You Can't Miss These 12 New York Festivals That Are Right Around The Corner

It’s time to end your cabin fever and head outdoors to enjoy some of New York’s most stunning and exciting festivals that are happening this spring! It may feel like we’ve been stuck indoors for an eternity with the long, cold winter that our state has experienced, but now’s the time to start day trips that are full of sunshine and fun activities. Coming up on your calendar before you even know it, it’s time to mark down and attend these amazing festivals this year.

Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival/Facebook

Happening right in Delaware Park, Buffalo's Cherry Blossom Festival has been happening every year since 2014. Located right next to The Buffalo History Museum, the Japanese Garden is open to the public and where you get to see this festival come to life. Those who come to the festival can enjoy boat rides out on the lake all while they're surrounded by the beautiful cherry blossoms. To find out more, click here.

When: May 2nd - 6th, 2018
Where: 1 Museum Court Buffalo, NY 14216

Reilly Hamilton/Flickr

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Waterford Canal Festival! Happening right at the Waterford Harbor Visitors Center along the Erie Canal, the festival features boat rides, kayak rentals, fun activities for kids like bounce houses, face painting, and pony rides, and plenty of other exciting contests and events. A great way to spend the day outside with the family and to learn more about Waterford's history, this year's festival is one you won't want to miss. To find out more, click here.

When: May 19th, 2018
Where: 1 Tugboat Alley Waterford NY 12188

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Oz-Stravaganza/Facebook

If you didn't already know, there's a Wizard of Oz-themed town hiding right out in Madison County. Each year the town of Chittenango hosts their very own Oz-Stravaganza, the longest running Wizard of Oz festival that you can find anywhere. Celebrating 41 years of festivities, the festival features costume contests, food vendors, rides, live music and all sorts of fun that you would expect to find within the Emerald City! To find out more, click here.

When: June 1st - 3rd, 2018
Where: 219 Genesee Street Chittenango NY 13037

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Rochester Lilac Festival/Facebook

Another festival that's celebrating a noteworthy anniversary, this year marks the 120th year of the Rochester Lilac Festival! Taking place right in Highland Park, the lilac festival is the largest of its kind in North America - making it one spectacular event to experience for yourself. Over the course of ten days, visitors can enjoy a variety of vendors, kids activities, wine and chocolate tastings while they walk through Highland Park to see the hundreds of various lilacs growing here. To find out more, click here.

When: May 11th - 20th, 2018
Where: 180 Reservoir Avenue Rochester NY 14620

Thousand Islands Winery/Facebook

The perfect reason to plan a trip out to the Thousand Islands, the Grape Blossom Festival in Alexandria Bay is a great way to enjoy the newly warm weather of the year. Happening right at the Thousand Islands Winery in town, the festival features live music, amazing food, and of course... plenty of local wine. To find out more, click here.

When: May 26th, 2018
Where: 43298 Seaway Avenue Alexandria Bay NY 13607

New York State Chinese Lantern Festival/Facebook

One of my favorite festivals to experience each year, the New York State Chinese Lantern Festival in Syracuse is one that's unlike any in our state. Happening right at the New York State Fairgrounds, each year the festival features new, handcrafted lanterns and displays for visitors to walk around and see during the evenings. To find out more, click here.

When: May 25th - July 1st, 2018
Where: 581 State Fair Boulevard Syracuse NY 13209

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Darryl Kenyon/Flickr

Another floral festival in our state that's beautiful to check out, the Albany Tulip Festival is an exciting way to enjoy all sorts of activities in the heart of the Capital Region. Happening right in Washington Park, the festival fills the park with tons of local vendors, great food and beverages, live music, children's activities and over 100,000 tulips! To find out more, click here.

When: May 12th - 13th, 2018
Where: Washington Park Road Albany, NY 12203

Pine Bush UFO Fair/Facebook

One of the more unusual festivals that you can find in our state, the Pine Bush UFO Fair is everything you would expect it to be. Celebrating the town's extraterrestrial history, the UFO Fair lines Main Street with vendors selling all sorts of alien merchandise, a parade and plenty of alien missions for you to go on. To find out more, click here.

When: May 19th, 2018
Where: Main Street Pine Bush NY 12566

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Paddlefest/Facebook

Celebrating 20 years, the Adirondack Paddlefest is now the largest on-water canoe, kayak, and paddleboard sale in the country. Those who are interested in shopping around can test out what's for sale right on the water, bringing adventurers from all over the Adirondacks to one place. To find out more, click here.

When: May 18th - 20th, 2018
Where: 2855 State Route 28 Old Forge NY 13420

East Durham Irish Festival/Facebook

Ever wonder what the world's largest brick map of Ireland looks like? Well, you can get the chance to find out at East Durham's Irish Festival this year! Held at the Irish Cultural Center in East Durham, the grounds turn into a home away from, filling the area with Irish music performed by bands from both the U.S. and Ireland as well as other events like poetry workshops, spinning demonstrations and so much more. To find out more, click here.

When: May 26th - 27th, 2018
Where: 2267 NY-145 East Durham NY 12423

David Richards/Flickr

Known as the best week of motorcycling, Lake George becomes a motorcycle paradise during June each year. The motorcycle festival draws in people from all over the country, with this year being the first year that Americade is hosting an actual Block Party! Aside from the big Americade Expo in the village, you can also enjoy prizes, fireworks, comedy shows, training courses and parties on the pier. To find out more, click here.

When: June 4th - 9th, 2018
Where: Canada Street Lake George NY 12845

Gardiner Cupcake Festival/Facebook

A festival that you'll want to bring an empty stomach for, the Gardiner Cupcake Festival might be the most delicious event on this list. Happening right at the Wright's Farm in town, you'll get to see over 20,000 scrumptious looking cupcakes if you attend this year's festival. Featuring more than just cupcakes that look too good to eat, the festival has live music, wagon rides, a zipline, face painting, petting zoos, and lots of other exciting things to keep the whole family busy for the day. To find out more, click here.

When: May 19th, 2018
Where: 699 NY-208 Gardiner, NY 12525

Do you plan on attending any of these festivals this spring? For more ways to stay busy this season, check out how This Secret Garden Hike In New York Will Make You Feel Like You’re In A Fairytale!