Waterford_TugRoundup2018_ASPARROW-1800.jpg

Enjoy Events and Festivals

HomeExploreEnjoy Events and Festivals
Celebrate, Learn, Enjoy!

Hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors celebrate their canal heritage at a variety of canal-related festivals and events each year.

Cycle the Erie Canal

July 10-17
Buffalo to Albany

More than 350 riders of all ages cycle from Buffalo to Albany for this 8-day, 400-mile bike tour.
MORE >

Featured Community Events

Annual events include recreational activities, tours, concerts, and heritage celebrations. Check back in May to see a listing of 2022 events.

Montezuma Birding Excursions

Multiple Dates, Starting June 1   >>   Montezuma Audubon Center
Explore nearly 300 bird species and their habitats with leisurely guided hiking, canoeing, and kayking excursions around the 50,000-acre Montezuma Wetlands Complex. $5/child, $10/adult, $30/family
More >

Canalside Walking Tours

Multiple Dates   >>   Canalside, Buffalo & Lockport
Celebrate the role of the Erie Canal in local, state, and American history during free tours held at Canalside, Buffalo and Downtown Lockport. Visit Explore Buffalo's website for specific dates, locations and fees.
More >

Low Bridge, High Water

June 11   >>   Village of Brockport
Join the annual "Low Bridge, High Water" Festival, a signature event and Village tradition to cheer the opening of the canal to boat traffic. The festival includes canal-inspired art, recreational activities, live music, food and beverages.
More >

Delaware Avenue: A Path Through History

June 11   >>   Van Schaick Mansion, Cohoes
Journey back to the American Revolution with reenactors who will take you from Van Schaick Mansion to the Breastworks of Peebles Island and learn about the role that they played in the planning of the Battle of Saratoga. Hear from Native American storytellers about the earliest inhabitants of the area,visit Matton Shipyard and learn about history of Delaware Avenue.
More >

Albany Symphony TrailBlaze NY

Multiple Dates and Locations
Celebrate the new Empire State Trail with free waterfront concerts and festive arts and recreational events in seven locations.
More >

Kayak Through History

Wednesdays and Saturdays, June - August   >>   Mohawk Harbor, Schenectady & Waterford Harbor
Explore Schenectady and learn about its history from the unique vantage point of the waters of the Mohawk River/Erie Canal. Paddle alongside a Schenectady County Historical Society Guide who will take you back in time to discuss the river and its surroundings. Count your paddling miles toward the Canalway Challenge. $35 per person. Registration required.
More >

Wine, Craft Beverage, and Artisan Festival/Music on the Erie

Fridays June 16 - August 26   >>   T. Spencer Knight Park, Newark
This summer concert series kicks off with an evening of artisan crafts, foods and more (free admission) as well as tastings from local wine, spirits, beer and hard cider makers (paid admission). Pull up your boat, bicycle, car, or walk to the canalfront park on Friday nights for free concerts.
More >

2022 Waterfront Festival

Jun 18th 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
    >>   Watkins Glen
The 27th annual Waterfront Festival in Watkins Glen with the “almost famous” cardboard boat regatta. Stroll through the Concourse de Cardboard, view the boats and meet the crews. Learn about boating safety, Erie Canal history, and knot tying while enjoying local food and live music.
More >

1st Mile/Next Mile on the Erie Canal

June 19, June 30, July 21, August 11, August 25   >>   Fairport
Try out adaptive and standard cycling and paddling equipment and use the brand-new adaptive kayak launch for an inclusive recreation experience. Continue weekly with a Thursday group paddle/ride. Discount equipment rentals; Rochester Accessible Adventure's CanalPal volunteers will be there to kayak and cycle along as you log your FIRST MILE and NEXT MILE on the Erie Canal!
More >

Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Albany

June 23   >>   C.H. Evans Brewing Company, Albany
Join the Historic Albany Foundation, Discover Albany, the Albany Ale Project, and the Erie Canal Museum for this hourlong cycling tour through Albany looking at the city’s Erie Canal and brewing history. See sites like the location of the enormous John Taylor and Sons Brewery and Lock #1 on the Old Erie. The ride begins and ends at C.H. Evans Brewing Company, where you will be treated to a beer as…
More >

Community Bike Days

3 Dates, July & August   >>   Utica
Learn and practice safe bike riding skills and learn basic bike maintenance and repair during a Bicycle Safety Rodeo for youth and adults; then enjoy a casual, family-oriented bike ride along the Canalway Trail. The ride will include a trailside clean-up contest with prizes awarded to all participants. Choose from three event dates.
More >

Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Port Byron/Weedsport

July 7   >>   Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing
Join the Canal Society of New York and the Erie Canal Museum for this hourlong cycling tour of the historic Erie Canal in Cayuga County. This ride will take visitors through a number of interesting historic canal destination, including the locks at Port Byron! The ride begins and ends at Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing, where you will be treated to a beer as part of your ride.
More >

Oswego Paddlefest

July 16   >>   H. Lee White Maritime Museum
Join 400 paddlers to experience the unique beauty of the Oswego Canal by “locking through” four canal locks and paddling from Fulton or Minetto to the historic Oswego Harbor.
More >

TRAID on the Trails

July 16, Upper Onondaga Park August 16, Kirk Park, September 17, Creekwalk/Empire State Trail   >>   DeWitt
Try out adaptive cycles, participate in the Canalway Challenge, and connect with others in the inclusive recreation community. Choose from two pop up adaptive sport/recreation sessions in conjunction with Syracuse Parks and the main TRAID on the Trails day, a festival style inclusive recreation celebration with live music, adaptive equipment, and more.
More >

Canal Fest of the Tonawandas

July 17 - 24   >>   Gateway Harbor of the Tonawandas
This week-long festival presents food, crafts, and a full slate of family friendly activities including live performances, car show, motorcycle show, antique fire truck show, diaper derby, 5K run, a Midway, Arts and Crafts Show, and fireworks over the Erie Canal.
More >

Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Schenectady

July 21
Join the Schenectady County Historical Society and the Erie Canal Museum for this hourlong cycling tour through Schenectady looking at the city’s Erie Canal and brewing history, as you ride along the historic Mohawk River. The ride begins and ends at Druthers Brewing Company, where you will be treated to a beer as part of your ride as well as a brief history of the brewery itself.
More >

Family History Day

July 23   >>   Seneca Falls
Grab the family and come for a day filled with free educational crafts, historic demonstrations, live music, and more.
More >

Reimagining the Canals by Bike

August 1, September 12, October 15, Buffalo; September 12, Lockport
Hop on your bike to explore the unique heritage, recreational assets, and local businesses surrounding the Erie Canal in western New York during this series of four bicycling programs. Hosted by Slow Roll Buffalo, in partnership with Buffalo Maritime Center, Black Rock Historical Society, Erie Canal Discovery Center and Erie Canal Museum.
More >

Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Onondaga Lake

August 4   >>   Meier's Creek Brewing
Join the Erie Canal Museum for this hourlong cycling tour around Syracuse's Inner Harbor and Onondaga Lake looking at the Lake's canal history. The ride begins and ends at Meier's Creek Brewing's Inner Harbor location, where you will be treated to a beer as part of your ride.
More >

Rome CanalFest

August 5 - 7   >>   Rome
Bring the family to enjoy a weekend of activities, music, and special performances, including a ski show, fishing derby, photo contest, art show, craft fair, a Utica Zoo exhibit, amusement rides, and fireworks.
More >

Paddle the Canal: ON the Erie

August 6   >>   BALDWINSVILLE TO ONONDAGA LAKE PARK
Paddle the scenic Erie Canal/Seneca River through Lock 24 to Willow Bay on Onondaga Lake on this guided half-day trip. 9am start. 5.5 mile paddle begins in Baldwinsville and ends at Willow Bay. Complimentary shuttle available from parking at Onondaga Lake Park to launch site.
More >

35th Annual Little Falls Canal Celebration

August 10 - 14   >>   City of Little Falls
Discover all things canal in the charming community of Little Falls. Choose from a variety of activities that showcase recreation, historic landmarks, geological wonders, heritage, attractions, and businesses.
More >

Fulton Jazz Festival

August 10 - 13   >>   Fulton
Enjoy jazz music from world-renowned artists and the very best in local talent in a free, festival-style atmosphere.
More >

Canal Fest at Sylvan Beach

August 12 - 14   >>   Lakefront Park, Sylvan Beach
Head to the lively summer community of Sylvan Beach for a celebration of summer and our location on the historic Erie Canal and the East Shore of Oneida Lake. Events include a water ski show, fireworks, the Utica ZooMobile, helicopter tours, musical entertainment, presentations on the history of the Erie Canal and Oneida Lake, a large vendor show and more for families and guests of all ages.
More >

Towpath Day, Legacy of the Erie Canal

August 8   >>   Camillus
Celebrate the history of the Erie Canal with live music, a variety of vendors and old fashioned crafts. Watch a blacksmith, crank your own ice cream, and engage with a steam engine exhibit and take a narrated boat ride over a restored aqueduct.
More >

Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Utica

August 18   >>   Bagg's Square Brewing Company
Join the Oneida County Historical Center and the Erie Canal Museum for this hourlong cycling tour around Utica looking at the city’s Erie Canal and brewing history, as you ride along the historic Mohawk River. The ride begins and ends at Bagg's Square Brewing Company, where you will be treated to a beer as part of your ride as well as a brief history of the brewery itself.
More >

Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Syracuse

September 1   >>   Erie Canal Museum
Join the Erie Canal Museum and Talking Cursive Brewing Company for this hour long cycling tour through Syracuse looking at the its unique brewing and Canal history, including Greenway's Brewing, which once occupied the same site as Talking Cursive today! The ride begins at the Erie Canal Museum and ends at Talking Cursive, right down the street, where you will be treated to a beer as part of your …
More >

Color Wayne

September 3   >>   Erie Shore Landing, Newark
Join the fun at this 2-mile disability awareness color run/walk on the Erie Canalway Trail. As an accessible race, this event invites individuals of all abilities to come together for a day of fun, food and friends in a way that promotes a healthy lifestyle.
More >

Macedon Heritage Festival on the Erie

September 3   >>   Lock 30, Macedon
Enjoy a parade, packet boat ride and day of musical performances, family-friendly activities, and beverage and food trucks.
More >

Tugboat Roundup

September 9 - 11   >>   Port of Waterford
Head to the waterfront for this annual celebration of New York’s canals and maritime community heritage. Step aboard new and historic working vessels, talk to crews, and get a glimpse into tugboat life. The festival features a tug parade, tug tours, boat rides, tug talks, live music, a kayaking event, 5k, competitions, fireworks, children's activities, vendors, food, and more.
More >

Beers, Bikes, and Barges: Seneca Falls

September 15   >>   Start: Seneca Museum of Waterways and Industry; End: WT Brews
Join the Seneca Falls Museum of Waterways and Industry and the Erie Canal Museum for this hour long cycling tour around Seneca Falls looking at the its unique Canal history! The ride begins at the Seneca Falls Museum of Waterways and Industry and ends at WT Brews, right down the street, where you will be treated to a beer as part of your ride as well as a brief history of the brewery itself.
More >

Roc the River Ride

September 17   >>   Genesee Valley Park, Rochester
Explore Rochester’s history and natural beauty on a bicycle ride along the scenic Erie Canalway and Genesee Riverway Trails. Experienced riders will guide cyclists to five stops along the route that showcase local art, history, and culture. Riders ages 8-17 must be accompanied by an adult; those under age 8 can participate in a bicycle rodeo at the Staybridge Suites Hotel at 1000 Genesee Street, w…
More >

National Women's Hall of Fame - 2022 Induction Weekend Festival

September 23 - 25
Celebrate women's history and achievements through a weekend of storytelling, outdoor activities, the arts, fireworks, a flotilla parade, live music, and more. The remarkable class of 2022 includes: Octavia Butler, Judy Chicago, Becky Halstead, Mia Hamm, Joy Harjo, Emily Howland, Katharine Johnson, Indra Nooyi, and Michelle Obama.
More >

Locktoberfest Phoenix

October 1   >>   Phoenix
Ten bands on two stages; 75 vendors, crafters, and food trucks; pony rides; children's games; and a large fireworks display celebrate the NYS Canal System, arts, and waterfront recreation. Winner of the 2019 SAMMY People's Choice Award for Best Music Festival.
More >

2022 NYS Canal Conference

October 2 - 4   >>   Rochester
This statewide professional conference strives to create a deeper understanding of issues facing this national landmark and highlights the thoughts and activities of leaders in government, non-profits, history, tourism, economic development, engineering and education. Mobile workshops allow attendees to visit curated sites for in-depth exploration and hands-on experiences.
More >

Roc the Riverway Celebration

October 2   >>   Rochester
Music, boat rides, walks, cycling tours, displays, speakers and more celebrate the canal's vital role in Rochester past, present and future and the ongoing Roc the Roc the Riverway improvements.
More >

Path to Freedom: The Eliza Story

October 8   >>   Port Byron
Enjoy this moving performance of a youg girl's brave path from slavery to freedom along the Erie Canal to life on the 3500-acre Howland’s Island in the Seneca River near Montezuma. Based on a reporter's interview from 1896.
More >

Locktoberfest Fort Edward

October 15   >>   Fort Edward
Celebrate the autumn harvest season and the Champlain Canal on the grounds of the Canal Street Marketplace, a recently renovated nineteenth century canal barn. The festival features regional farm and artisan products, educational booths, fabulous food, free horse and wagon rides, a local beer tasting tent, and live music.
More >