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We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. There are a ton of things to do in the Hudson Valley each month. September is an especially exciting month in the area, as fall festivities begin in the way of apple picking, outdoor festivals, leaf-peeper day trips, Halloween-themed attractions (a little early, but we’re not complaining), and so much more.
To help scout out the best events in the Valley, we reached out to local tourism directors from Albany to Westchester for their top picks for things to do. Check out their selections, then get planning!
Albany County
Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival
Jennings Landing, Albany
September 14, 12–8 p.m.
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Now in its 19th year, the Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival features a wealth of jazz artists from all over the Hudson Valley. From up-and-coming artists to local favorites, the concert showcases world-class music all day, along with great food and beverages. Admission is free, and everyone is invited.
Albany Book Festival
University at Albany, Albany
September 21, 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Presented by the New York State Writers Institute, the 2024 Albany Book Festival returns to the University at Albany. The event features bestselling authors, panel discussions, book-signing sessions, and even online workshops for aspiring writers. Not only is the event free, but it’s open to the public at the University’s uptown campus.
PearlPalooza
North Pearl St, Albany
September 21, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
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The highly anticipated PearlPalooza is downtown Albany’s take on a stacked music festival, right in the heart of the city at North Pearl Street. Now in its 15th installment, the festival is co-hosted by WEXQ, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District, and Sugar Productions. The all-day event will feature musical performances that are free for all, along with yoga and high-quality vendors.
Columbia County
Oldtone Roots Music Festival
Cool Whisper Farm, North Hillsdale
September 5–8
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Don’t miss the headlining act Los Texmaniacs at this year’s Oldtone Roots Music Festival. The conjunto band created by Max Baca in 1997 won a Grammy Award for Tejano album of the year Border y Bailes. Other big names at the festival include Foghorn Stringband, JP Harris, The Deslondes, Dumpster Debbie, and many more.
Climate Carnival
Columbia County Fairgrounds, Chatham
September 14, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
A carnival like no other, Columbia County’s Climate Carnival features a number of planet-saving events and programs. Head to the Repair Café to get your broken things fixed, pick up used items at the Free Store, find out how to compost at the Compost Compound, and recycle your bike or take someone else’s. Entertainment and great eats will also be provided, and a birds of prey exhibit is perfect for the kids.
Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
Copake Country Club, Craryville
September 21, 1–4 p.m.
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The sixth annual Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival returns to Columbia County at the Copake Country Club. Foodies and beer lovers won’t want to miss this event for a day filled with yummy eats, ice-cold brews, lawn games, live music, and more family fun.
Dutchess County
Bannerman Castle Farm to Table Dinner
Bannerman Castle, Beacon
September 7
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Enjoy a five-course dinner on an island this September at Bannerman Castle in Beacon. Chef Noah Sheetz, along with his team of experts, will prepare this special dinner as the Storm King Duo performs a magical music show. Explore the island, enjoy a meal, and catch a show all in one place at this event.
Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival
Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck
September 7-8
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The Dutchess County Fair has packed up shop and left Rhinebeck and the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival is taking its place. The event is a true celebration of the region’s wineries, distilleries, breweries, cideries, and gourmet food producers. Get a taste of everything the Valley has to offer at the one-stop shop this September.
Traveling Vietnam Wall
Bowdoin Park, Wappingers Falls
September 18–22
Presented by the Dutchess County Office of Veterans Affairs, the American Veterans Traveling Tribute Traveling Vietnam Wall is coming to Bowdoin Park. The wall is an 80-percent replica of the original Vietnam Veterans Wall Memorial in Washington D.C., with the names of the U.S. military personnel who died in the Vietnam War. The wall will be open to visitors around the clock while it is in town, and a full series of events and tributes will be held during this time.
Orange County
Pick Your Own Apples & Live Music Weekends
Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery, Warwick
September 7–29, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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Pick your own bushel of apples in Warwick this September. Head to Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery to wander through the orchards, fill your bag with the season’s best apples, and enjoy the crisp, fresh air. Visit on the weekend for the sounds of live music to go with your early autumn fun.
Moon Festival
New Century Festivals, Port Jervis
September 14-15
A mid-autumn tradition, the Moon Festival in Port Jervis showcases a dazzling array of performances, including the dragon and lion dances, traditional Chinese music, and classic Chinese dance. Celebrate the festival with moon cakes, regional Chinese delicacies, and dishes from other Asian countries. Activities like origami, face painting, lantern crafts, and more will keep the kids entertained all weekend.
Pure Terror Scream Park
Museum Village, Monroe
Starting September 21
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Get into the October spirit early at Pure Terror Scream Park this fall. One of the most frightening haunted attractions in Orange County, the scream park is a spine-chilling event that features multiple haunted houses that are guaranteed to terrify.
Putnam County
German American Social Club of Peekskill’s Annual Oktoberfest
Kramer’s Pond Rd, Putnam Valley
September 14-15
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Head to the giant party tent in Putnam Valley this September to celebrate Oktoberfest. Presented by the German American Social Club of Peekskill, the event includes continuous entertainment, a beer stein-holding competition, and a variety of German and American foods.
Putnam County Wine & Food Fest
Wells Park, Village of Brewster
September 21-22
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Neighboring communities of Dutchess, Putnam, and Westchester Counties are invited to the 13th annual Putnam County Wine & Food Fest. The event features arts and crafts, engaging cooking and mixology demonstrations, and plenty of local spirits producers in one space. Families are invited to bring their kids to make sand art, get their faces painted, and play on the playground, while live music sets the ambiance.
Putnam County Feast of San Gennaro
Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park, Carmel
September 26–29
In its inaugural year, the San Gennaro Italian Festival makes its way to Putnam County. A popular event in the city and in Westchester, Carmel’s first installment will include live entertainment, delicious food, beer, wine, rides, and games.
Rockland County
Septemberfest Street Fair
Downtown Nyack
September 8, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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Browse over 200 vendors at Nyack’s annual Septemberfest Street Fair. From jewelry to art to antiques, find whatever you’re on the hunt for in the beautiful riverside village. Live entertainment, food, outdoor dining, kids’ activities, and more highlight the day.
Phoenix Festival
Nyack
September 12–22
The Phoenix Theatre Ensemble presents this festival of world-class professional live theater, music, dance, and more. This celebration of arts and culture takes place in the beautiful riverside village of Nyack and features both indoor and outdoor performances that showcase local culture.
Haverstraw Food Crawl
Haverstraw
September 15, 1–5 p.m.
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To celebrate its diverse culinary community, Haverstraw Riverwide Arts and the Village of Haverstraw have teamed up to present this restaurant crawl to the foodies of the Hudson Valley and beyond. The day consists of music, food, and family fun, with over 20 local restaurants.
Westchester County
Lyndhurst’s Fall Craft Show
Lyndhurst Mansion, Tarrytown
September 13–15
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This fall show gives you all the more reason to visit Lyndhurst Mansion this September. Visitors can immerse themselves in a world of craftsmanship on the stunning and picturesque grounds of the historic site as they explore exquisite artworks from a variety of talented artists.
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
Van Cortlandt Manor, Croton-on-Hudson
September 13 – November 17
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Van Cortlandt’s historic grounds will be filled to the brim with carved pumpkins at the annual Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze. Magnificent displays of over 7,000 illuminated jack o’lanterns that have been hand-carved onsite by a team of artisans will light up the night sky. This year’s show will include the new Gourd & Goblet Tavern and other gourd-eous decorations.
Back to School! Family Block Party
Katonah Museum of Art, Katonah
September 14, 12–3 p.m.
Celebrate the arrival of fall in Katonah this September. This family block party is fun for everyone with music, collaborative art projects, bubble wands, and more activities at the community-wide event.
Related: Your Official Hudson Valley Apple Picking Farm Guide
