The coming of fall in New York State not only means apples and cider, but also harvest festivals! There are so many exciting events and special weekends dedicated to celebrating the fruits and beauty of fall happening all around New York City. Hop on a train or bus for a weekend away and take the whole family for an experience they’ll never forget. Check out some fun festivals below and get out of town!
Fall Fermentation Festival at Common Roots Brewing Co.
September 15 in South Glens Falls, NY (Saratoga County)
This beer festival is centered around all things spontaneous and fermented, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and foods. It surrounds the fall release of Rooted: Common Roots’ respectful interpretation of a spontaneously fermented Wild Ale, inoculated in coolship and aged in oak barrels. Common Roots Brewing Company is enthusiastic about exploring and experimenting with this traditional style of brewing and committed to bringing only the best beer from around the country to help us celebrate. Festival guests have the opportunity to sample unique mixed fermented beers from breweries all across the Hudson Valley, Catskills, Finger Lakes and more. For more information and festival updates visit 2nd Annual Fall Fermentation Festival.
Beekman 1802 Harvest Fest
September 15 & 16 in Sharon Springs, NY (Schoharie County in Central New York)
Visit the historic Beekman 1802 Farm and see it as you never have before. Get a taste of country life while you see first hand where so many Beekman products come from – view the 50 beehives, 100+ goats, the heirloom vegetable garden, the beloved flower garden and the 19th century manor built by William Beekman himself. Shop the Mercantile and then explore the Vintage, Heritage and Artisan Villages to find one-of-a-kind, handmade, artisan wares from over 100 makers across the country. Enjoy live music, demos, artisan meet-and-greets, food trucks, a beer garden and more at this family friendly event.
46th Annual Adirondack Balloon Festival
September 20 – 23 in Queensbury, NY (Warren County)
The four-day free event is the oldest and largest balloon event on the East Coast set against the backdrop of the beautiful Adirondack Mountains. Eat, drink and take in the breathtaking beauty of the giant glowing balloons among the changing fall leaves. Enjoy the large crafts fair, local food and drinks, music and more.
Fall Festival at McEnroe Organic Farm
Saturday, September 22nd in Millerton, NY (Dutchess County in the Hudson Valley)
Head to McEnroe Organic Farm for the weekend and enjoy a free yoga class taught by the owner of Buddhi Tribe Katie Shanley before our festival from 12pm to 1pm. Beginning at 1pm, embark on a harvest adventure with make your own cider workshops, Kings Highway hard cider garden visits, local chef chili cook off tastings, artisanal shopping, live music, local beer, pumpkin painting and more! Not to mention, shop your heart out at the gorgeous farmers market onsite.
37th Annual LarkFest
September 22 in Albany, NY (Albany County)
This year’s 37th Annual LarkFest is Upstate New York’s largest one day street festival! It is one of Albany’s most anticipated events with 50,000 people expected to attend this year. Live music and entertainment including top national and regional bands, fun activities for people of all ages, visual art, craft vendors, food trucks and much more.
The 36th Annual Downtown Ithaca Apple Harvest Festival
September 28 – 30 in Ithaca, NY (Tompkins County)
Each year, Apple Harvest Festival hosts bushels full of apple farmers, local produce, fresh baked goods, family entertainment at every turn, games, rides, prizes and live performances on two stages. Free to attend and all-ages friendly, Apple Harvest Festival is a great introduction to the rich farm and artist community of Ithaca and the Finger Lakes region. First time visitors can witness a variety of wonderful local entertainment happening all over downtown and inside shops, while also visiting the historical outdoor pedestrian shopping mall, the Ithaca Commons. The Commons is the epicenter of the festival and the gateway to a nostalgic journey to harvest season fun.
Oktoberfest at Roscoe Beer Co
September 29 in Roscoe, NY (Sullivan County)
You do not want to miss the brewery’s largest festival of the year, the fourth annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, Sept. 29th, 2018. With plenty of traditional food and craft beer to choose from, the Roscoe Beer Co will feature its very own Oktoberfest beer, as well as some other autumn favorites like Autumn Spice and a few other highly anticipated brews. This a true family day of fun with an area for children to paint their very own pumpkins, enjoy the carriage hay rides, wind through the challenging hay maze, pick a pumpkin to take home and listen to live music. Come hungry because sticking to a true Oktoberfest, there will be authentic German dishes that will sell out fast! Roscoe Cares will join to sell hot cider and doughnuts raising funds for local families in need. Oktoberfest is a fun way to enjoy the great outdoors and take in the amazing Catskill fall foliage before the winter takes a hold of us.
Harvest Fest at Stone Barns
Saturday October 6th in Pocantico Hills, NY (Westchester County)
Head up to Westchester County and enjoy activities, crafts, live music, and seasonal fare from local vendors for the whole family at the gorgeous Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture. A few of the fun highlights include hayrides, cooking activities, educational tours throughout the property, live music around the farm, up-close experiences with animals and plants and much more. Get your tickets here.
12th Annual Troy ChowderFest
October 7 in Troy, NY (Rensselaer County)
The 12th Annual Troy ChowderFest welcomes over 15,000 chowder-lovers who turn out and judge some of the best chowder in the area. Centered in Monument Square, guests purchase their tickets, explore the vendors and travel to the participating Downtown Troy restaurants distributing chowder from their establishments. Numerous local retailers participate in the day’s activities with a citywide sidewalk sale. It’s a full day of fall food, live music, and family fun!
Hilltop Hanover Fall Fest
October 6-8 in Yorktown Heights, NY (Westchester County)
An entire weekend of farm fun! Enjoy a great assortment of autumnal harvest, pumpkin picking, and other family activities to celebrate the fall! Hilltop Hanover Farm is a nonprofit working farm and environmental education center managed by the Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm. Visitors are warmly welcomed and encouraged to take advantage of fresh organically grown produce at our farmstand, our pick-your-own vegetable gardens, to visit with our farmers and animals, and attend special events and classes. Enjoy a picnic overlooking the scenic property and hike the woodland trails, all within 45-minutes of NYC.
New York Sheep & Wool Festival
October 20 – 21 in Rhinebeck, NY (Dutchess County)
Spend the day beneath the vibrant fall foliage in the Hudson Valley! Head up to Rhinebeck for the NYS Sheep & Wool Festival. Explore the traditions of farming, fiber-related arts & crafts, and the four-legged friends at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds.
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