Big city events get all the attention, but let’s be real, some of the best festivals in New York happen in the tiniest towns you’ve probably never heard of.
We’re talking homemade pies, cheesy creations, maple-sweet treats, and winter celebrations that feel straight out of a storybook.
These festivals aren’t packed with tourists or sky-high prices, instead you can expect a ton of personality, local flavor, and some seriously fun traditions.
If you’re looking for something that’s way more fun than your average weekend, then these six small-town festivals are 100% worth the drive.
1. Punkin’ Chunkin Festival, Clayton
Time of year: Mid-October
The Punkin Chunkin Festival takes place in Clayton every October with giant pumpkin-launching machines that fling gourds through the air like orange missiles.
It’s all about distance, so teams compete using homemade trebuchets and catapults to see who can chuck a pumpkin the farthest across the St. Lawrence River.
There are BBQ contests, live music, food trucks, and plenty of fall-themed games for all ages.
Clayton sits right along the St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands region, so while you’re there, you can also check out the Antique Boat Museum or take a scenic river cruise.
2. CNY Maple Festival, Marathon
Time of year: April
Next up is the CNY Maple Festival in Marathon, where it smells like pancakes and maple syrup all weekend long.
Held every April at the Marathon Civic Center and school grounds, this two-day festival celebrates local maple products and producers with pancake contests, artisan vendors, and historical displays.
You’ll find stacks of homemade pancakes, maple cotton candy, maple popcorn, and even maple-flavored BBQ—it’s basically a sugar-lover’s dream come true.
There’s also live wood carving demonstrations and craft vendors, showcasing local talent.
3. Naples Grape Festival, Naples
Time of year: Late September
Then there’s the Naples Grape Festival in Naples, where everything—from the pies to the art—is bursting with Concord grapes.
This Finger Lakes favorite happens every year in late September at the Naples High School grounds and Memorial Town Hall, and it draws huge crowds for its legendary grape pie contest.
You can sample grape everything, shop handmade crafts from over 100 local artists, and catch live music all weekend long on the festival stage.
Don’t miss the World’s Greatest Grape Pie Contest and the chance to enjoy grape-flavored treats while strolling through a town that literally smells like jam.
4. Lowville Cream Cheese Festival, Lowville
Time of year: September
Over in Lowville, the Cream Cheese Festival throws one seriously cheesy party every September in the heart of downtown.
This festival celebrates the Kraft cream cheese plant, which is the largest one in the world, producing Philadelphia cream cheese.
You’ll find a giant cheesecake that set a world record at the festival, along with a variety of delicious food from local vendors.
There are also live bands and stage entertainment, along with plenty of activities and vendors, turning the whole town into one big dairy-fueled bash.
5. Owego Strawberry Festival, Owego
Time of year: June
Next up is the Owego Strawberry Festival in downtown Owego, where summer kicks off with berries, bands, and one seriously sweet block party.
This June festival packs the streets with tons of vendors, craft booths, a massive parade, and more strawberry shortcake than you can possibly eat in one weekend.
There’s live music on multiple stages and a fireworks show that lights up the Susquehanna River.
The whole town gets in on it, and you can even spot folks in fun costumes walking around handing out treats—it’s small-town charm turned all the way up.
6. Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, Saranac Lake
Time of year: February
And finally, the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival proves that freezing temperatures are no excuse not to party.
This snowy celebration has been going strong since 1897 and takes over the town of Saranac Lake every February with parades, fireworks, live music, and winter activities like snowshoe races.
The star of the show is the massive Ice Palace built from blocks of ice cut straight from Lake Flower—it looks like something out of a storybook and lights up at night.
Each year has a fun new theme (think “Medieval Times” or “Under the Sea”), and locals go all out with costumes, decorations, and frozen fun that’ll make you forget how cold it is.
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