What to Do in the Adirondacks This Weekend: A Harvest Festival, Improv Comedy, and a Ghost Walk

What's happening in the Adirondacks the weekend of October 16–18, 2026? The High Peaks Harvest Festival in Saranac Lake, Improv Stars of Montreal in Lake Placid, a free youth graphic novel workshop in Keene Valley, and the Shadows of Warrensburgh ghost walk.

Mid-October is when the Adirondacks start shifting gears. The leaf-peeping crowds thin out, evenings get crisp, and the calendar turns toward harvest celebrations, cozy nights out, and a little Halloween spirit. This weekend's picks cover all of it: a downtown festival, a night of comedy, a creative workshop for young artists, and an evening ghost walk through local history.

Below is what we confirmed from each organizer's or listing's website as of Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Schedules can change, so check the event page before you head out.

High Peaks Harvest Festival (Saranac Lake)

When: Saturday, October 17. The farmers' market opens at 10:00 a.m., and festival activities run noon–4:00 p.m. Where: Berkeley Green and Main Street outside Hotel Saranac, downtown Saranac Lake

Now in its third year, the High Peaks Harvest Festival is hosted by the High Peaks Farmers' Markets. It brings the season's harvest to downtown Saranac Lake for an afternoon of local food and community.

What to expect:

• A farmers' market with regional vendors and local artisans.
• Live music, with the Lake Placid event listing showing performances from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
• Local food trucks and craft beverages from regional breweries and distilleries.
• Family-friendly activities for kids.

Admission: the Lake Placid event listing shows it as free.

Make a day of it: Berkeley Green sits right in the heart of downtown. The festival pairs well with a walk along the Saranac River and a stop in the shops along Main and Broadway.

Improv Stars of Montreal (Lake Placid)

When: Saturday, October 17, with shows at 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Where: Arts Center Lake Placid, 17 Algonquin Drive, Lake Placid

For a night out that's different every time, Arts Center Lake Placid is hosting Improv Stars of Montreal for one night of fully unscripted comedy. The troupe builds each scene from audience suggestions. Its performers regularly appear at Montreal comedy venues, including Montreal Improv Theatre and Théâtre Sainte-Catherine, and at comedy festivals in Canada and the United States.

Tickets: $27 in advance or $32 at the door, with separate ticket links for each show on the Arts Center's event page.

Why it's worth it: improv is built for audience participation, and no two shows are alike. Catch the 6:00 p.m. show and have dinner in town afterward, or have an early dinner and then see the 9:00 p.m. show.

Youth Graphic Novel Workshop (Keene Valley)

When: Friday, October 16, through Sunday, October 18 Where: Keene Valley Library, 1796 Route 73, Keene Valley

Do Art Productions, a traveling art group led by Jerry Moffitt, is bringing an interactive graphic novel workshop to the Keene Valley Library for young people ages 8–18. Along with graphic book-making activities, the event listing mentions live music and juggling.

Schedule (per the event listing):

• Friday: ages 8–18, 3:30–5:30 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: ages 8–12 from 10:00 a.m. to noon; ages 13–18 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Cost and registration: the workshop is free, but registration is required and space is limited. Contact the library through its website to sign up and confirm session times. The library's page and the listing show slightly different hours.

Good to know: Keene Valley sits right in the High Peaks. If you're bringing kids up for a session, it's an easy morning to pair with a short hike or a stop in Keene.

Shadows of Warrensburgh Ghost Walk (Warrensburg)

When: Saturday, October 17. Meet at 6:45 p.m. The walk also runs October 24 and 31. Where: Floyd Bennett Bandstand, 3867 Main Street, Warrensburg

For something a little spooky with real local history behind it, Historical Society members lead the Shadows of Warrensburgh ghost tour. It's a walk of about a mile, with stories of the people and events that shaped the community. Afterward, guests gather at the Discover Warrensburgh Museum for a look at the displays and light refreshments.

Tickets: $30, sold through the online ticket link on the event listing. Double-check that you're buying for the right date before you check out.

Tip: dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes. October evenings in the southern Adirondacks can drop quickly once the sun goes down.

Planning Your Weekend

• Friday: the afternoon graphic novel session in Keene Valley for young artists.
• Saturday: the Harvest Festival in Saranac Lake, then the 6:00 p.m. improv show in Lake Placid. Or, if you're farther south, head to the Warrensburg ghost walk that evening.
• Sunday: a weekend workshop session in Keene Valley, then a slow fall drive home through the Keene Valley corridor.

Check New York's official 511NY traveler information service for road conditions before you drive, especially on fall evenings.

What a Weekend Like This Says About Living Here

A harvest festival on the village green, international comedy at the local arts center, a free creative workshop at a small-town library, and a historical society walking neighbors through their own town's stories: this is what ordinary weekends look like in the Adirondacks. For many buyers, that steady rhythm of community life is as much a draw as the mountains and lakes. We looked at that connection in How Community Events Influence Real Estate Demand Across the Adirondacks.

If you're considering a move, our community pages for Saranac Lake and Keene are a good place to start. You can also browse current listings across the region.

Missed last weekend? Catch up on Flaming Leaves, figure skating on black ice, and an apple folk festival.

Thinking About Making the Adirondacks Home?

Whether you're just starting to explore or ready to start looking at homes, Tina Leonard Real Estate can help you compare communities, understand the local market, and find a place that fits the way you want to live. Reach out to our team. We'd be glad to help.