Live Music, Local Flavor, and World-Class Competition

From the Adirondacks to the Catskills, the Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority) is turning fall weekends into destination celebrations. A lineup of harvest festivals, Bavarian traditions, and international competitions will spotlight local culture, support small businesses, and give visitors a front-row seat to the changing seasons in New York State.

Why It Matters

These festivals don’t just celebrate fall—they fuel the local economy, drawing thousands of guests from across the Northeast and beyond. The Olympic Authority’s venues transform into hubs of community, culture, and outdoor fun, showcasing regional makers, craft beverages, and farm-to-table fare alongside music, kids’ activities, and world-class sporting events.

Community Front and Center

The Olympic Authority’s fall festivals generate strong regional participation, with local businesses and organizations anchoring every event. Vendors range from family farms and craft breweries to regional artisans and food trucks, while community nonprofits and cultural groups use the festivals as a platform to reach new audiences.

Festival Highlights

Whiteface Oktoberfest 

Location: Wilmington, NY

Dates: Saturday & Sunday, September 27–28, 2025

Hours: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Experience a Bavarian-style celebration featuring food, beer, live music, and over 45 craft vendors. Family activities include pumpkin painting, bounce houses, obstacle courses, jugglers, stilt walkers, magic shows, touch-a-truck, and face painting. More Info

WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series 

Locations: Mt Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid & Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington
Dates: Friday–Sunday, October 3–5, 2025
Hours: Varies by event
International mountain biking competition with: Free admission for children 12 & under; local school groups invited to Friday training, vendor village and food & drink, entertainment: The Big Takeover, Whiskey River Treaty Roadshow, and Nubble, face painting, caricature art, ADK Raptors, and the Sky Lab Planetarium.  More Info

Belleayre Fall Festival 

Location: Highmount, NY
Dates: Saturdays & Sundays, October 4, 5, 11, & 12, 2025
Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
A Catskills’ signature seasonal event featuring: 75+ vendors, food trucks, and Brews and Views, Kids’ activities: crafts, pumpkin painting, bounce house, live music, gondola rides, disc golf, hiking, community contests, and job fair. More Info

Gore Mountain Harvest Fest 

Location: North Creek, NY
Dates: Saturday & Sunday, October 11–12, 2025
Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Celebrate Adirondack autumn with Craft fairs, regional food & drink, outdoor activities including mountain biking and disc golf, live music, and family-friendly entertainment. Kids’ activities: bounce houses and face painting, as well as a special performance of Mr. Twisty, magician and children’s entertainer, on Sunday from 12:30–4:00 PM. The local food pantry will be on-site, continuing their involvement from Community Day. More Info

Flaming Leaves Festival 

Location: Lake Placid, NY
Dates: Saturday & Sunday, October 11–12, 2025
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sport + celebration at the Olympic Jumping Complex: U.S. Ski Jumping & Nordic Combined National Championships, family activities: craft tent, bounce houses, educational booths, live music, magic shows, roaming performers, food trucks, beer & wine tents, and craft vendors. More Info

Culture, Recreation, and Connection to Place

Each festival combines live music, local food, seasonal traditions, and outdoor recreation, serving as a vibrant kickoff to the region’s busy fall and winter season. These events showcase the natural beauty of the Adirondacks and Catskills, foster athlete development and sport tourism, and provide unforgettable experiences for visitors of all ages. By bringing communities together and supporting local businesses, the festivals celebrate active, healthy lifestyles while connecting people to the region’s landscapes and Olympic legacy.

Media Contact: Lisa Carter, [email protected]