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Fall Fun & Halloween Happenings in the Lake George Region: October 2026

Posted: 10/6/2026

Fall Fun & Halloween Happenings in the Lake George Region: October 2026

October brings a special kind of magic to the Lake George Region. Brilliant fall foliage surrounds the lake and mountains, seasonal festivals fill the weekends, and Halloween events range from cheerful daytime celebrations to genuinely spine-chilling adventures.

Whether you are planning a family outing, a fall getaway with friends, or a night filled with haunted history, there is still plenty to experience throughout October.

Fall Festivals, Foliage and Seasonal Fun

Lake George Village Oktoberfest

October 9–11 | Canada Street and Shepard Park, Lake George

Downtown Lake George transforms into a Bavarian-style street festival during Columbus Day Weekend. This free, family-friendly celebration features nonstop German and polka music, traditional dancers, artisan vendors, carnival rides, German food, locally crafted beverages, stein-hoisting competitions, keg tossing and plenty of opportunities to join the Chicken Dance.

The festival runs from noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Presented with Adirondack Pub & Brewery.

Foliage & Furry Friends Fall Pet Festival

October 10 | 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Wilton

Celebrate fall with your favorite four-legged companion at Ulysses S. Grant Cottage Historic Site.

The day includes indoor and outdoor tours, vendors, local pet organizations and resources, treats for pets and people, and beautiful foliage views from Mount McGregor. A free living-history presentation at 1 p.m. will share stories about the pets of the Ulysses S. Grant family.

Gore Mountain Harvest Fest

October 10–11 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | North Creek

Enjoy a weekend of peak fall color, live music, craft vendors, food, beverages, games and family activities at Gore Mountain.

Admission to Harvest Fest is free. Scenic skyride tickets may be purchased separately for sweeping views of the Adirondack foliage from the Northwoods Gondola or Adirondack Express II. Skyride ticket sales end at 3 p.m., with the final uphill ride departing at 3:15 p.m.

Visitors can also experience Gore Mountain Gondola Skyrides during the final weekend of the fall skyride season.

20th Annual Adirondack Brewery Oktoberfest Charity Block Party

October 17 | Noon–5 p.m. | Lake George

Raise a stein for a good cause at Adirondack Pub & Brewery.

This ticketed, 21-and-older celebration features craft beverage sampling, German food, live entertainment, games, contests and plenty of Oktoberfest spirit. Ticket proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks.

Family-Friendly October Adventures

Pumpkin Patch Pedal

Weekends, October 10–November 1 | North Creek and Thurman

Make pumpkin picking part of an unforgettable Adirondack adventure with Revolution Rail Co.. Pedal through colorful fall scenery, enjoy beautiful views of the Hudson River and surrounding mountains, and choose a pumpkin to bring home.

Riders can select from two family-friendly routes: the eight-mile South River Run from North Creek Station or the gentler six-mile Thurman Station Run near Warrensburg. Pumpkins are included with each rail bike reservation, and both routes are open to all ages.

Fort Ticonderoga’s Heroic Corn Maze

Tuesday–Sunday through October 25 | Ticonderoga

Get lost in history inside the six-acre Heroic Corn Maze at Fort Ticonderoga.

The completely new 2026 design celebrates America’s 250th anniversary through six stories of heroism and extraordinary journeys from 1775 and 1776. Families can navigate two phases of the maze while completing Maze Quest challenges and discovering pieces of Revolutionary history along the way.

The maze is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is included with general admission. The final maze entry is at 4 p.m. Closed-toe shoes are recommended, and the maze may close during heavy rain or unsafe field conditions.

Boo Fest at Great Escape

Weekends through October 25 | Queensbury

During the daytime, Great Escape offers Halloween fun designed especially for younger visitors and families.

Boo Fest features seasonal entertainment, costumes, trick-or-treating and family-friendly activities alongside the park’s rides and attractions. Visitors should check the operating calendar before arriving, as dates and hours vary throughout October.

Harvest Festival at Fort William Henry

Select evenings, October 16–31 | 4–10 p.m. | Lake George

Cozy up beside the lake with seasonal food and drinks, live music, glowing firepits and autumn views during the Harvest Festival at Fort William Henry Hotel.

Live music is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. during each festival evening. Saturday activities on October 17, 24 and 31 include a cornhole competition at 1 p.m. and a cider donut eating contest at 3 p.m. Firepit rentals are also available throughout the evening.

BOO 2 You

October 24 | 2–4 p.m. | Downtown Glens Falls

Children and their families are invited to dress in costume and enjoy a free afternoon of Halloween fun on Glen Street, Ridge Street and in City Park.

Organized by the Glens Falls Collaborative, BOO 2 You features trick-or-treating at downtown storefronts, live performances and additional family-friendly activities throughout downtown Glens Falls.

Haunted History and Halloween Events

Fort Fright

Select evenings through October 30 | 6–10 p.m. | Lake George

A traditional haunted house is unsettling enough. A haunted experience inside a reconstructed 18th-century fort is an entirely different beast.

Fort Fright transforms Fort William Henry Museum with eerie lighting, live scare actors and stories inspired by the fort’s real history and longstanding paranormal legends. Guests can also add a mini paranormal investigation to their evening.

Advance tickets are recommended.

Fright Fest at Great Escape

Weekends through October 25 | Queensbury

When daylight fades, Great Escape trades its family-friendly Boo Fest atmosphere for fog, live entertainment, roaming characters and darker Halloween thrills.

Fright Fest is designed for visitors looking for a more intense Halloween experience. Certain haunted attractions may require an additional ticket or pass, so review the park’s schedule and ticket options before visiting.

The Halloweentown Debates: A Comedy of Terrors

October 17 | 7 p.m. | Glens Falls

Iconic movie monsters take local politics frighteningly seriously during this improvised comedy performance at The Park Theater.

Dracula faces a younger vampire challenger while comics, puppeteers and drag performers debate the graveyard shortage, the cost of reanimation and other pressing Halloweentown issues. The evening also includes a costume contest, with one attendee receiving the chance to participate in an onstage debate.

Hold the Line for Liberty

October 24–25 | 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. | Ticonderoga

Step onto the historic ground where the Continental Army prepared to defend American independence 250 years ago.

During this two-day REAL TIME REVOLUTION® signature event, Fort Ticonderoga will recreate the tension and uncertainty of October 1776 through battle reenactments, military demonstrations, historic trades and immersive programs exploring the weapons, tactics, fortifications and people behind the American stand.

Programming is included with general admission, and tickets are valid for two consecutive days.

The Haunting History of Mt. McGregor: Halloween Special

October 31 | 1–2 p.m. | Wilton

The history of Mount McGregor includes far more than the final days of President Ulysses S. Grant.

Join staff from Ulysses S. Grant Cottage Historic Site for true stories of mystery, tragedy and misfortune from the mountain’s past 150 years. This free Halloween presentation includes discussions of death, self-harm and suffering and may not be appropriate for younger visitors.

Plan Your October Visit

Autumn weather in the Adirondacks can change quickly, so bring layers and comfortable footwear, especially for outdoor festivals, historic sites, rail biking and the Heroic Corn Maze. Seasonal schedules may also change because of weather, ticket availability or operating conditions.

Review individual event listings before traveling and purchase advance tickets whenever they are recommended.

There is even more happening throughout the Lake George Region this fall. Explore the complete Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB Events Calendar to discover additional concerts, cruises, workshops, seasonal celebrations and community events.

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