Dive into autumn vibes with the Central NY community.
Rock out the start of your week with Spanish Love Songs on Monday and Halestorm on Tuesday — but let music guide the rest of the week with the Ruddy Well Band on Friday and the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra on Sunday.
Fuel your creative energy with Zentangle on Tuesday, West African Drum Classes on Thursday and Art in the Park on Saturday.
As fall arrives, so does a list of events dedicated to celebrating the changing season. Enjoy the Fall Migration Festival or the Clay Historical Association Fall Festival on Saturday, and Downtown Fall Fest on Sunday.
Monday, September 15
Spanish Love Songs
¿Te gusta la música de amor? Spanish Love Songs, an American rock band from Los Angeles, will pay The Song & Dance a visit to start the week off right. This event additionally features special guests World’s Greatest Dad, Bike Routes and Moon Talk.
Where: 115 East Jefferson St., Syracuse
When: Monday, September 15 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
How much: Tickets start at $28.76 and are available online. Attendees under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Tuesday, September 16
Halestorm and Lindsey Stirling
Halestorm’s dynamic sound has dominated the rock scene for the last two decades — and now they’re bringing that energy for all Central New Yorkers to headbang to. Rock out with GRAMMY-nominated band Halestorm at Upstate Medical University Arena at the Oncenter War Memorial. Joining Halestorm on stage is Lindsey Stirling, an electronic violinist and performer, who will be fusing her signature style with rock’s unbridled power.
Where: 760 South State St., Syracuse
When: Tuesday, September 16 at 6:30 p.m.
How much: Tickets start at $57 and are available online.
Wednesday, September 17
T’ai Chi Chih: Joy through Movement
Access your body’s energy channels and enhance your inner balance with some mid-week T’ai Chi Chih at Beaver Lake Nature Center. Led by certified T’ai Chi Chih instructor Ann Pia, this seven-session series kicks off this week and continues each Wednesday until November 5.
Where: 8477 East Mud Lake Rd., Baldwinsville
When: Wednesday, September 17 from 3:30-5 p.m.
How much: Series registration is $45 for members of Beaver Lake Nature Center and $50 for non-members. Registration is available on the Beaver Lake Nature Center’s website.
Zentangle
Looking for a new way to relax and unwind? Learn the art of Zentangle at the Jewish Community Center of Syracuse. Whether you’re versed in the practice of this pattern-building art form, or hardly consider yourself an artist in the first place, Zentangle is a therapuetic activity for all ages and skillsets.
Where: 5655 Thompson Rd., Syracuse
When: Wednesday, September 17 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
How much: Tickets are $5 and booking is available on the JCC website.
Thursday, September 18
West African Drum Classes
Stick to the rhythm with West African Drum classes. The Community Folk Art Center will host this weekly musical experience, led by David Nyadedzor, each Thursday until December. Beginners and seasoned drummers welcome.
Where: 805 East Genesee St., Syracuse
When: Thursday, September 18 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
How much: Each class session is $10.
315 Thursdays
Head to Westcott for live music and local eats. The Rise N Shine parking lot will hold space for sets by DJ Joey D, RUHA and Mikaela Davis. Put on your dancing shoes for this weekly September tradition.
Where: 500 Westcott St., Syracuse
When: Thursday, September 18 from 5-9 p.m.
How much: Free to attend.
Friday, September 19
The Syracuse Orchestra
Want to witness the audible power of the organ? Organ prodigy Dominic Fiacco and guest conductor Ho-Yin Kwok will join The Syracuse Orchestra at Most Holy Rosary Church for a night of musical brilliance. Enjoy Poulenc’s “Organ Concerto” and Saint-Saens’ “Symphony No. 3 (Organ Symphony)” performed on the church’s stunning pipe organ.
Where: 111 Roberts Ave., Syracuse
When: Friday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m.
How much: $44 for adult ticket; $5 for college student ticket; free for guests under 18 years old. Tickets are available on The Syracuse Orchestra’s website.
The Ruddy Well Band
The Folkus Project presents a night of Americana, folk and rock with The Ruddy Well Band, a four-person string band, comprising Andrew Ruddy, Monique Ritter, Ryan Burdick, and Blake Probst. With three original albums and an award-winning sound, The Ruddy Well Band will bring its dynamic tunes to May Memorial Universalist Society for a Friday night of listening, dancing and swaying.
Where: 3800 East Genesee St., Syracuse
When: Friday, September 19 at 8 p.m.
How much: $20 for weekend admission; $17 for Folkus Members. Tickets are available online.
SerlingFest
Cue the Twilight Zone music. The legacy of Rod Serling, creator of the iconic Twilight Zone television series, will be celebrated all weekend long in his hometown of Binghamton. This festival will feature rare interviews, screenings of Serling’s work and special guests.
Where: 236 Washington St., Binghamton
When: Friday, September 19 from 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, September 20 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, September 21 — times TBD.
How much: $40 for weekend admission; $20 for Friday-only admission; $25 for Saturday-only admission. Tickets are available on the Rod Serling Memorial Foundation website.
Jordan Fall Festival
Now in its 79th year, the Jordan Fall Festival offers affordable family fun while raising money for the Jordan-Elbridge community. The fun starts at 5 p.m. Friday with rides and live music. On Saturday, enjoy wagon rides, pumpkin painting, and fishing demonstrations. On Sunday, the grease pole climbs begin. Live entertainment, a used book sale, kids’ tent. craft and merchant tents, and chicken BBQ run all weekend. It’s free to attend.
Where: 25 North Beaver St., Jordan
When: Sept. 19, 20, 21. See times at jordanny.gov/festival-information
How much: Free to attend.
Saturday, September 20
Fall Migration Festival
The Great Swamp Conservancy’s annual Fall Migration Festival brings wildlife of all kinds to you for a full day of activities. From birds of prey to reptiles to pony rides, this annual festival is packed with hands-on experiences and informative opportunities designed to bring attendees closer to the natural world. Enjoy some barbecue, crafts, games and more.
Where: 8375 North Main St., Canastota
When: Saturday, September 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
How much: $4 for adults, $1 for children and $12 family maximum.
Art in the Park
Hoopes Park will be home to all kinds of art this Saturday for Art in the Park, an annual Auburn arts festival. From beautiful woodwork to bohemian jewelry, Art in the Park hosts numerous local vendors who specialize in unique crafts. Eat some food, shop around and get inspired by what others create.
Where: 100 South Herman Ave., Auburn
When: Saturday, September 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How much: Free admission.
Clay Historical Association Fall Festival
See, smell and taste the fall season with Clay Historical Association. The CHA Fall Festival will host numerous vendors, live music, face painting and treats like apple fritters and popcorn all throughout Clay Historical Park.
Where: 4939 NY 31, Clay
When: Saturday, September 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
How much: Free parking and admission.
Tipp Hill Derby
Watch teens and adults zoom by at the Tipp Hill Derby, a yearly soapbox car race at Burnet Park. Make your own soapbox car and register your team for the ultimate showdown on a 1,000+ foot course. Prizes will be awarded based on the speed and creativity of the design. Non-racing attendees can be part of the action with lawn games, food trucks and a raffle.
Where: Burnet Park Drive, Syracuse on Saturday and 401 Hamilton St. on Sunday.
When: Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21 from 12 to 4 p.m.
How much: Free to attend.
The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Show
Dinner, drinks…and a dead body? Experience the interactive thrill of a true crime murder mystery dinner show at the Hilton Garden Inn in East Syracuse. At this show, attendees get to dine while attempting to solve a hilarious murder mystery. Eat up, but don’t trust anyone too quickly — the prime suspects are hidden in plain sight and might just be in the seat next to you.
Where: 6004 Fair Lakes Rd., East Syracuse
When: Saturday, September 20 from 6 to 9 p.m.
How much: Tickets start at $52.46 and are available for purchase on The Dinner Detective website.
Herkimer Home Ghost Tours
Nothing screams spooky season like a paranormal experience. Team up with the Central New York Ghost Hunters for a night of lantern-lit investigation through the mansion, root cellar and cemetery at Herkimer Home Historic Site. Colliding history with haunting, this annual ghost tour is an opportunity to learn, explore and possibly experience a chill or two.
Where: 200 State Route 169, Little Falls
When: Saturday, September 20. Tour slots are available from 7 to 10 p.m. with groups leaving every hour. Each tour lasts approximately 2 hours.
How much: $20 per person. Reservations are required; call 315-823-0398 to reserve a spot.
Ontario Orchards Fall Jamboree
The Ontario Orchards Fall Jamboree celebrates the change of the seasons with food, fun and entertainment for the entire family. You can walk through the corn maze, pick your own apples and pumpkins, make and take scarecrows and decorate pumpkins. Enjoy great food, wagon rides, pony rides, bouncy houses, local bands throughout the weekend. The event takes place rain or shine.
Where: 7735 St NY 104, Oswego
When: Sept. 20-21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How much: Free parking and admission with handicapped accessible parking near the field.
Sunday, September 21
WAER End of Summer Folk Fest
Enjoy the last few days of summertime at Harvey’s Garden with folk tunes, a curated vendor market and community organizations. This event is run by WAER to celebrate public media and connect the community before the season changes.
Where: 1200 East Water St., Syracuse
When: Sunday, September 21 from 12 to 5 p.m.
How much: Free to attend.
Syracuse Vegfest
Experience a meatless meet-up of vegan and vegan-curious foodies in the area. Syracuse Vegfest showcases vegan and plant-based cooking demos, recipes and educational speakers. Syracuse Vegfest has something for the whole family to eat and learn about.
Where: 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
When: Sunday, September 21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How much: Free to attend; suggested donation $10.
Downtown Fall Fest
What is autumn without apple cider, donuts and a festival in Downtown Syracuse? Enjoy a Sunday of food, music, vendors and fall activities in the City Hall Atrium to celebrate the changing season.
Where: 201 East Washington St., Syracuse
When: Sunday, September 21 from 12 to 4 p.m.
How much: Free to attend.
The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra
The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra’s 2025 – 2026 season officially begins this Sunday at the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca. This chamber music series will kick off with “Poulenc and Chausson,” a concert which will celebrate the masterful compositions of 20th-century French composers and music.
Where: 200 State Route 169, Little Falls
When: Sunday, September 21 at 3 p.m.