Top 10 Festivals In Syracuse, New York

Hannah
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 4 min read
festivals in syracuse

Located in Onondaga County, the great city of Syracuse is positioned in the heart of the popular New York State. It is on the southern shore of the picturesque Lake Ontario. The vibrant and ever-fascinating city plays host to contemporary tourist-trap features and places such as Erie Canal Museum and Syracuse University. In addition, the city prides itself in having the largest and most elegant airport in the region. The annual Great New York State Fair is also held in this magnificent destination. Here is a list of some of the top festivals in Syracuse, New York. Scroll down to learn all you need to know about them.

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1. The Great New York State Fair

Nysfairmidway
Source: Photo by user Joe Shlabotnik used under CC BY 2.0

Are you looking for a charming event where you can just buckle up and forget all about the hustle and bustle of the year? Then The Great New York State Fair is the place to be! Inaugurated in 1841, the 18-day festival has been the envy of many, getting bigger and tastier every year. It is scheduled for the 21st of August all the way to the 7th of September from 7am to 10pm daily. The festival promises all the latest in terms of technology, education, entertainment, and agriculture. Tickets for this event are affordable too!

The Great New York State Fair

Address: 581 State Fair Blvd, Syracuse, NY

Website: The Great New York State Fair

Takes place: August to September

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2. Middle Eastern Cultural Festival

Make sure to visit our Marketplace inside the church hall for Middle Eastern gift ware, apparel, jewelry and more! Thank you DISH Network, our Marketplace sponsor.

Posted by Syracuse Middle Eastern Festival on Monday, 8 July 2019

Up for classic music, scrumptious food, diverse culture, and a plethora of exciting activities? Middle Eastern Cultural Festival offers a full-course Arabic food menu prepared from scratch. Guests are treated to live Arabic music, exhilarating dance performances, and fabulous gifts. The festival comes with a free kid’s package consisting of free admission and ample playground. It runs for three days with a plethora of exciting activities all tailored towards giving you a memorable Arabic experience. The event also offers free parking for your convenience.

Middle Eastern Cultural Festival

Address: St Elias Orthodox Church, 4988 Onondaga Rd, Syracuse, NY

Website: Middle Eastern Cultural Festival

Takes place: July

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3. Syracuse Nationals

John D’Agostinos custom-made 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Seville
Source: Photo by user thebig429 used under CC BY 2.0

Car maniacs wouldn’t want to miss this spectacular event for anything in the world. Syracuse Nationals takes place every July and is rated as the largest car show in the Northeast. It attracts thousands of spectators, car owners, and vendors from all over the world. The auspicious event gives contestants a chance to battle it out for the most coveted Winfield Award in the motor industry. Spectators enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience of viewing highly customized trucks and cars at Syracuse Nationals. Here you get to witness some of the top-notch racecars with their pro drivers.

Syracuse Nationals

Address: New York State Fairgrounds 581 State Fair Blvd, Syracuse, NY

Website: Syracuse Nationals

Takes place: July

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4. Jamesville Balloon Fest [Last event in 2019]

Hot air balloon festival 2011
Source: Photo by user Tomascastelazo used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Ever had the spectacular, thrilling experience of attending a balloon festival? Jamesville Balloon Fest gives you a chance to have a taste of this and much more! This summer event takes place every June at Jamesville Beach Park. Admission is absolutely free, with ceaseless entertainment from the crème de la crème of the music industry. Among the list of highlights are mouthwatering delicacies, leisure rides, an arts and crafts fair, and—to crown it all—an abundance of various-shaped hot-air balloons. The three-day fest guarantees an awesome balloon-flight experience, especially with the perfect weather.

Jamesville Balloon Fest

Address: Jamesville Beach Park, 3992 Apulia Rd, Jamesville, NY

Website: Jamesville Balloon Fest

Takes place: June

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5. Skaneateles Antique & Classic Boat Show

Wooden boats Skaneateles 2007
Source: Photo by user R. A. Nonenmacher used under CC BY-SA 3.0

True boat lovers will absolutely love this! Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show is among the popular boat shows in the Northeast, with an audience of over 10,000 people. Eyes are given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to feast on some rare boats from the museum. The event kicks off from 3pm to dusk on Friday and from 8am to dusk on Saturday. Interestingly enough, entry is free for this auspicious event. There are also exhilarating performances from well-reputed community bands, circus crews, and a display of antique model boats.

Skaneateles Antique & Classic Boat Show

Address: Clift Park, Skaneateles, NY

Website: Skaneateles Antique & Classic Boat Show

Takes place: July

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6. Taste of Syracuse [Last event in 2019]

Posted by Taste Of Syracuse on Thursday, 13 June 2019

“Reality meets dream” would perhaps be the most appropriate way to describe this festival. It is facilitated by The Summit Federal Credit Union. Hosted at Clinton Square, the event acts as the curtain-raiser to the annual summer festival season. This thrilling gathering guarantees enchanting and fit-for-a-king meals with catchy fill-in music to get you all hyped up. Taste of Syracuse raises funds to support various charity organizations. It takes place on Fridays and Saturdays of every June.

Taste of Syracuse

Address: 161 W Genesee St, Syracuse, NY

Website: Taste of Syracuse

Takes place: June

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7. Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival [Last event in 2019]

Syracuse Jazz Fest
Source: Photo by user Carlyjay55 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Get ready for some soporific jazz music from this musical festival. Northeast Jazz and Wine Festival happens every July at Clinton Square, the centre of downtown Syracuse. Dozens of revelers flock to downtown Syracuse during this celebration because of the legendary Syracuse ArtsWeek. The meticulous event organizers come up with new highlights every year. It remains the sole standing jazz festival in Syracuse, and thus, great importance is given to its every detail.

Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival

Address: 161 W Genesee St, Syracuse, NY

Website: Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival

Takes place: July

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8. CNY Scottish Games and Celtic Festival

158 Ithaca Scottish Games
Source: Photo by user Ithaca Scottish G... used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Boasting over a platinum jubilee now, CNY Scottish Games and Celtic Festival has been in the frontier of campaigning for culture and heritage through a wide range of activities. Some of the exciting activities in this festival include tradition-oriented Highland games, Highland coos and vendors, and Irish dancing competitions. All these are done with the goal of preserving and passing on Scottish and Irish heritage. Indeed the festivities at this event are a great sight to behold.

CNY Scottish Games and Celtic Festival

Address: 3813 Long Branch Rd, Liverpool, NY

Website: CNY Scottish Games and Celtic Festival

Takes place: August

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9. Juneteenth

Juneteenth
Source: Photo by Flickr user City of Indianapo... used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

This is a historical festival that gives people a chance to recollect memories of June 19, 1865. It is the day when the slave trade was abolished in Texas—a victory for enslaved African Americans. During this annual festival, there is a celebration of African American heritage and history. Top on the activity list for this event is the singing of traditional songs and reading of works by distinguished African scholars. Contests, park parties, and cookouts are just but a drop in the ocean of the celebrations that mark this day.

Juneteenth

Address: 161 W Genesee St, Syracuse, NY

Website: Juneteenth

Takes place: June

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10. Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival

Fishes...

Posted by Bibbery Travels on Sunday, 28 July 2019

This is one of the most glamorous events of the year in Syracuse. This eye-catching festival that takes place over three days has proven to be one of a kind in terms of what it showcases. Masterpieces and other fine works of art from legendaries are displayed to the multitudes that grace the celebration. The heart of the festival is Columbus Circle, a major historic site in downtown Syracuse.

Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival

Address: Columbus Circle, Downtown Syracuse, NY

Website: Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival

Takes place: July

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Enjoy your colourful vacation!

The choice is absolutely yours. From fun games and competitions to amazing pieces of art, Syracuse, New York, has got you covered. What’s holding you back? Select which of the festivals listed above appeal to you the most, and get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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In addition to her love for writing and adventurous spirit, Hannah is a dedicated learner, always striving to acquire new knowledge with each passing day.

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