Festival season is now in full swing and we couldn’t be more excited! If you caught our earlier post on 2016 Spring Festival and Events, we highlighted some major local events taking you straight on through to Memorial Day weekend, and now it’s time to continue and start mapping out the rest of your summer event schedule!

Ulster County and the Hudson Valley are known for their scenic beauty, pristine natural features and proximity to one of the biggest cities in the world, New York City. With those big draws, it’s easy to figure why so many people visit and vacation to Ulster County and the Catskill Mountain region in the summer months. If our natural beauty, super cool towns and awesome culinary choices weren’t already enough for visitors, Ulster County really knows how to have a good time in the summer, with festivals and events galore! While there are events all over the county, Kingston, NY and New Paltz, NY seem to be hot locations for summer festival and events- paralleling how hot these markets are for real estate as well. With new events popping up every year all over the valley, there’s always something new going on to experience in Ulster County.

So without further introduction, here’s a list of some of the most talked about festivals and events going on in the Hudson Valley and Ulster County, NY this summer!


 

Memorial Day Weekend Arts & Crafts Fair

MAY 28-29, 2016

Location:         Ulster County Fairgrounds, New Paltz, NY

Description:     The extremely popular and beloved Woodstock- New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair is back for their first festival of 2016 at the Ulster County Fairgrounds (if you can’t make it Memorial Day, they will be back Labor Day weekend, as always!). More than 300 artisans exhibit their craft creations at the fair. Enjoy the day with some shopping, live music and grab some food from many local vendors. Discount coupons and more information can be found on their website, www.quailhollow.com.

8th Annual Bob Dylan Birthday Celebration

MAY 29, 2016

Location:         Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock, NY

Description:    Join the Family of Woodstock’s Crisis Hotline and the John Herald Fund for musicians in need at their 8th annual concert featuring some of the Hudson Valley’s finest selection of musicians performing the songs of Bob Dylan. Have a great time, listen to some great musicians and support local causes! Get more information and purchase your tickets at Bearsville Theatre’s website.

HITS-on-the-Hudson | Public Weekday Shows and the Horseware Ireland Grand Prix

JUNE 1-5, 2016

Location:        454 Washington Ave Ext, Saugerties, NY

Description:    For the second time in 2016 (this first was earlier in May), you can enjoy a day of fun at HITS-on-the-Hudson and catch a sighting of some of the finest equestrian stars in the country. From Wednesday- Saturday, enjoy free admission to all daytime performances and shows and Sunday you can watch the Grand Prix race, where the winner will take home $75,000 in prize winnings. Additional Grand Prix races and open to the public week long events take place throughout June and September. You can visit www.hitsshows.com for more details.

Ride the Ridge Bike Challenge

JUNE 5, 2016

Location:         High Meadow School, Stone Ridge, NY

Description:    Anyone can get in on the fun and bike through the gorgeous Ulster County at the Ride the Ridge bike event! With 5 different rides, ranging from an 80 mile bike from the ridge to the reservoir for extreme bikers to a 5 mile ride for the whole family to enjoy, you can take in the scenery, while taking advantage of the clearly marked routes, roadside volunteers and designated water and food stops. All rides leave from the High Meadow school and end with lunch at the end of your journey. Register for the ride and sign up to be a volunteer at www.ridetheridge.org

Hudson Valley LGBTQ Pride March & Festival

JUNE 5, 2016

Location:         Main Street & Hasbrouck Park, New Paltz, NY

Description:    At 1pm the parade celebrating the LGBTQ communities marches down Main Street from the New Paltz Middle School and festivities will continue on at Hasbrouck Park and Bacchus later in the afternoon. This is the culmination of Pride Week, put on the the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center and a list of all events and more details can be found at their website, www.lgbtqcenter.org   

Multi-Cultural Block Party on the Kingston Waterfront

JUNE 5, 2016

Location:         TR Gallo Waterfront Park, Kingston, NY

Description:     In its 4th year, celebrate with various local community groups with international foods, dances and music kicking off summer block party style!   

Cider Market & Tasting at Historic Huguenot Street

JUNE 11, 2016

Location:          Historic Huguenot Street, New Paltz, NY

Description:     As part of Hudson Valley Cider Week, Historic Huguenot Street will hold their second annual hard cider tasting and market to help build appreciation for over a dozen New York State cideries, wineries and brewing companies, some located right here in Ulster County. Food vendors will be on site and cideries will be offering tastings of their most popular craft ciders, that can be purchased at the marketplace, where there will also be an abundance of other farm and orchard products, including fresh cut flowers, cider donuts, apples and more for purchase.  A $10 ticket will get you tastings for the duration of the event and designated drivers are free. Pre-registration is recommended for this event- get more details at www.huguenotstreet.org

Kingston Kayak Festival

JUNE 11, 2016

Location:         Kingston Point Beach, Kingston, NY

Description:     Bring the family for a day of fun on the water at the Hudson River’s largest kayak festival. Partake in lessons, tours, education and demonstrations for beginners on canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. There are also activities planned for more experienced kayakers who bring their own boats and gear. There is no admission fee, however a $10 donation for this event goes to support the Forsyth Nature Center in Kingston. Visit the Mid-Hudson Adirondack Mountain Club’s site for more festival details.

Shale Hill Music Festival

JUNE 11, 2016

Location:         Shale Hill Farm, Saugerties, NY

Description:     With musical performances, food, raffles and entertainment for the whole family, enjoy an afternoon at the original home of the Saugerties Garlic Festival, Shale Hill Farm. Discounted tickets can be purchased in advance and proceeds benefit Choices in Childbirth. Get your tickets at Shale Hill Music Fest’s Event page.

Asbury Short Film Concert

JUNE 11, 2016

Location:          Rosendale Theatre, Rosendale, NY

Description:     In its 35th year, and 7th year at the Rosendale Theatre, Asbury Shorts is New York City’s longest running short film exhibition and travel show. Enjoy over 2 hours of the world’s greatest short films from the past right on up until today! Recommended for ages 16 and older. Purchase tickets and get more info at www.rosendaletheatre.org.

Walkway Marathon

JUNE 11-12, 2016

Location:          Walkway Over the Hudson, Highland/Poughkeepsie, NY

Description:      With 2 days and 4 scheduled races the second annual Walkway Marathon Race series is sure to be a big hit again this year. Enjoy picturesque views from high atop the Hudson during the Walkway Marathon, Half Marathon, Mid-Hudson Road Runners Treetops to Rooftops 5K and the THINK DIFFERENTLY Dash, a one mile run for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities (taking place on June 11th). To register for the marathon, get more info and see highlights from last year’s race, visit www.walkwaymarathon.org 

Tour de Kingston

JUNE 26, 2016

Location:         Kingston, NY

Description:     In it’s 11th year, the Tour de Kingston Bike Event is back again. Past events have had riders biking throughout Kingston on varying intensity routes, making stops at Kingston landmarks and tourist areas and culminating in a free BBQ at Forsyth Nature Park. This year’s event promises to live up to expectations and more details will be released at www.tourdeulster.com as they are announced.

Belleayre Music Festival Presents: The Yardbirds

JULY 2, 2016

Location:          Belleayre Mountain Ski Center, Highmount, NY

Description:     Catskill Mountain Region- it’s time to rock! The Belleayre Music Festival celebrates its first show in their new venue with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, The Yardbirds. Get transported back to the early days of the “British Invasion” with these blues rockers at Belleayre’s own Discovery Lodge in the heart of the beautiful Catskills.

Sausage & Cider Festival

JULY 3, 2016

Location:           Bad Seed Cider Co, Highland, NY

Description:      Sample over 15 varieties of the small batch craft ciders created at one of Ulster County’s newest up and coming cideries at their new facility. Hudson Valley Sausage company will also be grilling up a bunch of unique sausages to pair along with the ciders and with more food and dessert vendors, live music and Fourth of July party atmosphere, this event is sure to be a new holiday weekend tradition. Order your tickets now at www.badseedhardcider.com.

High Falls Fair Day

JULY 16,  2016

Location:           Hamlet of High Falls, NY

Description:      An annual festival of rural, small-town fun! This town wide fest will boast food, music, crafts, games and events for the whole family. Details are still being planned and vendor applications wanted. To get more information as it is released, visit www.highfallscivic.org

Hudson Valley Sangria Festival

JULY 16-17, 2016

Location:           Benmarl Winery, Marlboro, NY

Description:      Spend a weekend tasting Benmarl Winery's own fresh fruit sangrias, get a souvenir wine glass, enjoy vineyard and cellar tours and dance your heart out to live music and flamenco dancing lessons for the kids. You can purchase discount tickets ahead of time through their website at www.benmarl.com/events.

Camp Huguenot

JULY 18-22, 2016

Location:           Historic Huguenot Street, New Paltz, NY

Description:      This weekend long campout on Huguenot street is an awesome experience for aspiring archaeologists ages 9-12. Campers get to learn the history of the first New Paltz settlers from over 300 years ago and actually excavate sites alongside real archaeologists searching for Huguenot settler and Native American artifacts! Historic crafts, games, education activities, tours of the historic homes and an old fashioned camp out make this weekend a great experience. Pricing, registration packets and more info can be found at www.huguenotstreet.org.

Hudson Valley Chalk Festival

JULY 22-24, 2016

Location:         Water Street Market, New Paltz, NY

Description:    The Hudson Valley Chalk Festival is a free weekend long event in New Paltz where 21 top artists from around the world and other talented local artists display their works of art, created in chalk on the pavement of the Water Street Market and surrounding areas. Live music, raffles, shopping, the ‘Chalk Car’ and open chalk areas where you can create your own art, make this an event not to miss! Get more details about the Chalk Festival here.

Bounty on the Hudson

JULY 30-31, 2016

Location:         Applewood Winery, Warwick, NY

Description:     While not located in Ulster County, Applewood Winery is part of the Shawangunk Wine Trail and the Bounty on the Hudson is one of their largest events of the entire season. The 21st annual Bounty on the Hudson is a two day event featuring the finest wines in the Hudson Valley, food, crafts and more. For more information and to purchase tickets online, check out www.bountyofthehudson.com

Ulster County Fair

AUGUST 2-7,  2016

Location:         Ulster County Fairgrounds, New Paltz, NY 

Description:     It doesn’t feel like summer until the Ulster County Fair comes to town! Bringing back all the rides, food and craft vendors we’ve come to love, this year’s musical headliners include Thunder Ridge, The Swon Brothers and John Michael Montgomery. Visit www.ulstercountyfair.com to see more headliner and schedule updates as they are released.

Phoenicia International Festival of Voice

AUGUST 4-7, 2016

Location:         Phoenicia, NY

Description:     This multi-day festival, taking place at various venues throughout Phoenicia (all within walking distance for those of you visiting from out of town) to promote ‘the human voice as an instrument of healing, peace and artistic expression through world class performances’ of opera, gospel, world music, Broadway and more. You can check their website, www.phoeniciavoicefest.org, to get a schedule of events for the weekend, tickets and to see the 2016 performer list when it is released. 

Blueberry Festival

AUGUST 13, 2016

Location:         Canal Street & Liberty Square, Ellenville, NY

Description:    The Blueberry Festival is Ellenville’s family fun festival and this year marks its 17th annual event! While this street festival has a blueberry theme (to give a nod to the industry that is important to Ellenville’s history), it is a celebration and “give-back” to all the community members who make Ellenville great and all are welcome to attend. Common activities include a Blueberry Pancake Breakfast, Blueberry Pie sale, Blueberry pie contest, live music, vendors and children's activities. Visit their webpage for more details.

Hudson Valley Ribfest

AUGUST 19-21, 2016

Location:         Ulster County Fairgrounds, New Paltz, NY

Description:     Sponsored by the Highland Rotary Club, this festival’s 12th annual event will bring back some great BBQ to New Paltz. Featuring local and national rib vendors, great food and specialty items, live music and multiple BBQ contests, this event is a must attend for all BBQ lovers. General admission and “Best of the Fest” VIP Friday night tickets are available on their website, www.hudsonvalleyribfest.org.

New Paltz/ Woodstock Arts & Crafts Fair

SEPTEMBER 3-4, 2016

Location:         Ulster County Fairgrounds, New Paltz, NY

Description:     Back for it’s encore for the season, the Labor Day weekend edition of the New Paltz/Woodstock Arts & Crafts Fair returns with great craft vendors, food vendors, live music and more. See their website with more details. 

Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival

SEPTEMBER 10-11, 2016

Location:         Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NY

Description:     A celebration of all of New York's finest wines and specialty foods, the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival is back with even more great wines, specialty foods, crafts and a weekend of fun. See their website for more details.  

Taste of New Paltz

SEPTEMBER 18,  2016

Location:         Ulster County Fairgrounds, New Paltz, NY

Description:    The 26th Annual Taste of New Paltz returns to the Fairgrounds to feature food as the main event. Get $2-$3 tastes from all vendors food and beverage menus to be able to try it all. Rain or shine, get your fill of delicious local fare, farm market offerings and more! More details can be found on the New Paltz Chamber’s website here.


Be on the lookout for the continuation of our 2016 Festival and Event list for Fall 2016, coming to the blog later this year. And as in the past, Taft Street Realty will be covering many of these awesome events, so stay tuned to our blog for more upcoming posts! Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on these and all other local happenings along with tons of real estate related tips, advice, and other local market updates. If you know of a great summer or fall festival or activity here in Ulster County, let us know so we can add it to our ever-growing list!

 

Posted by Dylan Taft on

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