The weather may be cooling down, but the fall festival season is heating up. Now is the time to gather, enjoy an array of cuisine and celebrate everything from heritage to harvest. Take a look at a sample of upcoming fall festivals and put a weekend in Syracuse on your itinerary.

 

SYRACUSE IRISH FESTIVAL

Sept. 6-7
Location: Clinton Square

You don't have to be Irish to experience the Syracuse Irish Festival. All things Irish will take over Clinton Square this weekend as bands fill Downtown with live music and vendors keep the Guinness flowing. This family-friendly event boasts a variety of Irish food, craft vendors and Irish step-dance performances. Don't miss out on this entertaining celebration. 

 

GOLDEN HARVEST FESTIVAL

Sept. 7-8
Location: Beaver Lake Nature Center

This old-fashioned, country fair-style event has something for everyone. Hands-on nature activities, horse-drawn hayrides, free canoeing, fresh doughnuts, live animal demonstrations, unique games, great shopping with local artists and crafters, and an eclectic mix of live music and entertainment round out the weekend. Audience participation has long been a mainstay of the program as visitors serve as both contestants and judges in the signature Living Scarecrow and Wild Critter Call contests. 

 

TAP INTO THE MOST

Sept. 13, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: The Museum of Science & Technology (M.o.S.T.), Downtown Syracuse

Join your friends at the museum's famed tasting event, featuring dozens of the best regional beers, wines, ciders and spirits as well as some of the Syracuse area's fave foods. Mix and mingle at The M.O.S.T., while enjoying an exclusive selection of the finest beverage and food pairings, with all proceeds supporting local educational programs and ongoing exhibit preservation efforts.

 

FESTA ITALIANA

Sept. 13-15
Location: Outside of City Hall, Downtown Syracuse

One of the area's top food festivals, Festa Italiana, returns from September 13th - 15th, 2024. Fill up on food from Avicolli's Italian Restaurant, desserts from Biscotti Cafe, or a variety of other vendors, and check out the entertainment schedule to catch one of the area acts performing on the main or second stage. 

 

KLEZFEST CNY

Sept. 15, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Jewish Community Center of Syracuse

This annual festival is a joyful celebration of Jewish music, food, culture, and community, proudly standing as the only entirely kosher Jewish festival in Upstate New York. Experience the rich traditions with a friendly kugel bake-off, all while enjoying the lively atmosphere as Emmy award-winning songwriter and music producer Hughie Stone-Fish emcees the event. Don’t miss out on this special day filled with flavor, fun, and a strong sense of community.

 

AUTUMN EQUINOX FESTIVAL

Sept. 21 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location: Long Branch Park, Liverpool

Celebrate the autumn equinox and Pagan Pride Day with drumming, dancing and music. People of all religions are welcome to this fun festival and admission is just a non-perishable food item donation for the Food Bank of Central New York. Shop around an array of vendors for everything from crystals and hand-forged jewelry to furniture and art prints. Get your tarot cards read or speak to a psychic medium. This unique festival is a great way to celebrate the autumn equinox.

 

SYRACUSE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Sept. 20-22
Location: Manlius Cinema 

Lights, camera, action! Gather your friends and head to the Syracuse International Film Festival for three days of cinematic magic. As the festival marks its 21st anniversary, you'll be treated to a diverse lineup of incredible films, thought-provoking discussions, and insights from industry professionals. Whether you're a film buff or just looking for a unique way to spend the weekend, this event promises an unforgettable celebration of the art of filmmaking.

 

WESTCOTT STREET CULTURAL FAIR

Sept. 22, 12:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Location: Westcott

Come down to Syracuse’s vibrant Westcott neighborhood for the Westcott Street Cultural Fair, a one-day festival full of community celebration. Vendors and booths will line Westcott Street and various stages will feature everything from live music to belly dancing performances. Pick up a local good, enjoy a great array of food or watch the festival kick-off with a festive parade down Westcott Street. 

 

SYRACUSE INNER HARBOR FESTIVAL

Sept. 27-28
Location: Syracuse Inner Harbor

Get ready for a fun-filled weekend at the Syracuse Inner Harbor! This two-day festival has something for everyone, from thrilling dragon boat races supporting Clear Path for Veterans to family-friendly activities like food trucks, live music, carnival rides, and yard games. Stroll through craft vendors, participate in a 5K race, and witness the unique dragon boat eye dotting ceremony. Cap off your day with a spectacular fireworks display and enjoy all the excitement on the water.

 

CHUCK HAFNER’S FALL FESTIVAL

Sept. 28 - Oct. 20
Location: Chuck Hafner’s, North Syracuse

This family fall fest runs from September 28th, through October 20th. While many activities like the petting zoo, the straw maze, putt-putt golf and the new giant corn pit are open daily throughout the week, there are special events like free live shows, magical demonstrations, carnival games, paintball, live animal exhibitions and so much more to enjoy every weekend!

 

BALLPARK BREWFEST

Oct. 5 All day
Location: NBT Bank Stadium, Home of the Syracuse Mets

Head out to the Ballpark — not for a game, but rather some brews! Sample over 80 unique craft beers from an array of breweries. Check out the "Keeping it Local" Corner and try some of the best brews and ciders from the 315 area code. Breweries such as Bull Finch Brewing, Eastwood, Meier's Creek, Underground Beer Lab and more will be in attendance! Get your tickets for the Ballpark Brewfest today!

 

RETROGAMECON

Oct. 11-13
Location: The Oncenter, Downtown Syracuse

The Oncenter hosts RetroGameCon (RGC), Upstate New York’s largest game expo and New York State’s largest game expo. This epic three day event celebrates all things video games and includes vendors, artists, developers, and collectible vendors. Children 10 and under will receive free admission. 

 

LAFAYETTE APPLE FESTIVAL

Oct. 12-13
Location: 244 Tully Farms Road, Lafayette 

Join in on this 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 Lafayette Apple Festival. Rides, crafts, a food court and pie baking contests are staples of this festival.

 

ZOO BOO

Oct. 12-28, Saturday's and Sundays ONLY
Location: Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Burnet Park

Join the zoo for a "kooky-not-spooky" daytime Halloween celebration every weekend from October 12th - 28th, 2024. The zoo transforms into a hauntingly fun destination for the whole family with trick-or-treat stations, creepy crawly animal encounters, keeper chats, games, activities, photo ops and costume parade! So, wear your costumes and bring your treat bags for this fall-favorite event!

 

Seriously Syracuse