NEWSLETTER
When it comes to fall, New York has it all! Whether you prefer basking in the glow of thousands of jack-o’-lanterns, admiring bright foliage on a scenic gondola ride, or discovering all the pumpkin spice and apple-flavored goodies, the Empire State is bound to have a festivity for every autumn enthusiast. From Clayton’s Punkin Chunkin’ to the famed Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, and Oktoberfests scattered throughout the state, grab your crew and get into the spirit of the season with these 19 fall festivals.
Updated 08/19/2025 | Originally published 09/06/2023
Harbes Family Farm Apple Festival (Long Island)
Photo courtesy of Harbes Family Farm
Get your fall on at Harbes Family Farm’s family-friendly Apple Festival! From September 6-7, stop by the Riverhead farm for apple picking throughout the 15-acre orchard. Don’t worry about having to walk far with the Apple Express which will chauffeur you to the best apples, promising fun for the whole family. While you're visiting don’t miss out on the Robinhood Trivia Cornmaze and live Music from Matt Taylor. Plus, there are pig races, hayrides, bounce pillows, and “Lil’ Farmers PlayLand” at the Barnyard Adventure open throughout the harvest season. September 6-7. Entrance to the apple festival is included in regular farm admission. Prices for additional activities vary.
Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze (Hudson Valley)
Credit: @sleepyhollowspellbound on Instagram
Prepare to be amazed as you stroll through more than 7,000 hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns at one of the top-rated Halloween events in the country. Taking place at the historic 18th-century Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, prepare to be amazed with larger-than-life pumpkin displays, special effects, and an all-original soundtrack–there’s literally never a dull moment! Stroll through the Pumpkin Promenade, meet life-sized pumpkin dinosaurs, and snap a pic of iconic New York landmarks carved into pumpkins. September 12 - November 16, tickets start at $24.
OktoberFest NYC (New York City)
Credit: @ddsfoodie on Instagram
If you can’t make it to Munich for Oktoberfest this year, head to Pier 15 in New York City for a month and a half long celebration! Gaze out at the Brooklyn skyline while you revel in traditional Oktoberfest food and fun, complete with authentic German beer, brats, giant pretzels, and Lederhosen, of course. Opens September 12, free but advanced ticket registration is recommended.
Annual Capital Apple and Wine Festival (Capital-Saratoga)
Credit: @leenadarling81 on Instagram
If you’re looking for fun for the whole family, head to the Altamont Fairgrounds for the 31st annual Capital Apple and Wine Festival! There are classic fall activities around every corner with fresh apples, cider donuts, and pumpkin painting. Adults can stop by the wine & spirits building and sample hundreds of libations including aperitifs, wines, spirits, and ciders, and receive a commemorative tasting glass. Kids will have a blast jumping in the bouncy house, taking pony rides, and learning archery. Throughout the weekend, enjoy live music and sample delicious specialty food like tacos, empanadas, dumplings, pulled pork sandwiches, apple pie, cider slushies, and more. September 13-14, one-day general admission tasting ticket is $20.38, weekend tasting ticket is $33.04, and designated driver ticket is $11.94. Kids under 17 are free.
Harvest Festival at the Fenimore Farm & Country Village (Central New York)
Credit: @thefarmersmuseum on Instagram
Step back in time and celebrate the bounty of fall at the Fenimore Farm & Country Village’s annual Harvest Festival. This family-friendly celebration has been a staple in Cooperstown since 1978, bringing together live performers, artisans, vendors, attractions, and farm favorites. While you’re there, be sure to explore the picturesque historic village – it’s one of the oldest living history museums in the state! September 13-14, entrance to the festival is included with regular museum admission.
Cape Vincent Oktoberfest (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
Credit: @abc50_thefunstation on Instagram
The 17th annual Cape Vincent Oktoberfest returns to the Village Green this September. The day kicks off with a family-friendly Volksmarch at 10am and continues throughout the day with live German music and dancing. Take a stroll through the Beer & Wine Garden for samples of authentic German beer and tastings from New York State wineries and breweries. There will of course be a tasty lineup of traditional Bavarian fare like pretzels, bratwurst, sauerkraut, braised red cabbage, German potato salad, and apple strudel. There’s even a kid zone for the littles to get in on the fun. September 27. General admission is $5.49, Beer Garden admission is $26.50, and Volksmarch admission is $5.49.
Saratoga Giant Pumpkin Fest (Capital-Saratoga)
Credit: @sunnysidegardensllc on Instagram
Witness the northeast’s best giant pumpkin growers as they compete in the 10th annual Saratoga Giant Pumpkinfest. Prepare to have your mind blown as you admire pumpkins weighing thousands of pounds — past winners have weighed in at more than 2,000 pounds! You’ll also have the opportunity to walk through the Saratoga Farmer’s Market right next door, try tasty treats at food vendors, explore special exhibits, and snap a selfie with giant pumpkins. September 27, admission is free.
Apple Harvest Festival (Finger Lakes)
Courtesy of Ksenia Verdiyan
Three days of festivities await at the 43rd annual Apple Harvest Festival in Ithaca. The streets of the lively downtown are transformed into an apple wonderland, decorated with everything from fresh farm stands and apple-inspired products (including tasty baked goods) to live music, food trucks, and tons of apple cider donuts. September 26-28, admission is free.
Locktoberfest on the Canal (Greater Niagara)
Credit: @canal.street.marketplace on Instagram
Spend a day on the canal celebrating harvest season at the 12th annual Lockport Locktoberfest. Try flavorful festive food and drinks from 55+ local farms and food trucks while you learn about the unique history of the area and witness the original Flight of Five Locks in motion. There’s also tons of free activities for kids, live music all day long, and a beer tasting tent, all located on Lockport’s Canal Street. September 27, admission is free.
Oktoberfest on Old Falls Street (Greater Niagara)
Credit: @oldfallsstreetusa on Instagram
Celebrate Oktoberfest from the famous Old Falls Street USA. Stroll through the three block cobblestone street connecting Niagara Falls State Park to downtown decked out with German cuisine, beer and wine, live music, and dancing from the German American Musicians Association. Be sure to check out the full lineup of Oktoberfest-themed activities and specials happening all day long! September 27, Admission is free.
Hudson Valley Garlic Festival (Hudson Valley)
Credit: @thenikkiweston on Instagram
Calling all garlic lovers! Save the date for an exciting weekend celebrating the harvest of garlic, or as it is lovingly referred to by aficionados: the stinking rose. Since 1989, the festival has been bringing together fans from all over to Saugerties, seeing around 30,000-50,000 visitors each year! There’s all kinds of activities to do around the celebration. Peruse more than 30 local garlic farm stands, watch live cooking demonstrations, stroll through craft vendors or the garlic marketplace that features all kinds of garlic-inspired goodies, listen to live music all day long, and sample unique garlic-flavored food (like garlic ice cream!). Just be sure to pack some breath mints for the ride home. September 27-28, single day admission is $15, advance online admission is $10.
Oktoberfest at Whiteface Mountain (Adirondacks)
Credit: @whiteface_mt on Instagram
Mark your calendars for a Bavarian-style weekend celebration at Whiteface Mountain’s Oktoberfest, rated one the five must-visit Oktoberfests in North America by SKI Magazine! This family-friendly festival will feature authentic live music from die Schlauberger, The Adlers, Schachtelgebirger Musikanten (Scha-Musi), the 3 Alphorns, and live dancing from the Alpenland Taenzer dancers. Try some delicious food and German beer, make crafts with the kids, and get the whole family together for a Cloudsplitter gondola ride through the scenic fall beauty of the Lake Placid area. September 27-28, single day admission is $20 online and $25 at gate. Senior (65+) admission is $18 online and $20 at gate.12 and under are free.
Hunter Mountain Oktoberfest (Catskills)
Courtesy of Rob Sharpe
Three weekends of Oktoberfest fun await at Hunter Mountain Resort! Revel in the vibrant atmosphere complete with German-themed live music, beer tents, food trucks, kids games, and the doxie derby. If you’re looking to take in the gorgeous fall foliage from above, go for a hike up to the fire tower or travel 3,200 feet up to the summit on a scenic skyride. September 27-28, October 4-5, and October 11-12, Admission is free.
Boo at the Zoo (NYC)
Credits: @amparo.the.photog on Instagram
Dress to impress in your best Halloween costume and join the Bronx Zoo for their annual Boo at the Zoo. This family-friendly Halloween bash features an exciting costume parade, a boo dance party, candy trail, pumpkin carving, wildlife theater shows, and more than 10,000 of your favorite animals! September 27-October 26, Saturdays and Sundays, and Monday, October 13. Ticket prices to be announced.
Peace, Love & Pumpkins at Bethel Woods (Catskills)
Courtesy of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Take an enchanting walk through hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns and glowing pumpkin art at Bethel Woods’ annual Peace, Love & Pumpkins event. Marvel at displays featuring Woodstock festival icons, dinosaurs, mermaids, witches, and other spooky surprises. Themed nights run throughout the month including the Night Market (weekends) with 50+ craft and food vendors and a 21+ Murder Mystery Mixer (October 17). There is also a Sensory-Friendly Experience (October 22, 4pm-6pm), where individuals with sensory sensitivities can experience a sensory-friendly version of the event with trained staff present. October 10 - November 2, tickets range from $15 - $25, free for children under 2.
Flaming Leaves Festival (Adirondacks)
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Immerse yourself in the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of fall at the Olympic Jumping Complex’s Flaming Leaves Festival. Dance to live music, explore the crafts, food, and beer vendors, and take in the beauty of the season all while elite ski jumpers soar overhead among a backdrop of the high peaks at one of the premier ski jumping events of the season, the FIS Continental Cup. October 11-12. One-day tickets range from $15-$20. Two-day tickets range from $20-$30.
Long Island Oyster Festival (Long Island)
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Stop by one of the East Coast’s largest waterfront festivals! This seaside celebration in Oyster Bay sees more than 150,000 attendees each year and features live entertainment, ships, pirate shows, midway rides, and of course the iconic oyster eating and shucking contests. There’s also a dazzling food court where culinary pros and chefs serve up dozens of unique oyster, clam, and seafood-inspired delights. October 18-19, admission is free.
Peek’n Peak Fall Fest (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
Courtesy of Peek'n Peak Resort
Revel in all things fall with two weekends of festivities at the 37th annual Fall Fest at Peek’n Peak Resort. Take in the brilliant foliage, explore the juried craft show and farmers market with more than 100 vendors including beekeepers, wood smiths, and artisans from all over the state, watch pumpkins fly through the air from the pumpkin cannon, take a ride on the ski lift, zoom down the zipline, and more! The kids will be entertained for hours with all kinds of activities including pony rides, a rock wall, and face painting. October 11-12 and October 18-19, admission is free.
Punkin Chunkin’ (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
Ever wondered what happens to the pumpkins that don’t get used for jack-o’-lanterns? Head to Clayton’s Punkin Chunkin’ and find out as you watch pumpkins catapult through the air into the St. Lawrence River. This staple of the Thousand Islands has fun for the whole family with a kids and adult Chunkin, a barbeque contest, and a farmers market to explore. October 18, admission is free.
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