So I'm a noob to "seasons". I'm a noob to "events". I don't get how they work.

What I do know is that I am a level 32 character, tier 5 DC, just took myself to NYC last night.

I bought the latest Season Pass. For giggles I bought the previous season bundle/package as well for 2,000 credits. total: 3,000 creds.

And nothing in my game has changed. I got a mask.
I don't have a season tracker.

I did a bit of googling, and it looks like you need to be level 40 and have finished NYC? Is that true? Basically "here's a season pass you can't actually use yet"?

And then for the events themselves, how does that work?
Last night the first boss was made available to "hunt"? Does that mean if I never got them last night, too bad, don't get another chance?
Then there will be an apparel event ... does that mean if you don't play that night, you don't get it?
And when the season is over, anything you never got is gone forever; no more chances for you! come back! one year!

My concern is I just bought something that I can't actually use yet, that is time-bound and will "turn off" in x-months. And I am struggling to understand how all of this works.