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Best events in
Ithaca

Driven by the academic calendar and a walkable downtown, events and things to do in Ithaca, NY offer a dynamic mix of community and campus life. The downtown Commons acts as a central hub for major festivals and nightlife, with a scene that feels more local than student-heavy Collegetown. From professional theater productions to live music in laid-back West End bars, the city’s creative energy is palpable year-round.

Start an evening on the pedestrian-only Commons, the hub for many of the city's festivals, before exploring nearby venues like the State Theatre of Ithaca.
Catch professional stage productions at the Hangar Theatre near Cayuga Lake or contemporary plays at the Kitchen Theatre Company downtown.
Experience grassroots arts and music culture through annual events like Porchfest in the Fall Creek neighborhood or the monthly Monthly Gallery Night.

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Popular in Ithaca

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The Law is Not Enough: Why People Power Matters, feat. Jamila Michener primary image

The Law is Not Enough: Why People Power Matters, feat. Jamila Michener

Tomorrow • 6:00 PM

Southside Community Center

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14th Annual Finger Lakes Crossword Competition primary image

14th Annual Finger Lakes Crossword Competition

Sat, Oct 17 • 1:00 PM

Boynton Middle School Cafeteria

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Scarecrow Jubilee primary image

Scarecrow Jubilee

Sat, Oct 17 • 1:00 PM

Ithaca Children's Garden

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FALL REJUVENATION SALES EVENT primary image

FALL REJUVENATION SALES EVENT

Thu, Oct 22 • 2:00 PM + 1 more

Ithaca Medical Aesthetics Suite 6, North Cayuga Street, Ithaca, NY USA

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"Is America a failed experiment?" primary image

"Is America a failed experiment?"

Mon, Nov 2 • 6:00 PM

Rhodes-Rawlings Auditorium

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NYS Policy Advocacy for Nonprofits primary image

NYS Policy Advocacy for Nonprofits

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:30 PM

Tompkins County Public Library

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Steal My Recipes! Make Your Own DIY Ithaca Chocolate Box primary image

Steal My Recipes! Make Your Own DIY Ithaca Chocolate Box

Thu, Nov 5 • 5:30 PM

GreenStar Food Co+op

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Acorn Processing Workshop primary image

Acorn Processing Workshop

Sat, Nov 14 • 1:00 PM

Nevin Welcome Center

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The Law is Not Enough: Why People Power Matters, feat. Jamila Michener primary image

The Law is Not Enough: Why People Power Matters, feat. Jamila Michener

Tomorrow • 6:00 PM

Southside Community Center

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14th Annual Finger Lakes Crossword Competition primary image

14th Annual Finger Lakes Crossword Competition

Sat, Oct 17 • 1:00 PM

Boynton Middle School Cafeteria

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Scarecrow Jubilee primary image

Scarecrow Jubilee

Sat, Oct 17 • 1:00 PM

Ithaca Children's Garden

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FALL REJUVENATION SALES EVENT primary image

FALL REJUVENATION SALES EVENT

Thu, Oct 22 • 2:00 PM + 1 more

Ithaca Medical Aesthetics Suite 6, North Cayuga Street, Ithaca, NY USA

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"Is America a failed experiment?" primary image

"Is America a failed experiment?"

Mon, Nov 2 • 6:00 PM

Rhodes-Rawlings Auditorium

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NYS Policy Advocacy for Nonprofits primary image

NYS Policy Advocacy for Nonprofits

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:30 PM

Tompkins County Public Library

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Steal My Recipes! Make Your Own DIY Ithaca Chocolate Box primary image

Steal My Recipes! Make Your Own DIY Ithaca Chocolate Box

Thu, Nov 5 • 5:30 PM

GreenStar Food Co+op

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Acorn Processing Workshop primary image

Acorn Processing Workshop

Sat, Nov 14 • 1:00 PM

Nevin Welcome Center

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Online Events

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How To Be Kind To Yourself - Shahroo Izadi primary image

How To Be Kind To Yourself - Shahroo Izadi

Wed, Oct 14 • 7:00 PM GMT+1

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HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism primary image

HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism primary image

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Today's RDH Virtual Dental Continuing Education (CE) Event - Oct. 17, 2026 primary image

Today's RDH Virtual Dental Continuing Education (CE) Event - Oct. 17, 2026

Sat, Oct 17 • 9:00 AM EDT

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett primary image

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Witch hunts and real lives primary image

Witch hunts and real lives

Fri, Oct 30 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026 primary image

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream primary image

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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How To Be Kind To Yourself - Shahroo Izadi primary image

How To Be Kind To Yourself - Shahroo Izadi

Wed, Oct 14 • 7:00 PM GMT+1

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HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism primary image

HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism primary image

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Today's RDH Virtual Dental Continuing Education (CE) Event - Oct. 17, 2026 primary image

Today's RDH Virtual Dental Continuing Education (CE) Event - Oct. 17, 2026

Sat, Oct 17 • 9:00 AM EDT

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett primary image

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Witch hunts and real lives primary image

Witch hunts and real lives

Fri, Oct 30 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026 primary image

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream primary image

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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This Weekend

Ithaca Gorges & Secrets Challenge primary image

Ithaca Gorges & Secrets Challenge

Friday • 4:00 PM + 8 more

171 E State St

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Exploring the Trees of the Arboretum primary image

Exploring the Trees of the Arboretum

Saturday • 9:00 AM

F.R. Newman Arboretum

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Insane Ithaca Scavenger Hunt primary image

Insane Ithaca Scavenger Hunt

Saturday • 11:00 AM + 3 more

Collegetown Bagels

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Fall Into Friendship (Ithaca, NY) primary image

Fall Into Friendship (Ithaca, NY)

Saturday • 10:30 AM

Tompkins County Public Library

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Ithaca Gorges & Secrets Challenge primary image

Ithaca Gorges & Secrets Challenge

Friday • 4:00 PM + 8 more

171 E State St

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Exploring the Trees of the Arboretum primary image

Exploring the Trees of the Arboretum

Saturday • 9:00 AM

F.R. Newman Arboretum

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Insane Ithaca Scavenger Hunt primary image

Insane Ithaca Scavenger Hunt

Saturday • 11:00 AM + 3 more

Collegetown Bagels

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Fall Into Friendship (Ithaca, NY) primary image

Fall Into Friendship (Ithaca, NY)

Saturday • 10:30 AM

Tompkins County Public Library

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Music events

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Noon Fifteen Album Release Show w/ La Llorona & Porch Couch primary image

Noon Fifteen Album Release Show w/ La Llorona & Porch Couch

Fri, Oct 16 • 6:00 PM

Liquid State Brewing Company

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New Planets at Liquid State primary image

New Planets at Liquid State

Fri, Oct 23 • 7:00 PM

Liquid State

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Max Childs w.s.g. Louiston - Ithaca, NY primary image

Max Childs w.s.g. Louiston - Ithaca, NY

Thu, Nov 19 • 7:00 PM

Argos Warehouse Lounge & Event Space

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Winter Village Music Camp 2027 primary image

Winter Village Music Camp 2027

Thu, Jan 7 • 5:00 PM

Community School of Music and Arts

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Noon Fifteen Album Release Show w/ La Llorona & Porch Couch primary image

Noon Fifteen Album Release Show w/ La Llorona & Porch Couch

Fri, Oct 16 • 6:00 PM

Liquid State Brewing Company

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New Planets at Liquid State primary image

New Planets at Liquid State

Fri, Oct 23 • 7:00 PM

Liquid State

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Max Childs w.s.g. Louiston - Ithaca, NY primary image

Max Childs w.s.g. Louiston - Ithaca, NY

Thu, Nov 19 • 7:00 PM

Argos Warehouse Lounge & Event Space

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Winter Village Music Camp 2027 primary image

Winter Village Music Camp 2027

Thu, Jan 7 • 5:00 PM

Community School of Music and Arts

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Frequently asked questions about Ithaca

Where are the best spots for live music events in Ithaca?

Deep Dive is a notable venue for local and touring bands in the West End. The neighborhood offers a laid-back atmosphere, while downtown spots like Lot 10 also host live music and DJ events. The State Theatre of Ithaca brings in larger concert acts.

How can I find comedy shows in Ithaca?

Look for events organized by Comedy on the Commons. This group brings stand-up comedy shows and open mic nights to various venues throughout the downtown area. The State Theatre of Ithaca also occasionally hosts touring comedians.

What are some free events in Ithaca, NY?

The Beginnings Summer Concert Series offers free weekly performances on the Ithaca Commons. Other free events include the monthly Monthly Gallery Night and annual neighborhood celebrations like Porchfest, which features musicians performing on local porches.

Is there a strong art scene in Ithaca?

Yes, Ithaca has a lively arts community centered around downtown. The monthly Monthly Gallery Night is a great way to explore local galleries and art spaces. The Ithaca Festival is an annual multi-day celebration of local arts and culture.

What's the difference between nightlife in Downtown and Collegetown?

Downtown's Commons offers a more local vibe with cocktail lounges and music venues that close around 1 a.m. Collegetown's scene is student-driven, with louder, more crowded bars where the energy level fluctuates with the academic calendar.

Which community events are popular for food and local culture?

The Ithaca Farmers Market is a major social hub for residents. Operating on weekends at Steamboat Landing, it features local farms and food vendors. For a larger food-centric event, the annual Apple Harvest Festival takes over downtown each fall.

Any date night ideas in Ithaca that aren't just dinner?

Consider seeing a contemporary play at the Kitchen Theatre Company for an intimate experience. For something more casual, explore the galleries during Monthly Gallery Night or enjoy a cocktail and live music event at a spot like Lot 10.

Are there family-friendly events in Ithaca?

The annual Ithaca Festival offers a multi-day community celebration with a parade that's great for all ages. The Apple Harvest Festival is another popular fall event downtown with food, crafts, and entertainment suitable for the whole family.