The summer season brings its own array of food-centric events throughout the region. For those who travel far and wide to experience the Hudson Valley’s best culinary creations, these festivals and fairs bring all the heavy hitters together in one place. Eat refreshing lobster rolls, sample deep-fried fair food, and sip the area’s most renowned wines, ciders, and beers at these happenings.
Balaboosta’s Summer Picnic
Starlite Motel, Kerhonkson
July 8, 4-8 p.m.
Acclaimed chef, Balaboosta owner, and Hudson Valleyite Einat Admony hosts a special pop-up for food lovers in the Hudson Valley. Purchase tickets, which are available in hourly slots for $75 apiece, to savor succulent meats and produce prepared with Israeli and Middle Eastern flavors. Live music adds to the festivities.
Putnam County Wine & Food Festival
Wells Park, Brewster
August 5-6
Live music, exhibits, and games mark the phenomenal Putnam County Wine & Food Festival. Held at the scenic Wells Park, this Brewster event features beautiful views of the Hudson River. Two days of tastings await, including the region’s most prominent cider and spirits producers. Art exhibits and crafts present fun for the entire family. Bring comfortable lawn chairs and picnic blankets for the ultimate open-air foodie extravaganza.
Blueberry Festival
Canal St and Liberty Sq, Ellenville
August 12, 9-4 p.m.
Summertime in the Hudson Valley means fresh produce, and this Ulster County fest has juicy fruit in spades. Celebrate blueberry season at Ellenville’s iconic blueberry festival. The fair boasts hundreds of vendors, featuring delicious pies, fluffy pancakes, perfect jams, and everything else one could imagine.
Dutchess County Fair
Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck
August 22-27
Though this iconic summer event isn’t a food festival per se, anyone who has ever been knows that old-fashioned fair food takes center stage. Massive French fries, creamy ice cream, savory fried dough, and increasingly unique and experimental creations will not leave a single festival-goer hungry. If you’re craving even more carnival concoctions, explore our guide to county fairs throughout the Hudson Valley.
Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest
Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck
September 9-10
Taste your way through the region’s finest wineries, distilleries, and cideries. More than 100 producers showcase their very best. Pair beverages with lunch from one of the many local food trucks and vendors set up at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds. Plus, shop crafts and wares to deck out your home kitchen.
Let the Good Times Roll
Fun seafood-themed events around the region this season.
Oyster Party
Throughout the Hudson Valley
All summer
Snack on oysters at various hotspots—like Rose Hill Farm in Red Hook, Stella’s Fine Market in Beacon, West Kill Brewing, and much more—for the entire summer. Oyster Party serves up lobster rolls and oyster platters every Friday–Sunday at Backbar in Hudson. For an updated lineup, find them on Instagram @oysterparty.
Real Maine Lobster Bake
Windham
Through Labor Day
Bring your bibs to the mountains: Every weekend, lobsters are shipped overnight from Rockland, Maine, to the Catskills. On Saturdays from 5–7 p.m., dive into deep-fried lobsters, shrimp cocktails, smoked and barbecued meats, and more. Find them on Facebook.
7th Annual Sal Cracciolo Memorial
Newburgh
August 6
The local chapter of UNICO National is serving up steamed clams, mussels marinara, pasta, chicken dishes, desserts, and much more. Live music and games are planned. Rain or shine; find ticket info and more on Facebook.
Hudson River Seafood Festival
Majed J. Nesheiwat Convention Center, Poughkeepsie
August 19-20
Enjoy two days full of seafood—like lobster rolls, clams, and oysters—along the water, while sipping local spirits and beers and rocking out to cover bands. Find them on Facebook.
Catskills Conductors Clambake
Livingston Manor
September
The owners of barbecue hotspot The Smoke Joint are hosting the third annual clambake this month (date TBD at press time). Expect littleneck clams, potatoes, and sweet corn, plus shrimp, barbecue, and craft cocktails. Also enjoy live music and various vendors. Find them on Instagram @conductorsclambake.
