October 18- November 18: White Lights at Night

Move over Fashion Week, Lincoln Center will now play host to the  White Lights Festival, a celebration of the arts highlighting multidiscipline, spiritual works. Free concerts and performances will kick-off kick-off the month long event. Visit the official site for a schedule of events and full festival information. Lincoln Center, various times and locations

October 20: Bazaar Chelsea

Small businesses selling hand-made goods ranging from the eatable to the wearable will take over the Altman Building for a day of unique shopping. Admission to the event is free but you do need to register to attend. The Altman Building, 135 West 18th Street, 11 AM- 6 PM, free but registration is required

October 20: Gone Mad

The 3rd Annual Massive Mad Hatter Tea Party gives you a reason to get decked out before official Halloween festivities begin. The event which will take place in Tompkins Square Park invites attendees to down their craziest head gear for a day of live music, performances and of course, tea. Tompkins Square Park, Avenue A between 7th and 10th Streets, 4- 6 PM

October 21: a legal Wake & Bake

Wake up early and head over to the Havemeyer Sweets Festival this Sunday where you will have the chance to bake scrumptious treats with some of NYC’s masters of dessert. Participants who think their own skills are up to par can bring their home made goos and compete in the baking show down. City Reliquary Museum, 370 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, 10 AM- 4 PM, free

October 21: Grub Street on Hester Street

My favorite blog hosts (one) of my favorite festivals this weekend in conjunction with the Hester Street Fair and New York Mag. The 3rd annual foodie extravaganza will feature the cream of New York’s crop of food vendors including Imperial Woodpecker Sno-balls, Brooklyn Oyster Party, Bon Chovie, Mile End and Little Muenster among many, many more. Head there early before the crowds come in and they start running out. Hester Street Fair, Essex Street at Hester Street, 10 AM- 6 PM

October 25: to Benefit the Oppressed

The Theater of the Oppressed NY hosts its’ 1st annual Benefit fundraiser to support the non-profit organization honoring a diverse group of New Yorker performers including homeless, immigrant, HIV+, teen and youth communities. Come out to support the great cause and spend the evening enjoying an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, live performances, silent auction and more. For tickets click here (ignore October 11th date). Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square Park South, 6- 8:30 PM, $50