It’s summer festival season in and around Syracuse, those magical five months where the sounds of live music and the scent of fresh cooking fill the streets and fields around Central New York.
We’ve put together a list of all the major festivals in the greater Syracuse area, from musical events to cultural festivals and even a big video game convention.
Know of something we missed? Email Chris Baker at [email protected].
Oz-Extravaganza: May 31 – June 2
Where: All Things Oz Museum, 219 W. Genesee St., Chittenango
What to expect: A celebration of the iconic Wizard of Oz film, including shopping, games, rides and entertainment in the hometown of Oz author L. Frank Baum.
More info: oz-stravaganza.com
St. Sophia Greek Cultural Festival: June 6-9
Where: St. Sophia’s, 325 Waring Road, DeWitt
What to expect: Vendors will offer a drink of traditional Greek foods, including souvlaki, dolmades, gyros, spanakopita, loukoumades, baklava and more. Entertainment throughout the weekend includes dancers, tours of the orthodox church and Greek culture sessions with wine and spirits.
More info: syracusegreekfest.com
Taste of Syracuse: June 7-8
Where: In and around Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse
What to expect: Syracuse’s largest food festival brings more than 80 local bars and restaurants to downtown, offering $2 samples of their favorite treats. The two-day festival features three stages that boom all day and night with live music from scores of local artists and national headliners. This year’s top-billed acts are Zac Brown Tribute Band (Friday) and Hanson (Saturday).
More info: tasteofsyracuse.com
NYS Blues Festival: June 12-14
Where: Chevy Court at the NYS Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
What to expect: Three days of open-air blues come to the state fairgrounds in Syracuse for the annual Blues Fest. Admission is free and VIP packages are available for sale. This year’s headliners include Little Feat, The Record Company and Shemekia Copeland.
More info: www.nysbluesfest.com
Syracuse Juneteenth Festival: June 14-15
Where: Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse
What to expect: The Juneteenth Festival features food, dance, music and a Victory Parade on Saturday morning. The weekend before the two-day festival is a basketball tournament at Barry Park and the Miss Juneteenth pageant at the Community Folk Art Center.
More info: syracusejuneteenth.org
Polish Festival: June 21-23
Where: Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse
What to expect: The three-day festival celebrates Polish culture and heritage with dance, food and events like the pierogi eating contest and the honoring of the “Pole of the Year.” Musical headliners this year include Prime Time Horns and the Diana Jacobs Band.
More info: polishscholarship.org
CNY Pride Parade & Festival: June 22
Where: Progress Park at Syracuse Inner Harbor
What to expect: DJ Shaykey will host a day of performances by “Out Loud” performers at Progress Park, including headliners Lala Ri from “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and Landon Cider from the show “Dragula.” The fest also includes community resources.
More info: cnypride.org
World Refugee Day: June 22
Where: TBA
What to expect: A celebration of people who have fled violence or oppression in other countries to make their home here in Syracuse, with many cultural offerings from dance and music to food.
More info: www.facebook.com/worldrefugeedaysyracuse
Syracuse Jazz Fest: June 26-30
Where: Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse
What to expect: Headliners this year include Kenny G, The Mavericks, The O’Jays and more as the long-running free festival continues its latest iteration in downtown Syracuse.
More info: syracusejazzfest.com
Middle Eastern Cultural Festival: July 11-14
Where: St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church, 4988 Onondaga Road, Syracuse
What to expect: This sprawling annual event on the west side features a full course menu of homemade Middle Eastern food along with live Arabic music, dances and more.
More info: syracusemideastfest.com
Syracuse Nationals: July 19-21
Where: NYS Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
What to expect: Cars, cars and, yes, more cars. The largest car show in New York features vehicles from around the country in every category, from muscle cars to antiques to designer vehicles, all made before the year 2000.
More info: syracusenationals.com
Harborfest: July 25-28
Where: Breitbeck Park, Oswego
What to expect: The waterfront festival in Oswego is perhaps best known for its massive fireworks displays over Lake Ontario. But the days are filled with food, music, carnival games, rides and even helicopter trips. Headlining bands include Atlas, Rydher and Zac Brown Tribute Band.
More info: oswegoharborfest.com
Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival: July 26-28
Where: Columbus Circle and surrounding streets, downtown Syracuse
What to expect: More than 150 artisans and craftspeople from across the country and Canada will descend on downtown Syracuse to hawk their wares, selling everything from art to furniture to clothing to jewelry.
More info: downtownsyracuse.com
KRockathon Reboot: July 27
Where: Chevy Court at the NYS Fairgrounds
What to expect: Local radio station K-Rock is bringing back its storied hard-rock festival. The 2024 rock festival will feature a nostalgic lineup that includes Brand New Sin, Boy Hits Car, Nonpoint, Stabbing Westward, Hoobastank and Puddle of Mudd.
More info: krockathon.com
Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival: Dates TBA
Where: Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse
What to expect: A weekend of jazz and wines from New York State.
More info: nejazzwinefest.org
Grateful Getaway: Aug. 1-11
Where: Wonderland Forest, LaFayette
What to expect: The inaugural Grateful Getaway will celebrate the music of America’s most storied jam band with 11 days of music honoring the Grateful Dead. Wonderland Forest includes camping packages — come for one night or come stay for all 11. Acts include Dark Star Orchestra, Sam Grisman Project, Melvin Seals & JGB and more.
More info: wonderlandforest.com
CNY Scottish Games: Aug. 10
Where: Long Branch Park, 3813 Long Branch Road, Liverpool
What to expect: These plaid-heavy games include competitions like Braemar stone, Open Stone, caber toss, sheaf toss and more. Spectators can enjoy food, music from the Highlands.
More info: cnyscottishgames.org
New York State Fair: Aug. 21 – Sept. 2
Where: NYS Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd.
What to expect: Central New York’s biggest annual festival draws hundreds of thousands of people to enjoy two weeks of food, animals, more food, carnival games, rides, free concerts and, yes, even more food.
More info: nysfair.ny.gov
Syracuse Irish Fest: Sept. 6-7
Where: Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse
What to expect: Music food, drink and a celebration of Irish ancestry. More details on entertainment yet to be announced.
More info: syracuseirishfestival.com
Syracuse VegFest: Sept. 7
Where: Syracuse Inner Harbor
What to expect: An annual event dedicated to all things vegan.
More info: vegancny.org/syracusevegfest/
Golden Harvest Festival: Sept. 9-10
Where: Beaver Lake, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville
What to expect: A great way to spend a fall afternoon with the family, the festival features arts and crafts, a corn maze, canoeing, guided nature walks and lots of other outdoor activities. Entertainment acts have yet to be announced.
More info: beaverlakenature.org
Italian holiday: Sept. 13-15
Where: In front of Syracuse City Hall, 233 E. Washington St.
What to expect: It’s a weekend of bocce, meatballs, music and dancing. Italian Fest brings the area’s best Italian restaurants to one place where visitors can sample foods like Utica greens, chicken riggies, cannoli and more while listening to music from local Italian artists.
More info: festaitalianasyracuse.org
Syracuse Film Festival: Sept. 20-22
Where: Manlius Cinema, 135 E. Seneca St., Manlius
What to expect: This festival includes panels for people in the industry, screenings of short and feature-length films and a whole day of horror movies at the Palace Theater in Eastwood.
More info: syracusefilmfest.com
Westcott Street Cultural Fair: Sept. 22
Where: Westcott Street, Syracuse
What to expect: The all-day cultural fair starts with a parade at noon, followed by a celebration with music, dancing, community organizations and food vendors lining the business district of Westcott Street.
More info: westcottstreetfair.org/
LaFayette Apple Festival: Oct. 12-13
Where: 2444 Tully Farms Road, LaFayette
What to expect: It’s just what it sounds like — a festival all about apples. Come for breakfast and enjoy the apple pancakes, or stick around for the apple pie eating contest. Other entertainment includes pony rides, a petting zoo, rides and games, crafts and music.
More info: lafayetteapplefest.org
Retro GameCon: Oct. 11-13
Where: Oncenter, 800 S. State St., Syracuse
What to expect: The region’s largest video game convention features panels, tournaments, cosplay, trivia, live music, gaming contests, scavenger hunts and more.
More info: www.retrogamecon.com
