Welcome, listeners, to Things to do in New York City! It’s Thursday, October 30, 2025, and I’m Oly Bennet—the globetrotting, groove-chasing sports nut who thinks New York is the Olympic village of quirky, wild, and world-class events. Grab your coats and caffeinate those senses, because NYC is bursting with energy as we hurtle toward the Halloween weekend!

Let’s set the scene: the city’s waking up to those classic late-October vibes—crisp autumn air with just a whiff of adventure, subway musicians howling jazz beneath pumpkin-laden stoops, and everyone from Wall Streeters to Upper West Side dog walkers trading costume ideas. Today the calendar reads “party in every borough.” The big apple is a caramel apple today: shiny, sweet, and with a chance that things could get a little sticky if you don’t watch out for the weather turning chilly tonight. Word on the street is to layer up if you’re heading out!

So what’s shaking in NYC today? For the early risers and runners looking to channel their inner marathon legend, Action Black in Tribeca has a pre-marathon event and coffee party powered by Essentia and Nespresso. Think outdoor group runs, boxing classes, strength training, plus post-sweat massages on tap until 11:30am. Even if your sport is ‘spectator with a latte’, everyone’s welcome to soak up the spirit.

Tonight at Madison Square Garden, metal heads unite! Lorna Shore is unleashed on stage with The Black Dahlia Murder, Shadow of Intent, and PeelingFlesh shredding guitars at The Theater at MSG. If your heart beats double-time to deathcore and you love a wall of sound, this one’s for you, and MSG’s always an experience even if you’re just people-watching.

For culture vultures, The Last Musician of Auschwitz, a documentary plus live chamber music, starts at 7pm and brings a powerful, moving story to the New York stage. Meanwhile, if you prefer your feet moving faster, whirl into Manhattan for a Spectacular Irish Dance Show, also at 7pm—think Riverdance energy, Broadway backdrops, pure foot-stomping joy.

Longing to mingle? Thursday Night at Cubbyhole in the Village rolls from 4pm to 2am with the ultimate cozy, come-as-you-are neighborhood revelry. Cubbyhole is known for its colorful crowd, killer playlists, and surprise singalongs—if you haven’t been, tonight’s your night to find some new friends and maybe lose your voice.

And just a quick ride away, the New York Comic Con Cosplay Photos Pop-Up & Wine Tasting is raising a glass to the kingdom of costumes. Meet celebrated photographer Linda Covello, peruse cosplay portraits, and sip some vino at Wines By Nature—because nothing says sophisticated geek like Malbec, masks, and Marvel heroes in one room.

Swerving into the news lane: several subway lines are running on time today, but keep an eye on MTA alerts for downtown delays around rush hour—plan your ninja moves accordingly. Foodies, listen up: rumor has it that a new Japanese bakery just opened in SoHo with cream puffs that sell out faster than Knicks floor seats. Check it out if you want bragging rights and breakfast that doubles as dessert. Halloween pop-up bars are everywhere, with haunted happy hours popping up especially in the East Village and Williamsburg.

Must-do for today: walk the High Line for late-blooming fall color and skyline selfies, then duck into Chelsea Market for artisanal snacks. If you’re heat-seeking, hit a Korean BBQ spot in K-town—locals swear by the 24-hour places for late-night bites. For a real Gotham twist, swing by Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn for a historic tour—no two tombstones have the same story, and you might stumble across the city’s quirkiest Halloween pre-parties inside those legendary gates.

Pro tip for navigating NYC like a seasoned New Yorker: when the subway is packed, pretend you’re on a rugby scrum—just with more eye contact and slightly less mud. And if you hear someone say...