If leaf-peeping or delicious fall flavors don’t grab your attention, the fun fall events in Finger Lakes Wine Country will. This list of harvest and Halloween activities includes options for the whole family and adults only. Families will enjoy pumpkin picking, trick-or-treating, and a Dia de los Muertos Celebration at The Rockwell Museum in Corning. The more mature crowd will enjoy the Haunted Wine Walk at Hosmer Winery or the Wicked Realm Film Festival. Those looking for a fright will enjoy Phantom PhrightNights, while the more spiritually inclined will enjoy a ghost walk in a cemetery.
Our roundup of exciting fall events in Finger Lakes Wine Country has something funfor every kiddo and something truly frightening for those who enjoy the thrill of being scared.
Family Friendly
Enjoy pumpkin painting, costume contests, and Dia de los Muertos festivities for the family. Check out our FLX Family-Friendly Fall Travel Guide for a complete list of pumpkin patches and apple-picking locations.
The Days of Incandescence Celebration
When: Thursday, October 20 - 31, 2023
Time: Varies
Where: Varies
Cost: Varies
The Days of Incandescence is a special multi-day celebration held each October. Inspired by the actual history and rather curious mystery behind Corning’s role in making the special glass bulbs for Thomas Edison’s incandescent lamp and, as a result, its role in helping spread light across the world.
As part of this multi-day event, a special story was written and published called The Legend of the Gathers which explores that historic event and the role a mysterious young boy played in making it all come true. Step back in time and celebrate Corning's historic Gaffer District 1880s style with live music, vendors, a Jack-O-Lantern Lighting & Carving Contest PDF File, Guided Walking Tours, Archibald's Libations Crawl, a Ghost Hunt, and more!
Make Your Own Glass Pumpkin
When: Monday, September 11, 2023 - Monday, November 20, 2023
Time: TBD
Where: The Corning Museum of Glass, One Museum Way Corning, NY 14830
Cost: $34 Spots fill quickly so book your experience online before your visit.
The Make Your Own Glass Pumpkin class is a seasonal favorite open to all ages, this experience allows you to work with hot glass up close while staying on the cool end of the glassblowing iron at all times.
Pumpkins are available for pick up after noon the next day or may be shipped for an additional fee within the U.S. and Canada
Smithome Farms Pumpkin Patch
When: Saturday, September 16, 2023 - Sunday, October 29, 2023
Time: Saturdays + Sundays, 11 AM - 5 PM
Where: Smithome Farms, 2844 State Route 352 Elmira, NY 14903
Cost: $2-$23
The Smithome Farms Pumpkin Patch is the only local pumpkin patch that allows you to pick your pumpkin in the field. This family-orientated pumpkin patch offers you the opportunity to walk through acres of pumpkins to find the perfect one for you.
Here you’ll also find a 3-acre corn maze, hayrides, and duck races. Enjoy a casual lunch of hot dogs, cider, fresh mini donuts, and kettle corn for a fun family day.
Spooktacular Fall at Iron Kettle Farm
When: All October Long
Time: Monday - Sunday 9 AM-6 PM
Activities Available: Monday - Friday 12 PM - 5:30 PM, Saturday - Sunday 10 AM - 5:30 PM
Where: Iron Kettle Farm, Rt. 96, 707 Owego Road Candor, NY 13743
Cost: $15
Iron Kettle Farm is more than just a pumpkin farm. They have built a reputation for their spooktacular pumpkin display and corn maze. This year you’ll also find a pumpkin slingshot, Spook Barn and Fun Barn, the Pumpkin Express mini-train for kids, and more.
Please call for more details as some days are cash only.
Fall Fest and Recording Artist Nate Michaels Live
When: Saturday, October 7, 2023
Time: 8 AM - 4:30 PM
Where: The Windmill Farm and Craft Market, 3000 State Route 14A, Penn Yan, NY 14527
Cost: Free
At Fall Fest you’ll find live music from Recording Artist Nate Michaels, pumpkin painting, fall foods and beverages, live animals, scarecrow and pumpkin contests, and more!
Annual Newark Valley Apple Festival
When: Saturday, October 7, 2023 - Sunday, October 8, 2023
Time: 10 AM - 5 PM
Where: Bement-Billings Farmstead, 9241 Route 38, Newark Valley, NY 13811
Cost: $5 - $7 Tickets
At the Annual Newark Valley Apple Festival enjoy live music, great food, crafts, tours, spinning & weaving, kids’ activities, primitive archery, and more.
The Falls Harvest Festival
When: Saturday, October 7, 2023
Time: 12 PM - 7:30 PM
Where: Main Street in Montour Falls
Cost: Free
At The Falls Harvest Festival, the family will enjoy a day-long celebration of the harvest in the Finger Lakes! The 16th annual Falls Harvest Festival is located in beautiful and historic Montour Falls, New York. Guests will experience live entertainment and a variety of unique local craft and food vendors. End the evening with a community bonfire and spectacular fireworks display cascading over the 156-foot Shequaga Falls.
Kids Daylight Frights at Tagslyvania
When: Sunday, October 8, 2023 + Saturday, October 21, 2023
Time: 1 - 5 PM
Where: 3037 State Route 352 Big Flats, New York 14814
Cost: $12 - $15 Kids under 3 are free
Do you have kids who love Spooky Season but are not quite ready for the light to get turned out? The second year of Kids Daylight Frights will include some of the famous features from Tagslyvania as well as spooky face painting, creepy crafts, a costume contest, and more.
Fall Fest and Seneca Jam Live
When: Monday, October 9, 2023
Time: 8 AM - 4:30 PM
Where: The Windmill Farm and Craft Market, 3000 State Route 14A, Penn Yan, NY 14527
Cost: Free
Come celebrate Fall Fest and Seneca Jam Live at The Windmill with food, music, and activities for kids and adults alike! With live music by Seneca Jam.
Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration
When: Saturday, October 21, 2023
Time: 10 AM - 3 PM
Where: The Rockwell Museum, 111 Cedar Street, Corning
Cost: Free but pre-registration for tickets is encouraged.
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday steeped in tradition that honors friends and family members through art, dance, and festive foods. Celebrate Day of the Dead with The Rockwell Museum and regional Mexican folk artists. From a Mexican Dance Workshop to paper flower headbands and decorating sugar skulls, this is a great opportunity to learn about this special Mexican holiday.
You must register every person in your group and All children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Haunted Happenings at Tanglewood Nature Center
When: Saturday, October 21, 2023
Time: 11 AM - 3 PM
Where: Tanglewood Nature Center, 443 Coleman Avenue Elmira, NY 14903
Cost: Admission is free; tickets for food and activities are available for purchase at the door.
The Haunted Happenings at Tanglewood Nature Center is an annual fall celebration with more games, fun, hayrides, and entertainment for the whole family! Games and crafts for kids include; spooky animals, pumpkin painting, face painting, spooky stories, and more. Costumes are encouraged!
The Dancing Witches of the Southern Tier
When: Saturday, October 28, 2023
Time: 1:00 PM
Where: The Windmill Farm and Craft Market, 3000 State Route 14A, Penn Yan, NY 14527
Cost: Free
The witches are back! The popular Dancing Witches of The Southern Tier will be performing at 1:00. Don’t worry! It’s just for fun. There will be no Hocus Pocus!
Trick or Treat at The Windmill
When: Saturday, October 28, 2023
Time: 2 PM - 4 PM
Where: The Windmill Farm and Craft Market, 3000 State Route 14A, Penn Yan, NY 14527
Cost: Free
After the Dancing Witches performance head to the annual Trick or Treat. Where the kiddos can stroll the market and visit vendors for Halloween treats!
Trails, Tricks, and Treats Race
When: Sunday, October 29, 2023
Time: 10 AM - 12 PM
Where: Watson Homestead Dry Run Road, Painted Post, NY US 14870
Cost: $25 for tickets
Have some fun with the whole family at Trails, Tricks, and Treats Race, a fundraiser for SOAR! There will be a 2-hour time limit for everyone to run as many laps as they can. This year's race has been moved and will be on grass and trails mostly. There will be two loops to choose from. For each lap completed you receive a ticket to put toward the raffle baskets, prizes, and treats!
Dress up with the family, come out, and have fun!
Trick or Treat Along the Trail
When: Sunday, October 29, 2023
Time: 10 AM - 5 PM
Where: Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, 4565 NY-414, Romulus, NY 14541
Cost: One wine and candy pairing is complimentary with the purchase of tasting or flight
Who said trick or treating was only for kids? On Sunday, October 29, each winery on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail is pairing one of their delicious wines with a Halloween Candy of their choice. Costumes aren’t mandatory, but they are encouraged! Can't find a babysitter or pet sitter? No problem! Bring them along. There will be candy for the kiddos too!
Adults Only
Hunt Country Vineyards 35th Annual Harvest Festival
When: Saturday, September 30, 2023
Time: 10 AM - 5 PM
Where: Hunt Country Vineyards, 4021 Italy Hill Rd, Branchport, NY 14418 (on Keuka Lake)
Cost: Tours + Tastings $5-$12 Tickets
Hunt Country Vineyards 35th Annual Harvest Festival will feature grape stomping and picking, $12 wine tastings, live music, a guided trolley tour through the vineyards, an outdoor bar, Sustainability Tour with Suzanne Hunt, Co-owner & Director of Sustainability, lawn games, gourmet picnic items, and fire-roasted pizza from The Anita Pizza Food Truck.
Reservations for wine tastings are not required but are highly recommended.
Wicked Realm Film Festival 2
When: Fridays, October, 2023
Time: 7 PM
Where: The L Event Center, 116 Breesport Rd, Horseheads, NY 14845
Cost: TBD
Get ready for a spine-tingling lineup of horror, sci-fi, and spooky films from around the world at the Wicked Realm Film Festival 2. Explore eerie vendors and immerse yourself in the macabre every Friday in October.
Harvest Festival
When: Saturday, October 14, 2023
Time: 1 PM - 5 PM
Where: Hosmer Winery, 7020 State Route 89, Ovid, NY 14521
Cost: Free
The Hosmer Winery Harvest Festival will feature local artisans, farmers, and creators from the Finger Lakes. Listen to live music from 90 Proof while you enjoy food on site from Big D’, special mimosas, regional beer, wine tastings, and more!
This event is free admission and pets are welcome with leashes as long as they are friendly with others. We also recommend bringing lawn chairs and blankets as our outdoor seating is limited.
Haunted Wine Walk
When: Saturday, October 28 + Sunday, October 29, 2023
Time: 11 AM - 4 PM
Where: Hosmer Winery, 7020 State Route 89, Ovid, NY 14521
Cost: $35 Tickets
Enjoy live music as you wander the winery to 3 different spooky stations for haunted wine and food pairings. There will be a food truck, spooky slushies, games, attractions, prizes, and more at the Haunted Wine Walk.
Costumes are encouraged. 21+ only: no children, please.
Reservations are booked 30 minutes apart and will last approximately 1 hour. No reservation is required to stay and enjoy the attractions.
Rockwell Masquerade Gala: Heroes
When: Saturday, November 4, 2023
Time: 8 PM - 11 PM
Where: The Rockwell Museum, 111 Cedar Street, Corning
Cost: $120 here
Attire: Dress in your favorite hero outfit, wear a memento in their honor, or whatever your hero heart desires!
You’re invited to celebrate heroes who have changed the world! Strut the red carpet, strike a pose for the paparazzi (a.k.a. The Self-Portrait Project), and dance the night away to award-winning tunes featuring the Silver Arrow Band. Enjoy specialty cocktails and decadent hors d’oeuvres and celebrate the individuals who influenced us and who are moved by conviction, truth, and love to improve communities, society, and our world!
The annual Rockwell Masquerade Gala is a fundraising event that supports the Museum’s exhibitions, education programs, events, and more. Registration required by 5 p.m. on November 3, 2023
Haunted Houses + Spooky Spirits
Tagslyvania
When: Friday, September, 29, 2023 - Saturday, October, 28, 2023
Time: Fridays, Saturdays, and select Sundays at 7 PM
Where: 3037 State Route 352 Big Flats, New York 14814
Cost: $15-$50 for tickets
Tagsylvania is celebrating 13 years of fear with 4 bone-chillingly haunted attractions including, an escape room, The Spirit Realm, dark carnival games, psychic & tarot readers, and other Halloween/fall-themed attractions. Open during the Halloween season on Fridays, Saturdays, and select Sundays starting at 7 PM.
Phantom PhrightNights
When: Fridays & Saturdays, September 30 - October 28, 2023
Time: Friday and Saturday 7-10 PM
Where: Bradley Farms, 1543 Maple Ave in Elmira
Cost: $18
Phantom PhrightNights, the REAL FEAR of the Twin Tiers has returned. For 31 years Bradley Farms has been the pioneer and leader in haunted events and attractions. Three Phrightful Attractions, including a haunted house, Zombie Paintball & haunted woods ride. Daytime activities include a deluxe corn maze and more!
Phantom PhrightNights is the region’s longest-running Haunted Events venue. The Phantom Farm Manor is a giant all-indoor experience with over 30 rooms and scenes of live terror. Gates open at 7 PM and are sealed at 10 PM every Friday and Saturday night through Halloween.
Elmira Ghost Walk
When: Friday - Sunday, October 13-15, 2023
Time: Various
Where: Chemung Valley History Museum, 415 E Water St, Elmira, NY 14901
Cost: $25 - $45 Tickets
You’re invited to an unforgettable experience at the 17th annual Elmira Ghost Walk at Woodlawn Cemetery. Your evening will be filled with history, trivia, and ghost stories Among the notables buried at Woodlawn are Mark Twain and John Jones.
Almost every year this event sells out, so don't miss your chance. Advance ticket purchase is required.
