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. Join the fun!
2019 Corridor-wide Events:
Featured Community Events
These events will give you reasons to head to the water and to canal communities again and again. In addition to this listing, please visit the NYS Canal Corporation for a complete canal calendar.
Erie Canal Heritage Connection
July 27 >> Macedon Canal Park at Lock 30, Macedon
Spend the day at Lock 30 exploring and discovering life along the Erie Canal in the 1800s. Entertainment includes interactive presentations, a performance by Fiddlers of the Genesee, and a 19th century fashion show.
More > Rome CanalFest
August 2 - 4 >> Bellamy Harbor Park, Rome
Join three days of exciting activities celebrating the Erie Canal. The event includes vendors, live music, the 'anything but a boat' race, a water ski show, a fishing contest, and fireworks.
More > Albion's 6th Annual Rock-The-Park Festival
August 3 >> Bullard Park, Albion
Celebrate the Village of Albion's canal town heritage with food, artisans, live music, and canal history learning opportunities.
More > 32nd Annual Little Falls Canal Celebration
August 5 - 11 >> City of Little Falls
Celebrate Little Falls heritage with a week of recreational, educational and creative programs for the whole family.
More > Canal Fest at Sylvan Beach
August 9 - 11 >> Lakefront Park, Sylvan Beach
Celebrate the Erie Canal on the shores of Oneida Lake at this exciting family-friendly event. The three day festival includes circus performances, fireworks, a water ski show, and a historical presentation.
More > Towpath Day, The Legacy of the Erie Canal
August 10 >> Camillus Erie Canal Park, Camillus
Celebrate the legacy of the Erie Canal with a day filled with family friendly activities, demonstrations, dance, dramatization and great music that represent the 1800s canal era. Sign up for the Mule Skinner 5K Walk/Run Race and earn Canalway Challenge miles.
More > 15th Annual Cardboard Boat Race
August 10 >> Fort Hardy Beach, Schuylerville
Enjoy a fun-filled and exciting day on the shores of the Champlain Canal building and racing a cardboard boat. Or stay dry on shore, cheer on your favorite boats, and enjoy live music and displays.
More > Water/Ways Tour
August 17 - September 29 >> Aurora Masonic Center, Aurora, NY
Explore the endless motion of the water cycle and its impact on New York's history, landscape and culture. The Smithsonian traveling exhibition will be touring New York State from 2019 to 2020.
More > Tugboat Roundup
September 6 - 8 >> Waterford Harbor at Lock 2, Waterford
Tugboat Roundup is a three day gathering and celebration of tugboats! The festival includes music, boat rides, vendors, fireworks, and more!
More > Kayaking 4 Meso
September 7 >> Waterford
Enjoy a fun 8-mile paddle through the Waterford Flight and into the Champlain Canal. Proceeds go to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.
More > Old Timers Fair
September 14 >> The Cobblestone National Historic Landmark District, Albion
The Cobblestone Museum will come alive with artisan demonstrations and reenactors recreating life in 19th century Orleans County.
More > Rome Locktoberfest
October 5 >> Bellamy Harbor Park, Rome
Locktoberfest at Bellamy Harbor Park is the destination for music, art, and local CNY food and beverages set alongside the beautiful Erie Canal.
More > Water/Ways Tour
October 5 - November 17 >> Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village, Amherst, NY
Explore the endless motion of the water cycle and its impact on New York's history, landscape and culture. The Smithsonian traveling exhibition will be touring New York State from 2019 to 2020.
More > Erie Canal Music and Stories
October 12 >> Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village Museum, Amherst
Celebrate the bicentennial period with tales and music of the Erie Canal performed by Dave Ruch.
More > Mohawk Towpath Byway Duathlon
October 20 >> Riverview Orchards, Rexford
Run two miles, bike 17 miles, then run another two miles through beautiful fall foliage, then enjoy a barbecue dinner. Participate in the race as an individual or team and track your Canalway Challenge miles, or join the cheering section!
More > 3rd Annual Erie Canal Run
October 26 >> Sullivan Parks and Recreation Building, Chittenango
Dress up and hit the Canalway Trail for the Eerie Canal Towpath 15-mile and 5K runs. This scenic run will take you along the towpath of the Old Erie Canal. Don't forget to track your miles for the Canalway Challenge!
More > Water/Ways Tour
Novemer 23 - January 5, 2020 >> Chapman Museum, Glens Falls, NY
Explore the endless motion of the water cycle and its impact on New York's history, landscape and culture. The Smithsonian traveling exhibition will be touring New York State from 2019 to 2020.
More >