Good things come in small packages, so the saying goes…but good things also come in fall packages! So, if you want a small, fall package, look no further than Nyack. Our village packs over a hundred businesses and a rich array of recreational, entertainment and cultural opportunities into just over one walkable square mile. For autumn in particular, Nyack has a full calendar of events and family-friendly activities to help you celebrate the season to the fullest.

“Nyack is the perfect place to enjoy the Hudson Valley’s autumn glow,” said Thomas Schneck, President of the Visit Nyack Board. “We encourage everyone to combine Nyack events with our special blend of memorable experiences. Nyack offers it all – in a beautiful, memorable riverside community.”

Whether you are a fall enthusiast or go into hibernation mode as soon as the temperatures begin to drop, Nyack has a little something for everyone. Read more below for a sampling of our autumnal offerings!

Live theatre and wildlife coexisted on Nyack’s stage for the Phoenix Festival. (Photo courtesy of Phoenix Theatre Ensemble)

Phoenix Festival: Live Arts in Nyack

In 2022, Nyack joined the roster of world-class arts events with  Phoenix Festival: Live Arts in Nyack, an annual celebration of classical theater, music, local culture, and the creative spirit of community. Over its five inaugural weekends in September and October 2022, the Festival presented both live and outdoor performances against the majestic vistas of the Hudson River and the lively, jazzy riverside village of Nyack. In 2023, the critically-acclaimed Festival expanded its programming to include four indoor and outdoor productions, partnerships with Children’s Shakespeare Company and Emotions Physical Theatre, and special events all over downtown Nyack. The Festival also offers a spotlight for local Nyack nonprofits, along with opportunities for students and volunteers to get up-close and hands-on with live performance. Stay tuned for more information on Phoenix Festival 2024!

The Festival is hosted and produced by the Phoenix Theatre Ensemble, an internationally recognized leader in creative contemporary theater and winner of multiple prestigious awards for excellence in theater arts. Founded in New York City in 2004, the Ensemble is proud to make Rockland County its second artistic home. PTE Artistic Director Elise Stone and PTE Executive Director Craig Smith serve as the Festival’s leadership, engaging local, county and New York State institutions, educational organizations, businesses and non-profits in support of the Festival.

Nyack’s Famous Street Fairs

Anyone who knows Nyack knows the street fairs – five each year in spring, summer, and fall – a Nyack tradition for well over three decades. Maybe even the most seasoned veterans of the village have lost track of the years, but the basic premise has remained the same: Crafts, jewelry, food, live music, clothing, gifts, art, antiques, specialty items — offered by hundreds of vendors and local merchants. Thousands of people come. Many come back – and stay.

Nyack’s Annual Halloween Parade

Every year, the Village of Nyack and the Chamber of Commerce proudly present the most hair-raising Halloween celebration this side of the Hudson — ranked by Travel Channel as one of the Top 10 Halloween parades nationwide. Dancing ghouls, marching bands, wild costumes, fantastic floats, live entertainment, and more. Great prizes for the best floats and costumes.

Rockland Fashion Week (Photo Courtesy of Hope Wade)

Rockland Fashion Week

Produced by Nyack’s Hope Wade Designs, Rockland Fashion Week (RFW) focuses on Rockland as a growing hub for fashion design and manufacture, and includes local pop-up shops, as well as educational sessions on the “business of fashion” at local middle and high schools around the county. A mini fashion show (including one for dogs) leads up to the main event. RFW culminates in a gala runway event at Palisades Center in West Nyack featuring local fashion designers.

Nyack’s Weekly Farmers Market: Thursdays,  8am-2pm

Families love the Farmers Market, every Thursday year-round featuring live music, fresh goods from local farms and artisans, and plenty of kid-friendly activities.

In addition to the aforementioned events, Nyack makes it easy to combine events with shopping, dining, or recreation in a day trip or whatever a weekend itinerary might require. One draw for shoppers who like to marry a good deal with a good meal is the tempting array of casual eateries and fine dining establishments that put Nyack on the map as a haven for food enthusiasts.

“Nyack is a top destination for dining in the Hudson Valley,” said Mark Davidoff, Visit Nyack Board member, and director, Rockland Community College Culinary Arts and Hospitality Center. “Our village is a hub for both culinary arts education, and for the final product – the best food on the plate for the discerning diner.”

Local hotels offer package stays with discounts and specials at restaurants, shops and personal service establishments.  The river is Nyack’s jewel in the crown – majestic Hudson vistas from the shore, hikes at the river’s edge or Hook Mountain ridge, or fun on the river itself – sailing, kayaking and water sports as summer stretches into fall.

Here’s a quick drone’s-eye view:

Photo Courtesy of RCC Culinary Institute

Dining and food: Nyack offers 50+ restaurant options from pubs to world-class gourmet menus for those who like choice; themed food tours for those who like to explore; award-winning cooking classes at the Culinary Arts Institute for those who like to make their own; and a year-round Farmers Market every Thursday for those who want to connect with food, farms, friends and fun.

Shopping: Nyack is a hub for the unique, one-of-a kind, hard-to-find-anywhere-else purchase. Also, a place for buyers who are interested in sustainably sourced goods, original fashion, handmade items (which customers may help create) and, overall, a personal shopping experience – often delivered with a sense of humor, always with plenty of time to browse, discuss and decide.

Entertainment and the arts: Nyack’s bustling night-and-day life offers theater and music of all genres, classic plays, musicals, jazz, rock, blues, drumming, karaoke, open mic nights, salsa music and dancing, classical concerts and a cluster a music-related businesses offering music lessons, instruments, and recording capabilities. Nyack is also home to a thriving art community, hosting contemporary art shows, workshops, curated film screenings, poetry reading, art classes and camps for kids, pop-up art events and more.

Biking Nyack Beach State Park (Photo Credit: Caroline Scimone)

Recreation: Opportunities forhiking, biking, and river sports in Nyack are among the best in the Hudson Valley. Access tothe Governor Mario M. Cuomo bridge path is within minutes of the village — with sweeping views of the river to the north and south. For those who want to get their toes wet, launch your kayak from Nyack Beach State Park or board sailing charters from Nyack marina. Hiking-wise, you can “find your long path” through guided hikes organized by Long Path Outfitters in collaboration with West Mountain Guide Co. and take in stunning river views and unlimited leaf-peeping opportunities. For those who want to ‘catch some air,’ there’s always the option for a quick spin at the riverside skateboarding park, recognized by ‘skaters’ as one of the best in the region.

Culture and history: Home to civil rights leaders, artists, writers, Nobel Prize winners, movie stars, and many far-from-ordinary hard-working people, Nyack has a deep multicultural history with fascinating stories to tell. Those stories are well told by the Historical Society, Nyack Library, Hopper House Museum and other organizations, offering tours, exhibitions and special programs – all accessible in town, online, or via phone.

Relaxation and personal services: With all the activity going on in Nyack, it’s still possible to relax in one of the village’s top-flight salons, spas or barber shops offering premium personal care services. See visitnyack.org for information.

Enjoy life. Enjoy Nyack.