Fall Festivals NY: Everything You Must Check Out This Fall
- Pop Up Girls
- Oct 3, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 5, 2023
Experience all the fall festivals in NY, from Upstate to NYC and Long Island.
Listen up because I'm about to drop some wisdom on you. Other states may think they do fall exceptionally well, but NY invented the playbook on fall festivals. When those first autumn leaves drop, we mean business. So slip into something stunning, hold that latte like it's a work of art, and get ready to own the fall scene.
NYC
Aug 26 – Oct 8
Celebrate the 46th Anniversary of the New York Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo, New York, as you journey to a 16th-century English village for a grand adventure filled with knights, fairies, pirates, and artisan wares.
Sept 8 - Oct 29
Experience the best of Oktoberfest in New York City, complete with authentic German beer, brats, giant pretzels, and family-friendly fun.
Sept 22 – Oct 29
Enjoy a variety of Fall and Halloween-themed activities, including pumpkin decorating, balloon twisting, face painting, and more with the purchase of your wristband to Luna Park.
Sept 29 - Oct 15
Held at Lincoln Center, this renowned festival showcases the best in world cinema, featuring premieres, screenings, and discussions with filmmakers.
Sept 30 – Oct 25
The 6th annual Chinatown Arts Festival celebrates traditional Chinese arts and emerging Asian American artists through a series of cultural events in October, fostering intergenerational connections and promoting Chinatown's cultural richness.
Oct 5 – 27
Experience groundbreaking moments across various genres with premiere performances, debuts, and fresh collaborations at the second annual Festival of Firsts at Lincoln Center.
Oct 6 - 8
Coffee enthusiasts can enjoy this festival, which offers tastings, demonstrations, and interactive workshops related to the world of coffee.
Oct 6 - 8
Organized by The New Yorker magazine, this festival offers a mix of conversations, performances, and experiences with notable figures from various fields.
Oct 6 - 15
A celebration of all things cider, this event includes tastings, workshops, and special events dedicated to the world of apple-based beverages.
Oct 7 - 8
CultureCon is the ultimate gathering for creatives of color, offering a wealth of interactive programming, workshops, activations, and celebrity appearances to elevate personal and professional growth.
Japan Village’s Sake Festival [Cancelled]
Oct 7
Don't miss this Japanese culture and sake celebration, featuring a diverse selection of sake, delicious accompaniments, and a vibrant outdoor atmosphere at the Japan Village courtyard.
Oct 12 - 15
This event brings together renowned chefs, culinary experts, and food enthusiasts for a series of tastings, seminars, and food-related events.
Oct 12 - 15
New York Comic Con brings together fans, creators, and celebrities from the world of comics, movies, television, and pop culture for a weekend of panels, exhibits, cosplay, and fan interactions.
Oct 15
Join Ballet Hispánico for a vibrant event featuring live music, street food vendors, professional Company performances, student showcases, free dance classes, and a multitude of additional activities.
Oct 19 - 21
The BRIC JazzFest showcases a diverse lineup of jazz legends, rising stars, and genre-blending artists, pushing the boundaries of jazz with influences from hip-hop and unique musical styles.
Oct 20 - 22
While not exactly a festival, this event allows access to usually restricted sites and spaces across the city, providing a unique opportunity to explore architecture and design.
Oct 21 – 22
BagelFest is the inaugural New York City food festival celebrating the beloved bagel, uniting bagel enthusiasts and professionals under one roof to showcase the best of the bagel world.
Oct 21
Join us this fall for the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy's Harvest Festival featuring a kick-off procession, arts and crafts, storytelling, lawn games, and a pumpkin patch.
Oct 21
Get ready for the return of MetFest, a people-powered block party in New York City featuring live music, performances, artist-led experiences, and cultural adventures for all ages.
Oct 27 - 29
Celebrate the Mexican tradition with art, live music, and more, honoring and remembering departed loved ones.
Oct 31
The Village Halloween Parade is a massive and creative Halloween parade that takes over the streets of Greenwich Village with elaborate costumes, puppets, and performances.
Nov 3 - 12
An annual event featuring a diverse lineup of renowned comedians performing in various venues across the city, providing laughter and entertainment to audiences from all walks of life.
Nov 9
An annual event where whisky enthusiasts gather to sample a wide variety of whiskies, attend seminars led by industry experts, and enjoy an evening of whiskey appreciation and networking.
Long Island
Sept 22 - Nov 5
While not a traditional festival, Bayville Scream Park offers a series of haunted attractions and experiences perfect for the Halloween season.
Sept 15 - Nov 19
Experience a family-friendly, immersive pumpkin trail in a 19th-century village with thousands of hand-carved jack o'lanterns and captivating special effects.
Oct 1 - 31
The World's Longest Jack O'Lantern Trail, marks its 10th season in 2023 with over 10,000 illuminated objects, including locally hand-carved jack o'lanterns and specialty lights.
Oct 5 - 12
Film enthusiasts can enjoy screenings of new and acclaimed films, discussions, and panels featuring filmmakers and industry professionals.
Oct 7 - 8
In Montauk, this festival offers a weekend of family-friendly fun, including a farmers market, live music, pumpkin decorating, and an iconic clam chowder contest.
Oct 7 - 10
Held in Huntington, this festival is a large-scale event with live music, carnival rides, food vendors, arts and crafts, and a variety of activities for the whole family.
Oct 8
This traditional country fair in Riverhead features agricultural exhibits, live entertainment, carnival rides, arts and crafts vendors, and a variety of contests.
Oct 14
In the spirit of Oktoberfest, Long Island welcomes it’s 3rd annual craft beer fest to the Tanger Outlets.
Oct 14 -15
The Oyster Festival in Oyster Bay is a homage to Long Island's maritime heritage, featuring oyster shucking contests, live entertainment, craft vendors, and, of course, delicious seafood.
Upstate
Sept 15 - Nov 19
Located in Croton-on-Hudson, this event features thousands of hand-carved pumpkins illuminated in intricate and creative designs.
Sept 16 - Oct 31
Head to Clarence for this family-friendly festival with pumpkin picking, corn mazes, hayrides, and various attractions for kids and adults.
Sept 22 - Oct 31
Experience the Capital Region's unique Jack-O'-Lantern festival, featuring intricately carved Jack-O'-Lanterns, a stunning tunnel, animations, and even hands-on pumpkin carving in a new indoor location in Schenectady, NY.
Sept 29 - Oct 29
Get ready for Spooky Island at the Schaghticoke Fairgrounds in October, an extraordinary carnival with professional haunted houses, scare zones, rides, a horror vendor hall, and a variety of food and drinks.
Oct 7
Explore and purchase unique handcrafted products from top Hudson Valley artisans, vintage collectors, farmers, chefs, and distillers in a charming 19th Century village setting.
Oct 7
In Saratoga Springs, you can enjoy a global culinary experience with this food festival featuring a diverse selection of international dishes from local restaurants.
Oct 7 - 8
Ellicottville hosts a vibrant fall festival with live music, arts and crafts vendors, food stalls, and a nod to the changing colors of the season.
Oct 7 - 8
Throughout the weekend, hundreds of attendees indulge in festival cuisine, partake in hayrides, explore locally crafted goods, and pick the season's first pumpkins.
Oct 7 - 8
The annual Newark Valley Apple Festival celebrates fall with music, historic tours, crafts, re-enactors, and various activities for all ages.
Oct 7 - 8
RetroGameCon is the premier Video Game Expo in Upstate NY, offering a wide range of attractions including special guests, exhibitor tables, industry panels, tournaments, tabletop games, art, free play, charity events, and more.
Oct 7 - 9
This event showcases a variety of arts and crafts from over 250 artists against the stunning backdrop of the park's natural beauty.
Oct 7 - 8, Oct 14 - 15
A two-weekend celebration of the harvest season in the Adirondacks, featuring a wide range of family activities, including chairlift rides, adventure courses, live music, and local vendors offering crafts and specialty food trucks.
Oct 21
Children and their parents can dress up in costumes and enjoy trick-or-treating at participating businesses, along with additional activities such as a petting zoo, face painting, and juggling.
Oct 21
Enjoy unlimited 3-ounce samples from over 40 craft breweries, cideries, and meaderies, along with live music, vendors, food, and games like cornhole, all while mingling with craft beverage makers.
Oct 21 - 22
Enjoy the fourth annual Walktoberfest Farmers & Makers Market presented by Walkway Over the Hudson, featuring a curated selection of the Hudson Valley's top producers.
Oct 26 - 29
The Lake Placid Film Festival is a celebration of the film community, showcasing award-winning shorts, feature films, seminars, and events in the enchanting village of Lake Placid, NY.
Nov 4
An engaging exploration of music and arts along Main Street that ignites dialogue, inquisitiveness, and creative cooperation.
Please note that specific dates and details for these festivals can vary from year to year, so be sure to check the official websites for the most up-to-date information before planning your visit.
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