What’s On This September in Beacon
Catoberfest takes place Sunday, September 21st at Hudson Valley Brewery.
Fall is just around the corner, and the glorious leaf-peeping season will soon be upon us. Until then, the good news is there’s plenty of things to do and events to enjoy in Beacon during September.
First, Hudson Valley favorites including the ARTICHOKE Storytelling series and Nerd Night return to the Howland Cultural Center (477 Main Street) this month after a summer hiatus, while Beacon Movies (445 Main Street) has a stellar lineup of fall films with something for everyone including Darren Aronofsky’s thriller, Caught Stealing, 1970s ever-popular, back to school classic Grease, and Downton Abbey, The Grand Finale for devoted anglophiles.
Beacon’s Independent Movie Theater, 445 Main Street.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Here’s some highlights of special, one-off or limited performance events taking place in Beacon during September that you won’t want to miss.
1. Flotsam River Circus comes to Long Dock Park
Friday, September 5th, 6 PM to 7:30 PM
Coinciding with the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Erie Canal, the Flotsam River Circus has been traveling the length of the canal and the Hudson River with an intense schedule of 38 performances which started in Buffalo at the beginning of August and ends in New York City in mid-September. Lucky for Beacon, they’re stopping at Long Dock Park’s waterfront on Friday, September 5th, starting at 6 PM.
Flotsam is a troupe of musicians, circus performers, and puppeteers who travel on a ramshackle raft giving free performances in waterfront towns. While bringing a touch of magic and whimsy to the world, the troupe’s goal is to help communities engage with their waterways. The show is suitable for children and adults and it’s free to attend. As Flotsam is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, donations keep them afloat (pun intended!). Here’s the donation details if you’re planning to attend. Bring a picnic blanket or chairs, sit back, and enjoy the show.
2. Clearwater’s Folk Picnic
Saturday, September 6th, noon until 6 PM
In the 1960s, folk legend and Beacon native, Pete Seeger, and his wife, Toshi, would host informal folk picnics as a positive, upbeat way to bring people together to help save the Hudson River from the toxic pollution that had plagued it for decades. The result of their efforts was the launch of the sloop Clearwater more than 60 years ago. Clearwater has become a highly effective education and advocacy tool since then.
In the spirit of these bygone folk picnics, the second annual Clearwater Folk Picnic returns to the USC Theater at Camp Loop Road on Saturday, September 6th, from noon until 6 PM. Supporters and locals can expect the free Folk Picnic to become an annual tradition thanks to the enthusiastic response to last year’s event. Read here to find out who’s performing and learn more about Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.
3. Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival Presents Julius Caesar
For three nights only (September 11th to 13th), the Bannerman Castle Trust and Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival will present a new production of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar—directed by Raz Golden—in the open-air theater on historic Bannerman Island.
Featuring a cast of seven dynamic young actors from the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Conservatory Company, this thriller is reimagined as a powerful meditation on the price of political ambition and the perils of idealism in a corrupt world. Not only is this an opportunity to enjoy a live performance of one of Shakespeare’s greatest works, it’s also a chance to experience the beauty of Bannerman Island and the Hudson River at sunset and after dark. Boats leave for the island from Beacon waterfront at 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM and return at approximately 9:30 PM and 10:30 PM. Pick up a ticket here.
4. LOST AND FOUND | Beacon’s Black Community 1850 to 1930
September 12th, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM - NOW SOLD OUT
Join author D.W. Pruitt in conversation with Highlands Current reporter, Leonard Sparks, for a discussion of Pruitt’s new book, Lost and Found, Beacon’s Black Community 1850 to 1930 which was released in July 2025. This event at Stanza Books (508 Main Street) is for anyone who loves Beacon and yearns to understand more of its rich, storied history. Dan W. Pruitt spent much of his childhood growing up and learning in the greater Beacon area, and he attended schools in Brockway, Beacon, and Glenham before graduating from Beacon High School. Don’t miss what promises to be a fascinating conversation. Tickets are available here.
5. The First Annual Frank-N-Off Pageant
Thursday, September 18th, 7:00 PM
Hit House Creative presents its first ever Frank-N-Off Pageant, an immersive event staged in homage to The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s iconic movie character, Dr. Frank-N-Furter (played by Tim Curry in the film) at Industrial Arts Brewing (511 Fishkill Avenue). Expect live music, on site flash tattoos, a curated book table courtesy of Stanza Books, and some epic prizes. Funds raised from raffle ticket sales will help pay contributing Hit House artists who’ll be appearing at the Newburgh Fringe Festival in October. So, in the words of the organizers, “grab your fishnets and let your Freak Frank Fly.” Ages 18+ only.
6. Catoberfest
Sunday, September 21st, 3 PM to 7:30 PM
Join Mid-Hudson Animal Aid (MHAA) for its 13th Annual Catoberfest at Hudson Valley Brewery (7 East Main Street). This yearly fundraiser helps support the work of the shelter located on Simmons Lane, which has been a sanctuary to countless adoptable, loveable felines since 1979. Admission is free, and the afternoon will be packed with live music from bands including Black Coffee Blues Ensemble, The Costellos, Tony DePaolo’s Electric Gypsies, Last Minute Soulmates, and The Judith Tulloch Band. The festival will also include kid-friendly activities such as always-popular facepainting. All sales proceeds will go to MHAA. Plus, Hudson Valley Brewery and Get Lost Pizza will give a donation for each beer and pizza sold during the event.
7. Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker
Tuesday, September 23rd to Sunday, September 28th
It’s been a banner year for theater on Bannerman. Later in September, the island is also hosting five compelling performances of Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker in its open-air theater in front of the Bannerman residence. This one-man show stars Duane Boutté, who plays nine characters in addition to playing Jonathan Harker in what’s been described as a “tour de force performance.” Some shows are already sold out, so snap up some tickets pronto if this is at the top of your September to-go-to list.
8. Spirit of Beacon Day
Sunday, September 28th, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
It wouldn’t be September without the Spirit of Beacon Day, an event that’s occured on Beacon’s Main Street for more than 45 years. In the winter and early spring of 1977, the city of Beacon experienced a brief period of unrest and racial tensions. Community leaders gathered to discuss how to address the root causes. Part of the solution was to embrace a community day during which everyone could come together in a spirit of unity and understanding.
The result was the annual Spirit of Beacon Day which is run and organized by volunteers. The 2025 theme is “Children are the future—let them lead the way.” Expect live performances, a colorful parade float contest, and lots of upbeat, feelgood activities.
And there’s more…
Dennings Point Distillery, home to Twice Told Beacon’s “True Confessions.”
Also look out for the Killer Karaoke Fundraiser, a fundraiser for the Designer Toy Foundation at the KuBe Art Center on Saturday, September 13th, as well as Beacon’s first adult spelling competition—The Spelling BEA— at the Beahive on Friday, September 26th. Plus, on Sunday, September 21st, there’s music from Saint Rita—a classical crossover quintet performing the music of Kurt Weill and Edith Piaf—at Beacon’s newest music venue, Saint Rita’s Music Room (85 Eliza Street).
Finally, don’t miss Twice Told Beacon’s True Confessions at Denning Point Distillery (10 N.Chestnut Street) on Saturday, September 27th when actors will read anonymous—and often hilarious— confessions of Beacon locals. Absolution will then (hopefully) be granted by “The Redeemer,” also known as writer, storyteller, musician, and producer, John Blesso.
These are just highlights of the month. See our Events Guide for a fuller picture of what’s happening in Beacon this September and October. New events pop up almost daily, and so the Events Guide is updated regularly. Check back often for new details.
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Until next time,
The Beacon Beacon🧡