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Art, Culture & History

Art, Culture & History

Art, Culture & History

With a region as big as the Finger Lakes, there is an incredible amount of art, culture, and history to be shared. Nationally-celebrated musical acts, world-class art museums, and talented artists come together for several art festivals in the Finger Lakes. Rochester hosts a world-famous Fringe Festival. Syracuse has the New York State Blues Fest. There are jazz festivals in Geneva, Rochester, and Syracuse. Preble hosts Bill Knowlton’s Bluegrass Ramble Picnic. Whichever music genre you prefer, there’s a music festival in the Finger Lakes for you.

The culture of the Finger Lakes wouldn’t be what it is today without the people who came before us. Each summer Ganondagan State Historic Site’s Indigenous Music & Arts Festival is an event not to be missed. To celebrate cultural landmarks both past and modern, there are county fairs, harvest festivals, holiday markets, and other festivals celebrating a multitude of traditions.

The Underground Railroad. The first Women’s Rights Convention. The Iroquois Confederacy. The birthplace of Memorial Day. All these events and more add to the rich history of the Finger Lakes. History that is celebrated again and again for its significance in shaping our culture. Every March 10th, the city of Auburn pays tribute to Harriet Tubman and the incredible work she did. In May, the village of Waterloo hosts Celebrate Commemorate Memorial Day. Convention Days honor the strides made in women’s rights in Seneca Falls every July. The village of Corning takes a step back in time each October to celebrate the Days of Incandescence, honoring Corning’s role in the invention of the lightbulb.

If you thought this was a lot of festivals, we’re just scratching the surface. Scroll through dozens more Finger Lakes arts & cultural events below.

182nd Chemung County Fair

Elmira

July 31-Aug 3

A local tradition offering agricultural exhibits, grandstand events, demolition derby, carnival rides, truck and tractor pulls, and more!

Bradley Farms Twinkle Town

Elmira

Thanksgiving-December 31

A drive-through Christmas light show with over 200 individually lit displays over a 1-mile, t=2 lane course. Open nightly from 5-10pm.

Bill Knowlton’s Bluegrass Ramble Picnic

Dwyer Memorial Park, Preble

August

Pack a lawn chair, a picnic and enjoy the celebration of all things Bluegrass as you’re overlooking beautiful Little York Lake! Bill Knowlton’s Bluegrass Ramble Picnic, the oldest bluegrass festival in the northeastern United States, features a wide variety of CNY bluegrass and old-time bands.

Big Flats Community Days

Big Flats

Sept 19-21, 2024

A free community celebration with carnival rides, music, fireworks, craft fair, 5K race, music and a parade for 70 years!

Celebrate Commemorate Memorial Day

Waterloo

May 24-26 and May 30, 2024

Annual event that celebrates Waterloo, NY as the official Birthplace of Memorial Day and commemorates the sacrifices of fallen soldiers. Event features the area’s largest parade, 5k run, music, arts and crafts, Civil War reenactment and more.

Canal Fest

Seneca Falls

July 7-9, 2024

Celebrating business and commerce along the Cayuga-Seneca canal (part of the Erie Canal System), Canal Fest is a three-day community event filled food, crafts and entertainment.

Christkindl Market and Festival of Trees

Granger Homestead, Canandaigua

Mid November-December

This Christmas market brings together artisans, food vendors, musicians and much good cheer.

Concerts in the Park

Hickories Park, Owego

Wednesdays, July 3-August 7, 2024

Bring a lawn chair or blanket, a picnic dinner and relax with the sounds of live music. A different band is featured every week. The July 3 concert will begin at 7:30pm, followed by a fireworks display at 9:30pm.

Convention Days

Seneca Falls

July 19-21, 2024

Convention Days is an annual event held in the spirit of the 1848 Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls. Not only does the event commemorate the convention anniversary, it draws on the tenets of community, engagement, and activism that made the original convention a crucible of change. Talks and presentations by scholars and people active in the field of women’s history illuminate historical topics, while living history presentations and family programs provide interactive opportunities for learning.

Corn Hill Arts Festival 

Corn Hill Neighborhood 

July 13-14, 2024 

The 56th Corn Hill Arts Festival will take place on July 13 and 14, 2024! This two-day festival has become a fabric of the Rochester community over the years. The festival, which takes place over nine streets, will showcase hundreds of artists from across the country, as well as talented musicians from near and far. We encourage you to mark your calendars and invite your family and friends because you won’t want to miss this beloved festival! 

Cortland Arts Off Main Festival

Cortland

A family-friendly celebration of Cortland’s art and creativity, and downtown. Free to participants and complete with artist vendors, live music, performing artists, live pottery demonstrations, children’s activities, wine and craft beverage tasting and food from downtown restaurants. Live music and entertainment will be performed throughout the day. Take part in the live interactive chalk mural!

The Days of Incandescence

Corning 

October 24-26, 2024

The last weekend of each October, the small town of Corning celebrates the role a small glass company played in making the first light bulbs for Thomas Edison during The Days of Incandescence. The multi-day event includes a Cemetery Tour, Themed Libations Crawl, Guided Historic Walking Tours, and a celebration event in Riverfront Park featuring horse and wagon rides, costumed vendors, live blacksmithing, juggling, Victorian-era games for kids, community Jack-o-Lantern display, food and more. The 2024 event will also include pumpkin carving by Guinness World Record Holder and Winner Of Food Network’s Outrageous Pumpkins Eric Jones.

Duck & Red Octopus Short Stop Action Animation Festival

Ake Gallery, Cortland

September

Finalists from around the world will compete for awards including Best Stop Action Short and Best Animated Short. There will be workshops, guest speakers, film premieres, director Q&As and more, including a stand-up comedy concert by Bobcat Goldthwait. The two-day event will take place at the Ake Gallery, one of the world’s most spectacular semi-serious art venues, as well as various venues throughout Cortland County.

Elmira Street Painting Festival

Downtown Elmira

July 8-9 2024

An art-filled, family fun weekend where the streets of Downtown Elmira are turned into canvases for artists to create their masterpieces. Live music, food, pop-up art galleries and more! 

Eldridge Park 

Elmira

June-August

A gorgeous Victorian-era Amusement Park offering rides, walking trails, dragon boat rides, miniature golf, and one of the last remaining carousel’s where you can still catch a brass ring. Check their calendar for on-going events throughout the summer. 

Everyday Life, Every Day Art

Cloud Croft Studios, Owego

August 23 thru September 29, 2024

The Opening Night & Awards Ceremony will be on Friday, August 23, 2024. After the opening, the exhibition will run from August 24 to September 29, 2024. The exhibition will feature work from artists within a 100-mile radius of Owego, encompassing 25 counties in New York and Pennsylvania. For every artwork sold in the exhibition, 80% of proceeds will go to the artist and 20% of the commission will go towards Art a la Carte, a unique arts education program and partnership  between TAC and the Tioga County Food for Families.

Fairport Canal Days 

Village of Fairport

June 1-2, 2024 

Fairport Canal Days – celebrating its 47th year as one of the premier juried art festivals in the Northeast alongside the scenic village on the historic Erie Canal. Located in Fairport, NY: a “front-porch” friendly village, located on the scenic Erie Canal

Falls Harvest Festival

Montour Falls

October 5, 2024

A family friendly, daylong celebration of the harvest takes place every year in beautiful and historic Montour Falls, NY. For almost 20 years, the Falls Harvest Festival celebrates the bounty of the Finger Lakes during the height of autumn and Fall colors. The festival concludes the day long festivities in the evening with a community bonfire and spectacular fireworks display. The Village closed its main street so festival goers enjoy waterfalls cascading over the 156-foot Shequaga Falls. Located in the center of the Village’s historic district, the district includes mid and late 19th century structures known as the “Glorious T”.  

Finger Lakes Hot Air Balloon & Music Festival

Watkins Glen

September 27 – 29, 2024

The first annual Finger Lakes Hot Air Balloon & Music Festival will be a unique and unforgettable experience for all attendees. Taking place at Castel Grisch Winey located at the southern end of the beautiful Seneca Lake directly in the heart of the Finger Lakes, the festival kicks off with a spectacular hot air balloon launch. The weekend festival will be full of family fun delicious food and amazing entertainment. Experiences include live concerts, unique artisans and craft vendors, and hot air balloon rides that will bring breathtaking views of the Finger Lakes during the height of the Fall season.

Fire & Ice Festival

Canandaigua

February

Come out of hibernation to enjoy specials and experiences at local businesses. Food, festivities, drinks, family fun. 

Genesee Valley Hunt Races

Geneseo

Second weekend of October

The Hunt Races have been hosted here for over 120 years, and some of the finest steeplechase trainers on the eastern seaboard bring their horses here to compete for over $30,000 in prize money. Trainers, owners, and jockeys agree that the Genesee Valley Hunt Races are one of the most anticipated meets of the entire season.

But the Hunt Races isn’t just about horses—it’s about dogs and canine events, too. There are Terrier and wiener dog races, a jumping contest, agility courses, sled dog demos, and of course the Parade of the Genesee Valley Hunt foxhounds. Leashed dogs are more than welcome to attend the event, and some people say that dog-watching is just as much fun as watching the horses!

There’s lots for the kids to do (including stick horse races and pony rides), food and drink vendors, wine and craft beer tasting, shopping, music and more. It’s like an old-fashioned country fair with a race track instead of a midway, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Geneseo Summer Fest

Geneseo

July 12-13, 2024

A tradition since 1982, the Geneseo Rotary Summer Festival has become the most popular summer weekend in Geneseo. What started years ago as a small summer event held by the downtown merchants has become a source of major family fun in Livingston County. The entire downtown area and the Village Park are transformed into activity venues, live entertainment venues featuring local talent and bands, food vendor venues, craft venues and sidewalk sales for this wonderful celebration.

Saturday morning begins at 11 am with the annual Teddy Bear Parade marching down Main Street and into the Village Park, and the festival traditionally ends with a free concert on Saturday at 8 pm.

The Geneva Jazz Festival

Geneva

First weekend in April 

For 4 days in Geneva, Jazz will descend upon the city!The Geneva Jazz festival features over 20 concerts of world renown jazz musicians and artists. The venues include some of Geneva’s best locations with craft beverages, wine, and dining options.

Art, Culture & History

GlassFest

Corning’s Gaffer District

May 24 – May 26, 2024

GlassFest is a multi-day family-friendly festival celebrating glass and the fire arts throughout Corning’s Gaffer District in “America’s Crystal City.” Come out for a long weekend full of live  musical performances, live glass blowing, glass exhibits, art vendors, delicious food and drinks, and special shopping promotions. Grab your lawn chairs or a blanket and bring the family to watch headliner acts at the Rock The Park stage in our Riverfront Park. GlassFest 2024’s main headliner is Everclear. And don’t miss the spectacular fireworks display. This popular annual event kicks off summer in style.

Grand Prix Festival

Watkins Glen

September 6, 2024

The streets of Watkins Glen will be full of vintage racecars to celebrate road racing history. Throughout the day, the festival will highlight 10 groups of sports and classic cars as they take laps of the original Old Course used in the 1948 Grand Prix race.  Franklin Street, the main drag, will be closed through the afternoon and early evening for their laps with spectators and vintage car fans alike lining the streetscape to catch a fabulous view. Enjoy the Walk of Fame ceremony in the morning and at noon – the Food Court and artisan vendors located throughout the Village.

Harriet Tubman Day

Auburn

March 10, 2024

Join together in the City of Auburn—the chosen hometown and resting place of Harriet Tubman—for the annual celebration of Harriet Tubman Day.

Hemlock “Little World’s” Fair

Hemlock

July 16 – 20, 2024

Since 1857, there has been something for everyone at the largest fair in Livingston County! Get ready for Monster Trucks, Demo Derbys, and Truck + Tractor pulls. There will be animal exhibits and 4H events in full force. The Heritage Museum will be open all week to attendees as well. Check out the website for a daily schedule, different events will be occurring each day, in addition to antique agricultural demonstrations, exhibitions at the sawmill, chainsaw carvings, and more.

Holiday in Homer

Village of Homer

July 15, 2024

The festival includes over 125 artisans and crafters, lots of great food, live music and entertainment for all ages. Holiday in Homer is held on the beautiful church green in downtown Homer.

Indigenous Music & Arts Festival

Ganondagan State Historic Site, Victor

July 27-28, 2024

This annual event showcases Haudenosaunee and Indigenous cultures through dance, music, storytelling, traditional craft demonstrations, a Native American Arts Market, children’s activities, raffles, guided trail walks, gallery tours, Indigenous food, and more.

It’s a Wonderful Life Festival

Seneca Falls

December 13-15, 2024

Celebrate the role of Seneca Falls NY as the real life inspiration behind Frank Capra’s fictional town of Bedford Falls. Each year, the festival celebrates the classic movie It’s a Wonderful Life with family-oriented activities, a 5k run, special presentations about the film and regular appearances by surviving cast members like Karolyn “ZuZu” Grimes.   

Juneteenth

Auburn

Month of June

Join together in the City of Auburn – to commemorate June 19th with family friendly events, parades, galas and more.

Lima Crossroads Festival

Lima

August 1-4, 2024

Mark your calendar for the first Saturday in August! We have free kids activities, vendors, bed races and lots more!

Little York Fiber Arts Festival

Little York Pavilion, Preble

October 12-13, 2024

Come enjoy knitting, spinning, felting, yarn, pelts, raw fleeces, blankets, shawls, clothing, roving, unique fiber products, crafts, Christmas gift ideas, sheep, llamas, angora rabbits and goats and much more! 

Macedon Center Lumberjack Festival

Macedon Center Fireman’s Field

September 7 and 8, 2024

Professional Lumberjacks from all over the United States and Canada come to compete in ax throwing, hot saw, two-man crosscut, springboard and so much more. Other attractions include Lumberjack Pancake Breakfast, craft and collectables sales, Commercial Exhibits and Demos, petting zoo & pony rides for the kids. Enjoy a weekend of great food, crafts, exciting competitions and cheer on your favorite Lumberjack!

M&T Bank Clothesline Festival 

Memorial Art Gallery 

September 7-8, 2024 

The M&T Bank Clothesline Art Festival has been MAG’s largest annual fundraiser and biggest celebration of the arts for more than 60 years. Over 300 artists from across the country offer their work for purchase at this juried, two-day festival that takes place on the beautiful grounds of the Memorial Art Gallery. Clothesline is also the place to experience all-day live entertainment, sample food from some of Rochester’s favorite food trucks and vendors, enjoy free family art activities, and visit the museum.

National Brockway Truck Show

Village of Homer

August

For four days, the town of Homer is filled with Huskies, but not the kind attached to a sled. Truck buffs, regional history enthusiasts, and festival-goers come in hoards to the Annual Brockway Truck Show, for the sights and sounds of the Brockway Motor Truck Co. legacy. A majority of the show’s events will take place at the Central New York Living History Center, which is home to an impressive collection of Brockways, as well as select venues throughout Cortland County, and culminates with the popular Brockway Truck Parade in the Village of Homer.

Art, Culture & History

National Warplane Museum Airshow

Geneseo

July 13-14, 2024

Join us in Geneseo, NY July 13 & 14, 2024 for an experience like no other. Our popular tailgate viewing area will again be available for you to enjoy the show from the comfort of your vehicle with your family and friends. Experience the legacy of aviation at the airshow with our turf runway offering an up close and personal experience with both aircraft and pilots. With a redesigned layout that includes more aircraft on the field on our expanded flightline, expanded general admission showline viewing and an increased number of vendors and exhibitors for the crowd’s enjoyment, a great hometown airshow experience is waiting for you.

Newark Valley Apple Festival

Bement-Billings Farmstead, Newark Valley

October

Music, great food, history, tours, crafts, vendors, costumed demonstrators, spinning and weaving, kids’ activities, gift shop, black powder muzzleloaders, primitive archery and more!  Admission is $6 adults, $5 seniors (60+), $4 students & NVHS members, $20 family (2 adults,3+ kids).

New York State Blues Fest

Chevy Court, NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse

Third weekend in June

The New York State Blues Festival is one of the largest FREE blues events in the Northeast. This annual 3-day musical celebration, showcases a collection of regional and national artists from multiple genres, all with roots steeped in tradition and vision, and arranges them for a continuous river of music.

NYS Yoga Fest

Letchworth State Park, Mt Morris

June 8, 2024

Join us for our 2024 New York State Yoga Festivals in breathtaking Letchworth State Park! Known as the “”Grand Canyon of the East”” for its beautiful gorges, waterfalls, and trails, the park will provide the perfect backdrop for a day of yoga, hiking, meditation, music, and exploring the work of local artisans. Recharge your soul as we practice yoga, learn new ideas, and make new friends in the great outdoors!

Festival Parking will be at Highbanks Recreation Area. From there you will be directed to check in and lead to main classes.  There are multiple entrances into the park with the closest entry to the park being Mt. Morris Letchworth State Park entrance fee is $10 per car (cash) and free before 9am.

Ontario County Fair

Canandaigua

Third week in July

Games, rides, and classic fair food. Antique tractors. A veritable parade of movable farm equipment.

Art, Culture & History

Owego Strawberry Festival

Owego, NY

June

Come and be a part of the 42nd Annual Owego Strawberry Festival! Take part in various activities spanning three days, including the Rock and Run at Hickories Park on Thursday from 5 to 9 pm. Downtown Owego comes alive on Friday with the vibrant Strawberry Festival Block Party from 5 to 10 pm, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display at 9:30 pm. Saturday boasts the main event, the Strawberry Festival, running from 9 am to 5 pm, highlighted by a parade at 9:30 am.

Palmyra Canaltown Days

Main Street, Palmyra

September 14 and 15,2024

One hundred craft booths, 40 market vendors, and food for all tastes fill the streets of Palmyra. In addition, enjoy wagon rides, guided tours, historic museums, and antique shops. Stick around for the Grand Parade on Saturday!  

Porch Fest

Fair Haven/Sterling

August 11, 2024

Bring a lawn chair and tour around the village of Fair Haven to hear music of all genres! Pick a porch, porch hop or come for the culmination in the evening! It’s a fun filled, music-centric day on the shores of Great Lake Ontario.

Puerto Rican Festival 

Parcel 5, Rochester 

August 1-3, 2024 

The 2024 Puerto Rican Festival in Rochester, New York will take place on August 3–5 at Innovative Field. The festival will feature live music, food, cultural events, and celebrity guests. The festival is Rochester’s longest-running ethnic festival and is a way to celebrate and learn about Puerto Rican culture.

The Purple Painted Lady Festival

880 Yellow Mills Rd, Palmyra

September 21 and 22, 2024

The Purple Painted Lady Festival features close to 400 artists/vendors every year. The only festival of this magnitude that is also a benefit for many local charities and organizations! How cool is it to be able to have a good time, shop, and know that you’re helping others all at the same time!

Rally ‘Round the Valley 

Dansville

August 31, 2024

Rally ‘Round The Valley is a community-wide Labor Day festival held in Dansville, NY. The event features a hot air balloon GLOW,

on Thursday, followed by a day-long celebration on Saturday, with activities for the whole family. The event is organized to

promote community-wide festivities and is a great opportunity to enjoy some fun activities and great food.

Right to Run

Seneca Falls

July 6, 2024

Our race celebrates the passing of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. It all started back in Seneca Falls, NY, when Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott held the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention – the first-ever Women’s Rights Convention.

Rochester Cocktail Revival 

Various Locations, Downtown Rochester

June 3-9, 2024 

Rochester Cocktail Revival is New York State’s only weeklong festival celebrating craft cocktail culture. Rochester boasts a booming scene of cocktail bars and top-tier mixology talent. Each year, 20+ cocktail bars in the downtown area take part in RCR, showcasing the spirit brands that make the exciting local craft culture possible. RCR exists to highlight this culture through education and celebration, significant contributions to the Rochester economy, and displays of camaraderie between its bars to both the trade and consumers.

Rochester International Jazz Festival 

Various Locations, Downtown Rochester

June 21-29, 2024 

More than 1,500 artists perform in more than 300 concerts over this 9 day festival at both public outdoor stages and ticketed indoor venues. The venues, all located within walking distance in and around Rochester’s east end cultural district, range from elegant concert halls to intimate clubs to outdoor stages. Concerts feature a mix of local, national, and international performers, and wide variety of musical styles. Visitors will also enjoy food and beverages, and other special events. At night the festival invites artists and visitors to improvised “Jam Sessions.”

Art, Culture & History

Rochester Pride Parade & Festival 

Highland Park

July 20, 2024

Annual celebration of Rochester’s LGBTQ+ community. Pride parade will culminate in Pride festival at Highland Park, featuring: Food, wine and beer, games and activities, vendor tables, live music and performances

ROC Holiday Village 

MLK Park, Rochester

December 6-29, 2024

Roc Holiday Village is Rochester’s annual holiday festival that brings the magic of the season to people of all ages in the heart of downtown Rochester. The 17 day festival offers family friendly events on Wednesdays – Sundays throughout the month of December. Features include a unique shopping village, free visits and photos with Santa, free ice skating & skate rentals, an indoor and outdoor bar, food trucks, Santa’s Workshop, outdoor seating and fire pits, live music, private winter igloos, free crafts for kids, holiday celebrations, special events and more!  

Rochester Fringe Festival 

Various Locations, Downtown Rochester

September 10-21, 2024

Renowned among the world’s 200+ fringe festivals for presenting an annual spectacular, free, outdoor show, Rochester’s Fringe was also the first fringe festival in North America to feature a Spiegeltent. From comedy to theater, from music to dance, from visual art and film to spoken word, and from children’s entertainment to multi-disciplinary collaborations, the festival’s diversity also extends to venues that span the gamut from parked cars to grand theaters.

Rochester Lilac Festival 

Highland Park 

May 10-19, 2024

Each May visitors travel from all over the world to visit Rochester’s Highland Park for the Annual Lilac Festival and to see the park’s 1,800 lilac bushes displaying 500 varieties of lilacs in a floral masterpiece of the deepest purples and purest whites. The festival celebrates the blooming of the largest collection of lilacs in North America. Enjoy ten days of free entertainment, family-friendly activities, food and drink, an art show – and of course, the fragrant lilacs!

Route 90 Garage Sale

Cayuga Co.

Last full weekend in July

The annual 50-mile Route 90 Garage Sale takes on a festival atmosphere each year as friends, families, and the occasional family dog, go searching for surprises. Stretching along the roadside of Route 90, a New York State Scenic Byway, the sale runs from Montezuma in the north, to the Village of Homer at the south

Art, Culture & History

Seedstock

Reed’s Seeds, Cortland

August

An all-day, overnight outdoor festival featuring the local area’s musical acts. Featuring local and regional musicians on two stages, Seedstock is held at a home of one of the festival founders and for one weekend, this picturesque farmhouse and surrounding land turn into a special place where people gather to celebrate music, life and community.

Skaneateles Antique & Classic Boat Show

Clift Park, Skaneateles

Last weekend in July

The Skaneateles Antique & Classic Boat Show draws exhibitors from throughout New York state, the East Coast, the Midwest and Canada, and about 10,000 visitors each year. It is hosted by the Finger Lakes Chapter (FLC) of the Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS) and the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Come for the spectacular vintage boats. Stay for the music, history, kids’ activities, camaraderie—and boats!

Sundaes at the Farm

Frisbie Brothers Dairy Farm, Spencer

July 21, 2024

A free, family event that celebrates our agricultural heritage and educates the community about the importance of farms. FREE ice cream, animal and farm tours, farm vendors, live music, and kids activities including face painting.

Sparkle – Crystal City Christmas 

Corning’s Gaffer District

December 7, 2024

There’s a reason Country Living named Corning, NY, one of “America’s 25 Best Small Towns for Christmas.” For half a century, people have been gathering from near and far to celebrate the holiday season during the annual Sparkle event in Corning’s Historic District. Whether you’re looking to get away for holiday shopping or you’re craving those once-a-year traditions that bring back the magic of days-gone-by, you’ll find the holiday spirit on full display during Sparkle. Featuring horse-and-wagon rides, special shopping and dining promotions, outdoor entertainment, live music, vendors, and activities for the whole family.

Art, Culture & History

Sterling Renaissance Festival

Fair Haven/Sterling

Weekends in July-August

The rules of everyday life are suspended for this special day of play and feasting. Be so bold as to join your fellow villagers in whatever amusements they have created for the day.

Syracuse Jazz Fest

Clinton Square, Downtown Syracuse

Last weekend in June

Since 1981, the Syracuse Jazz Fest has served as the Central New York region’s oldest, longest-running, and best-attended music festival. It’s a free event and has featured legendary artists like Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Pete Fountain, and Natalie Cole. The four-day event begins with local musicians playing at numerous downtown restaurants and venues, and finishes with a headliner that will light up anyone’s soul. 

Syracuse Nationals

NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse

Third weekend in July

The Syracuse Nationals is the largest car show in the Northeast!  Come see cars from all over the US at the New York State Fairgrounds.  Plus, there will be music, food, and more! Children 12 and under are free!

Tag’s Summer Stage

Big Flats

Late-spring thru Labor Day

A nationally recognized amphitheater offering live, headliner concerts throughout the summer on its Budweiser Summer Stage. Previous artists have included, Keith Urban, the Beach Boys, Lynyrd Skynyrd, STYX, ZZ Top and many more.

Tagsylvania Haunted Attractions

Big Flats

Friday and Saturday nights in October

A legendary haunted experience offering four full-length haunted attractions, including an escape room, dark carnival games, psychic and tarot readers and other Halloween/fall attractions. 

Art, Culture & History

Waterfront Harbor Festival

Watkins Glen, NY

June 15, 2024

Visit Seneca Harbor Park in downtown Watkins Glen to enjoy a delightfully entertaining experience on Saturday of Father’s Day weekend. An annual tradition for over 30 years, the Waterfront Festival is anchored by the popular Cardboard Boat Regatta.  Festival goers will laugh and applaud the bold and adventurous Captains and Crews as teams of all ages bravely sail their cardboard crafts from launch to the finish line – at the famous Seneca Pier House Pavilion. With live music playing, enjoy food and artisan vendors, & free children’s activities along the Harbor with a stunning lakeside view of Seneca Lake. 

Wayne County Shopping Fling

Brantling Ski Slopes

July 25-28, 2024

BlueGrass Music fills Brantling Ski Slopes during this 3 day summer festival. Enjoy a lineup of local and national BlueGrass Bands that will leave you dancing the days away. Free camping is available with purchase of a weekend ticket.

Wayne County Shopping Fling

Various Businesses in Wayne County 

May 3-5, 2024 and November 9-11, 2024 

Shop an eclectic mix of local gift shops, antique dealers, wineries, artisans and more during this bi-annual event. Collect your Stamp Sheet at your first stop, fill in your contact information on the bottom and get shopping. Fill up your sheet with stamps from each stop and turn it into your last stop of this 3 day event for your chance to be entered to win one of four gift baskets.  

Wings & Wheels Hammondsport

Hammondsport and Keuka Lake

September 21, 2024

Each fall the folks at the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum transform Keuka Lake into a runway for seaplanes in homage to aviation pioneer and hometown hero, Glenn Curtiss, who did that very thing in the very same location over 100 years ago. An extremely popular event, the annual seaplane homecoming has grown into Wings & Wheels in Hammondsport featuring a seaplane show at Depot Park, seaplane competitions, a seaplane parade, as well as a Classic & Exotic Car Show on display on Shethar St. and around the Village Square.

Vintage Vines and Valentines

Naples

Valentine’s Day weekend

On Valentine’s weekend, join Naples for the festivities with themed parties, wine tastings, dinner with your valentine, and cozy stays in the area!

Watkins Glen Village Christmas

Watkins Glen

December 6, 2024

Commemorate the Christmas season with this free family event that has taken place for over 31 years. The tradition includes craft and artisan vendors, great food and even a petting zoo for families to enjoy. The Village Christmas Parade is a longstanding tradition that concludes with fireworks off the Seneca Harbor Pier with the famous Seneca Lake Pier Pavilion as the backdrop. Sanda and Mrs. Santa Claus also make a longstanding appearance in the North Pole Trolley. Downtown Watkin Glen comes alive with holiday fervor and merriment.