This October, New York State offers unforgettable experiences celebrating the magic spirit of autumn. Revel in the charm of seasonal festivals, savor gourmet delights, and brace yourself for spine-tingling encounters with ghouls and goblins. Raise your steins at lively Oktoberfests, marvel at the sight of pumpkins soaring into rivers, enjoy the fresh taste of oysters along the scenic Long Island waterfront, be captivated by the enchanting glow of over 7,000 jack o’lanterns, and a whole lot more! Check out the full calendar to discover even more events happening across New York State.
🗓️When: September 18 – November 8, 2026
📍Where:Croton-on-Hudson, NY
💲Cost: Tickets start at $24
Credit: @ruthiehagmann on Instagram
Experience the Hudson Valley’s most electrifying fall happening! Meander through the 18th-century landscape of Van Cortlandt Manor and discover a breathtaking display of more than 7,000 illuminated jack-o’-lanterns—all designed and hand-carved by artisans on site. Walk through a pumpkin wonderland filled with jack-o’-lantern versions of movie monsters, life-sized dinosaurs and storybook characters, join a pumpkin dance party, gaze at the Pumpkin Planetarium, enjoy sips at the Headless Horseman’s Hideaway and haunting visits from the Horseman himself, and more.
🗓️When: Through November 1, 2026
📍Where: Buffalo, NY
💲Cost: Adults (ages 13+) $19.95, Children (2-12) $15.95
Explore the Buffalo Zoo in a whole new way this fall as you enter a magical world of larger-than-life jack-o’-lanterns along the Enchanted Pumpkin Trail. Stroll through a magical fairy garden, explore the jack-o’-lantern safari, and dance among the skeleton mariachi band for Day of the Dead. You’ll also get access to Destination Dinosaur during special after-dark hours and enjoy autumn-themed food and drinks.
🗓️When: Through November 1, 2026
📍Where: New Rochelle, NY
💲Cost: Tickets start at $16.99
Light up your night as the Autumn Glow Festival transforms Glen Island Park into a brightly lit waterfront wonderland along the shores of Long Island Sound. Step into a dazzling escape and marvel at hundreds of larger-than-life, intricately-crafted Chinese lanterns powered by LED lights. Each handmade artisan piece holds a unique story with depictions of Chinese legends and lore, as well as the beauty of nature. Don’t forget to treat yourself to delicious food and drink from local vendors.
Attend a Film Festival (Multiple Regions)
🗓️When: Dates vary
📍Where: Locations vary
💲Cost: Prices vary
Credit: Dion Ogust/Woodstock Film Festival
Lights, camera, action! The Hamptons International Film Festival (October 2-12) is back to dazzle with an intimate showcase of some of the year’s best offerings in contemporary cinema. October is LGBTQ History Month, and film lovers will want to check out the IMAGEOUT Fall Film Festival (October 8-18) in Rochester, celebrating and showcasing LGBTQ+ stories and filmmakers. Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Greek cinema at the New York Greek Film Expo (October 8-18) in New York City; experience the magic of cinema at the Woodstock Film Festival (October 14-18) with independent films, engaging panel discussions, workshops, and Q&A sessions with filmmakers; and catch a diverse selection of world-class films, special panels, and more at FilmColumbia (October 16-25) in Chatham’s historic Crandell Theatre.
🗓️When: Dates vary
📍Where: Locations vary
💲Cost: Prices vary
Credit: NYC Tourism
No one does Halloween better than New York! Have a frightfully good time as all sorts of costumed characters and creatures take over the streets at NYC’s famed Village Halloween Parade (October 31). The Hudson Valley’s LEGOLAND New York Resort gets into the Halloween spirit with Brick-or-Treat, featuring monster parties and trick-or-treating (October 2 –November 1). Celebrate Halloween with your pooch at the Fall Dog Parade & Costume Contest at Long Island’s historic Old Westbury Gardens (October 25). Dress up as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Riff Raff, or Columbia and get ready to do the “Time Warp” again at screenings of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Smith Center for the Arts in the Finger Lakes (October 23), The Stanley in Utica (October 23), and Staten Island’s St. George Theatre (October 24). No matter how you like to celebrate, there’s plenty of haunted adventures waiting for you in New York!
🗓️When: October 1-3, 8-11, 15-17, 2026
📍Where: East Otto, NY
💲Cost: $15 adults, $9 children 12 to 7, and free for six and under.
Experience a magical celebration of art and nature as one of North America’s largest sculpture parks is transformed into a glowing wonderland during Night Lights. Wander along a trail through forest and fields on a captivating journey filled with lights, music, and the beauty of nature. You’ll see some of Griffis Sculpture Park’s beloved sculptures bathed in light and encounter musicians, painters, storytellers, LED hoopers, instrumentalists, poets and more along the way.
🗓️When: October 2-3, 9-11, 16-18, 22-25, and 29-31, 2026
📍Where: Ballston Spa, NY
💲Cost: General admission $44.95 (plus fees and tax)
CREDIT: @DOUBLEMHAUNTEDHAYRIDES ON INSTAGRAM
Scary Harry, the iconic ghost cowboy of Double M, has some horrifying thrills and chills up his sleeve this Halloween season. Test your bravery on a haunted hayride through the dark woods that are rumored to be filled with things that go bump in the night before setting off on foot through the post-apocalyptic compound Brutality. Even more haunts await at the Last Inn, Blood Moon Farm, Martin’s Memorial Hospital, Dead Root Dwelling, and Doom County FEARgrounds. A Haunted History Trail event, Double M Haunted Hayrides in Ballston Spa has been scaring up fun for more than 35 years. Note: attractions are not recommended for children under the age of 10.
🗓️When: October 2-4, 2026
📍Where: Syracuse, NY
💲Cost: Tickets start at $29.70
Dive into a world of gaming nostalgia as RetroGameCon celebrates the best in gaming with a weekend full of celebrity guests, hundreds of exhibitor tables, tabletop games, and much more. Highlights include a massive free play area with vintage video games, a cosplay contest, improv D&D live show, live musical performances, and after-party. Don’t miss panels on AVGN, Mass Effect, Resident Evil, Arcade Legends, Neopets, and Rare, plus a thrilling tournament lineup including Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart 64.
🗓️When: October 2-4, 2026
📍Where: Lake Placid, NY
💲Cost: $20 1-day admission for ages 22-69; $10 for ages 13-21 & 70+, college and military; free for ages 12 and under
Ready for an action-packed weekend in Lake Placid? Watch the world’s greatest mountain bike riders compete in UCI World Cup races in both endurance and gravity disciplines, including Cross-country Short Track and Cross-country Olympic at Mt Van Hoevenberg, and Downhill at Whiteface Mountain. Between and after races, enjoy live music, craft brews, local cuisine, and high-energy festival vibes all weekend long.
🗓️When: October 2-4, 2026
📍Where: Warrensburg, NY
💲Cost: Free Admission
Bargain hunters, now is your time to shine! Set your sights on Warrensburg for the World’s Largest Garage Sale which is a combination of a flea market, craft fair, and food fest. Uncover antiques and treasures from local vendors gathered along Main Street and scan the backstreets to see what hidden gems local residents are selling. There will also be live music and children’s activities all weekend long.
🗓️When: October 3, 2026
📍Where: Schenectady, NY
💲Cost: Regular tickets $25, Premium Tickets $40
Gather your flock, fly the coop and enjoy a sPECKtacular afternoon snacking on delicious chicken wings and socializing in downtown Schenectady! On the day of the Wing Walk, pick up your official map and ballot at Proctors Theater before going to your first restaurant. Stroll around and sample unique wing recipes from a variety of restaurants (one wing per restaurant), including last year’s People’s Choice winner Simone’s Kitchen. Once you’ve sampled at least 10 of the wings, you can vote for your favorite by marking your ballot and dropping it at one of several drop-box locations around downtown. Happy walking and tasting!
🗓️When: October 3-4, 10-11, and 17-18, 2026
📍Where: Hunter, NY
💲Cost: Free general admission. $41 VIP Package, $89 VIP Packages (With Lift)
Credit: Rob Sharpe, Hunter Mountain Content Strategist
Brews, bites, and beautiful mountain views await at Hunter Mountain Resort! Enjoy three themed weekends filled with foliage and family fun, plus live music, beer tents, and food trucks. Experience an Authentic Oktoberfest the weekend of October 10-11, complete with a doxie derby, steinholding, and keg rolling. You can also take in the gorgeous fall foliage from above with a hike up to the fire tower or travel 3,200 feet up to the summit on a scenic skyride.
🗓️When: October 3-4, 2026
📍Where: Cortland, NY
💲Cost: Free admission
Named one of the top 10 fall festivals in the nation, the Great Cortland Pumpkinfest brings all the fun of fall on the farm into the heart of downtown in historic Courthouse Park. Enjoy pumpkin-flavored food, hayrides, locally-made crafts, live music, a pumpkin decorating contest, and, of course, the chance to get your hands on the first pumpkins of the season. Adults are invited to enjoy a beverage at the Pumpkin Pub, while the kids can experience thrills at the midway!
🗓️When: October 3-4 and 10-11, 2026
📍Where: Highmount, NY
💲Cost: Free admission and parking
Celebrate the season in the heart of the Catskills at Belleayre Mountain’s Fall Festival, where mountain views meet autumn vibes for the perfect weekend of family fun and leaf-peeping. Enjoy scenic gondola rides, brews and views, delicious bites at the food truck village, local craft vendors, live music, a bounce house and balloon twisting for the kids, plus pie eating and steinholding contests and free disco golf. With crisp air and golden foliage all around, it’s a classic Ulster County fall escape!
🗓️When: October 7-11, 2026
📍Where: Lake Placid, NY
💲Cost: Registration is required, but admission is free-of-charge for spectators with the exception of lessons and workshops. Donations are accepted at the door and online.
Attention skaters and skating fans: the World Figure and Fancy Skating Championships are returning for their 12th anniversary year to the Olympic Center in Lake Placid! Witness the intersection of art and figure skating as competitors perform on black ice, creating patterns with their blades. Witness five days of competition and find skating experiences on black ice with lessons and workshops for all ages and levels, as well as dedicated sessions and events for skaters with disabilities.
🗓️When: Dates Vary
📍Where: Oswego, NY
💲Cost: $20-$25
Experience the historic star-shaped Fort Ontario like never before on a couple of eerie outings this October. Enjoy a night of fascinating and sometimes gruesome tales on a lantern tour led by costumed interpreters sharing stories from the fort’s past (October 7 and October 14). You can also join CNY Ghost Hunters on tours and guided investigations of the site that’s widely considered one of New York’s most haunted locations, with reported sightings of soldiers and spirits (October 16 and 17). Fort Ontario was the site of three French and Indian War and two War of 1812 battles, and was used as a Holocaust refugee center between 1944 and 1946.
🗓️When: October 9-11, 2026
📍Where: Lake George, NY
💲Cost: Free
Credit: @lakegeorgearea on Instagram
Get set for a beloved event that transforms the heart of Lake George into a lively Bavarian-style street fair, complete with traditional German music, mouthwatering bratwursts, and refreshing steins of beer! As you stroll down Canada Street, you’ll be surrounded by the stunning fall foliage of the Adirondacks, adding a picturesque backdrop to the festivities that includes carnival rides, dancing, keg tossing, stein hoisting, and more. Whether you’re dancing to lively tunes, savoring authentic German cuisine, or browsing the unique craft vendors, the Oktoberfest is an unforgettable celebration of culture, community, tradition, and scenic beauty! Discover even more places to celebrate Oktoberfest in New York State.
🗓️When: Wednesdays-Sundays, October 9-November 1, 2026
📍Where: Bethel, NY
💲Cost: Aduls: $25-$30, Ages 3-17: $15-$20, Ages 2 & Under: Free
Courtesy of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
A cornucopia of family-friendly Halloween fun is coming to the historic grounds of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts! Wind your way through beautiful garden trails, highlighting thousands of unique hand-carved jack-o-lanterns and glowing displays of themed pumpkin art, featuring Woodstock festival icons, dinosaurs, mermaids, witches and much more! Special events include 21+ Murder Mystery Mixers, Sensory Friendly Wednesdays, and Friday Night Fright, a haunted walk-thru experience on October 30.
🗓️When: October 10, 2026
📍Where: Sleepy Hollow, NY
💲Cost: Paddle registration $35 (Registered paddlers have free admission to the festival). Festival admission is $8 in advance plus fees, and $10 on the day of the event. Children under 8 years old are free with a paying adult!
Get ready for a wicked good time as the SUP Witches Festival paddles into Sleepy Hollow. Hosted by Rivertowns SUP & Yoga, you’ll experience a truly whimsical sight as costumed witches trade their broomsticks for paddles for a stand-up paddleboard ride on the Hudson River. With stunning views and a festival atmosphere complete with contests, activities, and bites and brews, it’s a fun way to enjoy fall on the water. Whether you plan to join the paddle or enjoy the spectacle from land, it’s the perfect fall outing in the home of the Headless Horseman. Make it a getaway with our guide to a Fall Weekend in Sleepy Hollow.
🗓️When: October 10-11, 2026
📍Where: Saratoga County, NY
💲Cost: Single day pass $106.69; weekend pass $159.94
Spend a fun weekend getaway in the outdoors as you get on your bike and enjoy peak fall foliage on the fourth annual Saratoga Foliage Ride! Wind through fields, farmlands and fall foliage with stops for ice cream at King Dairy Farm Store and the Saratoga Battle Monument on Saturday’s ride. Sunday’s rides will honor the 249th anniversary of the Battle of Saratoga, taking the back roads through the very fields where American forces first defeated the British army in the turning point of the American Revolution. All participants can enjoy a catered after-ride lunch, commemorative shirt, a day pass to the YMCA, happy hour, and more. Riders can choose one of three routes each day – 30, 50, and 75 miles.
🗓️When: October 10-11, 2026
📍Where: Delhi, NY
💲Cost: General admission $13.32, children ages 5-12 $7.70
Credit: Kento Igarashi
Come see what all the hoot is about at Maple Shade Farm! Join this grand celebration of the harvest season as you enjoy all your favorite fall experiences on the farm, complete with live music, savory foods, wagon rides, barn tours, yard games, a corn maze, workshops, and more.
🗓️When: October 10-11, 2026
📍Where: North Creek, NY
💲Cost: Free
Join in the fun of this family-friendly celebration of all things fall! Explore handcrafted items from Adirondack artists, savor delicious fall menus at the Open Pit Grille and Base Lodge Food Court, and engage in fun activities like mountain biking, disc golf, and hiking across the four peaks. You can also take part in scavenger hunts or hiking challenges, and the Northwoods Gondola offers unparalleled leaf-peeping opportunities, with the vibrant autumn colors of Gore Mountain’s forests providing perfect photo ops. Live music will fill the air throughout the weekend, adding to the festive atmosphere.
🗓️When: October 10-11, 2026
📍Where: Ellicottville, NY
💲Cost: Free admission to festival; $36.50 registration for Fall Scramble 4 Mile; $46.50 registration for Fall Scramble 8 Mile.
Credit: Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce
The Ellicottville Fall Festival is a weekend of fun for the whole family, with chairlift rides, mountaintop cookouts and music. The Village of Ellicottville and nearby Holiday Valley Resort become one big celebration with street vendors, arts and crafts, entertainment, poster and t-shirt sales, a Kid Zone, and tons of fun. Are you a runner? The Fall Scramble 4- or 8-mile Trail Run takes place on Saturday at Holiday Valley.
🗓️When: October 10-11 and 17-18, 2026
📍Where: Clymer, NY
💲Cost: Free admission
Credit: @pknpkresort on Instagram
Get ready for fabulous fall fun as Peek’n Peak Resort celebrates the season with its 38th Annual Fall Fest! You’ll enjoy two weekends of brilliant foliage and fun in the foothills of Western New York. The festival features a juried craft show with more than 100 vendors and a farmers’ market, as well as activities like the pumpkin cannon, children’s games, live entertainment, pony rides, ski lift rides, a classic car cruise-in, and an annual snow sports equipment swap!
🗓️When: October 10-12, 2026
📍Where: Statewide
💲Cost: Prices Vary
New York State is, without question, one of the most historic, cultural, and diverse states in the entire country. Path Through History Weekend, October 10-12, is your chance to slip between the pages of history and discover the places and people who shaped not only the Empire State, but our nation. From an unforgettable day of family fun and history witnessing an air show at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome to an eerie candlelit ghost tour of Hyde Hall in Cooperstown, discover all kinds of New York State facts during this special weekend. Build your own itinerary and visit Native American museums, canals that helped expand civilization, arts and cultural institutions that house famous works of art, and much more.
🗓️When: October 15-18, 2026
📍Where: Manhattan, NY
💲Cost: Prices vary
Courtesy of Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival
Foodies rejoice! Dig in at this star-studded, four-day event showcasing the talents of the world’s most renowned chefs, wine and spirit producers, culinary personalities, lifestyle experts and America’s most beloved television chefs. With more than 50 events at Manhattan’s Seaport, you’ll satisfy all your cravings at tastings, intimate dinners with world-renowned chefs, late night parties, hands-on classes, wine tastings and more. Catch returning favorites like the Blue Moon Burger Bash, Steak & Whiskey, Oyster Bash, and FoodieCon. Exciting new additions include New York After Dark hosted by Kwame Onwuachi on The Rooftop at Pier 17, A Culinary Journey Through Peru hosted by Nobu Matsuhisa, and Flavors of Bollywood hosted by Maneet Chauhan and Vijay Kumar.
🗓️When: October 17, 2026
📍Where: Clayton, NY
💲Cost: Free Admission
Courtesy of Horizon Aerial Media
Pumpkins will be soaring into the St. Lawrence River at the 14th Annual Punkin’ Chunkin’ Festival! Witness this truly unique spectacle as local teams compete to catapult a pumpkin the farthest distance into the river using home-built trebuchets set along the water at Clayton’s Frink Park. That’s not all – there’s a barbeque starting in the morning followed by a judging competition in the afternoon, and a farmer’s market!
🗓️When: October 17-18, 2026
📍Where: Rhinebeck, NY
💲Cost: $16.50 in advance, $18 at the gate. Children 11 and under are free
Sweater weather is finally here and there’s no better way to celebrate than with two straight days filled with all things sheep and wool at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds! Discover workshops devoted to weaving, knitting and basket-making topics and techniques, along with kids’ activities and a used equipment auction. Shop from hundreds of wool and fiber arts vendors selling materials, tools and more. Check out the winery, distillery and gourmet specialty foods building and be sure to stick around for the sheep shows and competitions, sheep dog herding and frisbee dog demonstrations, and the “Make it with Wool” fashion show!
🗓️When: October 17-18, 2026
📍Where: Oyster Bay, NY
💲Cost: Free admission
Credit: @ashferbiju on Instagram
Make the world your oyster at one of Long Island’s most popular events. You’ll enjoy live entertainment, ships, top-notch artisans, midway rides, and the iconic oyster eating and shucking contest. Of course, there’s also the food court featuring seafood concoctions and oysters in every conceivable form, along with traditional festival fare!
🗓️When: October 17-18, 2026
📍Where: Utica, NY
💲Cost: Adults (13+) $11, children (2-12) $8, children under 2 free admission, free admission for Utica Zoo members. There is a $5 activity card charge for the trick-or-treat stations.
Make your way, if you dare, to Utica Zoo’s Halloween and harvest celebration! With 13 trick-or-treat stations, food trucks, vendors, animal meet and greets, and keeper talks, you’re sure to have a very ghoul time! This is an all-ages event and costumes are encouraged.
🗓️When: October 18, 2026
📍Where: New Paltz, NY
💲Cost: $5 per person, kids under 12 free
Get ready for a tangy twist on fall fun at the 29th Annual Rosendale’s International Pickle Festival, where brine lovers from near and far come to celebrate all things pickled at the Ulster County Fairgrounds. Sample unique creations, shop local vendors, and enjoy live music and family-friendly activities in a festive, flavor-packed atmosphere. Test your pickle eating, pickle juice drinking, and pickle tossing skills at the Pickle Triathlon.
🗓️When: October 23, 2026
📍Where: Buffalo, NY
💲Cost: $50 general admission, $65 VIP, $75 Tap Tier (includes exclusive can release, pretzel necklace, and sticker), $12 designated driver.
Buffalo is gearing up to host a celebration of local craft beverages, delicious food, and live music, all promising to add up to a day full of fun and flavor! Enjoy four hours of samples from over 30 local craft breweries, cideries, wineries and distilleries and live music for a spirited Saturday at Buffalo RiverWorks.
🗓️When: October 26, 2026
📍Where: Canandaigua, NY
💲Cost: $10 adults, $5 children 3-15, and free for kids under 3
Step into a world of creepy enchantment with a haunted stroll in Sonnenberg Gardens, one of the few remaining estates in America with a Queen Anne Victorian-style mansion and formal gardens. Wander through the historic gardens, encountering witches, goblins, and ghouls along the way, with the beautifully lit pathways and hauntingly decorated gardens creating a perfect backdrop for a night of family-friendly frights and fun! Spend the weekend with our guide to 48 Hours in Canandaigua.
🗓️When: October 31, 2026
📍Where: Mumford, NY
💲Cost: General Public – $68, Museum Members – $62
Become the detective in a thrilling 19th-century murder mystery, drawn from the sensational headlines of the era, during a captivating whodunit dinner experience at the Genesee Country Village & Museum. Enjoy an evening of suspense, laughter, and unforgettable dining as you savor a buffet dinner inspired by 19th-century delicacies while immersing yourself in the intrigue as costumed performers skillfully weave together a tapestry of fascinating characters and tantalizing clues to crack the case.
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