Fall Festival Fever: Upcoming Festivals in Albany County
As sweater weather approaches and the leaves transition into vibrant hues, Albany County weekends become jam-packed with events.
Say hello to autumn with outdoor music festivals, charming harvest fairs, and various celebrations of local culture & heritage. Discover Albany's upcoming fall festivals that will have you welcoming the cooler temperatures with open arms!
Music Festivals
Have a rocking start to your fall with some of Albany's favorite music festivals throughout the month of September. On September 14, jazz up your weekend with the annual Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival at Jennings Landing. Enjoy performances by jazz greats, critically acclaimed up-and-coming artists, and local favorites. Or on the 14th, head over to the Empire State Plaza for the Hispanic Heritage Celebration. The festival features dancing, traditional cuisine and music.
On the 18th, the Empire State Plaza celebrates all things fall with the Hops & Harvest festival. Enjoy live music, craft beer selections, a pie-eating contest, lawn games and more. Then, PearlPalooza returns to downtown on September 21. Hosted by the Downtown Albany BID this all-day music festival takes over N. Pearl Street.
Fall Markets
Support local and shop the day away at some of the markets coming to Albany this autumn. Shop for all things obscure and macabre at the Albany Twilight Market returning to Quackenbush Square on September 14. If you miss it in September, the Twilight Market will appear again in Washington Park on October 15. The second weekend in September offers a series of fall markets in Albany County and beyond. Head to Lakota's Farm in Cambridge for the Buffalo Moon Artisan Fall Market or stay local and visit the Shaker Heritage Society for their Harvest Craft Fair. On the 14th, take a trip to New Scotland for the Clarksville Harvest Market.
Other opportunities to shop til you drop this fall include the Openbaar Market on September 21, Upper Madison Street Fair on September 29, Farmers Market Nighttime Harvest Festival on October 4, and Vintage Roundup on October 26.
Historic Festivals
Travel back in time this fall with the following festivals!
Old Fashioned Sunday at Pruyn House
September 8
This celebration offers tours of the historic 17th-century home, live music, reenactors and old-fashioned activities like Old Tyme craft demonstrations, blacksmithing, and tintype photography. There will also be fun activities for kids such as pony riding and face-painting.
Bicentennial of Lafayette's Farewell Tour Visits Albany
September 17
This all-day event is part of the American Friends of Lafayette's monumental bicentennial celebration. The celebration features hundreds of events throughout the country tracing Lafayette's footsteps during his tour of America in 1824-25. Celebrate with historic tours of Albany and more.
Trade Days at the Crailo State Historic Site
September 21 and September 22
This educational event highlights traditional trade markets from the region in the 17th and 18th centuries. The event will feature reenactors, 18th century music, and activities. The museum will also be open free of charge.
Albany's All-Hallow E'en Festival
October 1 to October 31
During the entire month of October, Discover Albany revives the All-Hallow E'en Festival. Celebrate the season with public art, community events, dramatic tours and more. The festival pays homage to a bewitching Halloween festival that took place in the city in 1904 & 1905.
Food Festivals
Fall flavors are back! Shop for fall produce, sip on craft beer. and toast to flavors of apple, pumpkin, and cinnamon during Albany's autumn food festivals. During the weekend of September 21 and September 22, head over to the Altamont Fairgrounds for their Harvest and Wine Festival. For $8, enjoy wine tasting in the 1980's building.
Oktoberfest returns to Albany in late September. During lunchtime on September 25, fill your plate with German cuisine at the Empire State Plaza. Then on September 28, don't miss Wolff Biergarten's popular Oktoberfest celebration. The festival is complete with music, delicious dishes, and German beer. Plus, witness exciting events like dachshund races and stein-holding competitions.
October brings Hops on the Hill at the Bethlehem Area YMCA and the Albany Vegfest at the Albany Capital Center. Plus, don't miss the 14th Annual Mac-N-Cheese Bowl! This food festival takes over Remsen Street in Cohoes, sample a series of mac-n-cheese stations and vote for your favorite.
Arts & Culture Festivals
Arts & culture festivals arrive in Albany for each month of autumn. On September 21, the Albany Book Festival hosted by the NYS Writer's Institute returns to the University at Albany. The festival features bestselling authors, panel discussions, book-signing sessions, and online workshops for aspiring writers. Visit Empire State Plaza on October 19 for the Diwali Festival of Light. The celebration features fireworks, performances, vendors and more. On October 27th, don't miss the annual Festival of Nations at the Empire State Plaza. Celebrate cultures from around the world with the Parade of Nations, plus enjoy native food, music, crafts, dances, and entertainment. November brings the Albany Lantern Parade back to Washington Park. The parade celebrates light and community with a handmade paper lantern walk beginning at sunset. Stay tuned for the official date!
Fall Celebrations
Just looking for a way to get into the spirit of the season? The following festivals in Albany County are dedicated to all things fall.
On October 5, get ready for the Albany County Fall Fest & 5K at the Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail. Participate in the run or just relax and enjoy some fall activities. Enjoy a dash of fall at lunchtime at Empire State Plaza's Harvest Fest on October 9. Discover fall plants and critters at Ten Broeck Mansion's Fall Finds: Family Scavenger Hunt on October 19. Or on October 19, pop over to Stuyvesant Plaza for a day of shopping specials, sidewalk sales, live music, seasonal treats and more at the 2nd annual Autumn Fest. Finally, make sure to dress in your best flannel for Empire State Plaza's Flannel Fest on November 20!
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