Upstate New York, as the name implies, is generally considered to be the part of New York State that lies north of the New York City area—indeed covering much of the state itself. It’s got a number of major cities, including Albany (the state’s capital), Syracuse, and Rochester. The area is known for its beautiful landscape—with forests, waterways, and mountains all over. Two of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, border the region, making for great summertime activities and snowy winters. The location also has loads of tourist attractions, including Niagara Falls, Corning Museum of Glass, and Catskills Mountains. And if you like festivals, then you’re in for much, because we’ve put together some of the top festivals in Upstate New York—from film festivals to wine festivals. So read on and check out your options.
1. Sterling Renaissance Festival
The list starts off with Sterling Renaissance Festival. This festival has been around since 1976 and happens in Sterling, New York, each summer. Like all Renaissance festivals, this event lets visitors enjoy a variety of food, crafts, performances, and comedy. This festival is set in the (fictional) village of Warwick in 1585 and features magicians, jugglers, and fortune-tellers. There is also a twice-daily parade, jousting, and archery. A number of artisans sell their wares, so you can pick up a souvenir from a glassblower, leatherworker, or bookbinder while at the fair. And of course, there are plenty of medieval treats to try, including turkey legs, meat pies, and mead. Visitors are encouraged to come dressed in costume. So don your favourite Renaissance garb and plan for a weekend of fun!
Sterling Renaissance Festival
Address: 15385 Farden Rd, Sterling, NY
Website: Sterling Renaissance Festival
Takes place: July to August
Price: From 25 USD
2. Hudson Valley Garlic Festival
If you’re a garlic lover, then you absolutely must make a trip to Hudson Valley Garlic Festival. This festival happens in Saugerties, New York, every September. It’s America’s second-largest festival devoted to garlic and features around 100 garlic growers. There is, as expected, plenty of garlic to purchase and loads of garlic-themed food to try. Where else will you get the chance to try garlic ice cream? Of course, the festival offers plenty more to enjoy. Live bands play throughout the weekend, chefs and lecturers share tips on growing garlic, and there is a variety of artisans selling their arts and crafts. It’s certainly a unique festival!
Hudson Valley Garlic Festival
Address: Small World Ave, Saugerties, NY
Website: Hudson Valley Garlic Festival
Takes place: Usually held in September
Price: 10 USD
3. Adirondack Film Festival
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The film buffs out there won’t want to miss Adirondack Film Festival. Every October, directors, actors, and movie lovers flood the streets of downtown Glens Falls, New York, to see the year’s submissions. More than 100 films are screened across multiple screens and multiple venues in town. In addition to the screenings, there are panel discussions and parties throughout the event so you can socialise. Every genre, from comedy to drama to shorts, is shown, so you’re bound to catch at least one flick you’ll love.
Adirondack Film Festival
Address: 50 Elm St, Glens Falls, NY
Website: Adirondack Film Festival
Takes place: October
Price: From 30 USD
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4. Finger Lakes Wine Festival
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Every summer, wine fanatics from Upstate New York head to Watkins Glen for Finger Lakes Wine Festival. The Finger Lakes region of New York is well-known for its wine and many wineries, so it’s no surprise that it’s home to a wine festival. The celebration brings together more than 90 wineries, providing visitors the opportunity to try plenty of reds, whites, and rosés. In addition to the wine itself, there is live music, artisans selling arts and crafts, and culinary classes to take. The festival even starts off with Launch of the Lakes, a party where dressing up as Bacchus, the god of wine, is encouraged. The weekend kicks off with wine tasting, live music, and a costume contest.
Finger Lakes Wine Festival
Address: 2790 Country Route 16, Watkins Glen, NY
Website: Finger Lakes Wine Festival
Takes place: July
Price: From 45 USD
5. Spiedie Festival and Balloon Rally
Located in Binghamton, New York, Spiedie Festival and Balloon Rally is one of America’s largest hot-air balloon rallies. The festival lasts three days and brings in more than 100,000 visitors. The hot-air balloons, which come in all shapes and sizes, are launched throughout the weekend, and you can even arrange to take a ride in one and enjoy the festivities from the sky. There’s also live music and a car show, as well as celebrity meet-and-greets. So what’s a spiedie anyway? Well, it’s a marinated cube of meat that’s skewered and cooked on a grill. It originated in Italy and has since become a popular dish in the area. So grab a meat stick and watch the balloons sail by!
Spiedie Festival and Balloon Rally
Address: Otsiningo Park, Binghamton, NY
Website: Spiedie Festival and Balloon Rally
Takes place: Usually held in August
Price: From 20 USD
6. Bemus Point Fall Fest
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Do you love the crisp weather, colourful leaves, and cosy drinks that come with autumn? Then you’ll fit right in at Bemus Point Fall Fest. The charming small town of Bemus Point welcomes visitors to its streets to enjoy a market, food stalls, pony rides, and live music. The town sits on Chautauqua Lake, so you can also enjoy an autumnal stroll along the shore. The weekend fair includes a fireworks display and is a family-friendly event. It’s the perfect way to embrace the cooler weather!
Bemus Point Fall Fest
Address: Bemus Point, NY
Website: Bemus Point Fall Fest
Takes place: September
7. Chenango Arts Colorscape Festival
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Occurring each September in Norwich, New York, Chenango Arts Colorscape Festival features a variety of arts and fine crafts for sale. More than 100 artists display their work, and the selection of exhibitors is juried—meaning a panel selects the best of the best. In addition to finding unique gifts, you can watch live music, watch artist demonstrations, and eat some good food. And to top it all off, the entire event is free!
Chenango Arts Colorscape Festival
Address: Norwich, NY
Website: Chenango Arts Colorscape Festival
Takes place: September
Price: Free
8. New York Festival of Balloons
That’s right, reader, there’s not one but two hot-air balloon festivals on the list! New York Festival of Balloons happens every Labor Day Weekend in Dansville, New York. The festival got its start in 1982, and today it brings in 35,000 visitors per year. You can watch the colourful balloons floating above you or even take a ride in one. And, of course, there’s plenty more to enjoy, including food stalls, a car show, and even axe-throwing.
New York Festival of Balloons
Address: Dansville Municipal Airport, Dansville, NY
Website: New York Festival of Balloons
Takes place: Labor Day Weekend
Price: 5 USD
9. Rochester Lilac Festival
Flower lovers flock to Rochester, New York, each May for Rochester Lilac Festival. This festival happens in Highland Park, where over 1,800 lilac bushes and more than 500 different lilac varieties grow. A parade kicks off the festival, and then visitors are welcome to walk amongst the sweet-smelling plants. The park’s arboretum is open, and there is live music, food vendors, and even a Family Fun Run. This event is a lovely way to bask in the glory of spring and enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature.
Rochester Lilac Festival
Address: 180 Reservoir Ave, Rochester, NY
Website: Rochester Lilac Festival
Takes place: May
Price: Free
10. Lowville Cream Cheese Festival
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The list ends with one for the cheese lovers out there—Lowville Cream Cheese Festival. This festival has been running for 15 years and happens in downtown Lowville each September. The festival is devoted to providing visitors with excellent food and also has live music and stalls from local businesses to peruse. There’s even a recipe contest, where people whip up cream-cheese-based dishes in the hopes of winning the first-place prize. There are also games to enjoy and a park for kids to play in. If you’re devoted to the tangy, creamy delight that is cream cheese, then this is a festival you can’t miss!
Lowville Cream Cheese Festival
Address: Historic Downtown Lowville, NY
Website: Lowville Cream Cheese Festival
Takes place: September
Price: Free
Festivals galore in Upstate New York
Whether you want to delight in the colors of autumn, smell the lilacs in spring, check out the latest films, or simply eat lots of cream cheese, Upstate New York has a festival for you! So pick your favourite and start planning for the upcoming festival season!
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