Annual & SPECIAL Events
There’s so much to do in downtown Auburn- with live music options galore. For even more info, visit the event listings on our Facebook page.
First Ever Crow Cawcus Convention February 20 - 21
Join Auburn’s signature new event for dead-of-the-winter antics with a crow theme. Convention delegates include the Armory @ Prison City Pub & Brewery, Artistic Impressions, the Atrium on Genesee, A.T. Walley, Auburn Bagel Co., Auburn Book Bonanza, Auburn Public Theater, Cellar & Folly Whiskey Co., Combgrown Mead, Empower Tech Academy, Hairlooms, The Haunted Chase Manor, Hilton Garden Inn & The Refinery, Moondog’s Lounge, Moro’s Table, NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center, Parker’s 129, Regenerations, Reuse Refuge, Roast & Toast, Schweinfuth Art Center, Sew What!, Shep’s Brewing Co., West & Co. Diamonds, Wildflower NY, and Willard Chapel.
Catch live music performances by Professor Louie & The Crowmatix, Jamie Notarthomas, and As the Crow Flies. Merry Mischief is giving a proclamation, reciting The Raven and performing Renaissance music, followed by themed karaoke.
The Armory Speakeasy under Prison City Pub’s Black Feather Society event features a special menu, tarot card readings, “What the Crow Knows” wishing well, and a temporary crow tattoo booth.
The fun also includes Reuse Refuge’s scavenger hunt photo contest, Auburn Public Theater’s winter vendor market and intuitive readings, NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center’s Open Mic Ode to the Crow Poetry Reading, The Atrium on Genesee’s Crow Merch Perch Pop-Up Market features Cellar & Folly Whiskey and Combgrown Mead’s crowbar, psychic & tarot card readings, crow cutout decorating by Artistic Impressions. Empower Tech Academy workshop on cell phone photography, feather & tinsel hair accessories by Hairlooms, and a local art exhibition.
Plus, a downtown chili, chowder & cocktail crawl, and an Ice Sculpture sponsored by Regenerations. Join family games & art activities at the Schweinfuth Art Center & Willard Chapel, and Sew What! Contact the Hilton Garden Inn for a discounted overnight room rate for those traveling in for the weekend. Visit the Facebook event.
First Fridays March - December
Held monthly, museums, breweries, restaurants, and shops host open houses with free live music, art exhibits, and refreshments. Downtown BID venues can include The Armory @ Prison City Pub & Brewery, Auburn Public Theater, Evolve CBD, Melody’s Coworking & Event Space, Moondog’s Lounge, Office of NYS Senator Rachel May, Regenerations, Roast & Toast, Seward House Museum, Shepherd’s Brewing Co., Wild Flower NY & more!
Brave Brews March 6 - 7
Join Auburn’s City-wide celebration of women in craft beverage with a weekend of special events, live entertainment, programs & more. First Friday tour the historic & cultural sites, breweries and restaurants for themed art exhibits, music and food and beverage specials. Visit the website.
Fire & Ice Fest @ Prison City North Brewery
Saturday, March 7 from 4 – 7 PM the festival features women in craft beverage tastings, vending, food trucks, live music, plus performers, games, ice bar & sculptures, bonfire & fireworks. Visit the website. Facebook event.
Downtown Volunteer Planting Saturday, May 16 at 9 AM
Please join us on Exchange Street outside Café 108 to fill our Bo-Mer Custom Manufacturing EarthPlanter ground pots with beautiful orange and purple flowers for the 2026 summer season. A heartfelt thanks to our program sponsors, Auburn Beautification Commission, Chemung Canal Trust Co., Wegmans, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. To support visit https://www.auburndowntown.org/flower-power.
City Memorial Day Celebration
Monday, May 25 @ 11AM - 2PM
Events start with the annual parade happening on Genesee Street at 11 AM. Next attend the wreath-laying ceremony at the end of the parade route in front of Veteran's Memorial Park, at approximately noon. Auburn Civic Band will play patriotic tunes with Tony's Lemonade on hand, so folks stay hydrated.
Then check out our annual Food Truck Rodeo taking place on Market Street. Mobile vendors include Between Your Buns, Leo's Donuts, Real Pit BBQ, Rosalie's Cruisin' Cucina, and Tonzi's Catering. This year’s newcomers include Friendly Falafel, Moonchot's Authentic Thai Cuisine, Parisi's Food Truck, and The Sip Beverage Co. Also new to the event is the World Wide Missionary Movement church serving tacos, empanadas, and tamales. In addition, Knights of Columbus will be grilling up hot dogs, and CIAO of Cayuga County will offer their famous pizza fritte.
If it's a cold adult beverage that you're craving, Shep's Brewing Co. will have just the thing with live music performed by INFINITY from noon – 2 PM under the Market Street bandshell. The Duck Derby sponsored by TomatoFest begins at 1 PM. Pre-sale $5 tickets can be purchased at Auburn Bagel Co., Melody’s, Shep’s Brewery, Silbert Optical, West & Co. Diamonds and the YMCA-WEIU.
Auburn’s PRIDE Celebration
The City, Equal Rights Heritage Center, and Auburn’s Historic & Cultural Sites Commission organizations present LGBTQIA events, programs & activities. Attend the 2026 Pride Rally + Queer Market in the courtyard of NYS ERHC. This year features a family-friendly drag show, plus City of Auburn Pride Month proclamations. Support local vendors from the LGBTQIA+ community. Later, attend the full performance at Auburn Public Theater on APT's Main Stage. Visit the website.
Juneteenth Celebration
Join a City celebration honoring the legacy of freedom with activities, music, live entertainment & programming at Auburn’s historic & cultural sites and Booker T. Washington Community Center.
Downtown Saturday Market @ ERHC June 27 - August 29 @ 9AM - 1PM
The Saturday Market in the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center courtyard creates opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses to thrive, educates the public about the impact of buying local, and provides a community-building experience in an accessible location. This event is produced in partnership with the Taste NY Market/Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County, the Auburn Downtown Partnership, and the City of Auburn.
The Market features live music, children’s activities & entertainment, food & beverage producers, artisans, crafters, and more. The market runs rain or shine; there is no market held on Saturday, July 4, due to the holiday.
Vend for Free @ ERHC
Applications are open, and vending is free. For more info call, 315.258-9820. Visit the website. Visit the Facebook page.
City Summer Concert Series
June 23 – August 12
Come relax in the beauty of nature on Tuesdays @ Hoopes Park with free live music 6 - 8:30 PM. Visit the website.
A.T. Walley’s Seafood Festival
Saturday, June 27 from Noon – 9 PM come to the State Street Event Plaza for a variety of delicious seafood menu offerings, plus live music. Visit the Facebook page.
Music on the Mall @ 7 - 10PM
On one Friday during July & August, enjoy free outdoor live music performed under the State Street Bandshell. After the show, Moondog’s Lounge will host the afterglow party with music from 10 PM – Midnight. Open container waived; bring your friends.
City Summer Movie Series
July 6 - August 17
Monday Movie Mania happens weekly in various parks & playgrounds. BYO blankets, chairs & popcorn. Family-friendly movies begin @ 8:30 PM/dark. Visit the website.
A.T. Walley Italian Fest September 12
Walley’s patio & State Street Event Plaza entertainment starts at 1PM with a comedy Show, meatball eating contest, and two live music acts. The lunch menu features steak & cheese, Italian sausage, eggplant sandwiches & meatballs. Plus, Italian pastries - cannoli, creme puffs, eclairs & fried dough.
Prison City Riot Run
September 19
This event is presented by Prison City Pub & Brewery and Great American Brewery Runs. Event is a 5K run with awards, prizes and after party with games and music in the band shell. Visit the Facebook page.
Alter Egos Fashion Show November 7
Join Auburn Downtown retailers and area designers for a fall fashion show featuring boutique vendors, photo ops, tarot card readings, and more. For creative inspiration, the event theme is Alter Egos.
Small Business Saturday, November 28
Choose to shop locally and support your downtown boutique businesses. Find unique holiday experiences, discounts, deals & specials at Activate Nutrition; A.T. Walley; Auburn Bagel Co.; Auburn Public Theater; Café 108; Cellar & Folly Whiskey Co; Combgrown Mead; Community Broadband Network; Evolve CBD; Flight in Time Studio; Hairlooms; Love of Hauls; Mane & Wigs; Moondog's Lounge; Moro’s Table; NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center; Parkers 129; Regenerations; Roast & Toast; Sam’s Shoe Service; Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center; Shep’s Brewing Co.; Speno Music, Inc.; Taste NY Market; and West & Company Diamonds. Visit the Facebook event.
39th Annual Holiday Parade & Downtown Tree Lighting Saturday, November 28
We are very grateful that the parade’s longstanding tradition will carry on for the community to enjoy. The Genesee Street parade route remains the same, yet it will end just past Metcalf Plaza and not turn left onto William Street to prevent crowding in the street.
Participant registration is open through Monday, November 23 at Noon. The form is posted on the city’s website www.auburnny.gov/holidayparade. BID staff and downtown stakeholders will judge the top three float competition, with downtown gift certificates as prizes. Visit the Facebook event.
After the parade, gather in State Street Event Plaza. Mrs. Claus and Santa will come to the plaza for visits with the children. A new downtown Christmas tree will be installed in the plaza to light at 5:15 PM. Mayor Giannettino will speak and announce the float winners. Visit the Facebook event.
Holiday Traditions Sunday, December 13
Tour Auburn’s historic & cultural sites, museums & churches for free exhibits, musical performances, programs & refreshments from Noon - 5:30 PM. The Equal Rights Heritage Center, located at 25 South Street, will host a day filled with live holiday music and fun, including visits from Santa Claus. Visit the website.
A.T. Walley's Santa Con
Saturday, December 19
At 4PM come dressed in a holiday theme, and join a pub crawl that starts at Walley’s and makes various stops at the Refinery at the Hilton Garden Inn, Curley’s, and Swaby's Tavern with snacks & drink specials. The event concludes with a dance party at Walley’s with DJ Amus. Santa Con is a $15 recommended donation; join the fun and help raise money for Auburn Downtown Partnership beautification projects. Visit the Facebook event.
