The best fairs and festivals to check out this weekend

The city is full of family-friendly outings this weekend. Here are our favorite seasonal celebrations.

18th Annual Transit Museum Bus Festival
Take a tour of Atlantic Ave on a fleet of vintage buses, or attend one of the many workshops offered throughout the day. For a bus break, walk down the street to check out Atlantic Antic, another fun-filled family event. Sun Oct 2 10am–6pm. New York Transit Museum, Boerum Pl at Schermerhorn St, Downtown Brooklyn (718-694-1600 mta.info/mta/museum). Subway: A, C, G to Hoyt–Schermerhorn; M, R to Court St; 2, 3, 4, 5 to Borough Hall. Free with museum admission. All ages.

The African Experience Food Festival
The Museum for African Art hosts a day celebrating African culture, from the continent's food to its music. Once you've sampled all the fine food, walk around and enjoy cooking demonstrations and various children's activities. Sat Oct 1 11am–7pm. Museum for African Art, Fifth Ave at 110th St (718-784-7700, africanart.org). Subway: 2, 3 to Central Park 110th St–Central Park North; 6 to 110th St. Food tickets $5 each. All ages.

Atlantic Antic
Head to the designated children’s area on Brooklyn’s historic Atlantic Avenue (between Boerum Pl and Smith St) for a soap bubble lounge, pony rides and interactive workshops. You’ll also want to check out the fest’s live bands and cool international eats—Mexican corn, shish kebabs, falafel and more. Sun Oct 2 noon–6pm. Atlantic Ave between Fourth Ave and Hicks St, Downtown Brooklyn (718-875-8993, atlanticave.org). Subway: B, Q, 2, 3, 4, 5 to Atlantic Ave; D, N, R to Pacific St. Free. All ages.

Chile Pepper Fiesta
Even kids who aren't fans of spicy food will get a kick out of the lively music and dance inspired by tangy chili flavors. Set the mood with a morning show from Mariachi Tapatio de Alvaro Paulino Performances. Then travel between booths to taste some tasty, semispicy foods. Even if kids don't like the culinary heat, they're bound to enjoy fire breathing, juggling and other performances from Ringmasters Robbins & Ringold. Sat Oct 1 11am–6pm. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave at Eastern Pkwy (718-623-7200, bbg.org). Subway: Q, Franklin Ave S to Prospect Park; 2, 3 to Eastern Pkwy–Brooklyn Museum. $15, students and seniors $10, children under 12 free. All ages.

Czech Street Festival
Celebrate Czech Independence Day at this annual street festival, where families can check out authentic food, dance and games while rocking to the beats of live Czech bands. Sat Oct 1 1–7pm. E 73rd St between First and Second Aves (646-422-3399, czechcenter.com). Free. Ages 3 to 12.

Medieval Festival
Time-travel back to the Middle Ages and enjoy some ancient forms of fun. Wandering Fort Tryon Park's lush grounds, families can rub shoulders with performers and festivalgoers dressed in clothing typical of the era, listen to authentic period music, and watch the antics of jugglers and jesters. Sun Oct 2 11:30am–6pm. Fort Tryon Par, Margaret Corbin Circle, Fort Washington Ave at Cabrini Blvd (212-795-1600, whidc.org). Subway: A to 190th St. Free. All ages.

NYC Wine & Food Festival: Kids Get Cooking
Children can choose from a wide-ranging roster of cooking classes, including pancake making, lunches from around the world, sushi rolling, cake decorating and more. Advance registration is recommended, as these events fill up quickly. Sat Oct 1, Sun Oct 2 10am–4pm. Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Ave at 15th St (866-969-2933, nycwineandfoodfestival.com). Subway: A, C, E to 14th St; L to Eighth Ave. $25–$40. Ages 3 to 14.

Pumpkin Day
Can't make it to a real pumpkin patch? No worries: At this annual Brooklyn event, kids can pluck pumpkins from a man-made "patch" and then decorate their gourds in spooky styles. Before helping your babe carry her find home, stick around to enjoy live music, sample yummy treats and help your darling make other kiddie crafts. Sat 11am–1pm. McCarren Park, Bayard St to Nassau Ave (718-609-1090, townsquareinc.com). Subway: L to Lorimer St, G to Nassau Ave. Free. All ages.

Raptor Fest
Kestrels, falcons, eagles, owls and other birds of prey take over Prospect Park this time of year. Bird handlers will discuss wildlife rehabilitation, show off flight demonstrations and teach little ones about how their feathered friends descended from dinosaurs. Sun Oct 2 noon–3pm. Prospect Park Audubon Center, Ocean Ave at Lincoln Rd, Brooklyn (718-287-3400, prospectpark.org). Subway: Q, Franklin Ave S to Prospect Park. Free. All ages.

Wave Hill Honey Weekend
Get ready for a sticky, sweet weekend at Wave Hill's Honey Weekend. Become a family of bees during Be a Bee (Sat, Sun 10am–1pm) or take an educational tour of the gallery (Sat 1pm). Watch the Honey Extraction Demonstration (Sat, Sun 2–4pm) and then taste the sweet treat (Sat, Sun noon–4pm). Sat Oct 1, Sun Oct 2 10am–4pm. Wave Hill, W 249th St at Independence Ave, Bronx (718-549-3200, wavehill.org). Free with garden admission. All ages.