New York blogs
From sun-soaked summer celebrations to cheerful holiday traditions, New York State is home to an eclectic array of festivals and events. We’ve rounded up 37 of the state’s coolest, quirkiest, and most magical festivals, from the Thousand Islands’ Pirate Days to Binghamton’s enchanting LUMA Projection Arts Festival. Add some of these one-of-a-kind celebrations to your festival bucket list and get inspired to start planning your next unforgettable New York State getaway. Credit: @johnkucko on Instagram
Each year, ski venues throughout the state show their Pride with a fun-filled weekend on the slopes. Held in years past at Hunter Mountain in the Catskills, Belleayre Mountain in the Finger Lakes, and Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks, you’ll get to ski and snowboard down some of the best trails in the Northeast while celebrating the LGBTQ community. Connect with others, support LGBTQ businesses and organizations, and explore an amazing apres-ski scene–it’s a weekend to remember!
Beat the blues and celebrate all things winter at the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival! An Adirondack staple since 1897, this festival promises 10 days of wintry fun for the entire family. Walk through the iconic ice palace made from giant blocks of ice pulled right from the lake, watch fireworks light up the night sky, enjoy live music, parades, competitions, exhibits, and more.
Looking for a delicious way to warm up in winter? Add Saratoga Chowderfest to your festival bucket list! Join more than 40,000 chowder lovers in downtown Saratoga Springs to sample chowders from over 80 of the region’s top restaurants. Four ounce samples are $2 each and you’ll get to vote for your favorites alongside live entertainment and family-friendly activities throughout the day at various venues.
Did you know that New York State is one of the world’s top maple producers? Experience the sweetness of New York’s maple industry during Maple Weekends. Held across two weekends in March, this celebration offers a chance for the public to learn about the sugarmaking processes and traditions from real sugarhouses throughout the state. Watch live demonstrations, enjoy samples of maple syrup and maple treats, chat with local maple producers, and much more.
Head to Overlook Beach for a free and fun-filled day of kite flying, entertainment, and activities for the whole family! Gaze up to witness professional kite flyers navigate the skies, and bring (or buy) your own kite to join in the fun and feel the wind lift your kite high above the beach. The day also includes a candy drop for kids, bubble maker, food trucks, an artisan market, live entertainment and more.
Celebrate spring with more than 100,000 blooming tulips in Albany’s Washington Park at this annual Mother’s Day weekend festival. Stroll through colorful displays and enjoy some of the festival’s featured events including live music performances, a Tulip Queen coronation, children’s activities, food and beverage vendors, and much more.
Join visitors from around the world at Rochester’s Highland Park for the Annual Lilac Festival. At this 10-day celebration, you’ll get to experience one of the largest collections of lilacs in North America, as you soak up the sights and smells of the park’s 1,200 lilac bushes displaying 500 varieties. The festival also features live music from over 80 performers, food vendors, the Lilac 5K/10K, Lilac Parade, a farmers market, and much more!
Experience the “Grand Canyon of the East” like never before at the Letchworth Balloon Rally. Watch as 20 vibrant hot air balloons take to the skies above the magnificent Letchworth State Park. Let the fun reach new heights and experience a hot air balloon ride for yourself with Balloons Over Letchworth.
Each summer, New York City comes alive for Summerstage with live music, dance, and theater performances at parks and venues throughout the five boroughs. The full lineup features around 80 free and benefit performances representing all genres including jazz, hip hop, Latin, global, indie, and contemporary dance.
As the birthplace of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” author L. Frank Baum, the quaint village of Chittenango goes all out for their annual Oz-Stravaganza each June. Kick off the celebration with a grand parade, and be sure to check out the costume contests, festival food, rides, games, authors and artists, live entertainment, plus fun races like the “Munchkin Mile” and “Toto’s Toddler Trot.” If you can’t make it to Oz-Stravaganza, the All Things Oz Museum is open year-round, with memorabilia, props, and costumes.
Not much beats a summer day along the historic Erie Canal! At Fairport Canal Days, lock in a weekend full of fun with hundreds of juried artists, tasty local food vendors, and canalside views. Pop by on Friday for the Chicken BBQ kick-off and stick around until Saturday for the Canal Nights concert series.
Head to Livingston Manor to join in on one of the area’s most beloved traditions, the Trout Parade! Known as the birthplace of fly fishing and one of the best places for reeling in trout, this Catskills town goes all out the second Saturday of each June, with everything trout-themed from wild costumes to creative floats, and a full main street takeover with an intriguing vendor fair and live music.
Corning GlassFest (Finger Lakes)
When: June 18-20, 2027
Where: Corning, NY
Kick off summer in downtown Corning with a three-day festival celebrating glass! Known as the “Crystal City” and home to the renowned Corning Museum of Glass, this free festival is one-of-a-kind with live glass blowing and flameworking demonstrations, hands-on glass experiences, plus live music, entertainment, local food and craft vendors, and fireworks. Corning GlassFest is typically held Memorial Day Weekend, but will be taking place from June 18-20 for 2027 to accommodate the return of the LPGA Tour to Corning.
Chautauqua Institution Summer Assembly (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
When: June-August
Where: Chautauqua, NY
Credit: @lifesaporch on Instagram
Each summer, the Chautauqua Institution comes alive with nine weeks of fine and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship, and recreational activities. With the dazzling Chautauqua Lake as your backdrop, expect days filled with enriching events and programs including dance, opera, concerts, author lectures, theater, and more.
July
Glimmerglass (Central New York)
When: July 12-August 22, 2027
Where: Cooperstown, NY
Enjoy a night at the opera at the internationally-acclaimed Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown’s Glimmerglass State Park. This highly-anticipated summer opera and musical theater festival presents a variety of engaging productions, including past productions like “Oklahoma!” and “Madame Butterfly,” in a magnificent setting overlooking Otsego Lake. Meet and greets with performers, guided tours, and picnic meals on the spacious lawn make an evening at Glimmerglass unforgettable.
Oswego Harborfest (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
When: July 22-25, 2027
Where: Oswego, NY
Since 1988, Harborfest has been the highlight of summer in Oswego. With over 30 live acts, rides, food, a children’s parade, fireworks, and more all along the shores of Lake Ontario, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, admission is always free!
August
Spiedie Fest & Balloon Rally (Central New York)
When: Typically early August
Where: Binghamton, NY
Once a friendly competition between families for the best Spiedie recipe, Binghamton’s Spiedie Fest & Balloon Rally has grown into an unforgettable three-day event, considered to be one of the top hot air balloon rallies in the country! Join crowds of more than 100,000 and watch as 35 hot air balloons take to the skies over Otsiningo Park. In between balloon launches, catch live music from talented performers, go for a spin on midway rides, watch the Spiedie cooking contest, and more.
Monticello Bagel Festival (Catskills)
When: August 8, 2027
Where: Monticello, NY
Credit: @arockanisland on Instagram
Fun fact: Monticello, NY is the birthplace of the original bagel machine and official bagel capital of the world. Each August, this Catskills village comes together to celebrate its doughy heritage with a vibrant street festival. The main drag will be transformed into “Bagel Boulevard” with goodies from artisan bakers, food trucks, bagel eating contests, local crafters, vendors, and of course lots and lots of bagels!
Bill Johnston’s Pirate Days (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
When: Typically mid August
Where: Alexandria Bay, NY
Ahoy! Make your way to Alexandria Bay for a weekend filled with pirate-themed activities for Bill Johnston’s Pirate Days. A long-running Thousand Islands tradition, this annual festival celebrates the famous 19th-century smuggler and pirate Bill Johnston, who sank a British steamship in 1838 and hid among the islands to avoid being captured. Expect unique activities and events including an “invasion” of town by costumed professional pirates, a parade, live music, food and drink vendors, pirate merch, scavenger and treasure hunts, a reptile exhibit, and more.
Lucille Ball Comedy Festival (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
When: Typically mid August
Where: Jamestown, NY
Photo courtesy of Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau
Get ready to giggle, cackle, and laugh out loud at the National Comedy Center’s annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival in Jamestown! During this four-day August event, witness more than 50 live performances from comedy’s top personalities, including past acts like Seth Meyers, Trevor Noah, and Taylor Tomlinson, plus up-and-coming stars at venues throughout Lucille Ball’s hometown.
SerlingFest (Central New York)
When: Typically mid August
Where: Binghamton, NY
Celebrate the life, legacy and creative works of The Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling in his hometown of Binghamton! Taking place each August, attendees can expect panel discussions, guest presentations, rare screenings, and a community gathering at Rec Park.
National Buffalo Wing Festival (Greater Niagara)
When: August 29-30, 2026
Where: Buffalo, NY
Wing lovers, mark your calendars! Bring a hearty appetite and make your way to Buffalo, home of the Buffalo wing, for the National Buffalo Wing Festival. Held at the Buffalo Bisons’ Sahlen Field, there will be plenty of wings to sample, prepared by over 25 participating restaurants who make them best. Check out all kinds of wing-related events, including wing eating contests, wing pairings, and bobbing for wings, where contestants bob for wings in a baby pool filled with blue cheese dressing.
Great New York State Fair (Finger Lakes)
When: August 26-September 7
Where: Syracuse, NY
13 days of midway rides, amazing live performances, agricultural exhibits, classic fair food, and more await at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse! As the country’s first ever state fair, the Great New York State Fair has been around since 1841. Today, it sees more than one million visitors each year! Dig into traditional fair cuisine like fried Oreos, sausage and peppers, and wine slushies, meet adorable farm animals, watch artists like Sean Paul and Ashanti take the stage, and so much more.
September
Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival (Hudson Valley)
When: September 4-6, 2026
Where: Lagrangeville, NY
A weekend filled with high-flying fun awaits at the Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival. The festival is packed with awe-inspiring experiences including five mass hot air balloon ascensions throughout the weekend, full-flight or tethered hot air balloon rides, nightly fireworks, an animal exhibit, food trucks, morning yoga, and much more.
LUMA Projection Arts Festival (Central New York)
When: September 11-12, 2026
Where: Binghamton, NY
If you’ve never experienced the magic of Binghamton’s LUMA Projection Arts Festival, this is your sign to plan a visit. Join tens of thousands of visitors to admire the transformation of historic downtown buildings as they become canvasses for mesmerizing art projections. The event also features a variety of vendors showcasing art, food, and other goodies.
Adirondack Balloon Festival (Adirondacks)
When: September 17-20, 2026
Where: Glens Falls, NY
Prepare to be mesmerized as hot air balloons fill the sky at the Adirondack Balloon Festival! Now in its 54th year, this enchanting event has been a September staple in Glens Falls, where the vibrant colors and shapes of the balloons float over the Adirondack Mountains. The weekend also features musical performances, craft and food vendors, kids activities, bounce houses, and more.
Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze (Hudson Valley)
When: September 18-November 8, 2026
Where: Croton-on-Hudson, NY
Credit: @angelavtorbus_ on Instagram
Bask in the gourd-geous glow of more than 7,000 hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns at one of the top-rated Halloween events in the country. Taking place at the historic 18th-century Van Cortlandt Manor, prepare to be amazed with larger-than-life pumpkin displays, each hand-carved by a team of artisans on-site, special effects, an original soundtrack, vendors, and more. This immersive, one-of-a-kind spectacle is not to be missed!
Lowville Cream Cheese Festival (Adirondacks)
When: September 19, 2026
Where: Lowville, NY
Lowville is home to the county’s largest cream cheese plant, Kraft Heinz, which produces Philadelphia Cream Cheese, and it’s here where residents and visitors alike gather for the annual Cream Cheese Festival. Soak up the historic setting of downtown Lowville while you enjoy delicious food, a wide variety of vendors, fun games and activities for the family, a traditional recipe contest, and more. Don’t leave without checking out the world’s largest cheesecake!
Cuba Garlic Festival (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
When: September 19-20, 2026
Where: Cuba, NY
Calling all garlic lovers! New York State is home to an amazing array of festivals celebrating the “stinking rose.” Nestled among the rolling countryside of Allegany County, the Cuba Garlic Festival promises a weekend filled with garlic goodies, an exciting lineup of live music, garlic lectures, food demonstrations like pasta making and cookie decorating, kids activities and more.
Hudson Valley Garlic Festival (Hudson Valley)
When: September 26-27, 2026
Where: Saugerties, NY
Credit: @thenikkiweston on Instagram
In Saugerties, the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival celebrates the harvest of five different garlic varieties in the Hudson Valley. Dig into delicious and unique garlic-inspired food specialties like garlic ice cream and garlic fudge, catch a chef demonstration or farming and cooking lecture, and more.
Naples Grape Festival (Finger Lakes)
When: September 26-27, 2026
Where: Naples, NY
Credit: @stillnotafoodie on Instagram
Known as the Grape Pie Capital of the World, the idyllic village of Naples comes to life each September with live music, arts and craft vendors, and all things grapes! Set in a beautiful Finger Lakes town, this two-day outdoor festival offers all kinds of grape goodies including grape pies and grape ice cream, a grape pie contest, Finger Lakes wines, live music, and a large variety of craft vendors.
October
Peace, Love & Pumpkins (Catskills)
When: October 9-November 1, 2026
Where: Bethel, NY
Photo courtesy of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Marvel at thousands of enchanting, hand-carved pumpkin displays and pumpkin art at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts’ Peace, Love, and Pumpkins event. Taking place Wednesdays-Sundays at the original site of the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival, enjoy a magical walk past intricate displays featuring Woodstock festival icons, dinosaurs, mermaids, witches, and other scary surprises. Themed nights run throughout the month including the Night Market (weekends), and Boos & Booze nights (21+). There is also a Sensory-Friendly Experience, where individuals with sensory sensitivities can experience a sensory-friendly version of the event with trained staff present.
Clayton’s Punkin’ Chunkin’ (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
When: October 17, 2026
Where: Clayton, NY
Clayton’s Punkin’ Chunkin‘ is not your typical fall festival! Each October, thousands gather in Clayton to watch massive trebuchets (think medieval-style catapults) launch pumpkins in excess of 1,000 feet into the St. Lawrence River. Taking place at Frink Park, expect a show unlike any other, alongside food and craft vendors.
Rosendale Pickle Festival (Hudson Valley)
When: October 18, 2026
Where: New Paltz, NY
Join thousands of pickle enthusiasts at the Ulster County Fairgrounds in New Paltz to celebrate all things fermented at the Rosendale Pickle Festival. Check out 100+ vendors selling adventurous bites like pickle ice cream and chocolate covered pickles and favorites like pickles on a stick or deep-fried pickles. Plus, there’s a home pickling contest, and a pickle triathlon which features a pickle eating contest, pickle juice drinking race, and a pickle toss.
November
New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show (NYC)
When: November 14, 2026-January 10, 2027
Where: The Bronx, NY
Credit: @eulises74 on Instagram
The New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show is one of the city’s favorite winter traditions. Found in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, immerse yourself in seasonal cheer as model trains chug along famous bridges and familiar city settings, bringing nearly 200 twinkling landmark replicas to life. Outside on the conservatory lawn, explore a glowing mountain-scape brimming with even more trains!
December
Poinsettias After Dark (Greater Niagara)
When: November 27, December 4, 12, 18, 21-22, 26-29, 2026
Where: Buffalo, NY
Surround yourself in stunning natural beauty, cheerful lights, and holiday magic in this mesmerizing after-dark experience at the historic Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens! Stroll through thousands of twinkling lights as they guide you through illuminated greenhouses that bathe plant collections and brilliant poinsettia displays in new light.
It’s A Wonderful Life Festival (Finger Lakes)
When: December 9-13, 2026
Where: Seneca Falls, NY
Welcome to Seneca Falls, the real New York town that inspired the fictional town of Bedford Falls from “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Each December, this historic Finger Lakes town honors the movie’s release with a five-day festival packed with cast appearances from Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu Bailey), Jimmy Hawkins (Tommy Bailey), and Don Collins (Little Pete Bailey), a Christmas market, the traditional ringing of the bells to close out the ceremonies, and more. Be sure to stop by the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum to see its vast collection of film memorabilia and snap a photo at the “You Are Now in Bedford Falls” sign.
Don’t forget to post photos of your New York adventures on Instagram, TikTok, and X with #iSpyNY and tag us on Facebook!
Disclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by Worldtravelers.
Publisher: Source link
Publisher: Source link
Latest Posts
-
31 July 2025 -
26 July 2025 -
14 July 2025 -
01 July 2025 -
07 August 2025 -
29 July 2025 -
20 February 2025 -
04 February 2025
Get The Best Blog Stories into Your icountox!
Sign up for free and be the first to get notified about new posts.