In Photos: Columbia and Community Connection This Fall, From Harlem to Inwood
From block parties to basketball games, Columbia University partnered with local organizations to host community events in Harlem, Morningside Heights, Inwood, and even the Palisades.
The essence of community is found in everyday moments, whether it's sharing a meal with neighbors, coming together to cheer on a local college sports team, or getting crafty at a holiday celebration. This autumn, as the Uptown community has buzzed with seasonal activities, Columbia University was proud to organize and partner with local organizations to sponsor events that foster meaningful connections and spread awareness about programs and resources the University offers residents of its surrounding neighborhoods.
From a Halloween-inspired festival in Morningside Park to a glowing celebration of local creativity, here are some of the magical and memorable moments of connection.
Career Development, Community, Connection: Columbia University’s Career Expo
Autumn symbolizes a season of change, and on Sept. 15, Columbia University’s Employment Information Center brought back its annual expo at the Lee C. Bollinger Forum to give job seekers the resources and connections to transition into the next chapter of their careers.
During this year’s event, as part of the University’s mission to hire locally, attendees mixed, mingled, and made in-person connections with recruiters and representatives from across Columbia’s schools, departments, and campuses. Job openings ranged from administrative and IT roles to clinical, nursing, and facilities work. Attendees also took part in rrésumé workshops and job readiness sessions, and they received complimentary professional headshots to elevate their online presence.
Touchdowns and Togetherness: Northern Manhattan Neighbors Appreciation Day
Baker Athletics Complex in Inwood was packed for this year's Northern Manhattan Neighbors Appreciation Day on Sept. 19. Designed to build community through sports, the event, organized by Columbia University Athletics, invited Inwood, Washington Heights, and Harlem residents to attend the Columbia Lions football team’s home opener against Lafayette College, free of charge. The first 50 community members scored bucket hats, and the crowd watched a close-scoring game that left them on the edge of their stadium seats. The Columbia Lions defeated the Lafayette Leopards in overtime, bringing victorious energy to a fun-filled afternoon of fall football Uptown. Check out the Columbia Neighbors Instagram recap.
Embracing the Light of Community: Morningside Lights
Year after year, Morningside Lights illuminates the power of communal creativity. On Sept. 19, neighbors and Columbia affiliates gathered for a glowing procession that stretched from Morningside Park to College Walk. Produced by Columbia’s Arts Initiative and Miller Theatre at Columbia University, in collaboration with Friends of Morningside Park, the festive event was themed “A Common Thread,” featuring a visually vibrant assemblage of handmade, quilt-inspired lanterns.
These lanterns were created during a series of community lantern-building workshops that illustrated the common thread of humanity across rich and varied differences. From New York City-inspired motifs to abstract prints, the imaginative lanterns embodied an artistic flair that made this year’s Morningside Lights one to remember.
Have an idea for the theme of next year’s lanterns? Submit it here by Nov. 30!
Earth Science in the Palisades: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Open House
On Oct. 17, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) welcomed more than 2,500 visitors to its Rockland County campus for a full day of lab tours, lectures, and hands-on activities showcasing the latest Earth science discoveries.
At the family-friendly open house, attendees—some of whom rode free shuttle buses provided by LDEO all the way from Morningside Heights—took part in ecology-inspired sessions, demonstrations, and installations. Highlights included a “warming stripe” walkway that illustrated the history of climate change, volcano science simulations with trash can eruptions, and lectures on the use of artificial intelligence in scientific research.
Explore more highlights from the 2026 Open House.
Connections on the Corner: The Longest Table
Founded by Columbia alumni Maryam Banikarim (BC’89) and Andrew Lerner (BUS’92), The Longest Table event series brings neighbors from all walks of life together to connect over delicious meals in the heart of their communities.
On Oct. 18, organizers brought the experience to 118th St .between Frederick Douglass Blvd. and Manhattan Ave. in Harlem, where more than 700 neighbors pulled up a seat for a lively afternoon of music, activities, and a community potluck. The event, organized by JCC Harlem in partnership with the UJA-Federation of New York, was supported by Columbia University and over 20 community organizations, schools, religious institutions, and local businesses.
Making Fall Memories in Morningside Park: Haunted Heights
Throughout October, many Halloween-inspired community celebrations took place Uptown, including Haunted Heights on Oct. 30 in Morningside Park. Hosted by NYC Parks, Friends of Morningside Park, the Columbia University Space Initiative, and Columbia's Zuckerman Institute, the festive fall fête welcomed more than 150 families to celebrate the spooky season with an afternoon of activities.
Activities included lava lamp-making workshops led by Space Initiative students, neuroscience activities guided by Zuckerman Institute graduate students, and robot demonstrations from Columbia Engineering’s community outreach team. Other fun-filled activities during the event, which was attended by Manhattan Borough Commissioner Alberto Roldan, included arts and crafts sessions, worm bins from the Lower East Side Ecology Center, a costume parade led by the leaders of Columbia’s Black Student Organization, as well as a dance-off and giveaways from Levain Bakery.
Basketball and Books: Columbia Women’s Basketball Education Day
From school visits to education-driven campaigns, Columbia Women’s Basketball is known for making an impact beyond the court and in the local community. On Nov. 2, Columbia Athletics and the Women’s Basketball team welcomed a crowd of 2,732 sports fans, including students from 23 schools throughout Harlem, the Bronx, and other parts of New York City, for its 16th annual Education Day Game at Levien Gymnasium. From show-stopping moves on Schiller Court to an appearance by Roar-ee the Lion, local youth were fully immersed in every aspect of the season opener against Davidson College as the Lions defeated the Wildcats, 71-65.
Other incredible community events so far this fall included CUIMC’s third annual Curious Minds Science Zone on Sept. 17, Columbia University’s Fall 2026 Blood Drive on Oct. 19, and CUIMC’s Fall Festival on Oct. 27.
Stay tuned for more fun activities as we approach the holiday season by following the Columbia Neighbors event calendar.