
Major Events & Festivals in Syracuse, New York, United States
1. Syracuse St. Patrick's Day Parade
Celebration of Irish heritage with marching bands, floats, and traditional costumes in Downtown Syracuse.
- Community Gathering: Brings together thousands of locals and visitors to celebrate Irish heritage
- Traditional Festivities: Features bagpipers, Irish dancers, and a parade that showcases the best of Irish culture
- Family-friendly: Offers activities for all ages, including kids' zones and cultural booths
2. Syracuse Pride Fest
Celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in Armory Square with parades, music, and vendor booths.
- Cultural Celebration: Highlights the diversity and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community
- Community Support: Provides a safe and inclusive space for self-expression and education
- Entertainment: Features live music, drag shows, and performances by local and national talent
3. Syracuse Nationals Hot Rod & Custom Car Show
Annual gathering of classic car enthusiasts in the New York State Fairgrounds.
- Car Appreciation: Showcases over 3,000 custom and classic cars from various eras
- Community Event: Brings together car enthusiasts from across the country for a weekend of fun
- Education: Offers workshops, seminars, and competitions to share knowledge and techniques
4. Syracuse ChickenFest
Annual festival dedicated to chicken wings in Downtown Syracuse featuring cooking competitions and live music.
- Food Celebration: Showcases the best chicken wing recipes from local restaurants
- Local Cuisine: Highlights Syracuse's famous chicken wings and supports local businesses
- Entertainment: Features live music, cooking demonstrations, and a wing-eating competition
5. Syracuse University Football Games
College football games played at the Carrier Dome featuring Syracuse Orange.
- School Spirit: Encourages school pride and camaraderie among students, alumni, and fans
- Entertainment: Offers pre-game entertainment, including marching bands and cheerleading performances
- Competitive Atmosphere: Provides an exciting and intense atmosphere for college football fans
6. Syracuse University's Winter Carnival
Annual winter festival on the Syracuse University campus featuring ice sculptures, bonfires, and activities.
- Winter Fun: Provides a fun way to enjoy the winter weather in Syracuse
- Campus Involvement: Encourages student and community participation in various events and activities
- Arts and Culture: Showcases the talent of local artists through ice sculptures and performances
7. Jazz Fest at Armory Square
Annual jazz festival in Downtown Syracuse featuring live music, food vendors, and arts & crafts.
- Jazz Appreciation: Highlights the rich history and impact of jazz music
- Community Event: Brings together musicians, artists, and local businesses for a weekend of fun
- Education: Offers workshops, seminars, and performances by renowned jazz artists
8. Onondaga Lake Park Summer Concert Series
Outdoor concert series at Onondaga Lake Park featuring popular music acts.
- Live Music: Showcases a variety of genres and popular artists
- Outdoor Experience: Offers a beautiful outdoor setting with lake views and green spaces
- Community Event: Brings together music lovers for a fun and memorable experience
9. Syracuse's First Night
New Year's Eve celebration in Downtown Syracuse featuring music, arts, and family-friendly activities.
- Family-friendly: Provides a safe and fun environment for all ages to ring in the New Year
- Community Event: Brings together locals and visitors to celebrate the beginning of the New Year
- Arts and Culture: Showcases local artists, musicians, and performers
10. Syracuse Greek Festival
Annual festival showcasing Greek culture, food, music, and dance in Downtown Syracuse.
- Cultural Celebration: Highlights the rich heritage of the Greek community
- Food Experience: Offers authentic Greek cuisine, including moussaka, souvlaki, and baklava
- Entertainment: Features live music, dance performances, and educational workshops
11. Syracuse Peace Council's Multicultural Festival
Annual celebration of cultural diversity in Clinton Square featuring food, music, and dance from various cultures.
- Cultural Celebration: Highlights the rich tapestry of cultures found in Syracuse
- Food Experience: Offers a variety of authentic dishes from around the world
- Education: Promotes understanding, respect, and appreciation for cultural differences
12. Syracuse's Spark Contemporary Art Show
Annual contemporary art show featuring local and regional artists in various media.
- Art Appreciation: Showcases a wide variety of contemporary art from emerging and established artists
- Community Event: Brings together art lovers, collectors, and the community to appreciate local talent
- Education: Offers workshops, discussions, and artist talks to deepen understanding of contemporary art
13. Syracuse's Fringe Festival
Annual performing arts festival featuring experimental and avant-garde performances in various venues.
- Artistic Expression: Highlights innovative and unconventional works of theater, dance, music, and comedy
- Community Event: Brings together local and international artists to share their unique perspectives
- Experience: Offers a diverse lineup of performances that challenge the traditional norms of theater and performance art
14. Syracuse's Salt City ComiCon
Annual comic book and pop culture convention featuring celebrity guests, artists, and vendors.
- Fandom Celebration: Brings together fans of comic books, movies, TV shows, and other forms of popular culture
- Meet and Greet: Offers opportunities to meet celebrities, artists, and creators from the world of comics and pop culture
- Shopping Experience: Features a variety of vendors selling comic books, artwork, toys, and other collectibles
15. Syracuse's Black History Month Celebration
Month-long celebration of African American history, culture, and achievements in Syracuse.
- Cultural Education: Promotes understanding and appreciation for Black history, culture, and contributions
- Community Event: Brings together the community to celebrate African American history and heritage
- Entertainment: Offers performances, exhibits, and discussions by local and national artists, scholars, and activists