah. RSVP required.
Suffolk Y JCC, 74 Hauppauge Rd, Commack
Tuesday, October 10, 6 – 8 p.m.
Simchat Torah Celebration
Dance with friends and family, see the Torah scroll unrolled, finish reading the end of the Torah and then start again at the beginning, and a special aliyah for kids.
The Community Synagogue, 160 Middle Neck Rd, Port Washington
Wednesday, October 11, 5:30 p.m.
Simchat Torah Service
Family-friendly Simchat Torah service with Makom NY.
Bethpage Worship Center, 600 Broadway, Bethpage
Wednesday, October 11, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 12, 10:30 a.m. – Noon
Bagels & Blox
Drop-in for bagels, crafts, music and movement, and PJ Library storytime. Best for ages 1 – 6 years, siblings welcome, RSVP requested. Free and open to all.
Temple Judea, 333 Searingtown Rd, Manhasset
Sunday, October 15, 9:30 – 11 a.m.
New Mom Series
The first of an 8-week series for parents of newborns facilitated by a clinical social worker including lunch. Meet other new parents and discuss a range of parenting topics in a supportive environment. Advance registration requested.
Mid-Island Y JCC, 45 Manetto Hill Rd, Plainview
Thursdays, October 19, 12:45 – 2:30 p.m.
PJ Library Books & Bites
Storytime and snacks for families with children ages 8 and under. Free.
Congregation Sons of Israel, 111 Irving Pl, Woodmere
Sunday, October 22, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Pajama Party!
Come in your pajamas for dinner, a story, and activities. Parents get to schmooze while the kids have fun. Best for ages 2 – 6 years, RSVP required. Free.
HANC Plainview, 25 Country Drive, Plainview
Tuesday, October 24, 6 – 7:15 p.m.
PJ Library Celebrates Sukkot
Celebrate Sukkot through stories, crafts, and song in the synagogue Sukkah along with light snacks. RSVP requested but not required, best for ages 8 and under. Free.
Central Synagogue – Beth Emeth, 430 DeMott Ave, Rockville Centre
Saturday, October 28, 10 – 11 a.m.
Breakfast with Bubbe (and Zayde, too!)
Quality time for grandparents and grandkids with bagels, polaroid camera pics, and a photo-based craft. Free.
Merrick Jewish Centre, 225 Fox Blvd, Merrick
Sunday, October 29, 10 – 10:45 a.m.
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Manhattan
Downtown
Breastfeeding Brunch
A weekly, drop-in breastfeeding support group. Meet other parents of infants and get your questions answered by a lactation counselor. Coffee and light snacks provided.
Town and Village Synagogue, 334 East 14th St
Wednesdays beginning October 4, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Tot Shabbat & Sukkot Dinner
Dinner and a brief, age-appropriate service and singing with Cantor Postman in the synagogue sukkah for families with young children. RSVP requested. Sponsored by Town & Village Synagogue & the 14th Street Y.
14th Street Y Sukkah, 334 East 14th St
Friday, October 6, 5:30 – 6:45 p.m.
Simchat Torah Shabbat Gathering
A joyful and musical Simchat Torah gathering with Tamid NYC followed by a casual buffet dinner. Open to all.
The Chapel, 209 Broadway
Friday, October 6, 6 p.m.
Shabbat in Chelsea with Beineinu
A monthly, family-friendly, inclusive Shabbat dinner with singing, dancing, and spirituality.
St. Paul’s Church, 315 West 22nd St
Friday, October 6, 5 – 8 p.m.
Tot Shabbat
A musical Shabbat morning experience with singing, dancing, prayer, stories, grape juice, and challah. For families with children ages 5 and under. RSVP requested. Free.
JCP Downtown, 146 Duane St
Saturday, October 7, 10 – 11 a.m.
Sky High Sukkah Party
A community Sukkah party for families with children ages 5 and under with crafts, live music, and a pizza party. RSVP recommended – limited space available. Sponsored by the 14th Street Y and Town & Village Synagogue.
14 Street Y, 344 East 14th St
Sunday, October 8. 10:30 a.m. – Noon
Sukkot Musical Mashup
Celebrate the holiday with live music from Sandcatchers and Joanie Leeds, karaoke, snacks, and other fun. RSVP requested.
JCP Downtown, 146 Duane St
Tuesday, October 10, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Early Childhood Simchat Torah
Storytelling, singing and dancing with the Torah, and other fun activities. RSVP requested. Free.
Town and Village Synagogue, 334 East 14th St
Thursday, October 12, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Simchat Torah Celebration
A family-friendly Simchat Torah celebration with live music and a special up-close look at the Torah.
JCP Downtown, 146 Duane St
Friday, October 12, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Challah Tots
A weekly, drop-in challah baking class with music and stories. RSVP requested.
Town and Village Synagogue, 334 East 14th St
Friday, October 20, 10 – 10:45 a.m.
PJ Shabbat, Story, Music & Bagels
A special PJ Library Shabbat with stories, music, blessings, crafts, and bagels. For families with children ages 8 and under. RSVP requested. Free
Tamid Education Center, 299 Broadway, Ste 1020
Saturday, October 21, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
All-of-a-Kind Family Walking Tour
Follow in the footsteps of the characters from the beloved children’s series ‘All-of-a-Kind Family’ and learn about life on the Lower East Side in the early 20th century including stops for pickles and candy. Advance registration requested.
Museum at Eldridge Street, 12 Eldridge St
Sunday, October 22, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Midtown
Sukkot on the Farm
Get ready for the harvest holiday of Sukkot with hayrides, fruit and vegetable picking, and more. Advance registration required.
Central Synagogue @ Alstede Farms, Chester, NJ
Sunday, October 1, 10 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Bim Bam Sukkah Breakfast
A late breakfast and holiday sing-along with music and movement led by Eliana Light in the synagogue sukkah. Best for families with children ages 6 and under. Advance registration requested.
B’nai Jeshurun, 270 West 89th St
Sunday, October 8, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Tot Sukkot
Singing, dancing, and crafts in the synagogue Sukkah. Best for families with children ages 6 and under. RSVP requested. Free.
Sutton Place Synagogue, 225 East 51st St
Sunday, October 8, 10 a.m. – Noon
Simchat Torah Celebration
Sing, dance, jump, and celebrate with flags, a Torah parade, and candy apples.
Sutton Place Synagogue, 225 East 51st St
Friday, October 12, 5:45 – 8 p.m.
Tot Shabbat
A Shabbat experience for ages 5 and under including age-appropriate prayers, songs, stories, and a Torah parade concluding with challah and grape juice.
Sutton Place Synagogue, 225 East 51st St
Saturdays, October 14 & 28, 10:30 a.m. – Noon
Shabbat Central
A warm and inviting Shabbat experience for families with children ages 5 and under with songs, music, movement, age-appropriate prayers and fun, followed by a light meal.
Central Synagogue’s Community House, 123 East 55 St
Saturday, October 28, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Upper East Side
Sukkah Decorating Party
Learn about the festival of Sukkot, sing, snack, celebrate and help decorate the 92nd Street Y’s rooftop sukkah with colorful craft projects.
92 St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave
Tuesday, October 3, 3 – 5 p.m.
Young Family Sukkot Service
A holiday service designed for families with young children including singing, dancing, storytime, and other activities along with kiddush and a light snack.
Park Avenue Synagogue, 50 East 87th St
Saturday, October 7, 11:15 a.m. – Noon
Sukkah Brunch
Brunch, music, and kids’ activities in the synagogue’s rooftop Sukkah. RSVP requested.
Park Avenue Synagogue, 50 East 87th St
Sunday, October 8, 10:30 a.m. – Noon
Ice Cream at Sinai
Join Rabbi Bolton for an up-close look at the Torah along with songs, stories, and ice cream. RSVP requested.
Congregation Or Zarua, 127 East 82nd St
Friday, October 12, 6 – 7 p.m.
Simchat Torah Dinner Under the Stars
Celebrate the holiday of Simchat Torah in the rooftop sukkah with singing, dancing, family, and friends. Advance registration required.
92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave
Friday, October 15, 6 – 8 p.m.
Picture This!
The first of a three-part monthly series with interactive activities, art viewing, craft project, and a PJ Library storytime followed by a concert featuring Lisa Loeb at 11:30 a.m. Best for ages 4 – 10, advance registration requested.
The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave
Sunday, October 22, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lisa Loeb Concert
Groove along Lisa Loeb’s original, award-winning kids’ tunes from her three children’s albums. Advance ticket purchase recommended.
The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave
Sunday, October 22, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Upper West Side
Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights at Camp Settoga
Kids’ music favorite Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights will rock Camp Settoga, playing favorite tunes along with new songs from her latest album. Advance ticket purchase recommended.
JCC Manhattan @ Camp Settoga, 127 Call Hollow Rd, Pomona
Sunday, October 1, 11 a.m. – Noon
Sukkah, Songs, and Play! Community Sukkah Raising
Get ready for the holiday of Sukkot in the Romemu sukkah with an afternoon of song, dance, food, crafts, and sukkah decorating with children’s musician Carla Friend from Tikiya: The Jewish Community Music School. Free.
Youth Hostel, 891 Amsterdam Ave btw 104th & 105th
Sunday, October 1, 3 – 5 p.m.
Interfaith Sukkot Seder
An interfaith, intergenerational Sukkot Seder in the Romemu Sukkah using the model of a Passover seder to explore Sukkot through song, movement, and reflection, along with a pizza dinner. RSVP requested.
Youth Hostel, 891 Amsterdam Ave btw 104th & 105th
Thursday, October 5, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Rooftop Sukkah Potluck Dinner
A brief Friday night service, dinner, and songs in the synagogue’s rooftop Sukkah followed by activities for ages 5 – 8. Please bring a vegetarian dish to share.
SAJ, 15 West 86th St
Friday, October 6, 6 – 9 p.m.
Sukkot in the Park
Join the Shul of New York for a Sukkot scavenger hunt in Central Park. RSVP on the synagogue website.
Central Park, Location TBD
Saturday, October 7, 10 a.m. – Noon
Simchat Torah Camp
Celebrate the holiday with singing, dancing, storytelling and fun activities, and see the Torah scroll unrolled. Best for ages 4 and up. Free.
SAJ, 15 West 86th St
Wednesday, October 11, 6:15 – 8:45 p.m.
Sha’Baby & Sha’Boker Tov
An ongoing, joyful introduction to Shabbat for families with young children ages 4 and under with dancing, laughing, praying, and singing. Free.
Romemu, 165 W 105th St
Friday, October 14, 5 p.m. & Saturday, October 15, 11 – 11:45 a.m.
New Parents Group
A group for parents and babies ages 0 -5 months. Share experiences, meet other new parents, provide support and explore parenting through a Jewish lens. Advance registration required.
B’nai Jeshurun, 270 West 89th St
Wednesdays, October 25 – December 13, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
PJ Challah for Hunger
A monthly community challah baking experience for families with children ages 6 and under. Participants braid two challahs – one to take home, and one to give away, followed by stories, songs, and snacks. RSVP requested. Free.
Congregation Rodeph Sholom, 7 West 83rd St, btw CPW & Columbus
Saturday, October 28, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights
Rock out to the tunes of kids’-music favorites Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights in a Halloween-themed concert.
Symphony Space, Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre, 2537 Broadway
Sunday, October 28, 11 a.m. – Noon
Harlem
Songs & Stories at Morningside Park
Celebrate Shabbat and the weekend with stories, music, and fun in Morningside Park with PJ Library in NY and JCC Harlem. All neighborhood families are welcome, best for ages 5 and under, RSVP requested but not required. Free.
Morningside Park, West 117th St
Saturday, October 7, 11 a.m. – Noon
Songs & Stories at Morningside Park!
Celebrate Shabbat and the weekend with stories, music, and fun in Morningside Park with PJ Library in NY and JCC Harlem. All neighborhood families are welcome, best for ages 5 and under, RSVP requested but not required. Free.
Morningside Park, West 117th St
Saturday, October 21, 4 – 5 p.m.
Washington Heights
Sukkahwood 2017
A community arts festival with live entertainment and temporary dwelling art installations along with a kosher BBQ food truck and DJ.
Inwood Hill Park, 215th St & Indian Rd
Sunday, October 8, Noon – 4 p.m.
Staten Island
Fun in the Sukkah
Celebrate the harvest holiday of Sukkot with a party in the JCC sukkah with crafts, stories, and songs.
Staten Island JCC, 1466 Manor Rd
Sunday, October 8, 1:30 – 3 p.m.
Westchester
Tot CJL-Simchat Torah
Celebrate the holiday of Simchat Torah with crafts, food, and new friends. For children in Pre-K and younger, RSVP required. Free.
Temple Israel of Northern Westchester, 31 Glengary Rd, Croton-on-Hudson
Sunday, October 1, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Supper in the Sukkah
Celebrate the holiday of Sukkot with a delicious dinner in the sukkah, music, games, gardening, and other activities. RSVP requested.
JCC Harrison, 130 Union Ave, Harrison
Wednesday, October 4, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Sushi in the Sukkah
Celebrate the holiday of Sukkot with PJ Library stories, holiday-themed crafts, and sushi. Kid-friendly food options also available. RSVP required.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center, 515 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry
Sunday, October 8, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Salsa Simchat Torah
A holiday celebration with quesadillas, tacos, chips and salsa, margaritas, and mojitos. Bounce house and kids’ activities too. Fun for the whole family. RSVP requested. Free.
JCC Harrison, 130 Union Ave, Harrison
Thursday, October 12, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Simchat Torah Celebration
An early Simchat Torah celebration for families with young children with songs and dancing followed by the main synagogue celebration at 7 p.m.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center, 515 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry
Thursday, October 12, 6 p.m.
Friday Storytime With the Rabbi
Join Rabbi Strom each month for breakfast, stories, games, and crafts. Free.
Congregation B’nai Yisrael, 2 Banksville Rd, Armonk
Friday, October 13, 9 – 9:30 a.m.
Family Trip to Eden Village
Celebrate the harvest season at Camp Eden Village with farm to table activities including harvesting, farm work, and making sauerkraut in jars. Sponsored by JCC of Harrison, RSVP requested. Free.
Eden Village, 392 Dennytown Rd, Putnam Valley
Sunday, October 15, 9 a.m. – Noon
Pre-K & Kindergarten Sukkot Program
A free, Jewish holiday-themed introduction to religious school for children in Pre-K and Kindergarten with cooking, music, storytelling, arts and crafts. RSVP requested.
Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester, 2125 Westchester Avenue East, Rye
Sunday, October 15, 9:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Baby, Toddler & Me
An interactive class featuring the music of Bobby Doo Wah. Advance registration requested.
JCC Harrison, 130 Union Ave, Harrison
Thursdays, October 19 – December 21, 9:15 – 9:45 a.m.
PJ Library Storytime and Sing Along
PJ Library storytime and a sing-along in the synagogue library for children ages 8 and under and their grown-ups. Free
Westchester Jewish Center, 175 Rockland Ave, Mamaroneck
Sunday, October 29, 11 – 11:45 a.m.
