October is the North Country’s busiest fall month, and 2026 is no exception: pumpkin chunkin’ on the Clayton waterfront, a German-style Oktoberfest at a Thousand Islands winery, craft shows, choral concerts, and a 5K that benefits local families. Here’s what’s on across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties — organized by weekend so you can plan.
Looking for Halloween-specific events? Those live in our Northern New York Halloween Events 2026 guide.
This Weekend: Oct 1–3
Norfolk Fall Festival
Thursday, Oct 1 through Saturday, Oct 3, Norfolk (St. Lawrence County). Kicks off tonight with a 5 PM spaghetti dinner at the Norfolk Fire Department, followed by a full weekend: Friday brings food trucks, bounce houses, train and tractor rides, live music, a kids’ candy hunt, and a haunted depot; Saturday features an 11 AM parade down West Main Street, pumpkin derby races at 12:30 PM, a petting zoo, pony rides, and a magic show. (Source: YES FM)
Thousand Islands Winery Oktoberfest
Saturday, Oct 3, 11:30 AM–6 PM, 43298 Seaway Ave., Alexandria Bay. Live music, German food and beer, and craft vendors. $10 for 21+ ($6 military/seniors), 20 and under free. (Source: winery + Alexandria Bay chamber)
CCE Lewis County Open House & Harvest Festival
Saturday, Oct 3, 9 AM–4 PM, 7421 East Rd., Lowville. Tour the new space, with appetizers, a basket auction, and 4-H crafts and games. (Source: CCE Lewis)
Oct 9–11
WPBS Free Family Screening: Sesame Street & the Big Elephant Adventure
Friday, Oct 9, 6–7:30 PM, Zoo New York at Thompson Park, Watertown. Free. (Source: WPBS)
Oct 13–18: The Big Weekend
Clayton Scarecrow Contest
Public voting runs Tuesday, Oct 13 through Wednesday, Oct 28, with winners announced Oct 30. Scarecrows line James Street and Riverside Drive; enter through the Clayton Chamber at 517 Riverside Dr. (Source: Clayton Chamber)
Punkin’ Chunkin’ Festival
Saturday, Oct 17, Frink Park waterfront, Clayton. The 14th annual: youth chunkin’ at 11 AM, adult chunkin’ at 1 PM, BBQ from 11 AM till it’s gone (tasting 2–3 PM), and a farmers’ market along Riverside Drive, 10 AM–4 PM. Free admission, rain or shine. (Source: Clayton Chamber)
Fall Fest: Pumpkinpalooza 2026
Saturday, Oct 17, 11 AM–6 PM, Downtown Massena (10 W. Orvis St.). 40+ vendors, food trucks, live music all day, and kids’ activities. Free. (Source: Explore Massena)
Fall Craft Show at Jefferson Community College
Saturday, Oct 17, 10 AM–4 PM, JCC, 1220 Coffeen St., Watertown. 100+ vendors via Kessler Promotions; advance tickets online. (Source: Kessler Promotions)
Northern Blend Chorus “Sing Fling”
Saturday, Oct 17, 6:30 PM, First Presbyterian Church of Watertown, 403 Washington St. The annual show with guest quartets and school groups; tickets online or at the door. (Source: Northern Blend Chorus)
Orchestra of Northern New York: “American Lit. 101”
Saturday, Oct 17, 7:30 PM at Hosmer Hall, SUNY Potsdam; Sunday, Oct 18, 3 PM at Trinity Episcopal Church, Watertown. The finale of ONNY’s America 250th celebration — music inspired by American literature. (Source: ONNY)
Oct 21–24
National Apple Day at Ogdensburg Public Library
Wednesday, Oct 21 (time TBA). Andrew Brice from Applewood Orchards leads the Great Big Apple Crunch. (Source: Ogdensburg Public Library)
Friends Fall Book Sale
Wednesday, Oct 21 through Saturday, Oct 24, Ogdensburg Public Library. (Source: Ogdensburg Public Library)
Scarecrow Scuttle 5K/10K & Family Fun Run
Saturday, Oct 24, Old McDonald’s Farm, 14369 County Rd. 145, Sackets Harbor. Benefits The Arc Jefferson–St. Lawrence. 5K is $25 in advance ($30 race day); family fun run $10 adults/$5 kids. (Source: The Arc JSLC)
Oct 29–31
WPBS SuperWhy Pop-Up Movie Night
Thursday, Oct 29, 6–7:30 PM, WPBS studio, 1056 Arsenal St., Watertown. Free. (Source: WPBS)
For everything Halloween — trunk-or-treats, BOO at the Zoo, haunted tours — see our Northern New York Halloween Events 2026 guide.
On the watch list
“For Country: First In, Last Out” documentary
An Oct 8 screening is on-post (restricted); a public Watertown screening date is still TBA. A major one for the Fort Drum community — we’ll add it here when the public date lands. (Source: WPBS calendar)