Add these spring events in Finger Lakes Wine Country to your social calendar. Spring in the Finger Lakes is a sight to see! The flowers are blooming and the region is abuzz with exciting events for foodies, wine lovers, music lovers, and families.
Chemung Restaurant Week
When: Monday, April 1, 2024 - Monday, April 8, 2024
Time: Varies by restaurant.
Where: Participating restaurants in Chemung County will announce their specials throughout the week.
Cost: N/A
The 3rd Annual Chemung Restaurant Week - Eclipse Edition is going to be a culinary celestial experience. Participating restaurants will offer specials, Prix Fixe menus, and eclipse-themed menu items for food lovers to try.
Opening Weekend at Watkins Glen International
When: Friday, April 5, 2024 - Sunday, April 7, 2024
Time: Friday, April 5 - 5 - 7 PM, Saturday, April 6 - 9 AM - 4 PM, Sunday, April 7 – 9 AM - 2 PM
Where: Watkins Glen International, 2790 County Route 16, Watkins Glen, NY 14891
Cost: Watkins Glen Area Chamber Members: $10, Public: $20, Register for the Pep Rally here, Get tickets for Opening Weekend at The Glen here.
Friday, April 5th is the Pep Rally, kicking off the racing season at Watkins Glen International (WGI) racetrack. Opening Weekend at Watkins Glen International happens on Saturday and Sunday when visitors are welcome to Drive the Glen!
After your laps, visit the 4 CORNERS PIT STOP! Where you’ll find a DJ, refreshments, a historic art sale of unique pieces throughout WGI and racing history, demonstrations from the fire departments and k-9 units, and more! Proceeds from Opening Weekend at Watkins Glen International will be donated to the Montour Fire Department, Beaver Dams Fire Department, and Schuyler County K-9 Unit.
Cheers to the Solar Eclipse
When: Sunday, April 7, 2024
Time: 6 - 8 PM
Where: Fox Run Vineyards, 670 State Rt. 14 Penn Yan, NY 14527
Cost: $75 per person, get tickets here.
Learn about the wines on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, directly from the people who know them best. Visit the tasting stations of 17 of our wine trail wineries including Wagner Vineyards and Glenora Wine Cellars. To sate your appetite, there will be delicious snacks prepared by renowned local chef Brud Holland. Leave with a souvenir wine glass to commemorate the once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse.
A Global Journey Through Chocolate
When: Friday, April 12, 2024 - Sunday, April 14, 2024
Time: Two Seatings: 11:00 AM & 2:30 PM
Where: Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, 9749 Middle Rd, Hammondsport, NY 14840
Cost: Club Members: $76, Public: $95, Tickets available here.
Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery invites you on A Global Journey through Chocolate. Indulge in an intimate, three-course seated lunch featuring savory and sweet-inspired culinary creations that will transport you all over the globe! Provisions artfully crafted by Lake Life highlighting chocolate by Hedonist Chocolatiers. An interactive demonstration and a special takeaway gift are included!
Spring Wine and Cheese Weekend
When: Friday, April 12, 2024 - Sunday, April 14, 2024
Time: Friday, April 12 - 12 PM - 5 PM, Saturday, April 13 - Sunday, April 14 – 10 AM - 5 PM
Where: Various Wineries on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail
Cost: Tasting $80, Designated Driver $25, Tickets available here.
During the Spring Wine & Cheese Weekend, enjoy a self-guided tour around the beautiful Seneca Lake Wine Trail while exploring delicious pairings of local wines with a variety of cheese-themed dishes.
When you purchase tickets, you will do so by selecting a starting winery. Begin the tour at your starting winery because that is where you’ll pick up your event tickets. The person whose name is on the order must be present to pick up tickets and will show a government-issued photo ID to claim their tickets.
Flights & Bites Food and Wine Pairings
When: Friday, April 17, 2024 - Sunday, October 27, 2024
Time: Various
Where: Once Finger Lakes, 655 State Route 14, Penn Yan, NY 14424
Cost: Prices vary. Make a reservation online.
It’s a new year and Once is offering a new weekly tasting experience. In this in-depth tasting, you’ll learn the food & wine pairing principles. Followed by a pairing of bites made by different chefs paired with a unique local wine.
Wine & Cheese Lovers
When: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 10 AM - 5 PM
Where: Various Wineries on the Keuka Lake Wine Trail
Cost: Tasting $110, Designated Driver $85 (with code DD2024), Tickets available here.
Enjoy a unique, specially prepared experience at the six member wineries along the Keuka Lake Wine Trail. You’ll have a custom itinerary for the day where you’ll be treated to special tastings, wine samples, and light food pairings featuring items curated by Lake Life Catering with cheese as the star ingredient. Experiences range from owner/winemaker-led tastings & tours, behind-the-scenes discussions, vertical tastings, tasting unreleased wines, and more.
Rosé in May Tasting Pass
When: Monday, May 6, 2024 - Friday, May 10, 2024
Time: During each participating winery’s regular tasting room hours
Where: Various Wineries on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.
Cost: $50
Come to the Seneca Lake Wine Trail and spend 5 days sampling rosé and other fabulous Seneca Lake wines! Their Rosé in May tasting pass is valid Monday, May 6, 2024, through Friday, May 10, 2024. At each of the 22 participating wineries, the Rosé in May tasting includes one rosé plus three additional wines.
Mothers Day Brunch
When: Sunday, May 12, 2024
Time: 10:30 AM - 2 PM
Where: Once Finger Lakes, 655 State Route 14, Penn Yan, NY 14424
Cost: N/A
Treat mom to an unforgettable brunch featuring an a la carte farm-to-table menu from local chef Samantha Buyskes. With an à la carte menu offering everything from the Brunch Burger to Shrimp & Grits, and Cornmeal Fried Chicken– you will be hard-pressed to find such a diverse brunch menu anywhere!
Enjoy featured wine pairings, mimosas, and creative mocktails at this family-friendly event. Contact Once Finger Lakes to reserve your table. Walk-ins are welcome but reservations are strongly encouraged due to high demand and limited availability.
Jazz Up Friday
When: Friday, May 17, 2024 - Friday, October 19, 2024 (except 7/19)
Time: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Where: Once Finger Lakes, 655 State Route 14, Penn Yan, NY 14424
Cost: N/A
You’re invited to live jazz every Friday night in the tasting room at Once Finger Lakes. Be introduced to new musicians weekly as you groove into the weekend.
Eugenia's Garden Opening Weekend
When: Friday, May 24, 2024 - October 2024
Time: Various
Where: Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, 9749 Middle Rd, Hammondsport, NY 14840
Cost: N/A
Eugenia’s Garden is returning this year as an outdoor setting to enjoy Dr. Konstantin Frank's wines with a view of the lake and their gardens. Inspired by first-generation owners, Eugenia and Konstantin Frank, the winery has reimagined and recreated Eugenia’s original garden area.
At this family and pet-friendly garden cafe, you’ll have your choice of wines by the glass, wines by the bottle, flights of 3 wines, cheese, and charcuterie plates, and seasonal a la carte food options.
GlassFest
When: Friday, May 24, 2024 - Sunday, May 26, 2024
Time: Various
Where: Corning’s Gaffer District, 114 Pine Street Suite 202, Corning, NY 14830
Cost: FREE
Join us in downtown Corning for GlassFest, the annual glass and fire arts celebration in America's Crystal City. During this three-day weekend celebration, you’ll discover the city’s rich history of world-class glass production, as you experience live musical performances, glass exhibits, art vendors, mouthwatering food and drinks, and more!
Stroll down historic Market Street for pop-up entertainment, dining, shopping, and family activities. From free yoga in the park and art tours to free family-friendly classes and glass-blowing demonstrations, there’s so much to see.
Don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs or a blanket to watch headlining acts at the Rock The Park stage in Riverfront Park. The Friday night headliner is the alternative rock band to emerge from the '90s, Everclear. Help the band celebrate their 34th Anniversary from 8:30–10 PM at Riverfront Park.
Saturday will kick off with the Wineglass 8K Race and the night will end with a not-to-be-missed fireworks display over the Chemung River. The multi-day event ends Sunday with a Memorial Day Tribute on Riverfront Park's Rock The Park Stage. This year's event is not to be missed!
Wine Experiences & Classes
When: Sunday, May 26, 2024 - Sunday, October 20, 2024
Time: Various
Where: Once Finger Lakes, 655 State Route 14, Penn Yan, NY 14424
Cost: Various prices, get your tickets here.
Enjoy an in-depth tasting experience with weekly guest speakers. You can learn the History of the Finger Lakes in 6 glasses or how to ‘Taste Like a Wine Judge’ in the classes currently posted.
