View of Clinton Square for the annual Taste of Syracuse (Photo courtesy of the Taste of Syracuse)
Spending time in Syracuse for the summer and looking for something fun to do? We have rounded up a list of the festivals taking place in and around the Syracuse area.
June
St. Sophia’s Greek Cultural Festival
Address: 325 Waring Road, DeWitt
Dates: Thursday, June 6, 5-9 p.m.; Friday, June 7, 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, June 8, 12-10 p.m.; and Sunday, June 9, noon-4 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: This year marks the 51st annual festival and will feature a full menu of authentic Greek foods and desserts. Live Greek music and dance performances will occur under the outdoor “taverna” tent. Patrons will also have the chance to tour the church’s iconography project and shop for clothing, jewelry and books in the Greek marketplace.
Taste of Syracuse
Address: Clinton Square, 161 Genesee St, Syracuse
Dates: Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: The Taste of Syracuse is a legendary festival considered to be Syracuse’s official “kick-off” of the summer. This annual festival has been around for over 25 years and celebrates local food, business, music and more in the heart of downtown Syracuse, spanning from Clinton Square to the Chase Building. Treat yourself to $2 samples from various local restaurants while you jam out to great music across three stages!
New York State Blues Festival
Address: New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd, Syracuse
Dates: Thursday, June 13, gates open at 4 p.m.; Friday, June 14, gates open at 3 p.m.; and Saturday, June 15, gates open at 11 a.m.
Admission: Free
Details: This annual three-day festival celebrates the far-reaching influence that this genre has had on modern music by bringing together a complimentary line-up of diverse acts from across the country and beyond. This festival entertains while educating on the role of the blues in the development of popular music in the United States and around the world.
Juneteenth Festival
Address: Various locations in Syracuse
Dates: Sunday, June 9; Thursday, June 13; Friday, June 14; Saturday, June 15; and Wednesday, June 19
Admission: Depends on the event; visit the website for the listing of events
Details: The Syracuse Juneteenth festival begins on Sunday, June 9, and festivities continue into Wednesday, June 19. This annual event shines an important light on Black food, fashion, art, stories, culture and entrepreneurs. The Syracuse Juneteenth festival is unique in the sense that the grounds upon which the celebration takes place had once been a part of the Underground Railroad.
Polish Festival
Address: Clinton Square, 161 Genesee St., Syracuse
Dates: Friday, June 21, 4-10:30 p.m.; Saturday, June 22, noon-10:30 p.m.; and Sunday, June 23, noon-5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: This year will mark the 69th anniversary of this three-day family-friendly celebration of Polish culture, heritage and traditions. Traditional Polish beer and cuisine will be served, including pierogi, kielbasa, bigos (hunter’s stew) and cabbage rolls. A wide variety of traditional Polish souvenirs, jewelry, T-shirts, hats and other arts and crafts will be sold during the event.
CNY Pride Festival and Parade
Address: Syracuse Inner Harbor
Date: Saturday, June 22, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: This event celebrates the LGBTQIA2+ communities in Central New York. The festival includes a parade, vendors, food trucks, entertainment, a family fun area and more. All are welcome.
World Refugee Day Festival
Address: Clinton Square, 161 Genesee St., Syracuse
Date: Saturday, June 22, noon-3 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: This celebration, designated by the United Nations, honors refugees around the globe, celebrating the strength and courage of people who’ve been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
Syracuse International Jazz Fest
Address: Clinton Square, 161 Genesee St., Syracuse
Dates: Wednesday, June 26, 5-11 p.m. (various locations in Syracuse); Thursday, June 27, 4-11 p.m.; Friday, June 28, 4-11 p.m.; Saturday, June 29, 4-11 p.m.; and Sunday, June 30, 12:30-4 p.m. (Hendricks Chapel, Syracuse University)
Admission: Free
Details: Syracuse Jazz Fest is staged outdoors in downtown Syracuse at historic Clinton Square Park and indoors on opening night at various clubs, bars and restaurants and hotels located in Armory Square, Hanover Square and within the downtown entertainment district.
Photo courtesy of Photos By Meem – Aerial Imaging
July
Sterling Renaissance Festival
Address: 15385 Farden Road, Sterling
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, July 6, through Sunday, Aug. 18, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission: Children (4-11 years old): $28.49; adults (12-plus): $45.10
Details: The Renaissance Festival is a dramatic recreation of an Elizabethan town at festival time. It is a Renaissance-styled theme park, a 12-stage performance venue, a 35-acre interactive/environmental theater, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament, a food festival and tavern, all rolled into one non-stop, daylong, family adventure.
Middle Eastern Festival
Address: St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church, 4988 Onondaga Road, Syracuse
Dates: Thursday, July 11, 4-10 p.m.; Friday, July 12, 4-10 p.m.; Saturday, July 13, noon-10 p.m.; and Sunday, July 14, noon-6 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: Enjoy a full-course menu of Middle Eastern food made from scratch, live Arabic music, dance performances and gifts. There will also be a kid-friendly menu, games and a playground.
Syracuse Nationals
Address: New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
Dates: Friday, July 19, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, July 20, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, July 21, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Admission: Children (12 and under): free; adults: $22.50
Details: The Syracuse Nationals is the largest car show in the Northeast. Come see cars from all over the United States, plus music, food and more.
Harborfest
Address: City of Oswego
Dates: Thursday, July 25, 5-11 p.m.; Friday, July 26, 9 a.m. to midnight; Saturday, July 27, 11 a.m. to midnight; Sunday, July 28, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: Since 1988, Oswego Harborfest has grown from a small local event to a major admission-free regional festival, attracting an average audience estimated at 75,000 annually. For 2024, the tradition of showcasing over 30 music performances and attractions, a wide variety of vendors, a midway and a spectacular fireworks display will continue.
Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show
Address: Village of Skaneateles
Dates: Friday, July 26; Saturday, July 27; and Sunday, July 28
Admission: Free
Details: There will be land and water displays of antique and classic boats and engines, as well as children’s activities, including junior judging and toy boat painting.
Arts and Crafts Festival
Address: Downtown Syracuse
Dates: Friday, July 26, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, July 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, July 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: The spectacular three-day showcase of the country’s most talented artists, craftspeople and entertainers is centered in Downtown Syracuse. The festival provides opportunities for visitors to experience the vibrancy of Downtown Syracuse through a presentation of visual and performing arts that demonstrate diverse art forms and cultures.
KRockathon Reboot
Address: New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
Date: Saturday, July 27, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Admission: $52.50
Details: After several years of hiatus KROCK is bringing back the annual summer concert—but with a twist. All bands will play at the Sweet Grass Krockathon Reboot are alumni—Puddle of Mudd, Hoobastank, Stabbing Westward, Nonpoint, Boy Hits Car and Brand New Sin. This event will have all of the adult amenities, including shade tents, seating and co*cktails.
Photo courtesy of Chuck Perkins
August
Skaneateles Festival
Address: Various locations in Skaneateles
Dates: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from Aug. 1-Aug. 24, with a kick-off event on Wednesday, July 31
Admission: Dependent on the event, tickets are available online
Details: A dynamic four-week music festival providing intimate access to the world’s best music in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region. For more than 40 years, some of the world’s most talented musicians have performed on this stage, with the hope of building community and enduring friendships through music.
Syracuse Macedonian Festival
Address: 5083 Onondaga Road, Syracuse
Dates: Friday, Aug. 2. 4-10 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 3, Noon-11 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 4, Noon-6 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: Experience the warmth of the Macedonian soul hospitality by enjoying traditional Macedonian food and drinks, baked goods, ethnic music, church toursand more.
CNY Scottish Games and Celtic Festival
Address: Long Branch Park, 3183 Long Branch Road, Liverpool
Dates: Saturday, Aug. 10, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Admission: 5 and under free; children (6-12): $8; adult (13-plus): $12; senior (60-plus): $10
Details: This family-friendly event will offer a day full of competitions in solo piping, drumming, pipe bands, Highland dancing and heavy athletics. There will also be children’s games, Celtic musical entertainment, Celtic-themed vendors, food, clans and societies. Twice during the day be thrilled by the massed pipe bands performing.
New York State Fair
Address: New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
Dates: Wednesday, Aug. 21, through Monday, Sept. 2, 9 a.m.–11 p.m. daily
Admission: Children 12 and under and seniors 65-plus: free; Adults: $8
Details: People from across New York state will come together this year to experience an affordable, 13-day celebration of delicious food, eye-opening exhibitions, captivating entertainment and great fun. Each year’s New York State Fair showcases numerous animals, hundreds of commercial attractions, scores of exciting midway rides and dozens of big-name entertainers. Come find out what greatness awaits you at the New York State Fair!
Photo courtesy of The Great New York State Fair
September
Syracuse Irish Festival
Address: Clinton Square, 161 Genesee St., Syracuse
Dates: Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7
Admission: Free
Details: This is truly a taste of Ireland featuring music, dance, genealogy, culture and children’s activities. If you’re looking for a weekend packed with great Irish bands, step dancers, lectures, exhibitions, workshops, food and children’s activities, attend the Syracuse Irish Festival.
Golden Harvest Fest
Address: Beaver Lake Nature Center at 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville
Dates: Saturday, Sept. 7, and Sunday, Sept. 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: Children (3 and under): Free; Children (4-15): $1; and Adults (14-plus): $5
Details: For over 40 years, this old-fashioned, country fair-style event has something for everyone! The festival features live music and entertainment on three stages, nature games and crafts, great shopping with local artists and vendors, fresh donuts, live animal demonstrations, pie-eating contests and delicious eats from a diverse array of food trucks.
Festa Italiana
Address: 233 E Washington St., Syracuse
Dates: Friday, Sept. 13, 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 14, 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 15, noon–7 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: The three-day festival will feature live Italian entertainment, a bocce tournament, historical displays, live raffles, street performers, a charity meatball contest, Italian beer and wine, Italian cuisine and much more. In addition to all of these exciting activities, there will also be a wide variety of cultural performances showcasing Italy’s rich traditions and vibrant heritage.
KlezFest CNY
Address: Jewish Community Center of Syracuse, 5655 Thompson Road, Syracuse
Date: Sunday, Sept. 15, noon-4 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: This event is the largest Jewish festival in New York State outside of New York City, featuring music, ethnic food, arts and crafts.
Syracuse International Film Festival
Address: Manlius Cinema, 135 E. Seneca St., Manlius
Dates: Friday, Sept. 20, 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 21, Noon-10:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 22, 10:15 a.m.-8 p.m.
Admission: $23.18-plus
Details: Now in its 21st year, the festival presents films from around the world through invitational and juried competitions.
Westcott Street Cultural Fair
Address: Westcott Street, Syracuse
Dates: Sunday, Sept. 22, noon-6:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: The Westcott Street Cultural Fair is an annual celebration of the diversity and uniqueness of the Westcott neighborhood through its culture, arts, food, organizations and activities for families and students. The fair attracts thousands of people to the Westcott Business District for a September day filled with great sounds, sights, tastes and more.
Photo courtesy of Flashback Photography
