Fall Festivals NY: Everything You Must Check Out This Fall

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

(Skip to Long Island, Skip to Upstate)

New York’s Renaissance Faire

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.

Oktoberfest NYC

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.

Halloween Harvest at Luna Park

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.

New York Film Festival

Sept 29 - Oct 15

Held at Lincoln Center, this renowned festival showcases the best in world cinema, featuring premieres, screenings, and discussions with filmmakers.

Chinatown Arts Festival 2023

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.

Festival of Firsts

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.

New York Coffee Festival

Oct 6 - 8

Coffee enthusiasts can enjoy this festival, which offers tastings, demonstrations, and interactive workshops related to the world of coffee.

New Yorker Festival

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.

Cider Week NYC

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.

Culture Con

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.

New York City Wine & Food Festival

Oct 12 - 15

This event brings together renowned chefs, culinary experts, and food enthusiasts for a series of tastings, seminars, and food-related events.

New York Comic Con

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.

Celebración Latina

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.

BRIC JazzFest 2023

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.

Open House New York Weekend

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.

BagelFest

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.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Harvest Festival

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.

MetFest

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.

The Day of the Dead Festival

Oct 27 - 29

Celebrate the Mexican tradition with art, live music, and more, honoring and remembering departed loved ones.

Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village

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.

New York Comedy Festival

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.

WhiskyFest

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

Bayville Scream Park

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.

The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze

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.

Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns

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.

Hamptons International Film Festival

Oct 5 - 12

Film enthusiasts can enjoy screenings of new and acclaimed films, discussions, and panels featuring filmmakers and industry professionals.

Montauk Fall Festival

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.

Long Island Fall Festival

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.

Riverhead Country Fair

Oct 8

This traditional country fair in Riverhead features agricultural exhibits, live entertainment, carnival rides, arts and crafts vendors, and a variety of contests.

Long Island Beer Fest

Oct 14

In the spirit of Oktoberfest, Long Island welcomes it’s 3rd annual craft beer fest to the Tanger Outlets.

Oyster Festival

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

The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze

Sept 15 - Nov 19

Located in Croton-on-Hudson, this event features thousands of hand-carved pumpkins illuminated in intricate and creative designs.

Great Pumpkin Farm Fall Festival

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.

Hollowed Harvest

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.

Spooky Island 2023

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.

Hudson Valley Farm and Flea

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.

Saratoga International Flavorfeast

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.

Ellicottville Fall Festival

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.

Great Cortland Pumpkinfest

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.

Newark Valley’s Apple Festival

Oct 7 - 8

The annual Newark Valley Apple Festival celebrates fall with music, historic tours, crafts, re-enactors, and various activities for all ages.

RetroGameCon

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.

Letchworth Arts & Crafts Show

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.

West Mountain Fall Festival

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.

2023 Saratoga Fall Festival

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.

The 2023 Tap & Craft Festival

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.

Walktoberfest

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.

Lake Placid Film Festival

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.

Beacon Bonfire Music and Arts Festival

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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