Festivals in Oswego County to Celebrate All Year Long

Last updated on February 13, 2025.

The city of Oswego, New York and its neighboring communities of Fulton, Sandy Creek, Phoenix, and Pulaski keep the fun going all year long with a variety of festivals and fairs. From winterfests, food festivals, summer fairs, and fall jamborees, there is something for everyone. So mark your calendars for these yearly festivals in Oswego County to keep you entertained from January til December.

Selkirk Shores State Park Winterfest

📍Sandy Creek
January

The winter festivities kicked off at Selkirk Shores State Park in Sandy Creek, and the weather was perfect. Snow had covered the ground and continued to fall in big, fluffy snowflakes. We trekked our way along the trail to get to the community building from the parking lot. The best part about this festival? It’s completely FREE.

Once inside, there was a variety of activities to enjoy. Kids could join in on a few different winter-themed crafts at the center picnic tables, or explore outside during a scavenger hunt. Typically the festival includes horse-drawn wagon rides through the snow. But the temperature was so low this year, they opted for a tractor instead for the safety of the horses.

Salmon River Winter Festival

📍Pulaski
January

Name a festival with a food challenge, and I’m there! Luckily, the Salmon River Winter Festival had not one, not two, but THREE food challenges. One for each day of the festival. There were a total of 17 restaurants participating in the competition in and around Pulaski. Friday’s challenge was mac & cheese, Saturday was chicken wings, and Sunday finished off with a chili competition.

Oswego County Fair

📍Sandy Creek
End of June / Beginning of July

Every summer the Oswego County Fair brings a lot of people to the Sandy Creek village of less than 1,000 residents. Both admission and parking for the county fair are FREE. While smaller than the upcoming NYS State Fair, there is plenty to do to keep the family entertained at the Oswego County Fair. Enjoy food, rides, local businesses and artists, animals, shows, games, and races.

City of Oswego Independence Day Celebration

📍Oswego
July

Hosted by Mayor Billy Barlow, downtown Oswego pulls out all the stops for their annual 4th of July celebration. The downtown block party kicks off with free activities for the kids, live music, and special hours for local restaurants and downtown businesses. The yearly festivities conclude with fireworks over the bridge at 9:45pm.

Oswego County Paddlefest

📍Oswego
July

Oswego Paddlefest is one of the city’s most anticipated events of the summer. The event invites canoers and kayakers to venture through a portion of the historic Erie Canal, including 4 locks. Participants launch in either Minetto, for a 5.5 mile trip, or Fulton, for a 13 mile trip. Both paths end at Wrights Landing in Oswego. Tickets are $35 for adults and $10 for children.

Oswego Harborfest

📍Oswego
End of July

Oswego’s much beloved summer festival, Harborfest, returns every July. A month before the state-wide fair happens in neary Syracuse, Harborfest has everything you’d look for in a summer fair. Most of the festivities take place in Breitbeck Park on Lake Street. That’s where you’ll find half of the musical performances, the children’s puppet theater, and several other attractions. Over in East Park, between 2nd and 4th Street, is the Jazz & Blues celebrations. The midway carnival is over along the eastern end of Lake Street. Lastly, more festivities can be found at Veterans Memorial Park and the River Walk.

Fulton Jazz Festival

📍Fulton
August

Before the Fulton Jazz Festival was created in 2009, the city had a few other celebrations in its place. In 1987 there was the Nestle-sponsored Chocolate Fest. The 3-day-long festival included live music, amusement rides, Nestle mascots, and – of course – lots of chocolate. At the same time, Fulton had been celebrating their RiverFest for years. The two-day festival was filled with music, theater, rides, Native American exhibits, river cruises, fireworks, and more. There were even tours of the Nestle chocolate factory.

RiverFest was reinvented again in 1995 as the Fulton Chocolate Festival, sponsored by Nestle. But again, this festival only lasted a few years.

In 2009, a handful of local businesses reinvented the festival once again with the help of the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce. Over the past fifteen years, ownership of the festival has changed hands a few times, but the essence of the festival remains the same. Bringing a sense of community celebration to the city of Fulton with multiple days of jazz music that is free to the public.

Central Square Apple Festival

📍Central Square
September

Central Square’s biggest festival dates back to the mid-80s, as the apple festival celebrates its 39th anniversary this year. Originally a quaint event – planned in less than two months – the festival now is an annual celebration that involves a full year of planning.

Hosted by the Hastings Lions Club, the Central Square Apple Festival is their biggest annual fundraiser. 100% of the profits go back to support the local community. In 2024 there were over 180 vendors participating in the festival, marking the biggest show out yet!

In addition to browsing the booths and shopping amongst the local businesses, the event consists of two days filled with activities for everyone. Countless food vendors showcase their specialties alongside some seasonal apple goodies. Competitions crown Miss Apple Festival and other winners. Kids of all ages enjoy the amusement rides and animals. Marching bands and performance artists keep the crowds entertained.

Images courtesy of the Central Square Apple Festival Facebook page.

NY Pumpkin Festival

📍Oswego
End of September / Early October

The annual pumpkin festival is back at Washington Square Park in Oswego. The festival features two days filled with live music, food, craft vendors, and more. The main event is the pumpkin decorating contest (for a $5 entry). Plus, kids will enjoy meet and greets with the “Sanderson sisters” and “Jack & Sally”. Admission is FREE.

Family Fall Festival

📍Sandy Creek
End of September / Early October

Following in the festive footsteps of the Oswego County Fair, the county continues their celebrations in the fall. At the same county fairgrounds, the Family Fall Festival invites visitors to enjoy chicken bbq, scarecrows, tractor & truck pulls, fair food, rides, live music, craft vendors, and plenty more.

Ontario Orchards Fall Jamboree

📍Sterling
September

Fall season in upstate New York just isn’t complete without a multitude of fall festivals. Ontario Orchards kicks things off with their annual Fall Jamboree. The weekend-long event features a corn maze, wagon rides, wine tasting, arts & craft vendors, live music, apple & pumpkin picking, face painting, and so much more. Bring the family out to enjoy a day at the farm.

Locktoberfest

📍Phoenix
End of September

While breweries and bars around the world celebrate Oktoberfest, places in New York celebrate Locktoberfest along the canals. Huge celebrations are planned for Phoenix, with several local businesses participating. Lock 1 Distilling, Gingersnap Bakery, Duskee’s Sports Bar, and more have special menus and activities planned as part of the festival. Live music, food trucks, and fireworks round out the festivities.

Fulton Fall Festival

📍Fulton
October

In October, the fall festivities move to Fulton, with the annual Fulton Fall Festival. The day-long celebration is held at the Fulton War Memorial Complex. the community comes together to enjoy local crafts, food, entertainment, and family-friendly activities. Some of the biggest highlights include a hot air balloon walk, trackless train ride, and local food trucks.

NAPA Super Dirt Week

📍Oswego
October

Oswego County is no stranger to car races. Both Brewerton Speedway and Fulton Speedway are known for their weekly dirt car races in the summer. But the party really happens every October at Oswego Speedway for NAPA Super Dirt Week. The monumental event attracts visitors from all over the US and Canada who are eager to watch the best racers take on the “Steel Palace”. Hundreds of cars compete throughout the week in 4 different race series.

Tickets are available for various events and races.

City of Oswego Tree Lighting

End of November

The biggest holiday festivals kick off nowhere other than the City of Oswego with the arrival of Santa aboard a firetruck at the city’s tree lighting. Following his arrival, children may take turns visiting with Santa, asking for their Christmas wishes. Other festivities filling the city include carriage rides, reindeer visits, ice sculpting, and performances. This all leads up to the grand finale at 6pm with the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree and accompanying firework display.

Parade of Trees at Pratt House Museum

End of November – December

Every year on the Monday after Thanksgiving the Pratt House Museum’s annual Parade of Trees opens to the public. Artificial trees are decorated by local schools, non-profit organizations, and businesses and then donated to the museum for visitors to enjoy. Folks can vote on their favorite trees in a competition running the length of the exhibit.