The Ultimate Guide to August Events in and around the Hudson Valley
- Hudson Valley Happenings
- 11 hours ago
- 17 min read
August is summer refusing to slow down. County fairs are filling midway lights, porches are turning into stages, corgis are racing at Saratoga, lumberjacks are climbing greased poles and a festival devoted to Lake Champlain’s legendary monster is taking over the waterfront.
This month’s guide reaches from Westchester and the Hudson Valley through the Catskills, Capital Region, Adirondacks and Finger Lakes. You will find major concerts, outdoor theater, food festivals, cultural celebrations, historic spectacles and a few events strange enough to deserve the drive all by themselves.
Dates, schedules and ticket availability can change. Follow the event links for the latest information before heading out.
Lower Hudson Valley
The Lower Hudson Valley begins August with sand sculptures on the Sound and ends with Alfred Hitchcock inside a former textile mill. Between them are outdoor performances, international festivals, immersive theater, exotic cars, floating sound baths and three consecutive nights of Pretty Lights. Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and Orange Counties are giving us far more than an easy escape from the city this month.
Westchester County
August 1: Family Fun Day & Sand Art Competition, New Rochelle
Glen Island Beach becomes an open-air art studio as teams transform piles of sand into elaborate sculptures. Building runs from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., followed by judging and trophies. Participation is free, although regular beach admission and parking fees apply. Event information
August 1–28: August Concerts at New York Renaissance Faire
WEEKENDS BEGINNING AUGUST 15 | TUXEDO
The historic Capitol Theatre moves from Americana to electronic music and alternative rock during a compact but impressive August run. Pretty Lights takes over the room for three consecutive nights.
• August 1: Old Crow Medicine Show with Deadgrass Celebrating Jerry Garcia’s Birthday
• August 21: Pretty Lights
• August 22: Pretty Lights
• August 23: Pretty Lights
• August 28: Collective Soul with special guest Reach NYC
August 1: Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers at Caramoor, Katonah
Three-time Grammy winner Bruce Hornsby brings the genre-crossing live show that has kept audiences guessing for decades to Caramoor’s Venetian Theater. Rock, jazz, bluegrass and improvisation meet familiar songs that are regularly rebuilt through fresh arrangements and extended instrumental detours. Event information
August 2: Heritage of India Festival, Valhalla
Kensico Dam Plaza fills with Indian music, dance, food, cultural displays, shopping and family activities during Westchester’s 26th annual Heritage of India Festival. The celebration runs from noon to 6 p.m., with free admission and parking. Event information
August 6–9: Urbanite Arts & Film Festival, Peekskill
More than 230 projects created by emerging artists ages 13–26 take over Peekskill for four days of short films, photography, screenplays, spoken-word performances, music videos, workshops and conversations. This year’s selections were chosen from more than 1,600 submissions representing over 125 countries, placing young Hudson Valley creators inside a much larger international showcase. Official festival
August 7: Afro Dominicano at Hudson River Museum, Yonkers
Afro Dominicano brings its self-described “Afro Caribbean soul” to the Hudson River Museum’s outdoor amphitheater, mixing Dominican traditions with Afrobeats, reggae, calypso, samba, funk and rock. The free performance begins at 8 p.m., with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Hudson River Museum
August 9: Sea of Wonders Family Fun Day at Untermyer Gardens, Yonkers
Mermaids, pirates and fantastical sea creatures surface inside Untermyer Gardens during an underwater-inspired afternoon for children and their grown-ups. Costumed characters, performances, crafts and garden exploration turn the grounds into a colorful world built around the mysteries of the sea. Event information
August 14: Dueling Pianos at Hudson River Museum, Yonkers
The Flying Ivories turn audience requests into a constantly changing mix of music, comedy, singing and crowd participation. With performers whose credits include Broadway and Las Vegas, the free outdoor show is shaped by the songs shouted from the audience. Hudson River Museum
August 19: Rock the Block, White Plains
Mamaroneck Avenue closes to traffic for the final Rock the Block of the summer, replacing cars with live music, outdoor restaurant seating, cornhole, mini-golf and hands-on family activities. The free downtown street party runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and dogs are welcome. Event information
August 1–29: Summer Saturdays at Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard, North Salem
Harvest Moon gives every August Saturday its own theme, surrounding the farm with live entertainment, food trucks, wood-fired pizza, hard cider, craft beverages, soft serve and rides aboard the Kids Harvest Train. The series includes Wine & Seafood on August 1, Caribbean Night on August 8, a Bavarian Festival on August 15, Brazilian Carnival on August 22 and an End-of-Summer Hawaiian Luau on August 29. Summer Saturdays
August 23: Muslim Heritage Festival, Valhalla
Westchester’s Muslim Heritage Festival brings traditional music, dance, food, crafts and cultural exhibits to Kensico Dam Plaza for an afternoon celebrating the county’s diverse Muslim communities. Admission and parking are free. Westchester County parks events
Multiple August Dates: Jazz Forum Arts Waterfront Concerts
Free jazz concerts unfold beside the Hudson River throughout August, with separate series in Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, Tarrytown, Ossining and Sleepy Hollow. Emerging and established musicians perform against the waterfront at sunset, while select Dobbs Ferry and Tarrytown dates begin with Jitterbugs, an interactive jazz program created for children. Complete schedule
Rockland County
August 6: Exotic Car Night, Nyack
Main Street becomes an open-air showroom filled with exotic, high-performance and luxury vehicles. Visitors can walk among the cars, stop into Nyack’s restaurants and shops and spend a summer evening in the middle of one of Rockland’s most photogenic downtown events. A rain date is scheduled for August 13. Event information
August 22: GARNER Open Music Cypher, Garnerville
Instrumentalists, vocalists, producers and listeners gather inside GARNER Arts Center’s sprawling former textile complex for an open, collaborative improvisation session. The music is built in the room, giving performers space to experiment and audiences a chance to watch the creative process unfold. GARNER Arts Center
August 29: Psycho at GARNER Arts Center, Garnerville
Alfred Hitchcock’s landmark thriller comes to a setting with atmosphere to spare. GARNER’s brick passageways, industrial architecture and history as a 19th-century textile mill create an appropriately eerie backdrop for one of cinema’s most influential suspense films. GARNER Arts Center
Putnam County
August 1–2: Into the Woods, Carmel
Stephen Sondheim sends Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and several other fairy-tale characters into one interconnected story. What begins as a playful collision of familiar tales becomes a sharper look at wishes, consequences and everything that follows “happily ever after.” Brewster Theater Company
August 8: Super 70s Rock Show featuring Super Trans AM, Brewster
Super Trans AM recreates the sound and spectacle of 1970s arena rock with songs associated with Queen, Journey, Foreigner, Boston, Styx and other giants of the decade. The outdoor performance at Tilly Foster Farm turns the night into a full-scale nostalgic singalong. Tilly Foster Farm events
Beginning August 12: Les Misérables at Hudson Valley Shakespeare, Garrison
Hudson Valley Shakespeare takes on the epic story of Jean Valjean, Javert, revolution and redemption in its open-air theater overlooking the Hudson River. The scale of the musical, paired with the company’s new hillside home at The Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center, makes this one of the season’s most ambitious productions. Hudson Valley Shakespeare
August 22–23: Putnam County Wine & Music Festival, Carmel
Wineries, cideries and distilleries pour tastings throughout a two-day outdoor festival filled with live music, food and artisan vendors. Designated-driver admission makes it possible to enjoy the performances, shopping and festival atmosphere without participating in the tastings. Official festival
Orange County
Through August 16: LEGO Festival at LEGOLAND New York, Goshen
LEGOLAND expands its regular theme-park experience with festival-only entertainment, activities and elaborate LEGO creations. For families already considering a summer visit, the added programming gives them a reason to make the trip before the festival disappears for the season. LEGOLAND New York
August 10–31: Floating Sound Bliss, Campbell Hall and Fishkill
Guests float beneath the open sky while crystal singing bowls, gongs, chimes and other instruments turn the water into an immersive sound bath. The Country Club at Otterkill hosts floats on August 10, 17, 24 and 31, with special guest Jay Nipe joining August 17 for multiple gongs and live chanting. A Full Moon Float takes place August 28 at All Sport Health & Fitness in Fishkill. Floating Sound Bliss
August 15: Sun Ra Arkestra at Storm King, New Windsor
The legendary experimental jazz ensemble performs among Storm King’s monumental outdoor sculptures. Sun Ra Arkestra’s cosmic jazz, theatrical costumes and unpredictable stage presence should create one of the month’s most visually distinctive performances. Storm King Art Center
August 15–16, 22–23 and 29–30: New York Renaissance Faire, Tuxedo
The faire transforms its wooded grounds into a sprawling Elizabethan village filled with costumed performers, jousting, comedy, music, artisan vendors and oversized festival food. Guests are encouraged to dress for the occasion, turning the crowd into part of the spectacle. Official faire
August 18–20: Hudson Valley Film Fest, Warwick
Independent films fill the massive outdoor screens at Warwick Drive-In for three nights beneath the stars. The festival gives filmmakers a public showcase while offering audiences a nostalgic alternative to a conventional theater screening. Official festival
August 20: Warwick Ladies Night Out
Downtown Warwick businesses stay open for an evening of shopping, dining, specials and pop-up activities. Rather than keeping visitors at one venue, the event sends them through the village’s independent shops, restaurants and gathering places. Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce
August 25: Outstanding in the Field at Storm King, New Windsor
Outstanding in the Field builds its signature long communal table within the landscape at Storm King Art Center. A guest chef prepares a multi-course meal shaped by regional ingredients, turning dinner into a destination experience surrounded by large-scale sculpture. Outstanding in the Field
Mid-Hudson Valley
The middle of the Hudson Valley is leaning into spectacle. There are superheroes in Poughkeepsie, an overnight paranormal investigation in Napanoch, Caribbean festivals on both sides of the river, butterflies on Bannerman Island and two of the region’s largest county fairs. Add Broadway stars on the Kingston waterfront and experimental music inside an old barn, and August starts to feel wonderfully unpredictable.
Dutchess County
August 1: Hudson Valley Caribbean Festival, Poughkeepsie
Waryas Park fills with Caribbean music, food, dance, vendors and cultural traditions from across the islands. The Hudson River backdrop gives the performances and bright festival colors an especially strong setting. Event information
August 1–2: Mid-Hudson Comic Con, Poughkeepsie
Cosplay competitions, anime, comics, gaming, panels, artists and costumed characters take over the MJN Convention Center for an entire weekend. Whether you arrive dressed as a favorite character or simply want to watch the creativity walk past, this is one of August’s easiest events to enjoy with a camera in hand. Official event
August 2: La Guelaguetza Festival, Poughkeepsie
Waryas Park travels to Oaxaca through traditional folkloric dance, colorful regional costumes, live music, artwork, crafts, children’s activities and authentic Oaxacan food. The free, rain-or-shine celebration runs from noon to 7 p.m. and has become one of Poughkeepsie’s most vibrant annual traditions. Event information
August 16: Beacon Sloop Club Corn Festival, Beacon
Peak-season Hudson Valley corn gets its own free waterfront festival, complete with hot corn on the cob, live music, environmental displays, food and children’s activities. Its community-run character and Hudson River setting have made it a Beacon summer tradition. Beacon Sloop Club
August 19: Butterfly Day on Bannerman Island
The trip begins by boat before continuing through Bannerman Island’s gardens for a nature-focused program about butterflies and pollinators. Castle ruins, river scenery and wildlife education come together during an excursion that feels far removed from an ordinary garden walk. Bannerman Castle Trust
August 22: Eastdale Village Pickle Festival, Poughkeepsie
Pickles escape the jar and take over Eastdale Village through specialty foods, vendors, tastings and briny creations that stretch the theme in every possible direction. It is playful, easy to photograph and likely to settle at least a few arguments about what should and should not be pickled. Event information
August 25–30: Dutchess County Fair, Rhinebeck
One of New York’s largest county fairs brings livestock competitions, agricultural exhibits, midway rides, food, shopping and grandstand entertainment to Rhinebeck. Give yourself time. The fairgrounds are enormous, and there is far more here than can be covered during a quick walk through the midway. Official fair
Ulster County
August 4–9: Ulster County Fair, New Paltz
Animals, agricultural competitions, midway rides, food vendors, live entertainment and family shows fill six days at the Ulster County Fairgrounds. The schedule changes daily, giving fairgoers a choice between livestock events, music, motorsports and the simple joy of eating something fried beneath the midway lights. Official fair
August 14–16: The Festival at Hutton Brickyards, Kingston
Hutton Brickyards hosts a new destination music festival led by Broadway royalty. Audra McDonald, Kelli O’Hara and members of the original cast of RENT headline a weekend of performances beside the Hudson River, bringing major theatrical voices into one of Kingston’s most dramatic outdoor settings. Official festival
August 14–16: Woodstock Festival of Awakening
Speakers, workshops, music and group experiences come together during a festival centered on spiritual exploration, personal growth, wellness and conscious living. The weekend is geared toward readers interested in mindfulness, healing and alternative approaches to connection. Official festival
August 15: Wurstfest, Kingston
The Kingston Maennerchor and Damenchor serves an afternoon devoted to German sausages, traditional sides and community inside its Greenkill Avenue hall. The annual meal runs from noon to 3 p.m., and advance reservations are required. Event information
August 15–16: Overnight Paranormal Investigation at the Shanley Hotel, Napanoch
Guests spend roughly 15 hours investigating one of the Hudson Valley’s best-known haunted hotels. This is an actual overnight ghost hunt inside a building with a long paranormal reputation, not a staged walk-through attraction built for Halloween. Event information
August 22: Hudson Valley Caribbean Festival, Kingston
Kingston Point Beach comes alive with Caribbean music, dancing, food, vendors and family activities during the festival’s seventh year. The separate Kingston celebration runs from noon to 7 p.m. beside the river and is free to attend. Event information
Columbia County
August 4: Houndmouth at Basilica Hudson
Houndmouth brings its bluesy alternative rock and roots-driven songs into Basilica Hudson’s cavernous former factory. The industrial room is an excellent match for a band known for gritty harmonies and a live sound that feels looser and rougher around the edges than a polished theater performance. Event information
August 8: Art Omi Dance, Ghent
Artists from Art Omi’s international dance residency present work developed during their time together inside the organization’s 120-acre sculpture and architecture park. Movement, contemporary performance and the surrounding landscape meet during a free evening far outside the limits of a conventional theater. Art Omi
August 8: Roe Jan SummerFest, Hillsdale
Hillsdale gathers for an easygoing summer celebration filled with live entertainment, vendors, food and activities for different ages. Pair it with the shops, cafes and country roads around the Roe Jan area for a relaxed day in eastern Columbia County. Hillsdale events
August 28–September 7: The Hudson Eye, Hudson
Performance, music, dance, visual art and artist-led programming spread across Hudson during this citywide festival. Rather than occupying one building, The Hudson Eye uses storefronts, cultural spaces and public locations as a changing campus through Labor Day week. Official festival
August 29: Art Omi Music in the Barn, Ghent
Musicians from Art Omi’s international residency present an informal concert of experimental work created during their time together. The rustic barn keeps the audience close to the performers, while the program offers a rare chance to hear new collaborations before they exist anywhere else. Event information
Catskills
Sullivan County owns the Catskills spotlight this August. Bethel Woods is carrying a near-constant parade of major performers, Monticello is turning Broadway into Bagel Boulevard and the Woodstock site is pausing between concerts to examine the history that made the property famous. This section is shorter, but almost everything in it can anchor an entire day trip.
Greene County
August 7: Catskill First Friday
Catskill’s galleries, shops, restaurants and creative spaces stay open later for a walkable evening downtown. Exhibitions, pop-ups, specials and live performances vary by month, making the night as much about wandering Main Street as following a fixed schedule. Catskill First Fridays
August 13–16: Rats Nest Run-In, East Durham
Traditional hot rods, custom cars, motorcycles, live music and vintage style take over Blackthorne Resort for a full retro-culture weekend. The vehicles are only part of the draw. Builders, riders, rockabilly style and old-school campground energy make the entire gathering a spectacle. Blackthorne Resort
August 15: Summer Market Party at Wylder Windham
Market Party fills the grounds of Wylder Windham with a handpicked mix of artists, makers, vintage curators, designers and specialty food vendors. DJs, cocktails, music and superior mountain lounging keep the event moving from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free, and dogs are welcome. Event information
Sullivan County
August 8–31: August Concerts at Bethel Woods
Bethel Woods moves from comedy and country to orchestral pop, outlaw country and a symphonic celebration of Jerry Garcia during one packed month.
• August 8: Jeff Dunham and Gabriel Iglesias
• August 14: Thomas Rhett with Kashus Culpepper and Emily Ann Roberts
• August 15: Turnpike Troubadours with Muscadine Bloodline and The Creekers
• August 16: Brandi Carlile with Jensen McRae
• August 23: Josh Groban with orchestra
• August 29: Outlaw Music Festival with Willie Nelson & Family, The Avett Brothers, Sheryl Crow and more
• August 30: Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration
• August 31: Tedeschi Trucks Band with Lukas Nelson
August 9: The Bagel Festival, Monticello
Monticello celebrates its claim as the “Bagel Capital” by transforming Broadway into Bagel Boulevard. Bagel-inspired food, vendors, entertainment, contests and activities make the premise delightfully specific and give visitors many more choices than plain or everything. Official festival
August 9–12: Bethel Woods Anniversary Week
Bethel Woods commemorates the anniversary of the original 1969 Woodstock festival with museum programming, films, tours, talks and music-centered experiences. It is a chance to engage with the property’s history beyond attending a standalone concert at the Pavilion. Bethel Woods events
August 21–23: Deadbeat Retreat, East Durham
Blackthorne Resort hosts a motorcycle-culture takeover built around custom bikes, builders, riders and the Deadbeat Customs community. The weekend mixes motorcycles, camping and Catskills resort energy into a gathering created for people who care as much about the machines as the ride. Blackthorne Resort
Capital Region and Saratoga
The Capital Region is going big, strange and wonderfully specific. Dragon boats are cutting through Waterford, a paranormal convention is filling Saratoga City Center, corgis are receiving the full race-day treatment and SPAC is pairing blockbuster films with a live orchestra. Food, culture and classic fairs round out a month with very little downtime.
Albany County
August 1: Black Arts & Cultural Festival Finale, Albany
The festival finale at Empire State Plaza celebrates Black arts and culture through live music, dance, spoken word, food, vendors and community programming. It closes Albany’s larger summer series with one of its broadest and most energetic gatherings. Empire State Plaza events
August 12: New York State Food Festival, Albany
Food vendors and craft beverage producers from across the state gather at Empire State Plaza alongside live entertainment. Visitors can sample New York flavors across the Plaza’s modernist landscape without having to choose one restaurant for lunch. Event information
August 18–23: Altamont Fair
The Altamont Fair represents Albany, Schenectady and Greene Counties through agriculture, animals, midway rides, racing, food and grandstand entertainment. It remains one of the Capital Region’s biggest traditional summer outings. Official fair
August 22: Albany LatinFest, Washington Park
Washington Park fills with music, dancing, food, crafts and performances representing cultures from across Latin America and the Caribbean. The free festival is designed for all ages and gives downtown Albany one of its most colorful days of the summer. Official festival
Rensselaer County
August 16: Troy Pig Out
Barbecue teams and local restaurants fill downtown Troy with ribs, pulled pork and other smoked specialties during a full day of public tasting, competition and live entertainment. The only sensible strategy is to arrive hungry and avoid committing to the first plate you see. Official festival
Schoharie County
August 11–16: Schoharie County Sunshine Fair, Cobleskill
The Sunshine Fair celebrates its 150th anniversary with livestock, agricultural competitions, midway rides, truck and tractor events, demolition derbies, food and family entertainment. Its rural setting and deep farming roots give it the kind of old-school county-fair character that cannot be manufactured. Official fair
Saratoga County
August 1–30: August Concerts at SPAC, Saratoga Springs
SPAC’s August calendar moves from classic rock and orchestral showpieces to movie screenings accompanied by The Philadelphia Orchestra and one of the summer’s largest touring festivals.
• August 1: Brit Floyd and Get The Led Out
• August 5: Tchaikovsky Spectacular
• August 7: Brian Stokes Mitchell with The Philadelphia Orchestra
• August 8: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 in Concert
• August 14: Josh Groban with The Philadelphia Orchestra
• August 21: Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert
• August 30: Outlaw Music Festival
August 8: Waterford Dragon Boat Festival, Waterford
Teams paddle long, vividly decorated dragon-headed boats through a series of races benefiting To Life!, a Capital Region organization supporting people affected by breast cancer. The synchronized paddling, waterfront crowds and colorful boats make the competition especially fun to watch. Event information
August 15: Haunted in New York, Saratoga Springs
Saratoga City Center fills with paranormal investigators, ghost lore, psychics, energy practitioners, metaphysical experiences and handcrafted oddities. It is part convention, part supernatural marketplace and an excellent place to compare theories about what may be lurking in New York’s oldest buildings. Event information
August 16: Saratoga Corgi Cup, Saratoga Springs
Corgis charge down Saratoga Race Course’s main track between the day’s thoroughbred races, receiving introductions, starting gates and an enormous audience despite their extremely short legs. The event is included with paid admission to the track and may produce the most entertaining finish of the meet. NYRA schedu
Adirondacks and Lake George Region
Only in the Adirondacks can one month move naturally from a lake-monster festival to giant forest trolls, nighttime cannon fire, porch concerts and lumberjacks racing across logs. The scenery is part of every outing, but the region’s personality is what makes this section worth the extra miles.
Warren County and Lake George
Through August 2: Glens Falls Plein Air Festival
Artists work outdoors throughout the Glens Falls area, painting local streets, landmarks and landscapes in real time. Visitors can watch the creative process before seeing newly completed work gathered for exhibition and sale. Glens Falls Arts District
July 31–August 2: Stony Creek Mountain Days
Stony Creek celebrates its 22nd year with live music, food, vendors, family activities and the New York State Lumberjack Competition. The contests and small mountain-town setting give this festival a far stronger identity than a standard summer community day. Event information
August 21–22: Lake George Rendezvous Antique & Classic Boat Show
More than 50 beautifully restored wooden boats and classic watercraft gather along Lake George for public viewing and a lakefront parade. Polished mahogany, vintage designs and the mountain-backed water create one of August’s best events for photographers. Event information
Essex County
July 29–August 2: Essex County Fair, Westport
Livestock, horse shows, agricultural exhibits, rides, food and family entertainment fill the Westport fairgrounds. The familiar county-fair experience comes with an Adirondack mountain backdrop that few midways can match. Official fair
August 1: Champ Day, Port Henry
Port Henry celebrates Champ, Lake Champlain’s legendary monster, with cryptid-themed fun on the waterfront. The festival includes carnival games, vendors, food, music, a Lucy and the Lake Monster book signing and a cardboard boat race that may be almost as difficult to explain as Champ himself. Event information
August 6, 13, 20 and 27: Guns by Night at Fort Ticonderoga
Fort Ticonderoga stays open after hours for a program built around the power and spectacle of historic artillery. Musket and cannon demonstrations bring the fort’s military history to life as daylight fades over Lake Champlain. Fort Ticonderoga
Franklin County
August 1: Saranac Lake PorchFest
Porches throughout Saranac Lake become miniature stages for local and regional musicians. Audiences walk from neighborhood to neighborhood, creating a free musical tour shaped as much by the village streets and front yards as the performers. Saranac Lake events
August 8–16: Franklin County Fair, Malone
Agricultural competitions, livestock, midway rides, food, demolition events and grandstand entertainment fill nine days in Malone. Its long run and northern location make it one of the Adirondacks’ largest annual community gatherings. Official fair
August 17–22: Adirondack Plein Air Festival, Saranac Lake
Juried artists spread across forests, lakes, villages and mountain overlooks to paint the region outdoors. Visitors can watch the landscapes take shape before viewing the newly completed work together at the festival exhibition and sale. Official festival
Tupper Lake
August 4 and 11: Troll Tuesdays at The Wild Center
Visitors search the forest for six enormous troll sculptures created by artist Thomas Dambo while participating in troll-themed crafts, activities and nature programming. The scale of the sculptures and their placement among the trees turn a family museum day into a full woodland quest. The Wild Center
Boonville
August 21–23: New York State Woodsmen’s Field Days
Lumberjacks and lumberjills compete in log skidding, greased-pole climbing, axe throwing, chainsaw events and other traditional woodsmen contests. Add beard competitions, forestry equipment and modified chainsaws, and the result is one of the loudest and most unmistakably northern events of the month. Official event
Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes finish the guide with garlic, steam power, singing bowls and bathtubs on wheels. These are not interchangeable town festivals. Each one has a premise strong enough to remember, whether you are tasting garlic beside Seneca Lake or watching teams race rolling tubs around a hay-bale course.
Ontario County
July 30–August 2: Phelps Sauerkraut Weekend
Phelps embraces its sauerkraut-producing history with a parade, food, music, contests, vendors and family activities. The long-running festival proves that a town celebration becomes far more memorable when fermented cabbage is given top billing. Official festival
August 1–2: Glorious Garlic Festival, Geneva
Garlic becomes the centerpiece of tastings, chef demonstrations, specialty foods, farm products and artisan shopping at the Geneva Lakefront. The Finger Lakes setting and unapologetically specific culinary theme make this an easy choice for anyone who believes there is no such thing as too much garlic. Official festival
August 5–8: Pageant of Steam, Canandaigua
Historic steam engines, antique tractors and vintage farm equipment operate throughout an enormous working-machinery show. Demonstrations, tractor pulls, a flea market and rows of restored equipment bring mechanical history back to life with plenty of noise, smoke and motion.
August 8: Rising in Unity Singing Bowl World Record Attempt, Canandaigua
Participants gather with singing bowls in an attempt to create the world’s largest ensemble of its kind. Collective sound, wellness and a genuine record attempt come together during one of the month’s most unusual experiences. Event information
Cayuga County
August 6–8: Fillmore Days & Bathtub Races, Moravia
Teams push custom-built bathtubs on wheels around a hay-bale course in honor of Millard Fillmore and the false legend that he introduced the first bathtub to the White House. The festival runs for three days, with the primary bathtub races taking place August 8. Event information
Make the Most of What Is Left of Summer
August has a habit of disappearing faster than expected. Save this guide, send it to the person who is always asking what you should do this weekend and choose a few events before the month fills up.
