Don’t miss these 12 festivals in New York, from the Belmont Stakes and NYC Pride to the Great New York State Fair.
While a New York City summer is packed with events, concerts, and street fairs, travelers in the know mark their calendars for a broad range of festivals in New York state.
From costumed Renaissance festivals to top-tier jazz and Broadway talent, New York’s best festivals offer something for everyone (including quintessential fair food like fried dough).
Pro tip: Purchasing advance tickets can be a money-saver. Start planning which of these 12 festivals in New York you’ll be checking off your bucket list.
1. Belmont Stakes Racing Festival
When: June 3–7, 2026
Where: Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County
Cost: General admission from $10; varies by day.
Gallop to Saratoga for the 158th running of the oldest Triple Crown race, the Belmont Stakes. Named for financier August Belmont, the five-day event has become one of the most thrilling festivals in New York, with the final leg of the Triple Crown boasting a cool $2 million purse.
But the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival isn’t just for high-rollers. General admission offers access to the historic Saratoga Race Course before it moves back to Long Island after a $455 million renovation at the race’s original Elmont location.
Highlights beyond the horses include a free concert in downtown Saratoga Springs headlined by Fitz and the Tantrums, an array of local food trucks throughout the grounds, and the Belmont Ball on June 5, showcasing Michelin-starred chefs, cocktails, and dancing.
2. Oz-Stravaganza
When: June 5–7, 2026
Where: Chittenango, Madison County
Cost: Free admission
With “Wicked” still playing to sold-out houses on Broadway, and the two-part film adaptation inspiring a new generation of Ozians, Oz-Stravaganza feels more relevant than ever.
Chittenango, New York, the birthplace of L. Frank Baum, author of the classic story of Dorothy, Toto, and her newfound friends, has served as the site of this celebration since librarian Clara Houck conceived the festival in 1978. Now in its 49th year, the event has grown into the largest “Wizard of Oz” festival in the world.
The volunteer-run festivities include the family-friendly Oz-Stravaganza! Park, costume contest (June 6) followed by a parade featuring grand marshal Marissa Bode (Nessarose in “Wicked” films), and an authors and artists alley.
Those looking to skip even further down the yellow brick road can visit the All Things Oz Museum ($12, children under 10 enter for free), featuring props and costumes from the 1939 film, “Wicked,” “The Wiz,” and other Oz memorabilia.
3. NY State Craft Brewers Festival
When: June 13, 2026
Where: Buffalo Canalside, Erie County
Cost: General admission: $45 advance, $55 at gate pending availability; GA Plus: $65 advance; VIP: $100 presale only
Philadelphia may be the birthplace of our nation, but New York has brewed up plenty of its own history, beginning with Dutch settlers and later with the Fraunces Tavern (1762), which specialized in beer, whiskey, and the fight for freedom. (George Washington marked the final evacuation of British troops there in 1783.)
New York’s craft beer scene continues to thrive, as exemplified by the NY State Craft Brewers Festival. Expect pours from over 50 craft breweries, along with food trucks, live music, and a keg toss (empty, we assume) to keep things interesting.
A limited number of advance-only VIP tickets include a beer-and-chicken-wing pairing and early admission to the festival grounds.
4. NYC Pride Weekend
When: June 27–28, 2026
Where: New York City, New York County
Cost: March and PrideFest are free; some events are ticketed
Pride has become a worldwide phenomenon that celebrates and amplifies LGBTQ+ rights and visibility, but it all began in New York City. One of the most exciting, flamboyant, and colorful festivals in New York, Pride welcomes upwards of 2 million people on the last Sunday in June for the NYC Pride March and PrideFest street fair.
This year’s grand marshals include Dominique Jackson, Peppermint, Bernie Wagenblast, Bowen Yang, and Gays Against Guns. They’ll lead a parade that kicks off on Fifth Avenue and 26th Street, passes the iconic Stonewall Inn, and finishes in the heart of Chelsea.
Those looking for a seat and some shade can purchase Grandstand Experience tickets (starting at $53) for a clear vantage point, private restrooms, and complimentary food and beverages.
5. Sail4th 250
When: July 3–8, 2026
Where: New York Harbor / New York City, New York County
Cost: Free public viewing of tall ships; ticketed boat tours available
New York Harbor is launching festivities for the U.S.’s semiquincentennial with Sail4th 250, a six-day festival welcoming the largest fleet of tall ships in the world.
Spectator anchorage is free but requires advance registration, or head to the East River to view the parade of Class B tall ships on July 3. The following day, the ships will sail from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the George Washington Bridge along the Hudson River.
Ticketed events include a Fleet Week Military History Tour (from $92), a two-hour cruise aboard the 9,000-square-foot Grande Marnier riverboat (from $60), or the Grand Review of Tall Ships at Governor’s Island with a stunning backdrop of the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan (from $200).
6. Sterling Renaissance Festival
When: Saturdays and Sundays, July 4–August 16, 2026
Where: Sterling, Cayuga County
Cost: Tickets from $41 for adults, $26 for children
Hear ye! Hear ye! Step back in time to 15th-century England for a can’t-miss summer event in New York. The 50th-anniversary Sterling Renaissance Festival will deliver royal entertainment, local artisans, and can’t-miss turkey legs for feasting.
The festival grounds span 35 acres, welcoming visitors (in costume, if inspired) to immerse themselves in the experience. Expect royal court experiences, a Joust A’plaisance tournament, and staged performances throughout the day from the laundress lair to the local alchemist.
7. Syracuse International Jazz Fest
When: July 9–12, 2026
Where: Lafayette (Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards) + Syracuse University campus, Onondaga County
Cost: Free
“World-class music, always and forever free,” is the motto of the Syracuse International Jazz Fest, which makes it one of the most exciting and accessible festivals in New York each summer.
Held at Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards and throughout the Syracuse University campus, the four-day festival boasts a global reflection of jazz, funk, soul, R&B, and gospel. In addition to local artists, noteworthy headliners include Grammy-winning Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and Tower of Power, who, for nearly 60 years, has shared “Oakland soul” and high-energy funk with audiences worldwide.
8. Puerto Rican Festival
When: July 30–August 1, 2026
Where: Rochester (Parcel 5, downtown), Monroe County
Cost: Tickets from $10
Over one million Puerto Ricans live throughout New York, bringing culture, cuisine, and energy to cities and towns throughout the state. This year, New York City’s National Puerto Rican Day Parade takes place on June 14, but Rochester hosts a three-day festival for an extended celebration.
The Puerto Rican Festival marks its 56th anniversary, celebrating western New York’s vibrant Puerto Rican community. Local artists, live performances, and the Miss Puerto Rico of Rochester cultural pageant draw thousands of attendees each day.
Also not to miss—the food. Expect local vendors serving alcapurrias (fried fritters with savory fillings), mofongo (mashed green plantains with garlic and pork cracklings), and piraguas (shaved ice with tropical fruit syrup) for a taste of the islands.
9. Lucille Ball Comedy Festival
When: August 6–9, 2026
Where: Jamestown, Chautauqua County
Cost: Prices vary, headliner tickets from $67.50
The funniest festival in New York occurs each August in Jamestown, home of the National Comedy Center. This year’s Lucille Ball Comedy Festival welcomes headliners Jerry Seinfeld, Bert Kreischer, and Seth Meyers, but there are plenty of laughs to be found throughout the weekend.
Discover the next breakout star at the Stand-Up Showcase, pratfall down memory lane with a visit to the Lucy & Desi Museum, which pays tribute to the first couple of comedy, or hop on a guided bus tour of Lucy’s hometown.
10. Broadway Fest
When: August 14–16, 2026
Where: Kingston (Hutton Brickyards), Ulster County
Cost: 3-day festival passes from $375
Who says Broadway is the only place to see Tony-winning performers? The inaugural Broadway Fest (think Coachella with showtunes) arrives this August, and the lineup is worth a standing ovation.
Hutton Brickyards in Kingston, New York, will welcome dozens of stars, including Audra McDonald, Kelli O’Hara, and Renée Elise Goldsberry. “RENT,” celebrating its 30th anniversary, will also receive a special tribute featuring original cast members Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp, among others.
Attendees can also expect tributes to some of Broadway’s most notable composers, and a nightly “Big Show” celebrating tunes from the American Songbook.
11. The Great New York State Fair
When: August 26-September 7, 2026
Where: Syracuse, Onondaga County
Cost: $8; children under 12 and seniors 65+ enter free
Dating back to 1841, the New York State Fair is as epic as it sounds, with live entertainment, competitions, and an array of fair food.
From horse and livestock shows to antique tractors and butter sculptures (in August, no less!), this fair has flair. Don’t miss the top-ranking entry in the fair’s Food Hall of Fame: Pizze Fritte’s fried dough, served savory or sweet.
12. Iroquois Arts Festival
When: September 5–6, 2026
Where: Howes Cave (Iroquois Indian Museum), Schoharie County
Cost: $8 members; $10 non-members; $5 children ages 5–17; free for children under 5
The 43rd Annual Iroquois Arts Festival celebrates the traditions and evolution of Haudenosaunee art. Presented by the Iroquois Museum, the festival showcases a range of art forms, celebrates Iroquois social dancers, and invites attendees to experience indigenous storytelling.
The museum’s permanent collection is also worth a visit, featuring stone carvings, clay sculptures, and an astonishing collection of original records documenting the indigenous Schoharie Mohawks dating back to the 17th century.
