Although it may be a sign that the cold of winter is near, we can’t help but rejoice in the golden-amber colors, crisp fresh air, and fun past times of Fall.
In fact, there are a number of Fall events going on throughout the Finger Lakes (where our agency is located), and we thought it would be fun to share a list of a few of them to consider attending if you’re looking for something fun to do this Fall.
Check out these autumnal festivals and events!
2022 Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival
When: Friday, September 9th | Noon – 8 PM
Where: Franklin Street, Watkins Glen, NY 14891
Cost: Free Admission
Details: Thousands of eager spectators and antique car enthusiasts flock to Watkins Glen each year for the annual Grand Prix Festival. (Be mindful that street closings for the festival can slow down traffic in and out of town quite a bit.)
Over 600 classic sports cars of various eras and marques park along the village streets and many of them participate in a tribute to the old road races that used to run right through town. The festival also embraces live music, wine tasting, merchandise vendors, and delicious food vendors of all sorts.
This year, the festival takes place just one day before the Harvest Moon, making it feel like one last hurrah of the Summer as Autumn lingers in close distance.
Harvest Moon Celebration
When: Saturday, September 10th | 4 PM – 10 PM
Where: Prison City Pub and Brewery - Auburn, NY 13021
Cost: Free Admission
Details: This enchanting celebration of the Harvest Moon will feature wine/cider/beer tastings, a Neil Young tribute band, a variety of holistic and spiritual activities and vendors, pig roast food vendors, a corn shucking contest and much more.
Gaffer District Harvest Festival
When: Friday, September 16th – Sunday, September 18th | 11 AM (5 PM Fri) - 8 PM
Where: Market Street, Corning, NY 14830
Cost: Free Admission
Details: You can’t have Harvest Fest Season without a classic gathering on Market Street in Corning!
The Gaffer District Harvest Festival offers outdoor dining, on-street vendors and live music, a tractor display, axe throwing, a scavenger hunt, a scarecrow contest and other fun activities.
Moore Family Farm – Fall Attractions
When: Saturday, September 17th – Sunday, October 23nd | 10 AM - 5 PM (Sat & Sun only)
Where: 570 Auburn Road, Groton, NY 13073
Cost: $14.50 Online | $18.50 at Gate (additional charges for certain activities)
Details: Just ten miles north of Ithaca, this family run farm has numerous attractions for all ages, including a 5-acre corn maze, apple cannons, U-pick pumpkins, wagon rides, unique fall-themed games and activities, food trucks on site, and campfire sites to have picnics and make S’mores!
Opening Weekend is also Teacher Appreciation Weekend on September 17th and 18th.
Corning Heritage Festival
When: Saturday, September 24th | 10 AM – 4 PM
Where: Heritage Village of the Southern Finger Lakes - 59 West Pulteney Street, Corning, NY 14830
Cost: TBA
Details: Located at the historic Heritage Village, there is plenty to learn at the Annual Heritage Festival, including traditional demonstrations, old fashioned games, and more.
Live music, farm animals, a country store and raffles are other highlights included in this educational festival that’s great for families with children.
Naples Grape Festival 2022
When: Saturday, September 24th – Sunday, September 25th | 10 AM – 5 PM
Where: Memorial Town Hall and High School grounds, Naples, NY
Cost: Free Admission
Details: Mouthwatering grape pie is just one of the many yummy highlights of the Naples Grape Festival. In addition, you’ll find a row of licensed fresh food vendors, tastings and sales of number of wineries, breweries, cideries, and distillers, and of course plenty of fresh grapes.
There will also be entertainment abound with diverse live music and craft vendor tents; and a family park and Kid’s Zone which help make this festival an especially family-friendly event.
Ithaca’s Apple Harvest Festival
When: Friday, September 30th – Sunday, October 2nd | Times TBA on website
Where: Downtown Ithaca
Cost: Free Admission
Details: The 40th Annual Downtown Ithaca Apple Harvest Festival celebrates apple growers and cider makers during a family-friendly weekend full of fresh apples and produce, a “cider trail”, live music, scrumptious food truck experiences, craft vendors, and delicious apple cider donuts!
Falls Harvest Festival
When: Saturday, October 1st | Noon – 7 PM
Where: Main Street, Montour Falls (Just a couple blocks from our office!)
Cost: Free Admission
Details: The 15th annual harvest celebration in the Finger Lakes will include loads of family friendly fun. From live entertainment to unique local craft and food vendors – the usual staples of a good festival will be in full swing. On top of that, you can tag along for a “Ghost Walk”, presented by the Schuyler County Historical Society.
The festival wraps up with a community bonfire and fireworks cascading over the gorgeous Shequaga Falls, located at the end of Main Street in the center of the village’s historic district.
34th Annual Harvest Festival at Hunt Country Vineyards
When: Saturday, October 1st | 10 AM – 5 PM
Where: Hunt Country Vineyards, 4021 Italy Hill Rd., Branchport, NY
Cost: Cost varies w/ most activities free (Tastings $10 – Reservations are recommended)
Details: Hunt Country Vineyards hosts their 34th Annual Harvest Festival!
This is a great choice for adults who enjoy local wines and brews, tasty bites, live music, grape stomping & picking, and various tours.
Newark Valley Apple Festival
When: Saturday, October 1st – Sunday, October 2nd | 10 AM – 5 PM
Where: 9241 rt. 38 (1 mile N. of Newark Valley; 20 miles S. of Dryden)
Cost: Adults $6 / Seniors (60+) $5 / Students and NVHS Members $4 / Families $20 (2 adults and 3+ kids)
Details: This is a fun fest that will be particularly enjoyable for those who like to learn.
For over 40 years now the Newark Valley Apple Festival has blended the excitement of a Fall festival with an educational twist. Tours of the colonial farmhouse, 1800s skill demonstrations, and a blacksmith demonstration are all unique attractions that make this event much more than a standard harvest festival.
Additional attractions include 2 stages of unique musical artists, an apple dessert contest, a scarecrow contest, and horse & wagon rides.
25th Annual Great Cortland Pumpkinfest
When: Saturday, October 1st – Sunday, October 2nd | 10 AM – 6 PM (Sat), 12 PM to 5 PM (Sun)
Where: Courthouse Park, 37 Church Street, Cortland NY
Cost: Free Admission
Details: Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins! But that’s not all. There really is a little something for everyone at The Great Cortland Pumpkin Fest.
Be on the lookout for talented live music, a Kids’ Zone w/ games and activities for children of all ages, local artists and vendors, festival food, and other attractions.
Fall Fest At The Windmill
When: Saturday, October 8th | 8:00 AM
Where: The Windmill Farm & Craft Market | 3900 NY-14A, Penn Yan, NY 14527
Cost: Free Admission
Details: Fun activities for everyone! Take the family out for a day of fall fun that includes face painting, pumpkin painting, caricature art, various demonstrations, Fall-themed refreshments, live entertainment, a scarecrow contest, and a petting zoo.
Finger Lakes Beer Festival
When: Friday, October 28th – Saturday, October 29th
Where: Watkins Glen International, 2790 County Route 16, Watkins Glen NY
Cost: Starting at $45
Details: Featuring 40 NYS breweries, distilleries and cideries, the Finger Lakes Beer Festival makes its annual return with tastings, a 32-team cornhole tournament, a stein holding competition, camping opportunities and even pace car rides around the Watkins Glen International Road Course. (21+ Event)
Festivities kick off with a Friday night “Boos and Brews” Halloween-themed event that includes a costume contest, beer samplings, and a live DJ.
(Note: Boos and Brews not included in Saturday General Admission Ticket)
Haunted Stroll at Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion
When: Sunday, October 30th
Where: Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion | 250 Gibson St, Canandaigua NY 14424
Cost: $10 Adults | $5 Children (3-15) | Kids Under 3 Free!
Details: Family friendly – but the kids had better like a good scare!
Enjoy a spooky stroll through the historic gardens and encounter strange sights, sounds and characters. Witches, goblins and ghouls lurk throughout this half mile walk.
Note that this blog post is for entertainment and informational purposes only and does not depict or declare any endorsement of any of the above events by the David L. Sidle Agency, Inc (A.K.A. Sidle Insurance)