Upstate New York Festivals and Events
From lilac season in May to pumpkins by the thousand in the fall.
Upstate New York's festival season runs from May through October. Spring opens with the Lilac Festival in Rochester; summer is crowded with county fairs, food festivals, Shakespeare in the Hudson Highlands and races at Watkins Glen; and early fall brings the State Fair, the Buffalo wing festival and hot-air balloons. October is harvest season, with apple picking, corn mazes and foliage drives everywhere.
Winter has its own calendar in the Adirondacks, where Lake Placid hosts World Cup winter sports events and Saranac Lake builds an ice palace for its winter carnival. Events in the Capital Region, including racing at Saratoga, are covered on our sister site, Best in Albany.
Annual Festivals and Events
Hundreds of varieties of lilac in bloom, with music, food and a parade; one of the oldest festivals of its kind.
A community festival that opens with a famously quirky parade, then three days of music and art.
Shakespeare and other plays on the river, at the company's new permanent theater center opened in 2026.
Vintage aircraft from the early days of flight perform weekend afternoon shows.
A large outdoor food festival downtown with dozens of local restaurants.
Swim, bike and run through the Olympic village, with crowds lining Main Street.
Classic wooden boats on display and for sale along the St. Lawrence.
A family weekend of pirate costumes, a mock invasion of the village and fireworks.
A large agricultural fair with livestock, rides and local food.
About two weeks of livestock, concerts, food and the famous butter sculpture.
Wing makers from around the country, eating contests and sauce competitions.
The Cup Series road-course race weekend near the south end of Seneca Lake; the date has moved between August and September.
Dozens of hot-air balloons launch at dawn and dusk near Glens Falls and Lake George.
Thousands of hand-carved, lit pumpkins arranged into scenes on a historic estate; timed tickets sell out.
Dates move from year to year — confirm on the organizer’s site before you plan around an event.
Official Event Calendars
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Get free trip quotes »Upstate New York Events — FAQ
When is the Great New York State Fair?
Usually for about two weeks ending on Labor Day, at the fairgrounds just west of Syracuse.
When do the lilacs bloom in Rochester?
Usually in mid-May, and the Lilac Festival is timed for peak bloom in Highland Park. Exact timing depends on the spring weather.