The Finger Lakes region is famous for its stunning fall scenery and vibrant seasonal colors.
With autumn approaching, here are five can’t-miss fall festivals happening in the Finger Lakes:
Ionia Fall Fest
What: The 27th annual Ionia Fall Fest, sponsored by the Ionia Methodist Church, will celebrate the hamlet’s agricultural heritage.
When: The Ionia Fall Fest will run all day long Sept. 20, starting at 7:30 a.m.
Where: The festival will take place at the Ionia United Methodist Church grounds, 2120 Elton Road, off Route 64 and north of Route 5 and 20.
Details: Ionia Fall Fest will include one of Western New York’s largest tractor parades, starting at 1 p.m. Activities for adults and children will run all day, including a cake and dessert wheel, a coin toss, hayrides, games, prizes, historical displays and demonstrations and more.
Info: For more information about the upcoming Ionia Fall Fest, visit https://www.ioniaumc.org/events-and-forms. For tractor parade information, contact John Bennett at (585) 657-6245, and for vendor booth information, contact Roger Cullen at (585) 857-3140.
Explore Victor Fest
What: Explore Victor Fest is a free community festival in the village of Victor.
When: The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 13.
Where: The festival will take place at various locations around the village of Victor in Ontario County, including Mead Square Park, Adams Street and the Village Hall Lot. Free parking will be available off of Maple Avenue at St. Patrick’s Church and Fireman’s Field.
Details: Explore Victor Fest will include over 100 exhibits and local vendors, shopping, big trucks, food, music, games and activities.
Info: For more information about Explore Victor Fest, visit https://townofvictorny.gov/.
Naples Grape Fest
What: The annual Naples Grape Fest, a seven-time winner of the Finger Lakes Times Readers’ Choice Awards for the “best festival in the Finger Lakes,” is a two-day festival that turns the village of Naples into a grape haven.
When: The Naples Grape Festival will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 27 and Sept. 28, rain or shine.
Where: The festival will be held in the village of Naples on Main Street, or State Route 21, in Ontario County. Public parking will be available for $5 per car in a parking area off Lake Niagara Lane. Handicapped parking will be available in the Naples High School lot off Academy Street.
Details: Naples Grape Fest will include art, vendors, crafts, food, musical performances, wine tasting, and the iconic Grape Pie Contest on Sept. 27. The Brahm Moore Craft Beverage Garden, featuring 17 different businesses representing local wineries, craft brewers, and distillers, will also be available for those 21 years old and over.
Info: For the full musical performance schedule at the Music Tent, visit https://naplesgrapefest.org/music.php.
Fall into Canandaigua
What: Fall into Canandaigua is a fall festival put on by the Historic Downtown Canandaigua Business Improvement District.
When: The festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 25.
Where: BID’s festivals take place at 115 S. Main St. in downtown Canandaigua.
Details: More details about Fall into Canandaigua are expected to be announced as the festival date approaches.
Info: For more information about Fall into Canandaigua and other BID events, visit https://www.downtowncanandaigua.com/events.
Bristol Mountain Fall Festival
What: The 2025 Bristol Mountain Fall Festival is a two-day event that encourages its guests to celebrate the beauty of fall and the Bristol Hills.
When: Bristol Mountain Fall Festival will take place on Oct. 11 and Oct. 12.
Where: Bristol Mountain is at 5662 Route 64 in Canandaigua.
Details: The festival will include beautiful views, a lineup of activities, entertainers, tickets for the Fall Sky Ride, vendors, food and more. The full lineup for 2025 vendors has not yet been announced.
Info: General admission for the festival is $12. To purchase tickets and to learn more about the event, visit https://www.bristolmountain.com/fall-festival/.
Editor note: This article has been corrected to reflect an accurate date of the Fall into Canandaigua Festival.
— Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who covers breaking and trending news for the Finger Lakes Region. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: 5 Finger Lakes fall festivals full of food, music, and seasonal magic: See the list
Reporting by Madison Scott, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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