What’s On In Beacon, October 2025
Witch Please, 498 Main Street (2024).
Pumpkin pie, hot apple cider, and toasted marshmallows can only mean one thing—October’s finally here! Which also means the next few weeks are jammed with things to do in Beacon. Expect festivals, storytelling, theater, live music, dance parties, fundraisers, even a night market. And that’s before we get to Halloween. Keep reading for highlights of what’s on, where, and when so you can start making plans, tout suite!
Some events are taking place this weekend, so there’s no time to waste. You can buy directly from the venue or via The Beacon Beacon Events Guide if it’s a ticketed event.
For the Literary Lovers & Storytellers
Join The ARTICHOKE on Saturday, October 4th for a special double-header called Two Stories One Night, featuring its founder and host Drew Prochaska who’ll perform “Get The Dog,” and Adam Selbst who’ll perform “As I Lay Whining.” The evening will be hosted by Jamie Mulligan. Expect to be entertained! Tickets available here.
It's a busy month for Beacon LitFest—Beacon’s literary creative hub—at the Savage Wonder Arts Center (141 Main Street). First off is Queer From There To Here on Thursday October 9th, a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the genre and boundary-bending Nightboat Books. Illustrator and writer Ned Asta will discuss the 40th anniversary edition of The Faggots and Their Friends After The Revolution,” while author and activist Dawn Lundy Martin will present “Instructions For The Lovers,” along with poet and publisher of Nightboat Books, Stephen Motika.
For those curious about the art of storytelling, there’s a Beacon LitFest Storytelling Intensive Workshop at Savage Wonder on Sunday, October 19th with Beacon writer, pro-storyteller, and performer, John Blesso. Attendees will get a unique opportunity to craft a stage-ready story in a low-pressure environment. Tickets are limited for this intimate workshop, so don’t dawdle and book here if you’re keen to take part. The six workshop graduates get to perform their story to an audience in Savage Wonder’s Parlor Room that evening. Tickets here.
On Sunday, October 12th at 3 PM join the Beacon Historical Society (61 Leonard Street) and Writing Out of Bounds for Beyond Conflict & War: Civilian & Military Perspectives, which features leading authors and members of the military sharing works and insights on the topic. The panel includes Ruth Danon, (Poet Laureate, Dutchess County), Paul Alexander (author of biographies of Billie Holiday and John McCain), Doug Anderson (HM3, poet and author of a memoir about his time as a medic in Vietnam) and Malia du Mont (Lieutenant Colonel and former Director of Strategy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense). It’s a free event but space is limited so RSVP to vfw_post666@outlook.com.
Beacon’s Fall Festivals
Those seeking healing, centering, grounding, or a simple escape from everyday stresses will be happy to hear the Beacon Flow Music and Wellness Festival returns on Saturday, October 11th in its new location at University Settlement Camp (Camp Loop Road). The festival melds music, wellness, and community connection. This year’s festival promises an even more expansive lineup of live music, yoga, barre, circle singing, sound healing, reiki, meditation, tarot readings, and food vendors than 2024’s event. The event is free, family-friendly, and open to people of all ages looking to connect through art, movement, and holistic practices. See our Events Guide for the full schedule and to register to attend.
The Woody Guthrie, Beacon Sloop Club’s boat.
You know it’s fall when the Beacon Sloop Pumpkin Festival is on the horizon. Keep Sunday, October 19th (from noon to 5 PM) free for pie, music, sails, and, of course, pumpkins at this beloved annual event in Pete & Toshi Seeger Park. There’ll be live music, food and craft vendors, and environmental non-profits featuring displays of local river history and the environment. The Woody Guthrie, which is The Beacon Sloop Club’s boat, will be taking guests on free sails from Beacon Harbor, weather permitting. Sign up at the Beacon Sloop Club table starting at noon for a chance to get out on the water.
The Soon Is Now Festival returns to Long Dock Park on Sunday, October 19th. This free, immersive, eco-art experience takes place at the Hudson River and features multiple artists throughout the day. Follow them on Instagram for the latest news on the event.
While Beacon Bonfire Music + Art Festival runs from the evening of Wednesday, November 5th (Hello, Guy Fawkes!) to Sunday, November 9th —and we’re talking about October here— there’s no time like the present to start thinking about buying tickets to avoid last minute FOMO on the big weekend. There’ll be an epic 400 performers and 20 different venues across the city over those five days. There’ll also be a Beacon Bonfire 10K which takes participants up Mount Beacon and back through the scenic trail paths to get those endorphins flowing in time for the festival.
The Groove Garden at Kelta (616 NY 52) may not be a festival, but it’s a sober disco dance party on Friday, October 17th. Sounds like the perfect opportunity to lose yourself in joyful, free flowing movement. Tickets available here.
October’s Art Scene
Save the date for Friday October 17th between 6 PM and 8 PM when BeaconArts opens its eagerly anticipated 2025 Member Exhibition at The Yard (4 Hanna Lane) featuring a wealth of local talent. The show runs from the 17th to October 24th.
Also at The Yard, Roll Out—the popular community print and steamroll event—returns for a third year on Saturday, October 18th. Roll Out features giant woodcarvings from more than 20 Hudson Valley artists, free community workshops, and more.
On Saturday, October 18th, Distortion Society (155 Main Street) presents its new show Intangible Devotions, a series of new, sensuous figurative paintings by Laura Bochet as part of her second solo exhibition with the gallery. The opening reception will be at 7 PM, and the show runs until January 31, 2026. A solo exhibition by Stephan Wiesmore opens at Super Secret Projects (484 Main Street) on Saturday, October 11th, with a reception between 4 PM and 7 PM.
A glass spooky at Hudson Beach Glass, 161 Main Street.
It's officially make-your-own Holiday Ornament Season at the Hudson Beach Glass studio (161 Main Street). This is always a hot ticket, so we recommend acting quickly to book a slot if creating your own custom ornament is on your creative to-do-list.
Plus, Focus On Photographers II, curated by Larry Kerschberg and Ronnie Beth Sauer, continues at the Howland Cultural Center (477 Main Street) until November 13th. And the colorful KaleidoSCAPE exhibition runs until December 31st at Savage Wonder Arts Center. October will be the last chance to see Half The Sky—a group show featuring eleven groundbreaking Chinese female artists—presented by Ethan Cohen Gallery at KuBe Art Center (211 Fishkill Avenue).
The Fall Fundraising Season
Fareground’s fourth annual Nourish Our Neighbors Shindig is this Saturday, October 4th at their HQ (37 Lamplight Street), with a silent auction and dance party as well as local libations and bites, all in the name of a good cause.
Celebrate the legendary chef Jacques Pépin at a special fundraising event as he turns 90 later this year. To mark the occasion, chefs around the country are hosting 90 events to honor him. Beacon local, Chris Follari, and his fellow chefs will be hosting an incredible evening of culinary delights at Industrial Arts Brewing Co. (511 Fishkill Avenue) on Monday, October 6th. All proceeds—including those donated by Industrial Arts Brewing Co.— will benefit the Jacques Pépin Foundation which supports non-profit, community-based culinary training programs that provide free life skills and culinary education to those facing high barriers to employment. Tickets available here.
Join Common Ground Farm for its annual Auction + Social community gathering at Hudson Valley Brewery (7 East Main Street) on Friday, October 17th. Its virtual auction will open on Friday, October 10th. This important group raises funds to support critical food and education access initiatives. The evening features small bites sourced from Beacon Farmers' Market vendors as well as craft beers, ciders, and wines from Hudson Valley Brewery. Tickets here.
The Beacon Stride For Life is on Sunday, October 26th in Memorial Park. You can walk, run, or bike to raise money for the American Cancer Society. This fundraiser is organized by Beacon local, Nicholas Tyburczy, who lost his mother, Missy, to lung cancer in March 2023. A lifelong Beacon resident, Missy worked at Bob’s Corner Store and was also a bus driver for the City of Beacon School District. Sign up to run, walk, or bike here.
Plus, on October 11th, BJ’s Restaurant (213 Main Street) is hosting a fundraiser in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month between 1 PM and 3 PM. Proceeds will go to the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation. Stop by for party wings, raffles, music, and more.
The Spooky Season
Fall window display at Tibet Tree of Life, 460 Main Street.
Cirque Du Creep Hudson Valley night market returns to The Yard (4 Hanna Lane) on Saturday, October 11th with 50+ alt vendors and artists offering flash tattoos, live bands, mind-altering sideshow performances, tarot readings, haunt actors, costume contests, ghoulish treats, and more. You’ll find a link to tickets in our Event Guide.
Join Compass Arts for a spooky night to remember at their annual fundraising Night of the Living Dead Dance Party at the Theater at University Settlement Camp (724 Wolcott Avenue) on Saturday, October 18th. Come decked in your most witchy, spooky outfit and dance like nobody’s watching until midnight. See our Events Guide for tickets and details.
The annual Hocus Pocus Halloween Parade will take place on Saturday, October 25th. This family friendly day starts at noon. What we know so far is there’s a party at Happy Valley Arcade Bar (296 Main Street) from 12 PM to 7 PM, a parade at 3 PM, and at 5PM, there’s costume contests, with some scarily good prizes! Keep a watch on our Events Guide for more details as they are released.
If we’re honest, ARF Beacon’s Howl-O-ween Pawty fundraiser at Dennings Point Distillery (10 North Chestnut Street) on Thursday, October 30th might be the highlight of our Halloween. Join this amazing shelter for music, cocktails, light bites, and amazing raffle prizes. Costumes are optional but encouraged. Not only will you meet some of the nicest folks in Beacon, you’ll also help the shelter raise funds to modernize and meet the standards set by NY State’s newly enacted Companion Animal Care Standards Act. Space is limited, so snag a ticket soon. Tickets include one free raffle ticket.
One of the most notorious and nefarious literary characters comes (back) to life onstage this fall through Theatre on the Road’s Dracula, a dramatic retelling of the legendary psychological thriller at the Howland Cultural Center (477 Main Street), Friday, October 10th to Saturday, October 11th. Beacon is fortunate to enjoy three performances—including a matinée—as this highly anticipated annual performance has become a sell-out cornerstone event in the Hudson Valley.
Theatre on the Road, a traveling theater troupe, brings to life the original Broadway script which follows the story of Lucy, the beautiful daughter of Dr. Seward, head of an English sanatorium, who falls mysteriously ill. Her fiancé, Jonathan Harker, is desperate for answers. Enter Professor Van Helsing, a polymath scientist and detective with unconventional leanings. In this retelling, Van Helsing is played as a strong female lead who suspects a far more sinister cause: Count Dracula.
A Vibrant Fall Music Scene
And don’t forget there’s also a diverse music roster throughout October in Beacon. Highlights include the soulful Natalie Forteza at the Howland Cultural Center (477 Main Street) on Saturday, October 25th; a triple bill of Pour La Terre, James Turner, and River Full of Fruit at Saint Rita’s Music Room (85 Eliza Street) on Saturday, October 4th; the Verona String Quartet with Stephen Banks at the Howland Cultural Center; and jazz artist, Marya Lawrence at Savage Wonder Arts Center (141 Main Street) on Thursday, October 16th. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Queeroake taking place on October 11th for National Coming Out Day at Industrial Arts Brewing Co (511 Fishkill Avenue). You’ll find all these events and more listed in our Events Guide.
That’s just for starters! Dig into our Events Guide to get the full picture of what’s on in Beacon this October. See our Eat & Drink Directory for your new favorite dining spots, and our Shop Directory for more than 90 one-of-a-kind boutiques to explore. And if you’re planning to visit Beacon for a leaf-peeping long weekend (which we highly recommend), then be sure to consult our Stay Directory for hotels and bed & breakfasts.
Until next time…
The Beacon Beacon🧡
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