Events in Ithaca today

Enjoy a peaceful break with Mindful Birding at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. From the Visitor Center observatory, participants can watch Sapsucker Woods Pond in a warm indoor setting. Binoculars and seating are available, and guests are welcome to stop in briefly or stay for the full session. The experience starts with a short sensory warm-up to connect with nature, continues with quiet observation of the pond and its birdlife, and closes with a reflective exercise. It blends traditional birdwatching with simple mindfulness practices to help people slow down, be more present, and appreciate both birds and the moment. The session aims to support calm and well-being, strengthen listening and observation skills, and encourage a more intentional understanding of birdlife. No prior experience is needed. This is a stationary program created with mobility needs in mind. Folding chairs and benches are provided. The parking lot includes six van-accessible spaces with curb-free access to paved paths. A wheelchair-accessible porta-potty is located in the lot, and an accessible all-gender or family restroom and water fountain are inside the Visitor Center. Two wheelchairs are available on site. TCAT route 31 serves the Lab of Ornithology, and paratransit options are available through Gadabout at (607) 273-1878. Bike racks are located in the parking area. Free and open to the public. No registration required.

An open mic held on the second Wednesday of each month welcomes people to share a song, a poem, a laugh, or whatever they wish. There is no formal stage and the atmosphere is low pressure, with a microphone only sometimes available. Expect a warm, supportive setting with occasional moments of group singing. This is a family friendly gathering. It generally takes place indoors, with the option to move outside when the weather is good. Well behaved, on-leash dogs are welcome in outdoor areas, and the premises are smoke free. There are no mask requirements for employees or attendees inside or outside the store. Accessibility features include one accessible parking spot in a gravel lot next to a paved sidewalk entrance, a built in ramp inside the store for access to upper and lower levels, and a portable ramp available upon request for the bathroom and the outdoor space. The bathroom has grab bars behind and beside the toilet, a changing table, and room for a full 60 inch turnaround. For questions about the space or the event, the store can be contacted by phone.

Alexander Thomas takes the stage with a solo performance that treats money not only as something earned, but as a force that shapes who we are. Blending sharp humor, intimate storytelling, and lyrical passages, he slips between bold characters and vivid memories to explore how value lives inside us as much as it circulates in our wallets. There are laughs, moments that pull at the heart, and plenty to prompt a new look at your own relationship to money. Written by Alexander Thomas and performed by him, directed by Daniel Brunet, with production in collaboration with English Theatre Berlin | International Performing Arts Center.

Illustrator Nicole Carrier-Titti brings the story to life by appearing as Catie in an engaging, interactive performance. After the reading, attendees can meet the illustrator for a book signing. Free take-home coloring pages featuring Catie and friends are available to keep the creativity going at home.

HistoryForge invites curiosity of all kinds. Genealogy researchers can step back into family histories, homeowners can explore the stories behind their houses, those feeling nostalgic can revisit earlier eras, and history fans can look more closely at Cortland’s past. CCHS Collections and Research Assistant Sophie Welburn will lead a demonstration on how to use this interactive research tool and why it is useful. Presented as part of the Cortland County Historical Society’s Lunch & Learn series, the program connects the community with local and regional history. It is free and open to all. Attendees may bring their own lunch, and beverages and dessert will be provided. For questions before the event, call 607-756-6071.

Drop in for hands-on crafting with the Lending Library & Sensory Room. Projects are tailored for all ages and feature a rotating mix of DIY fidget-themed activities. Visit once or make it a regular stop. Families are welcome and no registration is required. All materials are provided. For questions, contact LendingLibrary@racker.org or 607-529-0142. This program is supported by a Family Support Services grant from the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.

A four part Professional Directions series in Room 220 at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts welcomes film and television professionals who appear virtually on Zoom to discuss their careers. This session features Rachel Raimist, Ph.D., a tenured professor, documentarian, and television director, speaking about how she got started, her return to Hollywood after nearly a decade in academia, and her advocacy for women in the industry. Admission is free and no registration is required.

Set out from Bike Bar Ithaca for an easygoing social run that welcomes students and other young community members. Participants break into pace groups for a short outing, choose the route and distance together, then return to the bar afterward. There are no speed or mileage requirements, so newcomers and seasoned runners can move at a comfortable pace and stay as long as they like once back.

A weekly Digimon Card Game tournament offers head-to-head play for fans of the TCG. The $10 entry includes an Exclusive Store Tournament Vol. Pack, and the top performer receives a Winner Pack. Store credit is awarded based on turnout and match record. Players should bring a deck and be ready to compete.

Kick up your boots at Newark Valley Community Connection for an evening of line dancing lessons and fun. Everyone is welcome, even first-timers, and no prior experience is needed. Admission is $5, payable at the door.

An open conversation about death hosted by the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County. This gathering is one of three Death Cafes offered this fall and is part of a worldwide initiative that encourages candid discussion about dying and mortality. Participants share thoughts and feelings over tea, coffee, and cake, with no set agenda and no prescribed way to take part. All viewpoints and experiences are welcome. This is not intended as grief support or counseling. For more information, contact Jenny Miller at jmiller@mhatompkins.org or Jonathan Cook at jcook@mhatompkins.org. Hosted in Ithaca, NY.

A monthly coffee talk for veterans offers a relaxed place to connect, share experiences, and build community over a warm cup of coffee. Expect friendly conversation and genuine camaraderie. Families are welcome.

This orientation introduces the Cooperators in the Community program at GreenStar and explains how volunteers support the co-op’s non-profit Community Partners. GreenStar members can receive a discount in exchange for volunteer hours. Registration is required. To participate, attendees must complete an orientation and be members in good standing, with equity payments current. Those who are not yet members can enroll to meet the requirement. New sessions are offered each month, and information about Community Partners and membership is available through GreenStar.

Take part in a monthly flower bar where you handpick individual stems, then have them wrapped into a made-for-you bouquet. Pricing is per stem, keeping the experience straightforward and personal. It works well for a night out with friends. After your bouquet is complete, show it at J.R. Dill Wine Bar to receive 10% off your drink.

Discover stained glass through an inviting, hands-on class. Bring a bright artwork to life while learning approachable techniques, with instruction suited to beginners and a satisfying challenge for those with experience.

Get ready for a zombie themed prom where teens ages 12 to 18 can don their sharpest outfits with eerie makeup and dance with friends. A professional DJ will spin favorite monster tunes to keep the party moving. Pizza and drinks will be provided, and prizes await the most impressive zombie costumes. This program is supported by the Nelson B Delavan Foundation Part A.

Build an MTG deck by drafting three Play Booster packs from the current set, then face other players in three Swiss rounds with best of three matches. Entry is $25. Every participant earns at least one Play Booster Pack, with additional packs for top finishers, and 1.5 packs per participant are added to the overall prize pool. Prize boosters are chosen in order of placement from the packs available in stock at the time of the event, and the newest set is not guaranteed. You may drop early if you cannot play all three rounds and you will still receive the number of packs awarded to the last prize position. The draft uses booster draft format rules. Draft nights are canceled during prerelease events.

At Bailey Hall, the Cornell Chorus and Glee Club present their annual Homecoming program, Shelter in the Storm, reflecting on what shelter means as a place, a state of mind, or a shared community, and on what can undermine that sense of home. The program ranges from Renaissance works to contemporary pieces and features treble, tenor bass, and mixed choir ensembles. Composers on the program include Laura Jekabsone, Shruthi Rajasekar, Jeffrey Ames, Josef Rheinberger, Florence Price, Pavel Chesnokov, and others. Tickets are available. The concert is planned to finish in time for attendees to catch the Homecoming fireworks at Schoellkopf Field.

Four-time Grammy nominee Tab Benoit returns with I Hear Thunder, a self-produced album on his Whiskey Bayou Records label. Known for a singular guitar sound and a voice that calls to mind Otis Redding, he has energized the roots scene for more than three decades. The new record captures his growth as a songwriter and musician, setting a new marker in a storied career, and it reflects his continued dedication to environmental advocacy that reaches beyond the stage into the places that fuel his blues. This tour spotlights songs from I Hear Thunder alongside favorites from his extensive catalog. Expect a performance that advances the blues while honoring its heritage.

Open to everyone, the Community Clothing Closet exists to support people in need and reach as many as possible. For a glimpse inside, a look at the closet is available online.

The Saturday Market takes place outside at the pavilion in Steamboat Landing, offering a chance to reconnect with friends while browsing favorite stalls in the open air. Held each week, it highlights agriculture, art, and food that are grown, made, and cooked within 30 miles of the member-built pavilion.

BC Cate Elementary PFO hosts a craft fair at B C Cate Elementary School featuring local vendors with plenty of options for holiday decorations and gifts. The Kid’s Korner highlights young entrepreneurs and creators.

Back for another season, this fall flight and craft experience pairs a customizable drink flight with a hands-on project. Choose four sips from six drink options to enjoy as you create a patch tote. Start with a blank canvas bag, pick your favorite patches, arrange them to your liking, and have them pressed onto the tote for a one-of-a-kind finish. Tickets are available for purchase.

Scarecrow Jubilee offers an afternoon of fall fun as Ithaca Children’s Garden’s annual outdoor autumn festival. Additional details and RSVP information will be shared soon.

Enjoy a community trunk or treat featuring local organizations from across Tompkins County. Free activities will also be available in the YMCA gym.

Take part in a free weekly Disney Lorcana league centered on casual Core Constructed play with pin and promo support. Rounds are played as best two out of three. Bring a deck of at least 60 cards with no more than two inks, no proxies, and a maximum of four copies of any card with the same full name. You may change decks between rounds, and ready to play starter decks are a simple option for newcomers. Every participant receives one participation promo card while supplies last, and there will be random drawings for a Lorcana pin and for additional promo cards, also while supplies last. Separate competitive events are offered with promo items and added prize support.

Celebrate autumn at the Moravia VFW Fairgrounds with a family friendly festival featuring a glowing Pumpkin Walk filled with carved and decorated creations by local students and community members. Kids can dress up for trunk or treat and collect sweets from area organizations. Enjoy a variety of local food trucks, then browse a vendor market with seasonal crafts, farm produce, and unique gifts. Entertainment includes music from a local DJ, bounce houses, and games. The Cayuga Owasco Lakes Historical Society will also share a Spiritualism exhibit that highlights local history. Admission is free and open to the public.

Spend time on the farm by looking around the barn, meeting the animals, and saying hello to the family. Check out the equipment in use, enter raffles, browse the farm store, and enjoy freshly baked goods.

At the pavilion, a community market brings together artisans, farmers, and chefs offering goods they make, grow, or cook within 30 miles of the pavilion. Meet the people behind the products and browse a range of locally crafted and harvested items. The market is open rain or shine on weekends.

The waterfront weekend series returns, bringing together agricultural, art, and food vendors. Browse creative works, farm offerings, and a variety of foods in a welcoming market setting.

Buffalo football fans can gather at Latitude 42 as Eleven Lakes Market brings a creative Hat Bar and a selection of Buffalo-themed merchandise. Personalize a game-day hat, then browse items featuring Finger Lakes Buffalo designs, #17 gear, accessories, gifts, and more. Enjoy a drink, get into the team spirit, and pick up fresh gear whether you follow every play or simply want something fun for game day.

Enjoy a relaxed euchre afternoon in a cozy historic lounge with unplugged fun and friendly card play. Beginners are welcome. You may bring a small dish or snack to share, and drinks are available at the front desk bar. RSVP by email is appreciated but not required, and questions can be sent to Grayhavenmotel@gmail.com.

The fifth and final Open House of the 2026 season features readings and art at Saltonstall. Visitors can meet the current residents, a cohort awarded a four-week residency, including poet Sasha Burshteyn of Brooklyn, visual artists Danielle Draik of Queens and Allison Gildersleeve of Brooklyn, filmmaker Daniel Hymanson of New York City, and writer (K^nikanlahtá:sa’) Tonya Shenandoah from the Onondaga Nation Territory. If the weather cooperates, readings will take place outdoors in the accessible courtyard. Light refreshments will be available and admission is free. The entire event is accessible, with accessible parking just outside the building and an accessible bathroom on site.

Leah leads a welcoming dance class that celebrates freedom, fun, and laughter. Everyone is invited, even if you are not a member, and registration is taken by phone in advance. The class uses a $12 to $20 sliding scale on the honor system, and it is free for FLFC members.

The Board of Trustees meets on the third Monday of each month throughout the year. Visitors are welcome to observe the meeting and learn what the board is all about.

This beginner-friendly percussion class focuses on technique and rhythm through traditional and contemporary Afro-Cuban styles. Participants explore musical forms with roots in West African communities forced into the Caribbean starting in the 17th century, as well as rhythms that took shape in Cuba, Haiti, and across the region through a blend of African, Indigenous, and European influences. All are welcome. No personal instrument is required. Pre-registration is required. The cost is $15 per class, with a sliding scale available for anyone who needs it, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. After registering, participants receive additional details about the venue and answers to any questions.