October Events & Activities

September in Onondaga County started the fall season out perfectly. However, we're only just getting warmed up.

October in Syracuse, NY is special for many reasons. We're hitting peak foliage season, there are plenty of ways to get spooky and festive, and a ton of fall-themed events to keep us busy, so let's get into it. Here are the best 2024 Fall activities this October in the 315.

Fall Festival at Abbott Farms

Weekends until October 30

Fall Festival weekends continue throughout October at Abbott Farms. Wristbands will be available to purchase to gain access to autumn activities including apple picking, corn mazes, wagon rides, hay climbs, and more. Head over Saturday's 10:00 am - 4:00 pm and Sunday's 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm. With special theme days weekly, there's something fun happening for everyone.

Fright Nights

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday During October!

Fright Nights is a one-of-a-kind haunted experience right here in Syracuse. If you're brave enough, venture through 5 different themed haunted houses including a Penny's Playhouse and the Devil's Dungeon Slide to Hell. Tickets can be purchased for $45 for all 5 houses. Food and drinks can be bought there as well. Get ready for a scare!

Critz Farms Fall Harvest Celebration

Now - October 25

Running through October 25, Critz Farms celebrates its Fall Harvest Celebration. Experience the quintessential fall season on the Farm, the perfect place to bring the family and soak in everything fall has to offer. Enjoy pumpkin picking, delicious, handcrafted beverages, wagon rides, and of course our famous corn maze! Weekend tickets are $10, and weekday tickets are $6. Children under the age of 2 are free.

RetroGameCon 2026

October 2 - 4

The Oncenter's Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center hosts RetroGameCon (RGC), New York’s State's largest gaming event. This epic three-day event celebrates all things gaming and includes vendors, artists, vintage computers, esports tournaments, cosplay, tabletop gaming, and more. A 3-day ticket is around $60 dollars plus tax and children 10 and under will receive free admission.

Lafayette Apple Festival

October 10 - 11

Join in on this community celebration of all things apple. Apple cider, apple fritters, apple pie, apple dumplings, and apple donuts are a few of the many apple-centric foods and drinks available at the 53rd Annual LaFayette Apple Festival. Family-friendly rides, crafts, live entertainment, a food court, and pie-baking contests are staples of this festival. Admission is $6 per person with those 12 and under free. Parking is also free.

Zoo Boo

Two full Weekends in October

Visit the Rosamond Gifford Zoo during weekends in October between 17, 18, 24 & 25th for Zoo Boo. This "kooky not spooky" Halloween event includes all the fun of the zoo plus trick-or-treat stations, games, activities, keeper chats, and more. Costumes are encouraged for all ages. The themed weekends are TBA, but past themes have been Superheroes, Witches & Wizards, and Your favorite movie or TV character.

Spooktacular Stroll

Fridays - Sundays During October

Spooktacular Stroll, a family-friendly walk-thru experience! This not-so-scary 1/2 mile walk on a paved path at Long Branch Park in Liverpool, brings a fantasy Halloween world to life through large wooden structures and LED light displays. Themed areas include Witch's Way, the Ghost Barnyard, the Pumpkin Patch, Skeleton Graveyard, the Dinosaur Dungeon, and more! There will also be food trucks in the park to grab a treat or dinner before or after. Thursdays are Dog-O-Ween nights, Fridays and Saturdays are Family Nights, and Sundays are Treats on the Trails nights.

Tim's Pumpkin Patch

All Season Long

Tim's Pumpkin Patch is welcoming guests for their 40th season. Tim's is the definition of how to spend a fall day in Central New York. This real working farm allows you to visit animals, participate in wagon rides and corn mazes, and enjoy other farm fun. At Tim's, family and friends can enjoy picking their pumpkins or choosing from a large display of pre-picked pumpkins, after that you can choose from a variety of baked goods made with farm-fresh ingredients, and a special weekly milkshake. Head to Tim's Pumpkin Patch Instagram to check out their live music all season long. For the first time ever celebrate Pumpkin Fest during the weekend of October 10th - 12th which requires you have pre-purchased tickets!

Enchanted Beaver Lake

Thursday, October 22 - Sunday, October 25

Head to Beaver Lake Nature Center to see more than 400 specially carved jack-o-lanterns of different shapes and sizes, plus 500 glowing luminaria lights the way along two winding wooded trails. Face painting, fortune telling, magic shows and storytelling add to the enchantment of the night. Enchanted Beaver Lake is the perfect October celebration and a must-see during pumpkin season. Tickets are $35 per vehicle.