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Category - Summer

Multicolored hot air balloons flying above head at Spiedie Fest in Binghamton on a partly cloudy summer day

New York State is the setting for an amazing month of music, culture, history, sports, food, and the arts.

Fireworks light up the night sky at Oswego Harborfest

Summer in New York State heats up in July with food, music, sports, and unforgettable celebrations! Cheer on elite athletes in the Adirondacks, soak in the sounds of bluegrass in the Catskills, marvel

a little boy in a turquoise shirt plays with Legos at the LEGO Ferrari Build & Race attraction. Behind him a giant Lego figure dressed in a red Ferrari outfit holds a green sign that says "Go Build"

No place does summer quite like the Empire State! With new attractions, restaurants, exhibits, and hotels opening in all corners of New York, summer 2026 is sure to be one to remember.

American Roots Music Festival

Get your sunscreen ready… it’s music festival season in New York State! From jazz to blues to indie rock to classical to country, there's a festival to satisfy every music taste.

Saranac Lake

Ordinarily quiet streets suddenly buzz with energy, patios of local cafes fill with visitors, world-renowned amphitheaters welcome premiere performances, and once frozen lakes now sparkle beneath

Bright red, white, and blue fireworks decorate the sky over east river
Credit: @clickforthekingdom on Instagram

Festivals, parades, and air shows, oh my! There’s so much to do in New York State this summer. Try delicious new foods, jam out to live music in beautiful outdoor amphitheaters, take a spin on midway rides, celebrate rich culture and community, watch hot air balloons take flight, and more, all season long. Mark your calendars. Here are some Empire State events you don’t want to miss! 

Colorful fireworks light up the sky over Niagara Falls

If you’re wondering how to plan the seemingly endless things to do in New York State in the summer, look no further. We’ve planned your weekends for you, allowing you to sample the best of everything New York State has to offer, from surfing, hiking, and camping to festivals, fireworks, and live outdoor theater. Make your summer an unforgettable one in New York. 

A parade features characters resembling those from "The Wizard of Oz" walking joyfully at Oz-Stravaganza. Dorothy leads with a basket, followed by the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion.

Kick off the summer season in New York State with an exhilarating blend of cultural, historic, sporting, and foodie events.

A county fair at sunset.

County fairs came about in America in the 18th century and were a place for farmers to show off their livestock, merchants to sell their wares, and homemakers to prove they made the best blueberry

Two people dressed in black pose in front of an I LOVE NY statue under a blue sky with white wispy clouds

Bask in the best of New York State with the I LOVE NY Experience, going on tour this summer and making stops at some of the season’s hottest events in New York and beyond!