With so many fun, family-friendly events on the calendar, August is always an exciting time to visit Dutchess County. Located in the heart of New York’s picturesque Hudson River Valley, Dutchess is the perfect destination for a getaway any time of year, of course, and August has several signature annual attractions that make it especially memorable for adults and kids alike.
Jazz in the Valley (Aug. 16 and 17), the Dutchess County Fair (Aug. 19–24), and the Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival (Aug. 30 and 31) are all can’t-miss experiences that should be on every Hudson Valley itinerary and bucket list.
However, don’t sleep on the many other great things happening all over Dutchess this August! Here is a list of 10 more guaranteed-to-please excursions you should consider as you try to squeeze as much fun as possible into the final weeks of your summer vacation.
Keep that camera ready! Feel free to share your photos here and tag @DestinationDutchess on social media.
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Nothing symbolizes a relaxing summer in the country quite like a field of sunflowers, and August is prime sunflower season in the Hudson Valley. There are several upcoming sunflower-themed attractions in Dutchess County you won’t want to miss.
• Eighth-Annual Sunflower Cutting Season at Hudson Valley Cold Pressed Oils, Pleasant Valley (Aug. 1–31): Cut your own beautiful sunflowers at this popular annual event, which features between eight and 10 acres of bountiful blooms. The expected opening date will be Friday, Aug. 1, and every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday while the fields are open, they will have local musicians performing from 5:30 p.m. until sunset. Dates and times are subject to change due to weather and flower availability. To stay up to date on sunflower-cutting events, live music shows and other special events at the farm, click here. In the meantime, feel free to check out the HVCPO website and browse their online shop for many sunflower-based products, including gluten-free sunflower muffin mix, hummus made with sunflower oil and all sorts of sunflower-themed jewelry items and T-shirts.
• Seventh-Annual Sunflower Festival at Barton Orchards, Poughquag (Aug. 22–24 and Aug. 29–Sept. 1): Enjoy a scenic hayride to a rolling five-acre field filled with thousands of sunflowers of various types. Cut your own sunflowers (bring your own shears if you have them) and enjoy live music, wine and beer served next to the field and a variety of craft vendors. The farm market features an assortment of signature jarred products, produce and local products. The Tap Room will be open with 20 local beers and hard ciders on tap, as well as wine and spirits. The kids will love the fun park — with its giant slide — as well as the petting zoo. The Slip n' Slide will also be open (weather permitting), so bring a towel! Well-behaved dogs are welcome on a leash, or off the leash in the dog park. Click here to purchase tickets. Can't make it to the orchard? Be sure to stop by the Apple Core year-round farmstand in Poughkeepsie for all your Barton Orchards favorites, like apple cider donuts, maple syrup and all sorts of sweet treats, as well as fresh produce, eggs, meat, dairy and unique jarred products. Special orders are always welcome. Call the farmstand at (845) 471-2879.
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Related: The Dutchess Tourism Farm Finder Ag-Adventure Trail
Saturday, Aug. 2, 12–3 p.m., at College Hill Park, Poughkeepsie
There are many examples of people in Dutchess County who have heroically championed the fight for equality in America, from the Abolitionist Movement through the Civil Rights Movement. Celebrated activist, writer and orator Frederick Douglass — who had escaped bondage in Maryland and went on to become an iconic figure in the antislavery and women’s suffrage movements of the 19th century — delivered an inspirational speech at the Collegiate School in Poughkeepsie (now College Hill Park) on Aug. 2, 1858, and implored the audience of 4,000 to demand justice and end slavery in the United States. In commemoration of this important event, the City of Poughkeepsie and the nonprofit organization Celebrating the African Spirit have joined forces to present the annual Frederick Douglass Day on the site of his impassioned speech. Music, food and performances will honor the significance of Douglass' speech and applaud the local people who were in attendance and witnessed history that day. To learn more about the history of College Hill Park and ongoing efforts to preserve it, click here.
Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 2 and 3, 10 a.m., at the MJN Convention Center, Poughkeepsie
More than 100 exhibitors will be on hand at the two-day festival, which will also feature cosplay contests, gaming, panel discussions and more! Click here to purchase tickets. If time allows, make a weekend out of it! The recently refurbished DoubleTree by Hilton Poughkeepsie is only steps away from the MJN Center and is within walking distance of a variety of fantastic restaurants.
Sunday, Aug. 3, 12–7 p.m. at Waryas Park, Poughkeepsie
Come and be a part of a colorful celebration of Mexican culture on the shores of the Hudson River. La Guelaguetza brings everyone together for an afternoon of fun which includes traditional Oaxacan dances and costumes, live music, artwork and crafts, kids' activities and, of course, a lot of authentic Oaxacan food! Oaxaca is a state in southern Mexico whose customs and cuisine date back hundreds of years to its indigenous inhabitants. Click here for updates.
Aug. 8–10 and Aug. 14–17 at The Fisher Center at Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson
The 35th Bard Music Festival will explore the life and work of Bohuslav Martinů (1890–1959), one of the most fascinating and prolific composers of the 20th century, whose music is nonetheless largely unfamiliar to American audiences today. The festival, split over two weekends in August, features a robust schedule of programs and panel discussions. To see the complete schedule and to purchase tickets, click here. Chartered coach transportation from New York City is available for select Music Festival programs; click here for details.
Related: Aug. 21 is ThinkDIFFERENTLY Thursday at the Dutchess County Fair
Sunday, Aug. 10, 12–5 p.m., at Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park, Beacon
Featuring fresh-picked, sweet Hudson Valley corn, the Beacon Sloop Club’s annual Corn Festival is a fun, family-friendly event on the banks of the beautiful Hudson River. Admission is free and all are welcome! Enjoy treats such as chilled watermelon, freshly squeezed lemonade and, of course, lots of delicious corn, boiled to perfection and served with butter. Two solar-powered stages will provide live music throughout the day. Numerous food and craft vendors will be on hand. Environmental non-profits will feature displays of local river history and the environment along with information about their organizations. There will be plenty of free activities for children. The Beacon Sloop Club’s boat, the sloop “Woody Guthrie,” will be taking guests on free sails, weather permitting. Sign up at the Beacon Sloop Club table starting at noon. Click here for more information about the club. Free sails aboard the "Woody Guthrie” are open to the public on weekday evenings. To make reservations, call (845) 527-8671.
Related: Check out all these Farmers Markets in Dutchess County!
Saturday, Aug. 16, 5:05 p.m., at Heritage Financial Park, Wappingers Falls
The Hudson Valley Renegades baseball team, a Class-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are hosting their second annual Bhutan Night event in celebration of a newfound love of the game in the Kingdom of Bhutan (located in the Himalayan Mountains in southern Asia). Baseball is the fastest-growing sport in Bhutan, with more than 6,000 youngsters playing in a nation of roughly 700,000 people. Prior to the game against the Aberdeen IronBirds on Aug. 16, enjoy a concert from Probable Cause as part of the Michelob Ultra Concert Series. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a George Lombard Jr. bobblehead. Click here for ticket options, including details on the Club Lounge, where a ticket includes an all-you-can-eat buffet, a private full-service bar, private restrooms, club attendants, free parking and indoor and outdoor seating. Bring the family to the ballpark for one low price with the Family Four Pack; available for all 66 Renegades home games, this $99 package includes four tickets, four hats and four meal vouchers.
Sunday, Aug. 17, 12 p.m., at The Stissing Center for Arts & Culture, Pine Plains
Experience the Stissing Center’s unique place at the heart of this small farm town at Hudson Valley Magazine’s Chefs’ Harvest Culinary Event and Farmers Market. A celebration of the farms and farmers that shape this region, this gathering will bring together some of the region’s most respected chefs, who will prepare seasonal dishes alongside local wines and spirits. After tasting, be sure to explore the vibrant market featuring fresh offerings from nearby farms and producers. It’s a wonderful chance to enjoy the bounty of the Hudson Valley. Click here to reserve tickets.
Sunday, Aug. 24, 12–6 p.m., in the Academy Street Historic District, Poughkeepsie
Stroll through Poughkeepsie’s Southside Historic District and enjoy this free, family-friendly live music event that is always a big hit! Walk along Academy, Garfield, Barclay and Montgomery streets to hear local musicians perform right on the front porches of the neighborhood’s beautiful homes. Bring a lawn chair and sit and enjoy. Grab a bite to eat from a variety of local food vendors. For updates, click here.
Aug. 30–Sept. 27 at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, Tivoli
The 2025 Annual Festival will run each weekend from Labor Day through September and includes thoughtful offerings and original performances by artists innovating in dance, music, film, archiving, storytelling, and more. Featured performers will include Bill T. Jones and the Arnie Zane Company; Nichole Canuso; Deborah Hay; Ayodele Casel; Kayla Farrish; and Lori Goldston, among others. Throughout the festival, the 2025 Visual Arts Exhibition will be available to view. The Performance Lending Library features two audio-guided physical experiences adapted for Kaatsbaan’s scenic 153-acre campus, each less than 30 minutes. Click here to see the full schedule of festival events.
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Thursday, Aug. 21, 6 p.m., at Shadows on the Hudson, Poughkeepsie
Treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind dining experience on the Poughkeepsie riverfront at this event presented by the Dassai Blue Sake Brewery at Shadows on the Hudson. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Hudson River and let Shadows' Sommelier Enrique Duran guide you on a culinary journey that celebrates the art of Japanese sake as you indulge in a delicious five-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef John Malone and Pastry Chef Kennedie Mushtare, with each course expertly paired with Dassai Blue Sake. Click here to see the menu and purchase tickets. The Dassai Blue Sake Brewery in Hyde Park produces Junmai Daiginjo sake, a premium grade of sake that is made with rice polished down to at least 50 percent of its original size and with no additional alcohol or additives used in the brewing process.
