Sunflower Festival
Poughquag
August 30–September 2
During summer’s last stretch, over 100,000 sunflowers bloom brightly at Barton Orchards. This festival features a hayride through the field, pick your own flowers, and a photo op. Plan to spend the day: Barton boasts a variety of local brews on tap, serves legendary lobster rolls, hosts live music, and runs a petting zoo.
Hot Air Balloon Festival
Union Vale
August 31–September 2
Look to the skies as colorful hot air balloons ascend, or, if you’re feeling brave, take a ride in one, full-flight or tethered. On the ground, check out the fireworks, live entertainment, and illuminated balloon shows.
Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair
New Paltz
August 31–September 2
Peruse works from potters, painters, leatherworkers, and a variety of other makers at this biannual craft fair at the Ulster County Fairgrounds. In addition to art, look out for children’s activities, artisan demonstrations, live music, and food and drink vendors.
Festival of Books
Spencertown
August 31–September 2
Browse over 15,000 gently used books (plus vinyl, CDs, and more) at Spencertown Academy Arts Center’s 19th annual festival. Free-to-attend author presentations by writers such as Ruth Reichl and Martin Baron will also be held on-site, with a visit from The Very Hungry Caterpillar for the kiddos.
Hooley on the Hudson
Kingston
September 1
Celebrate all things Irish culture at the 23rd annual Hooley on the Hudson. The daylong event is set to feature a parade, step dancing, live music, children’s activities, and more at TR Gallo Memorial Park on Rondout Creek.
Catskill Flyer
Kingston
September 2, 7, 14
All aboard the Catskill Mountain Railroad! Embark on a 90-minute trip that goes from Uptown Kingston to Hurley Mountain and back, closing out the company’s summer season. Trains depart at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Barks & Brews
Yonkers
September 5, 6–8 p.m.
Take your pup to the Ridge Hill Dog Park for an evening of games, treats for dogs, and pints from The Bronx Beer Hall.
Tales of the Hudson
Stony Point
September 7
Learn the lore of the Hudson Valley from master storyteller Jonathan Kruk accompanied by musician Steve Kelman. All ages will be enraptured as they discover their local history, dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.
Walkway Talks: Where the Waters are Never Still
Highland
September 7, 2:30–3:30 p.m.
At the Ulster Welcome Center at the Highland side of the Walkway Over the Hudson, learn about the relationship between people and local rivers in the late 17th century. This event is free for all ages and presented by Historic Huguenot Street.
Farm Yoga
Fishkill
September 7, 14, 21, 28, 9 a.m.
Did you know that Fishkill Farms hosts a plein air yoga session every Saturday? Classes are taught by RedTail Power Yoga on a covered deck overlooking the property. Check-in begins every week at 8:40 a.m. at the outdoor cider bar; classes must be purchased online in advance.
Modern Makers Market
Cold Spring
September 7–8
This showcase of over 50 artisans, musicians, and food vendors takes place at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on Chestnut Street. Admission is free; the market happens rain or shine.
Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest
Rhinebeck
September 7–8
Find your inner sommelier and head to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds to taste wines from over 300 vendors. This premiere showcase will feature a craft beer tent, gourmet food trucks, and demonstrations from celebrity chefs and mixologists. One-day tickets are $50, or for $90 you can enjoy the whole weekend.
Fall Crafts at Lyndhurst
Tarrytown
September 13–15
Shop handmade ceramics vessels, glass jewelry, oil paintings, and more at this annual art market. After browsing the wares, explore the historic mansion’s 67 acres (included in your entry ticket).
Cheese Festival
Monroe
September 14
Don’t miss Monroe’s annual Cheese Festival where you can try bites from local eateries and food trucks, watch street performances, and shop vendors and crafters. Admission is free.
Moon Festival
Port Jervis
September 14–15
Returning for its ninth year, the Moon Festival is one of the largest multicultural events in the region. Connect with the community while celebrating one of China’s most important holidays. Throughout the weekend, tune in to traditional Chinese music, try moon cakes and other dishes, and make lanterns and lucky moon rabbits with the kids.
Haverstraw Food Crawl
Haverstraw
September 15
Come hungry to the Haverstraw Food Crawl, where you can sample small plates from over 20 diverse restaurants while enjoying live music from a variety of artists.
Bountiful Harvest Celebration
Otisville
September 20
Enjoy a meal from local farms, hop on a hay wagon, and feast your eyes on a celebrity cow milking contest at this farm-to-table fundraiser that supports the development of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County’s Education Center and 4-H Park.
Weekend of Wallkill
Wallkill
September 20–21
Look forward to games, contests, a vendor fair, food, and more, all on the public library lawn.
East Fishkill Community Day
East Fishkill
September 21
East Fishkill’s Community Day will offer fun and entertainment for the whole family. The parade will start at 2 p.m., and throughout the afternoon there will be live music, vendors, a car show, games, inflatable activities, food trucks, and fireworks.
Albany Book Festival
Albany
September 21
The University at Albany and the New York State Writers Institute present a day-long celebration of reading and writing packed with workshops and lectures from authors near and far.
Pawling 24 Hour Trail Running Festival
Pawling
September 21–22
Test your endurance with the 24-Hour Trail Running Festival, where you can run in a timed 24-hour, 12-hour, 6-hour, or 3-hour race. Whether racing or spectating, soak up the community vibe, food, and music as you wait to see if anyone will finish 100 miles and earn the coveted commemorative belt buckle (in three years of hosting the festival, only one runner has been awarded a buckle so far).
Grape Stomping Festival
New Paltz
September 21–22, 28–29
Jump feet first into Robibero Winery’s annual Grape Stomping Festival. After crushing your own grapes, enjoy wine tasting, wood-fire pizza, a bonfire, and lawn games.
Bear Mountain Oktoberfest
Tomkins Cove
September 21–22, 28–29
Prost! Pop over to Bear Mountain for the state’s largest Oktoberfest. Experience a host of German traditions: drink from a beer stein, eat schnitzel, and don your finest lederhosen.
Bike for Cancer Care 5K Run/Walk
Kingston
September 22
Grab your helmet and tackle a 12-, 25-, or 50-mile cycling route to support the Benedictine Health Foundation in lightening the financial burden placed on those diagnosed with cancer. Biking not your thing? You can make a difference by running or walking a 5K, donating, or volunteering.
Paws & Pars Classic Jubilee
Campbell Hall
September 23
Tee off at the Otterkill Country Club to support the Humane Society of Walden. The day starts with a continental breakfast at 9 a.m. and finishes with a dinner for all golfers at 3 p.m. Registration ends on September 13.
Best of Hudson Valley Party
Poughkeepsie
September 26, 6–9 p.m.
Join us at the DoubleTree by Hilton to congratulate the winners of our 2024 Best of Hudson Valley Awards! The evening will be filled with live music and local food and drink vendors; tickets can be purchased online.
Hudson River Craft Beer Festival
Beacon
September 28
Head to River Front Park to sample from a selection of 100+ craft beers, jam out to live music, and snack on local foods at this annual festival.
Walk Over the Hudson
Poughkeepsie
September 28
This day tour starts at the Walkway Over the Hudson—for breathtaking views of the river and foliage—then heads to Shadows on the Hudson for an indulgent gourmet meal with more river views. You will end the day at Soukup Farms in Dover Plains for a hayride and maple syrup taste test.
Hudson Valley Garlic Festival
Saugerties
September 28–29
Celebrate the harvest season at the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival at Cantine Memorial Field, where you can buy, eat, and learn to cook with garlic. The event will feature live music and a marketplace for crafts and fresh vegetables.
Capital Apple & Wine Festival
Chatham
September 28–29
Head to the Columbia County Fairgrounds for family-friendly activities, tethered hot air balloon rides, food vendors, local wines, and apples in all forms—from cider to donuts.
Young at Art
Foreland, Catskill
Rolling basis
In the face of nationwide funding shortages for youth art programs, one Hudson Valley organization is working to increase access to creative education for local children. Foreland, a contemporary arts campus in Catskill that was created by and for artists, is partnering with Cone Zero Ceramics studio (also in Catskill) to offer the Foreland Youth Sponsorship. Funded by Foreland, the program covers a semester-long package (valued at $180) of classes, materials, and studio time with teachers at Cone Zone for six local children each year. The first two sponsorship recipients, selected by Cone Zone in collaboration with the art teacher at Catskill Middle School, began their classes in April. Moving forward, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; students may participate during the school year or in summer sessions. To learn more, visit conezeroceramics.com. – Charlotte Del Vecchio
Tours Through Time
Across Westchester County
Through December
Calling all history buffs! Historic Hudson Valley (HHV), Westchester’s largest cultural organization, invites you to embark on guided tours through the end of the year of four National Historic Landmarks: Kykuit, the Rockefeller estate in Sleepy Hollow; Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow; Washington Irving’s Sunnyside in Irvington; and Union Church of Pocantico Hills. All will be open on select days through December 22 (Kykuit’s season ends November 10) for tours covering the properties’ unique historic, artistic, and cultural significance. HHV encourages attendees to purchase tickets online in advance; to secure your spot and learn more about each site, visit hudsonvalley.org. – Megan Wilson
Related: Bike, Run, or Walk Your Way Along the Hudson Valley’s Rail Trails
