Events and Festivals

HomeExploreEvents 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. Join the fun!

2018 Corridor-wide Events:

Canal Opens for the Season

May 15
corridor-wide

Head to the water for a season of fun!
MORE >

Path Through History Weekend

June 16-17, October 6-8
multiple sites

Celebrate New York's incredible history and culture at events held throughout the state.
MORE >

Lois McClure Tour

June 21 - Sept 22
Multiple Locations

Step on board Lake Champlain Maritime Museum’s sailing canal boat at ports on the Erie Canal and Seneca Lake.
MORE >

GlassBarge

June 21 - Sept 22
Multiple Locations

See live glass blowing demonstrations as the Corning Museum of Glass celebrates its 100th anniversary on an incredible cross-canal…
MORE >

Cycle the Erie Canal

July 8-15, 2017
Buffalo to Albany

Join more than 600 riders of all ages and from all over the country for this 8-day, 400-mile bike tour across New York State. 4-da…
MORE >

Featured Community Events

Head to the water and to canal communities for these 2018 events! Events listed are sponsored by Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor in partnership with the NYS Canal Corporation. Visit the NYS Canal Corp for a complete canal calendar.

Centennial Celebration: First Filling of The Erie Barge Canal

May 10   >>   Genesee Valley Sports Complex at Genesee Valley Park
Witness the re-creation of the "first filling" of the 20th century Erie Canal. “Teddy Roosevelt,” our sponsors, and other dignitaries will greet the public and commemorate the event with the authentic shovel used 100 years ago on May 10, 1918. Dignitaries will also unveil a bronze plaque that designates the NYS Canal System a National Historic Landmark. Optional bus tour to follow.
More >

Low Bridge, High Water

May 10-12   >>   Village of Brockport
Celebrate the annual opening of the canal, the Erie Canal bicentennial, and the centennial of the Barge Canal through heritage, educational, and recreational events in and on the canal.
More >

Pedal-Paddle-Run

May 12   >>   Aqueduct Road Boathouse & Park, Niskayuna
Experience a "Not Your Typical" triathlon: 7-mile bike, 2-mile kayak or canoe, and a 5K run along the Mohawk River.
More >

Celebrate - Commemorate Memorial Day

May 25-30   >>   Lock 4, Village of Waterloo
Visit historic Waterloo, NY, the official birthplace of Memorial Day and experience Civil War living history along the banks of the Cayuga-Seneca Canal. Partake in family friendly activities, including concerts, arts & crafts, and plein air art demonstrations.
More >

Erie Canal Family Fun Day at Lock 30

May 26   >>   Macedon Canal Park at Lock 30
Celebrate and tour the history and heritage of Lock 30 on the Erie Canal as you explore the construction of the canal. Participate in hands-on activities, including: family games, historic displays, simulations, canal trail tours, canal boat tours, face painting, live music, food and refreshments, a bounce house, and displays by local clubs and businesses.
More >

Seneca River Days

June 8-9   >>   Papermill Island and Mercer Park, Baldwinsville
Enjoy this family-friendly event featuring recreational activities on the canal, including: a kayak race, Anything that Floats race, rubber duck race, and the unveiling of the new handicap accessible kayak and boat ramp. Food and craft vendors, activities for children, including artists and bounce houses, live music, and evening fireworks.
More >

Seneca River Days Paddle Fest

June 9   >>   Lions Community Park and Mercer Park, Lysander
Experience the Seneca River on this easy 1.2 mile kayak/canoe paddle through the Village of Baldwinsville. Part of the larger Seneca River Days Festival, the day is filled with live music, entertainment, food, and crafters to be enjoyed by community families, friends, and visitors.
More >

Adaptive Paddling and Cycling Extravaganza!

June 16-17   >>   Erie Canal Boat Company, Fairport
Explore inclusive adaptive cycling and kayaking on the Erie Canal during the two-day APACC Extravaganza! Complete with adaptive paddling and cycling clinics, community vendors, and more-- provided by trained staff and volunteers to connect people with disabilities and their family and friends with the fantastic experience of kayaking and cycling along the Erie Canal!
More >

Boat Float Bash

June 16   >>   Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum, Chittenango
Join a colorful group of kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddleboards to explore the Old Erie Canal State Park for the 2nd Annual Boat Float. Choose from four launch locations depending on your preferred distance. All paddlers end at the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum at 2 pm for the Boat Float Bash with music and food trucks!
More >

Albany's Welcome Celebration for the GlassBarge

June 20-21   >>   Jennings Landing Riverfront, Albany
In celebration of the Erie Canal Bicentennial, Discover Albany and the City of Albany are welcoming the Corning Museum of Glass' GlassBarge in a special celebration at Alive @ 5! The GlassBarge showcase the Museum's signature live Hot Glass Show and demonstrations.
More >

Music on the Erie

Fridays 6-8pm, June 22 through August 31   >>   T. Spencer Knight Canal Park, Newark
Enjoy the 2018 Music on the Erie series of free live music along the picturesque Erie Canal every Friday evening June 22nd through August 31st from 6-8pm. Boaters and cyclists welcome!
More >

Amherst Bicentennial Erie Canal Walking Tour

June 30   >>   Amherst
Join us for a historically rich walking tour for the entire family. This tour will feature stops at the former site of the Kramer General Store, Pickard's Bridge, and many more significant locations as we explore the settlement, expansion, and agricultural development of the communities between Buffalo and Lockport.
More >

Canal Days

July 14-15   >>   Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, Fort Hunter
Enjoy a lively country festival celebrating the history of the Erie Canal with live music, demonstrations, art show, wagon rides, food, the Utica Zoomobile, games, vendors, kayaking, and much more.
More >

CanalFest at Mabee Farm

July 14   >>   Mabee Farm Historic Site, Rotterdam Junction
Join us for a day of free fun and family activities. Historic demonstrations bring canal heritage to life, while boat tours, cycling demos, and contemporary crafts illustrate the vibrancy of today's canal life.
More >

CanalFest 2018

July 15-22   >>   Tonawanda and North Tonawanda Gateway Harbor
Celebrate the Erie Canal and the sister cities of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda throughout this annual festival. Enjoy local foods, musical entertainment, SIKA Challenge boat building, and rides. Featured events include: Canal Fest Beauty Pageant, Parade Day, Diaper Derby, the Tim Frank Memorial 4 Miler Race, arts and crafts, fireworks and more.
More >

Celebration of the Canals - Destination Oswego

July 21   >>   Canalview Drive, Oswego
Celebrate the Oswego Canal with a day filled with activities on and alongside the river and canal front. You can paddle, cycle, ride aboard a solar boat, and more during our 2018 celebration.
More >

Explore the Summer Free Family Tours

July 22 & August 19   >>   Buffalo Inner Harbor & Canalside, Buffalo
Explore the vibrant Canalside area to learn the history of Buffalo's waterfront and the legacy of the Erie Canal during this free two hour tour. All ages welcome.
More >

Rome Canalfest 2018

August 3-5   >>   Bellamy Harbor Park, Rome
The premier summer family event in Rome! Activities throughout out the weekend include a fishing derby, Anything-but-a-Boat Race, water ski show, and a 5k run/walk. Enjoy live music, fireworks every night, a food truck rodeo, the cookie eating contest, vendors and amusement rides.
More >

Albion's 5th Annual Rock-The-Park Festival

August 4   >>   Albion
Just 1/2 mile south of the canal at Bullard Park, this year's event will include food vendors, craft and artisan vendors, live music, and a historical display area that will focus on the construction of the canal.
More >

Amsterdam RiverFest

August 4   >>   Riverlink Park and Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook Pedestrian Bridge, Amsterdam
Walk the Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook Bridge and enjoy a beautiful day and night by the Erie Canal! Activities include food and craft vendors, music on our waterfront stage, pirate themed kayak excursion, water ski show, pony rides, petting zoo, wine tasting, and entertainment throughout the day. Be sure to stay for the evening fireworks show!
More >

31st Annual Little Falls Canal Celebration

August 6-12   >>   City of Little Falls
Explore Little Fall's beautiful waterway, historic landmarks, geological wonders, attractions, businesses, services and opportunities. Events include canoe/kayak fun paddle and river tour, fishing derbies, historic walks, foot race, arts & crafts, farmers market, car show, grande parade, fireworks, ethnic food, live entertainment and local vendors.
More >

Canal Heritage Festival

August 11-12   >>   Medina Canal Basin, Medina
The beautiful canal basin will be the focal point for this two day event. Activities include music, artisans, story telling, a canal talk, food vendors, kayak and canoe rentals, and walking tours of the historic downtown business district adjacent to the canal. Don't miss the Lois McClure and GlassBarge anchored in port as they provide on-board tours and demonstrations.
More >

Towpath Day -The Legacy of the Erie Canal

August 11   >>   Camillus Erie Canal Park, Camillus
Enjoy the day at this family oriented festival. Experience the Old Erie Canal as boats travel along a one mile canal section and special narration unfolds at different scenes along the way. There will be traditional kids activities, demonstrations of period crafts, including a working blacksmith, 5K race, vendors, great food and music, and a special visit from Patty the Mule.
More >

14th Annual Cardboard Boat Race

August 11   >>   Fort Hardy Beach, Schuylerville
Don't miss a lively day of fun on the water! Individuals, families and other groups design, build and race boats across the Hudson River/Champlain.Live music, environmental and historical education, and food prepared by area restaurants round out the day.
More >

Tugboat Roundup

September 7-9   >>   Waterford Harbor at Lock 2, Waterford
One weekend each year Waterford's historic waterfront is transformed back into a rendering of its commercial heyday with prominent tugboats and demonstrations to educate and promote the New York State waterways and canal system. Tours of vessels, demonstrations, vendors and entertainment...not to be missed!
More >

Summer's End Festival

September 15   >>   Ames Museum, Village of Ames
Join us for the summer send off festival in the smallest incorporated village in NY! Browse local arts and crafts; see period re-enactors; sample local baked goods; and participate in our all-ages 5K run and community walk, set against a backdrop of fall colors painted across the hillsides of our charming farming community.
More >

Tour the Towpath

September 15-16   >>   DeWitt to Rome
Experience 36 miles of beautiful, off-road trail riding and explore historic communities that were built around the Erie Canal from DeWitt to Rome. Complete the ride in two days with camping or hotel accommodations at the mid-point. Or do the abbreviated one-day version.
More >

Locktoberfest

dates TBA   >>   Lockport, Seneca Falls, Rome, Phoenix, Fort Edward
Celebrate the harvest and the end of the canal season at events in Lockport, Seneca Falls, Rome, Phoenix, and Fort Edward.
More >

Genesee River Romance Weekend

October 5-7   >>   Rochester
Explore Rochester's favorite waterway and celebrate the Genesee River's storied history and promising future. Enjoy tours, paddling, or cycling; and listen to live music throughout the weekend.
More >

Mohawk Towpath Byway Duathlon

October 14   >>   Riverview Orchards, Rexford
Each year the Mohawk Towpath Byway Duathlon attracts top regional multi-sport athletes, as well as recreational runners and bikers for this USAT sanctioned event. Event includes 2 mile run / 17 mile bike / 2 mile run to the finish. Two person teams are welcome: a runner and a cyclist.
More >