Autumn’s Enchanting Celebrations in the Empire State
When autumn paints the Adirondacks and Finger Lakes in fire-bright colors, New York‘s waterfront communities come alive with harvest celebrations. Here’s your guide to the season’s best festivals, organized by confirmed 2026 dates.
September 2026
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Dates: September 17-20, 2026
Location: Glens Falls and Queensbury (Lake George region)
Cost: Free admission and parking
Mark your calendar for the Lake George area’s signature autumn event. More than 80 hot air balloons lift off against the Adirondack Mountains, reflected in Lake George’s mirror-still waters below. The Thursday evening opener at Crandall Park features up to 15 balloons, while the main launches happen Friday through Sunday at Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport.
What to Know:
- Saturday morning mass ascension starts at 6:30 AM with 80+ balloons
- Evening “moonglows” feature tethered balloons lit from within, choreographed to music
- Craft fair hosted by ZONTA with 50+ vendors
- Live music all weekend (The E-BLOCK, Sam Luke Trio, The RasinBeats)
- Balloon rides available through individual pilots ($195-$225 per person)
- No pets, drones, or smoking permitted
Book lakeside accommodations early—properties around Lake George fill months in advance for balloon festival weekend.
Great Pumpkin Farm Fall Festival
Dates: September 14 – October 31, 2026 (anticipated, dates not yet confirmed)
Location: Clarence, NY
Estimated Attendance: 75,000
Western New York’s longest-running fall festival near Lake Erie returns for six weeks of pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and weekend events. The annual pumpkin weigh-off awards $5,000 to the grower of the season’s largest gourd.
Highlights:
- Pumpkin spice donuts and apple cider from Mayer Brothers Cider Mill
- Hayrides and haunted houses
- Zombie paintball experience
- Boo Barn for younger children
- Weekend pie-eating contests and scarecrow making
October 2026
Lake George Village Oktoberfest
Dates: October 9-11, 2026 (anticipated based on 2025 pattern)
Location: Lake George, NY
Cost: To be announced
German-style celebrations meet Adirondack lake views. Expect bratwurst, craft beers, and live polka bands with Lake George as your backdrop.
Cooperstown Harvest Festival
Dates: October 5-6, 2026 (anticipated, dates not yet confirmed)
Location: Downtown Cooperstown (Otsego Lake)
Estimated Attendance: 15,000
This lakeside village festival transforms Main Street into a farmers’ market and artisan showcase. Otsego Lake—the “Glimmerglass” of James Fenimore Cooper’s novels—provides the setting.
Featured Vendors:
- Middlefield Orchard (farm-fresh produce)
- Fly Creek Cider Mill (warm apple cider donuts)
- Handmade by Trees (artisan crafts)
- Origins Cafe (cooking demonstrations by chef Melanie Cheng)
Plan a scenic boat tour on Otsego Lake or visit the Baseball Hall of Fame while you’re in town.
Apple Harvest Festival
Dates: October 4-6, 2026 (anticipated, dates not yet confirmed)
Location: Ithaca Commons, Ithaca (Finger Lakes)
Estimated Attendance: 30,000
The Finger Lakes’ premier apple celebration showcases the region’s orchards and wineries. Cayuga Lake sits just minutes away.
What You’ll Find:
- Little Tree Orchards (apple products, fresh-pressed cider)
- Redbyrd Orchard Cider (hard ciders)
- Corn mazes and pumpkin patches
- Apple pie eating contest
- Live music: The Gunpoets, Stone Cold Miracle
- Cooking demos featuring Finger Lakes ingredients
Ellicottville Fall Festival
Dates: October 12-13, 2026 (anticipated, dates not yet confirmed)
Location: Ellicottville, NY
Estimated Attendance: 20,000
Western New York’s mountain village hosts a 4-block arts festival when the surrounding hills blaze orange and red. Though not directly on the lake, nearby Allegany State Park offers access to Red House Lake and Quaker Lake.
Activities:
- 200+ artisan vendors (Lumiere Candleworks, Birch Bark Designs)
- Holiday Valley chairlift rides for foliage views
- 5K scenic run
- Live music: The Strangers, The Untouchables
- Local brews from Ellicottville Brewing Company
Letchworth Arts & Crafts Show
Dates: October 12-14, 2026 (anticipated, dates not yet confirmed)
Location: Village Park, Perry, NY
Estimated Attendance: 50,000
One of the nation’s top arts festivals is near the Genesee River gorges. Silver Lake is 15 minutes north.
Notable Features:
- 250+ artisan booths
- Live demonstrations (Brian Keith Fine Art, Hilltop Wood Creations)
- East Hill Pottery ceramics
- Seasonal food vendors (warm apple cider, kettle corn)
Hudson River Valley Festivals
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
Dates: Returning 2026 (specific dates to be announced, typically September-November)
Location: Van Cortlandt Manor, Croton-on-Hudson
2025 Dates for Reference: September 12 – November 16
Tickets: Typically start at $24; advance purchase required
More than 7,000 hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins line the historic Hudson River estate. The riverside location makes for stunning photos as jack-o’-lanterns reflect in the water.
Premium Experiences:
- Gourd & Goblet Tavern: Mid-trail 18th-century inn serving signature cocktails
- Headless Horseman’s Hideaway: Pop-up lounge with themed drinks and Horseman appearances
- Both require combo tickets booked in advance
2026 Expectations:
- New York State landmark carvings
- Wizard of Oz hillside scene
- Pumpkin Promenade with weekly changing displays
- Synchronized light shows with original soundtrack
No tickets sold on-site. The event typically sells out weekends and Halloween night within weeks of tickets going on sale.
Warwick Applefest
Dates: October 6, 2026 (anticipated, first Sunday in October)
Location: Warwick, NY
Estimated Attendance: 30,000
Hudson Valley’s largest single-day fall festival, though not directly lakeside, draws visitors from the greater New York metro area.
Highlights:
- 200+ craft vendors
- Masker Orchards and Ochs Orchard (apple varieties, warm donuts)
- Live performances: The Amish Outlaws, Emish
- Gourmet food court with local favorites
Saratoga & Capital Region
Saratoga Wine & Food Festival
Dates: September 13-14, 2026 (anticipated, dates not yet confirmed)
Location: Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs
Estimated Attendance: 5,000
Cost: Upscale pricing (typically $75-$150)
Saratoga Lake sparkles nearby as you taste wines from Wölffer Estate and Ravines Wine Cellars. Celebrated chefs David Burke and Marc Murphy prepare gourmet dishes.
Special Features:
- Concours d’Elegance (classic car showcase)
- Jazz performances (Bria Skonberg, The Hot Sardines)
- Grand raffle with luxury prizes
- Proceeds support arts education
Planning Your Visit
Accommodation Tips:
- Book lakeside properties 3-6 months ahead for major festivals
- Lake George area fills earliest (balloon festival weekend)
- Finger Lakes wineries offer B&B packages during harvest season
- Cooperstown inns book a year in advance for Baseball Hall of Fame weekends
What to Bring:
- Cash for vendor markets and food trucks
- Layers (October temperatures range 40-65°F)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Camera for foliage and festival moments
Getting There:
- Adirondack festivals: I-87 to Exit 18 or 19
- Finger Lakes: I-90 to Routes 89/90
- Hudson Valley: Metro-North Hudson Line from NYC
- Many festivals offer shuttle services from nearby towns
2026 Date Updates
Most fall festivals finalize their 2026 calendars by spring. Check official websites starting March 2026 for confirmed dates, ticket sales, and new programming. Major events like the Adirondack Balloon Festival and the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze typically maintain consistent weekend schedules year to year.
Best Bets for Lake Views:
- Adirondack Balloon Festival (Lake George): Confirmed September 17-20
- Lake George Village Oktoberfest: Early October
- Cooperstown festivals (Otsego Lake): Multiple weekends
New York’s lake country offers autumn experiences that combine harvest traditions with waterfront beauty. Whether you’re watching hot air balloons lift over Lake George at sunrise or sampling hard cider with views of Cayuga Lake, the season rewards early planning and weekend getaways to these water-edge celebrations.
Find Your Lake Getaway: Looking for a waterfront rental near these festivals? Browse properties on Lake.com.
List Your Property: Own a lakeside home in New York? Share your space with festival-goers on Lake.com.
