To inaugurate its first full season of arts programming, the Park Avenue Armory has recruited Brooklyn’s Bindlestiff Family Cirkus and design firm Hickey Shields to conjure a “Burtonesque” carnival, complete with a 50-foot Ferris wheel, gourmet concessions, a flying-elephant ride, and a fun slide. A roaming army of stilt-walkers, contortionists, and magicians will draw carnivalgoers, willingly or not, into their acts. October 8 to 11; 643 Park Ave., nr. 67th St.; 212-616-3930; $5 entrance fee, children under 14 free; $1.25 per ticket or $20 unlimited wristband.