Fall Festival Season in CNY: Check Out Some of the Mohawk Valley’s Fall Festivals
There’s a running joke that CNY has two seasons—snow and construction. But we’re one of the rare states to experience four seasons. So down your pumpkin spice latte, button up your favorite flannel, and strap the kids in the minivan. It’s time to close out the summer at one of the area’s fall festivals. From apples to pumpkins to sunflowers, there is a festival or two with your name on it.
Once a celebration of the final and bountiful harvest, fall festivals now represent one last party before welcoming in the winter. These magical festivals have a few things to capture your pumpkin-flavored brains—shopping for local crafts and goods, live music, food trucks, and lots of apple cider donuts.
We’re huge fans of fall festivals and wanted to create a list to help you find the perfect day trip for your family.
Fall and Harvest Festivals in the 315
September
The 3rd Annual Sunflower Festival is a 2-day festival, perfect for the whole family. Shop local vendors while listening to live music. Your kids will enjoy a variety of games and activities. Stop by one of the food vendors, or help support the Remsen FFA, which will also offer food. Entry is $5 per person, which includes two stems per person, or $15 per carload with six stems included. Additional stems are available for $1 a piece.
📍Location: Simple Farms. 8828 Fish Hatchery Rd., Remsen.
🗓️Date: 9/20 and 9/21.
⌚Time: 10 am to 5 pm. 11 am to 4 pm.
Need your Adirondack fix? The 32nd Annual Inlet Fall Festival should be your fall bucket list. You’ll find plenty of craft vendors selling everything from jewelry to furniture. Enjoy music both days while your kids watch jugglers, get their faces painted, and get a balloon animal. There’s plenty of food, drink, and beer to keep you fueled to explore the festival. Admission is free, and there are free shuttles to help get you to and from the parking lots around town.
📍Location: Fern Park, Inlet.
🗓️Date: 9/20 and 9/21.
⌚Time: 10 am to 4 pm. 10 am to 3 pm.
The next festival is for all the nature lovers. The Fall Migration Festival in Canastota offers a variety of exhibits and entertainment for the whole family. Play on the natural playground and check out the live animal exhibits, including a petting zoo and a bald eagle. Refeed on their famous chicken BBQ or check out some of the great local vendors. Admission is $4 per adult and $1 per child.
📍Location: Great Swamp Conservancy, 8375 N. Main St., Canastota.
🗓️Date: 9/20.
⌚Time: 10 am to 3 pm.
Need a unique date night? Check out the Bacon & Brew Fest in Gloversville. Visit over 40 vendors while listening to live music. Ok… You got me. The best part is the vendors with bacon samples or foods and, of course, the beer garden by Stump City Brewing, Mean Max Brew Works, and Second Act Spirits. The beer garden is 21+, and admission is $5 per person for the beer garden.
📍Location: Trail Station Park, 10 West St., Gloversville.
🗓️Date: 9/20.
⌚Time: 4 pm to 9 pm.
Next, head to Rome for the 4th Annual Rome Fall Fest at Wood Creek Hollow. Rome puts a spin on their festival, offering a variety of unique vendors, including jewelry, horror-inspired vendors, readers, and more. If you have dietary restrictions, you’ll even find gluten-free snacks. Entry is $5 per person, and children 5 and under are free.
📍Location: Wood Creek Hollow, 3986 Wood Creek Rd., Rome.
🗓️Date: 9/28.
⌚Time: 12 pm to 5 pm.
The Remsen Barn Fest is a time-honored tradition in the Mohawk Valley. Each year, vendors and entertainers gather for the masses. From events, exhibits, bake-offs, corn mazes, and plenty of local vendors to start your Christmas shopping, you’ll see why it’s THE festival of the season. Admission is free, but there are paid parking lots with shuttles to the festival.
📍Location: Main St., Remsen.
🗓️Date: 9/27 and 9/28.
⌚Time: 10 am to 6 pm. 10 am to 5 pm.
October
Join the Oneida police, fire, and parks departments for the 5th Annual Oneida Fall Fest\. Shop and enjoy over 80 vendors, activities, and even a hot air balloon. Play cornhole or join the pumpkin race. Keep fueled up with one of the food trucks and a hard cider.
📍Location: 223 Mott St., Oneida.
🗓️Date: 10/4.
⌚Time: 11 am to 5 pm.
MKJ Farms in Deansboro is celebrating its grand reopening with its 2025 Fall Festival. Bring the kids for vendors, animals, face painting, ATV rides, and more. Listen to the bands while enjoying local food trucks from BBQ to Spanish to lemonade.
📍Location: 6844 W. Hughes Rd., Deansboro.
🗓️Date: 10/25.
⌚Time: 9 am to 8 pm.
Towards the end of the season, don’t forget to enjoy the last few snow-free weekends. The Vernion Center Maple Park Fall Festival is the perfect fall send-off. Explore local vendors, food trucks, and activities while listening to Kickin’ it Up live. Admission is free.
📍Location: Vernon Center, Maple Park.
🗓️Date: 10/25.
⌚Time: 11 am to 7 pm.
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