Back to All Events

Wilmington | Festival of Colors | September 12, 2026

  • Wilmington Festival of Colors 652 Springfield Road Wilmington, New York, 12997 United States (map)

Wilmington Festival of Colors Kicks Off Fall in the Adirondacks

Whiteface mountain annual Festival of Colors.

Festival of Colors near Whiteface.

The annual Festival of Colors returns to Wilmington, NY, on Saturday, September 12, bringing a full day of food, music, makers and old-fashioned fall fun to the Tee-Ball Field on Springfield Road.

Set in the Adirondacks near Whiteface Mountain and Lake Placid, this free hometown festival has become a September tradition, marking its 21st year in 2026 with the sort of low-key, flannel-friendly celebration that suits Wilmington particularly well.

From 10 am – 5 pm, visitors can graze among food trucks, browse handmade goods, listen to live music and — perhaps most importantly — investigate the cupcake situation. A cupcake contest joins pumpkin painting and face painting among the day's family-friendly diversions.

Want more worth-the-drive Adirondack finds? Subscribe to In Good Taste, ADK Taste's weekly guide to Adirondack food, stories and events.

A fall festival near Lake Placid with local flavor.

Festival of Colors isn't trying to be a mega-festival, and that's part of its appeal. This is a community gathering where local and regional makers share the field with musicians, food vendors and families enjoying one of those early September days when the Adirondacks begin turning toward fall.

The vendor lineup covers plenty of gift-worthy territory: Adirondack stone and handmade jewelry, pressed-flower art, spice blends and pancake mixes, coconut-wax and beeswax candles, children's books, custom woodwork, hand-stitched blankets, Christmas quilts, historical items and hand-painted ornaments.

There will also be food trucks, drink vendors and liquor tastings. Come hungry, browse slowly and consider it an early reconnaissance mission for holiday gifts — preferably ones that don't require remembering where the receipt went.

Painted pumpkins at a Fall Festival near Lake Placid.

Live music in Wilmington throughout the afternoon.

The soundtrack begins at noon, when Frankie and the Moonlighters perform until 2 pm. Mike Pederson follows from 2 – 4 pm, while Preston Sound DJ keeps music going throughout the day.

That makes Festival of Colors particularly easy to experience at one's own pace. Families can paint pumpkins, shoppers can work the artisan booths, and everyone can drift toward the music when something catches their ear.

Why this Adirondack festival is worth the stop.

Wilmington sits in a particularly good spot for a September outing. Whiteface Mountain is close by, Lake Placid is a short drive away, and the surrounding Ausable River and High Peaks country make the festival an easy addition to a larger Adirondack weekend.

More importantly, Festival of Colors feels connected to its setting. The emphasis on regional makers, local music, food and uncomplicated fall traditions offers a different experience from the area's big-ticket attractions. It is less spectacle than community — and sometimes that's exactly the point.

ADK Taste recommendation.

Arrive before lunch for the easiest browsing, then stay into the afternoon for live music. Bring a reusable shopping bag for local finds, let the kids tackle the pumpkin painting and save room for cupcakes. Visitors making a weekend of it can pair the festival with an outing around Wilmington, Whiteface Mountain or nearby Lake Placid.

Because event details can change, check the official Whiteface Region website or Festival of Colors event page before heading out.

Festival of Colors event details.

Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026

Time: 10 am – 5 pm

Location: Tee-Ball Field, 652 Springfield Rd, Wilmington, NY 12997

Admission: Free

Highlights: Food trucks, drink vendors, artisan vendors, live music, cupcake contest, pumpkin painting and face painting

For travelers looking for things to do near Lake Placid in September, Festival of Colors offers a good excuse to point the car toward Wilmington — with an empty stomach and perhaps an equally empty shopping bag.

For more hand-picked things to eat, see and do across the Adirondacks, subscribe to In Good Taste, ADK Taste's weekly guide to Adirondack food, stories and events.

Decorated cupcakes at Wilmington's Fall Festival of Colors in the Adirondacks.

Don’t miss the Cupcake Contest. Photo: Eye in the Park.

Festival of Colors FAQ.

When is the Wilmington Festival of Colors in 2026?‍ ‍

The Festival of Colors takes place Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 10 am – 5 pm.

Where is the Festival of Colors held?‍ ‍

The festival is held at the Tee-Ball Field at 652 Springfield Rd in Wilmington, NY, near Whiteface Mountain and Lake Placid.

Is the Wilmington Festival of Colors free?‍ ‍

Yes. Admission to the 2026 Festival of Colors is free.

What can visitors expect at Festival of Colors?‍ ‍

Expect food and drink vendors, local and regional artisans, live music, a cupcake contest, face painting, pumpkin painting and other family-friendly fall activities.

Is Festival of Colors good for families?‍ ‍

Yes. Pumpkin painting, face painting and other activities make it particularly well suited to families with children.

How far is Festival of Colors from Lake Placid?‍ ‍

Wilmington is in the Whiteface Region, a short drive from Lake Placid, making the festival easy to include in a Lake Placid or High Peaks weekend.


Find the best places to eat, shop, stay and experience near Wilmington, NY.


America's Story Runs Through the Adirondacks

From Fort Ticonderoga and Teddy Roosevelt to the Miracle on Ice and the birth of the American vacation, the Adirondacks helped shape the nation.


Shop our store for unique Adirondack gifts, clothing, merchandise and cool stuff.


Ultimate Guide to the Adirondacks

Your insider’s guide to exploring the Adirondacks—where to go, what to eat, and the experiences that make this place unforgettable.


ADK Talks Podcast

Love the Adirondacks? You’ll love our podcast. We take listeners beyond the guidebooks and into the heart of the Adirondacks. We share stories from the people behind the best places to eat, shop, stay and explore in the ADK. Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.



See the top upcoming events in the Tri-Lakes and High Peaks region of the Adirondacks.

Navigate to Wilmington’s Festival of Colors.

 
Previous
Previous
September 11

Silver Bay’s Mountain Music Festival | Lake George | September 11-13, 2026

Next
Next
September 12

North Creek | Theodore Roosevelt “On Becoming President” | September 12, 2026