From free indoor trick-or-treating in Rome to live music in Utica and Remsen, the Mohawk Valley has plenty to put on the calendar for Mohawk Valley events. This guide covers October 23 through November 1, 2026, with family outings, art, hockey, learning opportunities and community services.
Before you go: All times are Eastern. Events through October 31 use EDT; November 1 events use EST after clocks turn back. Prices and availability can change. Follow the organizer links for the latest details, especially before buying tickets or traveling. Where an organizer has not stated an admission fee, we say so rather than assume the event is free.
Family fun
CVA Fall Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Central Valley Academy, 111 Frederick Street, Ilion.
Admission: $1 or a nonperishable food item.
Browse a 60-vendor craft fair, food and raffles while helping Feed Our Vets. This is an option for families and shoppers looking for a fall outing. No registration is required. School announcement.
Canastota Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 24, 1 to 3 p.m.
Douglas Chandler Firemen’s Field, Hickory Street, Canastota, across from ZEMS.
Admission: Not stated by the organizer.
The Canastota Recreation Commission offers a family Halloween gathering. The village notice does not state an attendee registration requirement. Village event listing.
Puzzle Quest: Mysteries, Myths & Mayhem
Saturdays, October 24 and 31, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fort Stanwix National Monument, Rome. Use 100 N. James Street for visitor-center GPS directions.
Admission: Free; no registration required.
Families can gather clues around the fort and solve history-themed puzzles. The visitor center, restrooms and parking have accessible features, and ramps serve most interior buildings, but not all fort areas are accessible. National Park Service event details and accessibility information.
MVCC Trick-or-Treat Street
Thursday, October 29, 4 to 6 p.m.
Plumley Complex Atrium, MVCC Rome Campus, 1101 Floyd Avenue, Rome.
Admission: Free.
This indoor, all-ages Halloween celebration brings together costumes, candy and 20 local organizations. MVCC’s announcement does not list an advance registration requirement. MVCC announcement.
Music
Keyboard Conversations: The Romantic Music of Brahms
Saturday, October 24, 2 p.m.
Sinnott Family–Bank of Utica Auditorium, Munson, 310 Genesee Street, Utica.
Admission: $38 general public, $32 members and $16 students.
Pianist Jeffrey Siegel combines performance and commentary in a program devoted to Brahms. This is a fit for classical music fans and listeners who enjoy hearing the story behind the music. Student-price tickets must be purchased by calling Munson. Check remaining availability. Munson program and tickets.
Blueprints in Concert
Sunday, November 1, 4 to 6 p.m. EST.
Remsen Arts Center, 9627 Main Street, Remsen.
Admission: Listed at $15 to $20; confirm price options and any fees before purchase.
Blueprints brings blues-rock to Remsen with special guest Skip Murphy and opener Brian Mulkerne. The listing does not state an age restriction. Venue details and ticket information.
Arts
Art WAR at SUNY Poly
Wednesday, October 28, 5 to 6:30 p.m.; doors open at 4:30 p.m.
Kunsela Auditorium A112, SUNY Poly Utica campus, 100 Seymour Road.
Admission: Free and open to everyone.
Student teams face timed art challenges in a live competition with music and audience participation. It is a chance to watch creative work happen, not just see the finished product. Organizer event details.
Nightlife and evening outings
Utica Coffee Halloween Pop-Up with Catalyst
Thursday, October 29, 6 to 8 p.m.
Utica Coffee, 300 Water Street, Utica.
Admission: $10 per person; capacity is 100.
Expect a costume contest, music, games, coffee, refreshers and light food. The community is welcome, not just members of the young professionals group. The listing does not state an age policy; check before bringing children. Ticket availability is not confirmed. Chamber event and registration details.
Munson After Dark: Halloween
Saturday, October 31, 9 p.m. to midnight EDT.
Museum of Art, Root Court, Munson, 310 Genesee Street, Utica.
Admission: $20 public, $15 members, $10 students; free for Pratt Munson students.
Costumes, dancing, music, cocktails and prizes fill this late-night museum celebration. Because the event page does not state a minimum age, check the admission policy directly with Munson before buying for a younger guest. Munson event details.
Education and careers
MVILR Speaker Series: Aging Well: Resources and Scam Prevention
Tuesday, October 27, 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.
Festine Auditorium, MVCC Rome Campus, 1101 Floyd Avenue, Rome.
Admission: Not stated in the organizer’s calendar entry.
The Mohawk Valley Institute for Learning in Retirement lists a session on aging well, available resources and scam prevention. Older adults, relatives and caregivers may find the subject useful. Confirm admission and any registration requirements before attending. MVILR website and public calendar.
SUNY Poly Fall Career Fair Expo
Thursday, October 29, noon to 2 p.m.
Wildcat Field House, SUNY Poly Utica campus, 100 Seymour Road.
Admission: Attendee fee not stated.
Students, job seekers and community members are welcome to meet employers and explore internships, externships and full-time work. Published employer registration fees are not visitor ticket prices. SUNY Poly announcement and career-services event information.
Civic life
Madison County Early Voting
October 24 through November 1.
St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 551 Sayles Street, Oneida.
Hours: Noon to 8 p.m. on October 27 and 29; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on every other date in the period.
Cost: No charge for eligible Madison County voters.
Madison County voters can cast a ballot before Election Day at this early-voting location. The elections office in Wampsville is not an early-voting site. November 1 hours are EST. County election information.
Sports
Utica Comets Home Hockey
Friday, October 30, 7 p.m. EDT: vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Sunday, November 1, 3 p.m. EST: vs. Hamilton.
NBT Bank Arena at the Utica Memorial Auditorium, 400 Oriskany Street W., Utica.
Admission: Paid tickets; current prices and seat availability were not confirmed.
Hockey fans have two home-game options, including a Sunday afternoon start. Doors open 90 minutes before puck drop, and the arena does not allow reentry. Official schedule, tickets and visitor policies.
Canastota Burn Run
Saturday, October 31: kids’ run at 8:30 a.m.; 5K run/walk and 10K at 9 a.m.
Canastota Fire Department, 127 E. Center Street, Canastota.
Admission: Kids’ run free; 5K walk $33.15, 5K run $38.61 and 10K $43.95, including posted fees.
This fundraiser supports burn survivors. The listed running-event prices rise after October 29. Registration closes October 31 at 8 a.m. for the kids’ run and walk, and at 8:30 a.m. for the running events. Confirm current terms before paying. Race times, prices and registration.
Sold-out notice: The October 24 Boolermaker Kids Run at F.T. Proctor Park is sold out. Families already registered should follow the organizer’s instructions; do not count on walk-up registration.
Community services
Madison County Pet Rabies Clinic
Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Madison County Highway Garage, 139 North Court Street, Wampsville.
Cost: Free for county residents; a $7-per-pet donation is appreciated.
Appointments are required for this drive-through and walk-through clinic, and remaining openings have not been confirmed. Bring previous vaccination records and properly restrain pets. Out-of-county households are limited to four pets. County health announcements and official clinic flyer.
Free and low-cost picks at a glance
- Fort Stanwix Puzzle Quest: free family activity.
- MVCC Trick-or-Treat Street: free indoor Halloween fun.
- Art WAR: free live arts competition.
- CVA Fall Harvest Festival: $1 or a nonperishable food item.
- Burn Run kids’ event: free, with registration.
- Pet rabies clinic: free for county residents, appointment required.
- Madison County early voting: no charge for eligible voters.
Listings were checked against organizer, venue and public-agency information on October 23, 2026. Check the linked source before leaving for weather-related changes, cancellations, access needs or sold-out notices.
