September 5-November 3
Autumn Glow Lantern Festival
Historic Mabee Farm, Rotterdam Junction
Get ready to be enchanted at the Autumn Glow Lantern Festival. This family-friendly nighttime event will wow visitors with a dazzling display of more than 1,000 handmade Chinese lanterns, each crafted to capture the season’s essence. Visitors can soak in the otherworldly atmosphere on a luminescent night walk and learn about the culture and craftsmanship of traditional Chinese lantern festivals. There will also be live entertainment, a bounce house and yummy treats. Open Thursdays through Sundays. autumnglowfestival.com
September 19-22
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport, Queensbury
Every year, the Adirondack Balloon Festival draws more than 100,000 attendees eager to see a sea of vibrant hot air balloons take flight against a scenic southern Adirondack backdrop. Founded in 1973 to attract tourists to the region after Labor Day, the long-running, free event is one of the biggest balloon festivals in America, though it continues to be organized and run by a small core of dedicated volunteers. Balloon flights typically occur just after sunrise or close to sunset. adirondackballoonfest.org
September 21
Farm Aid
Saratoga Performing Arts Center
It’s a dream lineup: Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and more. For the first time since 2013, the daylong music and agricultural festival Farm Aid is returning to SPAC, and it could be one of the last opportunities to see Nelson, the 91-year-old country music legend who fell ill earlier this year. Since 1985, Farm Aid has raised more than $78 million to help small family farms throughout the US. spac.org
September 21
Porchfest Schenectady
GE Realty Plot, Schenectady
Consider this a homey alternative to some of fall’s bigger marquee events. Now in its second year, Porchfest invites music-lovers to Schenectady’s GE Realty Plot, a historic neighborhood where many General Electric researchers, executives and other employees once lived. Homeowners open up their porches to a dozen local musicians; listeners are welcome to stroll, stand or bring a lawn chair. Artists include up-and-coming singer-songwriter Angelina Valente, Mike Benedict Jazz Vibes and Brass Abbey. discoverschenectady.com
September 21-22
Sharon Springs Harvest Festival
Village of Sharon Springs
Fall is a great time to visit the charming Schoharie County village of Sharon Springs, and the community’s Harvest Festival celebrates both agricultural bounty and small-town hospitality. Once a fashionable spa resort, today Sharon Springs might be best known as the home of Beekman Farm, featured on the reality TV show The Fabulous Beekman Boys. The Harvest Festival will have food, beer, live music, local artisans and more. sharonspringsharvestfestival.com
September 24
Jelly Roll
MVP Arena, Albany
Named New Artist of the Year at the 2023 Country Music Association Awards, Jelly Roll has been on a major roll, and he brings his Beautifully Broken tour to MVP Arena this fall. A former rapper turned country star, Jelly Roll rose to prominence on the strength of his hits “Son of a Sinner” and “Need a Favor,” and sings movingly about his troubled past, which includes arrests for drug-dealing and aggravated robbery. He’ll appear in Albany with openers Warren Zeiders and Alexandra Kay. mvparena.com
September 28
Saratoga Giant PumpkinFest
Saratoga Springs City Center Parking Garage
Linus never saw the Great Pumpkin, but those attending the Spa City’s Giant PumpkinFest will see some very impressive gourds from throughout the Northeast. Growers will compete to see who produced the heaviest pumpkin at an official weigh-in. The event will take place next door to the Saratoga Farmers’ Market and feature food vendors and special exhibits. Taking selfies with the pumpkins is encouraged. saratoga.org
October 5-6
Saratoga Book Festival
Saratoga Springs
Fall is the perfect time to curl up with a good book, and this literary-themed festival celebrates all things reading and writing. The full lineup had yet to be announced at press time, but confirmed authors include Kelly Link, Paul Tremblay and Roxana Robinson. Events occur throughout the city in venues ranging from Caffè Lena to Universal Preservation Hall. There’s also a KidZone, with children’s and young adult authors, read-alouds and other activities. saratogabookfestival.org
October 11-13
Hadestown
Proctors, Schenectady
Proctors is the place in the Capital Region to see big Broadway productions, and one of fall’s highlights is Hadestown, the highly acclaimed, Tony Award–winning musical that retells the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in haunting and vibrant fashion. With music by folk singer Anais Mitchell, Hadestown opened on Broadway in 2019 and is still going strong. atproctors.org
October 11-13
Lake George Village Oktoberfest
Canada Street and Shepard Park
On Columbus Day weekend, the heart of Lake George will be transformed into a raucous Bavarian street fair. There’ll be nonstop German and polka music, traditional dancers, carnival rides, bratwurst, keg tossing, an Adirondack Brewery beer garden and more. The event is free and family-friendly. lakegeorgeoktoberfest.com
October 13
Chowderfest
Downtown Troy
When that autumn chill hits the air, a bowl of hot chowder can warm the soul. During Troy’s Chowderfest, restaurants throughout the Collar City will serve unique chowders, which cost $2 for a four-ounce cup. Troy-based businesses will ladle out of their storefronts, while cooks from outside of town will partner with local businesses to serve in the city. Of course, the event offers more than a chance to sample chowder: It’s also an opportunity to check out one of the Capital Region’s liveliest downtowns. downtowntroy.org
October 19-20
Washington County Antique Fair
Washington County Fairgrounds, Greenwich
This antique show features more than 200 antique, collectible and craft vendors from throughout the US and Canada. Previously held in August, the fair was moved to October—the height of the leaf-peeping season! Just $5 for adults and free for children, the fair has a courtesy cart to help elderly attendees and others in need of assistance get around. fairgroundshows.com
