Events in Ithaca, NY

At TreeHouse Studio & Lounge, explore a weekly Afro-Cuban traditional and folkloric dance class energized by live percussion. Classes are led by Adolfo Castillo and Lisbet Lopez, accomplished dancers and culture bearers from Guantánamo, Cuba. Expect storytelling dances, new styles introduced each month with warm-up reviews of previous material, and a strong emphasis on syncing movement with rhythm. Participants build technique useful across movement arts while supporting both mental and physical well-being in a welcoming community. All ages and experience levels are welcome, and no prior dance background is required. Bring a water bottle and, if needed, a towel. Each week requires at least six registrations, and participants are added to a WhatsApp group for class updates and communication. Pricing is $15 per class when paying monthly (for example, $60 for four weeks) or $20 for drop-in. Sliding scale options, pay-what-you-can, and punch card discounts are available, and no one is turned away for lack of funds. First-time students are asked to register and pay in advance via Venmo (@Salsa-Ithaca) or Cash App ($SalsaIthaca). To arrange payment by cash, check, or another method, indicate this during registration so details can be coordinated. Registration signifies an expectation of payment. For questions or arrangements, text or WhatsApp 607-375-7090, or email salsaithaca@gmail.com.

An evening networking gathering for professionals from the area focused on conversation and making new connections. Refreshments are available, and there is ample opportunity to build lasting relationships within the local business community.

The Nocturnal Café hosts a weekly open mic where music and storytelling share the spotlight. Now in its fifth year in Ithaca, the series features a rotating roster of hosts, including Aria Dawn, Satya Celeste, and Laik Uticone. Participants can take the stage to showcase their talents and connect with a welcoming creative community.

Runners meet at Bike Bar Ithaca for a friendly group outing that splits into different pace groups for about 30 minutes, then circles back to the bar. Each group chooses its own route and distance, and participants can decide how long to stay afterward. Created as a weekly meetup for students and others in the younger community, it welcomes every pace with no speed or distance requirements, with the option to relax together after the run.

Enjoy a Friday night roller skate session for all ages. Admission is $7 for ages 18 and up and $5 for skaters under 18. Rental skates are available for an additional $3.50 per person, and you can pre-pay for rentals when you register for your session. Sizes range from Toddler 10 through Adult 13. Group rates are offered when scheduled at least 10 days in advance for groups of 10 to 20, with interest submitted through the provided form. Helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads are encouraged for every skater.

This outdoor market takes place at the pavilion in Steamboat Landing, offering a weekly chance to reconnect with familiar faces while exploring favorite stalls. It highlights agriculture, art, and food that are grown, made, and cooked within 30 miles of a member-built pavilion.

A community walk brings people together to remember loved ones, offer support to those facing struggles, and share a sense of hope. All are welcome, including friends, families, survivors, and allies. Participants can move at a comfortable pace while connecting with others who care about this community, reaffirming that no one has to face difficult times alone.

This annual clambake marks the end of the season and is open to all. Tickets cost $70 and are available at Cobblestone, Roman Village, or the Watering Hole.

Local growers, bakers, vintage vendors, and makers gather on the spacious lawn at Danby Food and Drink for a family-friendly market filled with live music and local flavors. September features The Wallnuts, the Silo food truck serves in both September and October, and Russ Baker caps the series during the final October market. Visitors can sample a local draft, enjoy ice cream, pick up snacks from the grocery, and browse goods while supporting small businesses. The market takes place outdoors on a grassy area next to the store. Leashed, well behaved dogs are welcome, and smoking is not allowed. Masks are not required for staff or guests, indoors or outside. Accessibility features include one designated parking space near a paved sidewalk entrance, a built-in indoor ramp connecting levels, and a portable ramp available on request for bathroom access and to reach the outdoor space. The restroom offers grab bars at the side and behind the toilet, a changing table, and room for a full 60 inch turnaround. For questions about the space or event, contact the store.

Ithaca’s oldest road race offers 5K and 10K distances on a quick, level circuit through the Fall Creek neighborhood. Both races begin and end at Ithaca High School, with the finish set in the parking lot bus lane just around the corner from the starting area. Run one lap for the 5K or complete a second lap for the 10K. This family friendly gathering also includes a free one mile fun run for kids. The 10K is designated as the RRCA Eastern Regional Championship. Free parking is available in the high school lots.

At the pavilion, visitors can explore a variety of vendors and connect with local artisans, farmers, and chefs whose goods are produced within 30 miles. Held on weekends, rain or shine.

Settle into a relaxed open-air yoga session at Danby Food & Drink, guided by certified instructor Sheila Sidhu (RYT-200). The class is gentle and beginner friendly, blending breath work, accessible movement, and simple meditation rooted in traditional yoga for everyday life. If you can sit cross-legged or come onto your hands and knees comfortably, you are ready to participate. Bring a yoga mat, blocks for support, a towel or blanket if your knees are sensitive, a strap or long belt, water, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and anything else that helps you stay comfortable on the ground. A limited amount of gear is available to borrow, including four mats, six sets of blocks, six straps, and twelve blankets made possible through past tips. Attendance is free and open to the community, with an optional tip jar and Venmo for those who wish to support the teaching. Sheila is new to the Ithaca and Danby area and aims to connect with neighbors through yoga. The session welcomes first-timers as well as long-time practitioners.

Explore what doulas do and how they can support you as you prepare to meet your baby. Connect with members of the Ithaca Doula Collective at Jillian's Drawers to ask questions, get to know individual doulas, and learn about care available during pregnancy, birth, the postpartum period, and other life transitions. This event is free and open to anyone interested in doula support.

Pride Night at Danby Food and Drink offers a relaxed, unstructured space for local LGBTQIA+ community members to connect. Held on the third Wednesday of each month, it focuses on creating a welcoming environment where people can be themselves and enjoy time together. All ages are welcome, making this a family-friendly gathering. Well behaved dogs on leash are allowed in outside areas. Smoking is not permitted on the property. Masks are not required for employees or attendees indoors or outdoors. Accessibility features include one accessible parking space in a gravel lot next to a paved sidewalk entrance. A built-in ramp inside provides access between upper and lower levels, and a portable ramp is available on request for the bathroom and the outdoor space. The bathroom has grab bars beside and behind the toilet, a changing table, and room for a full 60 inch turnaround. For questions about the space or the event, please contact the store by phone.

Presented by DSP Shows and the State Theatre of Ithaca, this concert features Trampled by Turtles with Wild Horses. Trampled by Turtles formed in Duluth, Minnesota when frontman Dave Simonett, left with only an acoustic guitar after his gear was stolen, started a new acoustic-driven project rooted in bluegrass and folk. He teamed up with fiddler Ryan Young, once a speed metal drummer, along with bassist Tim Saxhaug, mandolinist Erik Berry, and banjo player Dave Carroll. Together they shaped a quick, high-energy string sound that pulls from rock and roll as much as bluegrass. Every one of their releases has reached number one on Billboard’s Bluegrass chart, and their résumé includes appearances at Coachella, ACL Fest, and Lollapalooza, plus tours with Shakey Graves, Zach Bryan, Wilco, Caamp, Mt. Joy, Willie Nelson, The Avett Brothers, and Lord Huron. Their album Alpenglow was produced by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, and in 2025 they shared a cover of Bon Iver’s For Emma featuring Caamp’s Taylor Meier, also known as Sumbuck, on lead vocals, with more collaborations on the horizon. Wild Horses open the night with a rootsy Americana sound crafted by a husband and wife from northern Minnesota who live off the grid in a hand-built cabin between tours. Their music blends heartfelt vocals, striking harmonies, driving rhythms, and dramatic dynamics. After well received opening slots with Trampled by Turtles and Muscadine Bloodline, the duo has been building momentum across the upper Midwest and drawing audiences to their own headline shows. Charley Crockett recently invited them to provide direct support for a large outdoor performance in Minneapolis at Surly Field.

DSP Shows presents an evening with Garrison Keillor at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca. The creator of Lake Wobegon did A Prairie Home Companion for forty years, and on stage he brings the same easygoing storytelling that helps audiences feel at home. Crowds often laugh, applaud and even sing along, coming together with a small town sense of closeness for a couple of hours. Beyond the stage he has written a memoir and a book of limericks, is at work on a musical and a Lake Wobegon screenplay, and continues The Writers Almanac, delivered daily to internet subscribers at no cost.

The Airport Day and Preparedness Expo returns to Ithaca Tompkins International Airport with a free, family friendly celebration of flight and community readiness. Visitors can explore aircraft up close, talk with aviation professionals on the tarmac, and take part in hands-on emergency demonstrations and CPR training at the Preparedness and Safety Fair. Highlights include a one-of-a-kind Runway 5K on the runway. Pre-registration is available, and race entry includes the East Hill Flying Club all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, with T-shirts offered while supplies last. The pancake breakfast is also open to the public, priced at $12 for adults and $7 for children ages 3 to 10. Aviation experiences feature $65 scenic flights with East Hill Flying Club and tethered hot air balloon rides with Southern Tier Balloon Tours for $20 per adult and $10 per child. The National Warplane Museum offers rides on the historic WWII-era C-47 “Whiskey 7” for $175 per person, with registration details to be announced. Guided tours of the airport tower are available with limited capacity and require a Real ID or passport. Families can enjoy entertainment from Crossroads the Clown and balloon animals. A paper airplane contest gives participants a chance to win a $500 ITH travel voucher, and an ice cream truck adds a sweet treat to the day. Citizen Preparedness Corps Training provides a free workshop that includes a Disaster Preparedness Kit, with registration information coming soon. A Red Cross blood drive takes place at Tompkins County Whole Health. Admission is free, free parking is available in the airport’s long-term lot, and entry is through East Hill Flying Club.

At Stewart Park in Ithaca, the Finger Lakes Ride for Life brings cyclists together for a purpose-driven century ride with route choices from 14 to 100 miles, welcoming newcomers and experienced riders alike. The event raises funds for the Southern Tier AIDS Program, which provides HIV and STI testing and prevention, harm reduction services, case management and housing support, a food pantry, affirming support for LGBTQ+ youth, and broad education and outreach. Every dollar contributed helps keep these services accessible, compassionate, and free of stigma. There is no fee to sign up, and registrants receive a personal fundraising page to share STAP’s mission with friends and family, making an impact even if riding fewer miles or unable to be on course that day. On ride day, participants can expect seven supported pit stops stocked with snacks, refreshments, and bathrooms, plus safety and gear assistance along the routes. Scenic Finger Lakes views frame the experience, and meals and on-course fuel are provided, including lunch and dinner. Riders, volunteers, people cheering from the sidelines, and supporters come together in a spirit of camaraderie that strengthens vital local health and human service programs.

At the CNY Collector's Expo in Dryden, New York, six and eight foot tables are available, an early bird option is offered for 5 dollars, parking is not limited, and campus security will be on site.

Tough Turtle Junior returns with an energizing obstacle experience for adventurous kids in Tompkins County. Tailored for children ages 12 and younger, the course lets young participants dash, climb, jump, and crawl through outdoor-inspired challenges. The setup emphasizes safety and encouragement so emerging athletes can test their skills and have fun from start to finish.

Presented by DSP Shows and WSKG Public Media, Ira Glass, host of This American Life, appears for an evening of storytelling that blends humor with emotion in the signature style he developed on the show. His weekly program reaches more than three million listeners and has earned top honors, including three Emmy Awards for its television version, eight Peabody Awards, and the first Pulitzer Prize ever awarded to a radio program or podcast. For decades it has remained among the most listened-to podcasts worldwide, and Glass’s approach reshaped audio storytelling and has been widely emulated. Whether you know the show well or are discovering it for the first time, expect a night of funny and affecting stories about everyday people that feel close to home.

Enjoy a relaxed afternoon of euchre at The Grayhaven. Set in a historic lounge with a cozy feel, this fall gathering focuses on unplugged card play and friendly conversation. New and experienced players are welcome. Guests may bring a small dish or snack to share, and drinks are available from the front desk bar. An RSVP by email to Grayhavenmotel@gmail.com is appreciated but not required, and questions can be sent to the same address.

The weekly Firelight Live music series begins with a performance by 10 Square Miles. Pizza by Stone Bend Farm will be available, and the bar will serve specialty cocktails along with local beer, wine, and cider. Non-alcoholic beverages and additional snacks can also be purchased. Everyone is welcome.

Set on a flat rail trail beside Dryden Lake, this laid-back endurance event welcomes athletes aiming for speed, distance, or something in between. The format is an eight-hour fixed-time challenge on a 3.45-mile out and back course, and there are no mileage or time cutoffs. All paces are welcome, and walking is encouraged, so each participant chooses how far to go within the available window.

Walk to Remember at the Dryden High School track is dedicated to honoring and remembering more than 900 individuals. This walk offers space for reflection and a collective tribute to each life.

A weekend of camping and hiking in Robert Treman State Park centers on connection with nature, personal reflection, and community, all in the spirit of autumn. Expect recreational time that includes day hikes, campfires, and other outdoor adventures. The trip is rated FUN, so plan to be ready for a day hike and plenty of lighthearted shenanigans. Tent sharing may be required. Space is limited. Spots are held by completing the registration form when it opens about a month before the trip, making a suggested donation or requesting a scholarship, and confirming attendance one week beforehand. If the trip reaches capacity, email jacquelinj@rocoveryny.org to be added to the waitlist. Questions about physical abilities or what to wear can be sent to jacquelinj@rocoveryny.org or addressed in person, and support is available to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. This outing is for adults 18 and older. Participation is free and open to anyone with at least 48 hours of continuous sobriety. First time participants are asked to complete a membership questionnaire in advance.

Joe Crookston brings songs and stories to The Cherry Arts, sharing the joy he feels performing in his hometown. The evening blends music and community with wine, fiddle, art, a hint of magic, and even a playful nod to rattlesnakes. His hometown shows frequently fill to capacity.

The Beatlemaniacs deliver a high-energy homage to the Fab Four, earning recognition around the globe as an award-winning tribute act. Their production pairs vibrant stage presence and skilled musicianship with modern theater technology to create a distinctive live show. Honors include a nomination for Entertainer of the Year with Princess Cruises and a Best Musical Act award, along with headlining engagements for Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Celebrity Cruises. Audiences across North America, Europe, and Asia have enjoyed their performances.

At the State Theatre of Ithaca, The Beatlemaniacs deliver a celebrated tribute to the Beatles. The performance blends the group’s onstage energy and beloved songs with contemporary theater technology for a distinctive concert experience. Their credits include a Princess Cruises Entertainer of the Year nomination, a Best Musical Act award, and headlining appearances with Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Celebrity Cruises. They have performed for audiences across North America, Europe, and Asia, bringing an internationally recognized show to Ithaca.

Firelight Live kicks off its 2026 weekly music series with a set by the Diana Leigh Quartet. Pizza from Stone Bend Farm will be available, and the bar will serve specialty cocktails alongside local beer, wine, and cider. Non-alcoholic beverages and other snacks can also be purchased. Everyone is welcome.

Brad Williams performs live at the State Theatre of Ithaca in Ithaca, NY. The event welcomes all ages and features reserved seating. Tickets are available online.

The State Theatre of Ithaca welcomes a landmark stop on Judy Collins’s farewell tour, presented by DSP Shows and the venue. The acclaimed singer, songwriter, and activist brings the luminous voice and heartfelt storytelling that have guided a multigenerational career rooted in folk tradition and social conscience. Collins is celebrated for reimagining beloved songs as well as crafting her own poetic works. Her take on Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now is preserved in the Grammy Hall of Fame, and her intimate rendition of Stephen Sondheim’s Send in the Clowns earned Song of the Year at the Grammys. Across a vast catalog, she has achieved top ten singles along with gold and platinum releases, and her legacy has been honored by artists such as Rufus Wainwright, Shawn Colvin, Dolly Parton, Joan Baez, and Leonard Cohen on the tribute album Born to the Breed. This final touring chapter arrives after a flourishing creative period that includes six recent albums, Spellbound as her first collection written entirely by her and a Grammy nominee for Best Folk Album, and the poetry volume Sometimes It’s Heaven, which extends the candor and grace that define her work. Oakland Rain joins as special guests. The twin sister duo has surpassed 3 million Spotify streams, released EPs along with music for Ibsen theater, composed for film, and launched a pop project highlighted by Billboard. They have toured widely across Norway, Europe, and the United States, including previous runs with Collins, and were selected for an official showcase at Folk Alliance International in Montréal. Their double album concept explores identity through color and sound, with The Evergreen embracing earthy Americana and Heavenly Blue flowing toward Nordic-tinged alternative pop. Through close-knit harmonies and thoughtful songwriting, they examine twinhood, the pull between fear and freedom, and the contrast between what is known and what remains beyond sight.

At Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, Steve Gonsalves presents an immersive evening built around A Life with Ghosts, blending hauntings, history, and true accounts from his own archive. Recognized from Ghost Hunters, Ghost Nation, The House Inbetween, and as the bestselling author of A Life with Ghosts, he revisits notable investigations with fresh stories, added historical detail, and exclusive footage. Through firsthand narratives, rare clips, haunted objects, and candid behind the scenes moments, he opens up the cases, evidence, and experiences gathered across years of fieldwork. The program also includes humor and audience interaction, followed by a live Q&A where fans can ask about ghost hunting, findings, and the stories behind the work. A limited number of VIP packages are available.

Y We Ride is a fundraising bicycle tour that celebrates the coming together of the Cortland and Ithaca YMCAs. Taking place at Tompkins Cortland Community College, riders can choose 25, 52, or 101 mile routes that travel through Cortland and Tompkins County. Each participant receives a personal fundraising page. The tour welcomes both individual cyclists and teams, and a virtual participation option is available.

Presented by DSP Shows at the State Theatre of Ithaca, Fred Armisen brings a comedy show with a musician’s perspective that welcomes audiences of all backgrounds. A multi-talented performer across comedy, writing, producing, and music, Armisen co-wrote and co-starred in IFC’s Emmy-nominated Portlandia and portrays Uncle Fester in Netflix’s Wednesday. He stars in HBO’s Los Espookys as a co-writer and executive producer, and he is a star, writer, and producer of IFC’s Documentary Now. His screen work also includes HBO’s Our Flag Means Death, Judd Apatow’s film The Bubble, and Amazon’s Forever. His voice can be heard in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Big Mouth, and The Mitchells vs. the Machines. He spent 11 seasons on Saturday Night Live and led the 8G Band on Late Night with Seth Meyers from 2014 to 2024. He is currently appearing in the Broadway production All In.

Focused on the fight against Alzheimer’s, this community walk in the Ithaca/Cortland area highlights hope and forward momentum. It offers a welcoming way to take steps together in support of the cause.

DSP Shows and the State Theatre of Ithaca present Jeff Tweedy in a solo performance with special guest Case Oats. Tweedy, the founding member and frontman of Wilco, has released five solo albums in addition to thirteen with Wilco. His latest, Twilight Override, is a 30-track release described by the New York Times as a magnum opus. The performance draws from his wide-ranging catalog and offers a closer look at Twilight Override. Case Oats is the Chicago project led by Casey Gomez Walker and Spencer Tweedy. The two began writing together and have shaped a lived-in sound that complements Gomez Walker’s lyrics, which are wry, confessional, and full-bodied. Spencer Tweedy has performed with Jeff Tweedy, Waxahatchee, Mavis Staples, and Norah Jones.

This monthly roundtable puts commissioner service into practice by bringing Scouting unit leaders together for practical support. Whether you are new to the role or a longtime Scouter, you can discover fresh program ideas, hear important policy and event updates, add supplemental training, and connect with peers who understand everyday challenges. The gathering is held in the Sprole Conference Room at Tompkins Cortland Community College. For easiest access, use the gym entrance on the far left, go to the back, then turn right to find the room on the right. Some other entrances involve stairs. The campus cafeteria offers dinner options for those arriving early.

Learn what doulas do and how they can support you as you prepare to welcome a baby. Meet members of the Ithaca Doula Collective, bring your questions, and connect with individual doulas. Discover the many ways doula care can help during pregnancy, birth, the postpartum period, and other transitions. This free gathering is open to anyone interested in doula support and takes place at Jillian's Drawers.

Presented by DSP Shows and the State Theatre of Ithaca, Punch Brothers bring their celebrated string band sound to the theater. Renowned for virtuosic musicianship and intricate arrangements, the group formed after the end of mandolinist Chris Thile’s former band Nickel Creek and blends bluegrass drive with classical sophistication and jazz-informed improvisation. Long associated with Nonesuch Records, nearly all of their albums have reached the top of the Billboard Bluegrass chart, with notable crossover appearances on pop, rock, and folk charts. The band first performed together at Carnegie Hall and was later featured in the documentary How to Grow a Band. Their album All Ashore earned the Grammy Award for Best Folk Album, followed by the tribute collection Hell on Church Street.

Presented by DSP Shows and the State Theatre of Ithaca, The Wailin' Jennys bring the harmonies of Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody, and Heather Masse to the stage. The trio began as a chance collaboration for a single show in a small Winnipeg guitar shop, then grew into a widely loved presence in international folk and roots music. Founding members Moody and Mehta, performing alongside New York-based Masse, continue to raise their game with acclaimed recordings and renowned concerts. NPR praised a Newport Folk Festival set, noting that the group offers more than flawless harmony, leading with confidence and honoring traditional roots music with genuine reverence. Warm, heartfelt vocals and the trio’s distinctive blend are at the heart of this performance at the State Theatre of Ithaca.

This Turkey Trot at Ithaca High School features a course of about 5.5 miles. The route is split between paved roads and sections of trail and grass for a mix of terrain. Shortcuts are permitted.