In the words of some random post on Threads: There is a lot to do in October!
We’re days away from October and I don’t know about you but my calendar is filling up. There are so many juicy craft markets, shows, and fall festivals to attend and so little time!
In this Middle of Somewhere, you'll find:
Fall Festivals in CNY
The Ultimate Guide to Halloween
On the Calendar
A quick poll on what events you like the most
Thanks for sharing the love of CNY with me!
Victoria
The Fall Festivals Guide
Bristol, Greek Peak, and Gore all picked the same weekend for their fall festivals, which is rude of them but also peak leaf season, so fine. I broke down all three (chairlift views, a pumpkin cannon, a free craft show) so you can pick your mountain.
The Ultimate Guide to Halloween
Halloween is on a Saturday this year and October 24 has about seven things happening at once. I made a guide to Halloween in CNY + the Finger Lakes so we can plan accordingly 👻
On the Calendar
Have an event you want to submit? Fill out this form for a chance to have it featured!
THURSDAY:
10/1 [Syracuse] —The Syracuse International Film Festival runs through October 4, with industry panels and screenings. Buy tickets.
FRIDAY:
10/2 [Syracuse] —The Syracuse International Film Festival runs through October 4, with industry panels and screenings. Buy tickets.
10/2 [Syracuse] — Michael Jackson tribute artist Rodrigo Teaser brings his full song-and-dance recreation to Syracuse's Landmark Theatre. You’ll want tickets to this!
10/2 [Syracuse] — RetroGameCon, the largest gaming convention in Upstate New York, returns to the Oncenter in Syracuse Oct. 2-4, 2026, with tournaments, cosplay, panels and vendors, with day passes starting at $30. Gamers, get your tickets!
SATURDAY:
10/3 [Syracuse] —The Syracuse International Film Festival runs through October 4, with industry panels and screenings. Buy tickets.
10/3 [Naples] — The 5th annual Oktoberfest at Brew & Brats in Naples runs Oct. 3-4, 2026, with live music, German-inspired eats and the signature brats that give the celebration its name. This is free to attend. Learn more!
10/3 [Syracuse] — RetroGameCon, the largest gaming convention in Upstate New York, returns to the Oncenter with tournaments, cosplay, panels and vendors, with day passes starting at $30. Gamers, get your tickets!
10/3 [Auburn] — The Gobble n Go tasting tour from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., sampling bites from local restaurants and shops. Get tickets!
10/3 [Fairport] — The Fairport Scarecrow Festival dresses Main Street and the Erie Canal trail in community-made scarecrows throughout October, inviting visitors to stroll the village and vote for their favorites. This is SOOO kid friendly! Learn more.
10/3 [Cortland] — The 29th annual Great Cortland Pumpkinfest, once named a USA Today top-10 fall festival, takes over downtown Cortland Oct. 3-4, 2026, with a carnival midway, petting zoo, live music and a Pumpkin Pub. Learn more!
10/3 [Pittsford] — The Cider & Donuts Cruise sets off along the Erie Canal from Pittsford's Schoen Place aboard the Sam Patch on Oct. 3-4, 2026, pairing fall foliage with seasonal cider and donuts. Book it!
10/3 [Rochester] — The Broadway musical 'BOOP!' brings the animated icon Betty Boop to life at Rochester's Auditorium Theatre in early October 2026 as part of the RBTL Broadway season. Get tickets.
SUNDAY:
10/4 [Syracuse] —The last day for the Syracuse International Film Festival! Buy tickets.
10/4 [Auburn] — Prison City's North Street Farm & Brewery in Auburn hosts a Bavarian-style Octoberfest from noon to 6 p.m. with beer, food, and fall fun. Learn more.
10/4 [Naples] — The 5th annual Oktoberfest at Brew & Brats in Naples with live music, German-inspired eats and the signature brats that give the celebration its name. This is free to attend. Learn more!
10/4 [Syracuse] — RetroGameCon, the largest gaming convention in Upstate New York, returns to the Oncenter with tournaments, cosplay, panels and vendors, with day passes starting at $30. Gamers, get your tickets!
10/4 [Cortland] — The 29th annual Great Cortland Pumpkinfest, once named a USA Today top-10 fall festival, takes over downtown Cortland Oct. 3-4, 2026, with a carnival midway, petting zoo, live music and a Pumpkin Pub. Learn more!
10/4 [Pittsford] — The Cider & Donuts Cruise sets off along the Erie Canal from Pittsford's Schoen Place aboard the Sam Patch, pairing fall foliage with seasonal cider and donuts. Book it!
10/4 [Fair Haven] — Colloca Estate Winery in Fair Haven throws its all-day Harvest Festival from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with live music, food, and lakeside fall fun. Learn more.
10/4 [Auburn] — Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, speaks at Auburn Public Theater. Learn more.
10/4 [Rochester] — Cursed & Crafted: Oddities Bazaar is bringing artisans of the curious and uncanny — taxidermy, bones, arcane art, wicked jewelry, and occult-inspired goods. to RMSC Strasenburg Planetarium. Learn more.
10/4 [Rochester] — Italian American Heritage Day brings food, music and culture to the Rochester Public Market. Learn more.
ONGOING EVENTS:
Thursdays and Sundays [Skaneateles] — A twice-weekly market offering local produce, pastured meats, artisanal cheeses, wine, breads, and seasonal baked goods. Running through October 10. Learn more!
Fridays [Camillus] The Camillus Farmers Market sets up every Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Camillus Municipal Building through October, offering fresh local produce, baked goods, and artisan goods.
9/22-10/11 [Syracuse] — The Tony-winning musical 'Come From Away' plays Syracuse telling the true story of a Newfoundland town that took in 7,000 air travelers stranded on Sept. 11, 2001. Get tickets.
10/3-25 [North Syracuse] — Chuck Hafner's Fall Festival runs weekends from Oct. 3-25, 2026, in North Syracuse with axe-throwing, food trucks and family fun, free to attend rain or shine. Learn more.
10/3-10 [Rochester] — The Broadway musical 'BOOP!' brings the animated icon Betty Boop to life at Rochester's Auditorium Theatre in early October 2026 as part of the RBTL Broadway season. Get tickets.
📝 PENCIL THIS IN:
10/7 [Skaneateles] — Support the Greater Cayuga SPCA at Beer and Bark at the Skaneateles Brewery from 5-7:30pm. $1 of every drink goes to the SPCA. This is a dog + kid friendly event! Learn more.
10/16-10/24 [Fairport] — Fairport Restaurant Week takes place! Featuring over 20 participating restaurants. There are so many new places to eat in the area that I’m going to make a point to try and go!
10/24 [Near You] — Early voting starts
10/24 [Marcellus] — Marcellus together is hosting BooFest for the kids from 2pm-5pm!
10/25 [Auburn] — Grab your kiddos! Make those costumes! Cash in on free candy. Friends of Emerson Park are hosting a free Trick or Treat from 12-2pm!
