Our spring events are in full bloom! Join the fun at parades, performances, historic reenactments, country craft shows, and festivals celebrating everything from apple blossoms to strawberry wine.
Early spring is an especially sweet season. On the last two weekends in March, maple farms from the Hudson Valley to the Chautauqua-Allegheny region host the annual Maple Weekend.
Thousands of anglers consider April 1 the reel first day of spring; it’s the day trout season opens. You can get tips at Catskill Fly Fishing Center events and then go fishing in the area’s legendary trout streams. In mid-May, the Catskills’ annual Shad Festival marks the East Coast’s biggest herring run.
Spectator sports events include the Opening Weekend (every April) at Watkins Glen International racetrack, Yankees and Mets games in New York City, and family-friendly minor league baseball across the state. Watch boat races in May at the Canton Canoe Weekend in the Thousand Islands-Seaway or the Queen’s Race Weekend at Lake George, highlighted by a boat regatta and fireworks. Slow down in June with old-fashioned festivities along the historic Erie Canal at Fairport Canal Days.
From late April to early May, New York City’s annual Tribeca Film Festival screens over 200 movies; many are world premieres. In the Bronx, see the annual Orchid Show through April at the New York Botanical Garden, where you can stroll amid sweet-scented magnolias, lilacs and cherry blossoms all season long.
Find more blooms in magnificent gardens at Long Island and Historic Hudson Valley estates and at flower shows and festivals throughout New York. See thousands of tulips in May during Albany’s annual Tulip Festival. Musicians and craft vendors at Rochester's Lilac Festival accompany thousands of fragrant lilac blossoms.
During the Niagara Wine Trail’s annual Taste of the Trail event in April, wineries present special food and wine pairings. Catch the excitement at Letchworth State Park’s Red, White & Blue Balloon Festival in May. In June, the prestigious Crafts at Rhinebeck show features 250 high-end artists plus carriage rides, a farmers market and wine tasting.
Check our listings for many more spring events like Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Hyde Hall in Cooperstown and the Tap NY breweries competition at Hunter Mountain.
Spring is a beautiful time to celebrate in New York State.