I’m actually in awe of how much cool stuff there is to do this weekend and next weekend. That was a huge reason why I started this newsletter. I knew there was stuff to do but I always found out after the fact which is such a bummer.
In this Middle of Somewhere, you'll find:
Opportunities to sell your creative stuff
On the Calendar
Thanks for sharing the love of CNY with me!
Victoria
Calling in Artisans
There are a BUNCH of fairs, markets, and collaborations going on this holiday season! Here are some that are still taking vender applications:
The Pantry Market’s Fall Festival [Oct. 17 & 18]: The Pantry Market is looking for venders! Learn more.
Small Business Saturday [Nov. 28] in Auburn: The Zen Den Studio put out a call for venders! Join them for Small Business Saturday. Space is limited! Reach out on Instagram.
Winter Faire on [Dec. 6] in Rochester: Application is now open! Learn more and apply here.
On the Calendar
Have an event you want to submit? Fill out this form for a chance to have it featured!
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!
10/9 [Auburn] — Bluegrass quintet Ethan Setiawan & Fine Ground perform at Auburn Public Theater. Get your tickets!
10/9 [Rochester] — The nationally renowned Gateways Music Festival returns to Rochester with chamber concerts and community performances celebrating classical musicians of African descent. Learn more!
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.
10/10 [Syracuse] — Tim's Pumpkin Patch in Marietta celebrates its 40th season with Pumpkin Fest Weekend featuring wagon rides, a corn maze, U-pick pumpkins, music, and specialty foods (advance timed tickets required). Get tickets!
10/10 [Auburn] — The Carol Bryant Quartet performs Music for an Autumn Evening in the Willard Memorial Chapel from 7 to 9 p.m. Get tickets!
10/10 [Fair Haven] — The Leaf Peeper's Art Show showcases work from Cayuga County artists over peak-foliage weekend. Learn more.
10/10 [Rochester] — iSmash Rochester Digital Immersive Games launches three brand new immersive game rooms. Just $5 per person all weekend! Check it out!
10/10 [LaFayette] — The LaFayette Apple Festival returns to Tully Farms Road with apple pancakes, a pie-eating contest, pony rides, crafts and live music in one of Central New York's biggest fall traditions. Learn more.
10/10 [Onondaga Nation] — The Indigenous Peoples' Day Festival gathers the Onondaga Nation community and neighbors at Tsha'Thon'nhes Arena. This is a free event!
10/10 [Canandaigua] — The Bristol Mountain Fall Festival celebrates peak foliage in Canandaigua with family activities, food, entertainment and the season's signature Fall Sky Rides over the Bristol Hills. Learn more.
10/10 [Cortland] — Greek Peak Mountain Resort hosts its Fall Fest with live music, a pumpkin cannon, local brews, and a Family Fun Zone featuring pumpkin painting and a petting zoo. Learn more.
10/10 [North Creek] — Gore Mountain in North Creek holds its Harvest Fest with live music, a large craft show, and Adirondack fall foliage; admission is free, with scenic lift rides available for an extra fee. Worth the drive?
10/10 [Canandaigua] — The 16th annual Fall Gardening Forum at Sonnenberg Gardens in Canandaigua on features Cornell Cooperative Extension's Mina Vescera on designing native and perennial plant communities. Learn more.
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.
10/11 [Syracuse] — Tim's Pumpkin Patch in Marietta celebrates its 40th season with Pumpkin Fest Weekend featuring wagon rides, a corn maze, U-pick pumpkins, music, and specialty foods (advance timed tickets required). Get tickets!
10/11 [LaFayette] — The LaFayette Apple Festival returns to Tully Farms Road with apple pancakes, a pie-eating contest, pony rides, crafts and live music in one of Central New York's biggest fall traditions. Learn more.
10/11 [Aurora] — The 22nd annual Aurora Book Lovers Ball returns to the lakeside Aurora Inn as a community fundraiser. Get tickets.
10/11 [Syracuse] — Comedian Bert Kreischer takes the stage at Syracuse's Landmark Theatre for a night of stand-up. Get tickets.
10/11 [Rochester] — The Great New York State Flea returns to the Rochester Public Market filling the market with antiques, vintage goods and local vendors. The theme is Halloween which looks SO FUN! Free to attend.
10/11 [North Creek] — Gore Mountain in North Creek holds its Harvest Fest with live music, a large craft show, and Adirondack fall foliage; admission is free, with scenic lift rides available for an extra fee. Worth the drive?
WEDNESDAY:
10/7 [Syracuse] —Cellar & Folly Whiskey Company hosts Cookies & Cocktails, a cocktail-themed cookie decorating class, on Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m., with all supplies and a take-home box included. Get tickets!
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.
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.
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:
10/16-10/24 [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!
