Celebrate, Learn, Enjoy!
Find exciting events all year long to celebrate canal heritage, arts, music, and the beauty and bounty of the Canalway Corridor.
Canal Clean Sweep
April 19, 20, 21
multiple sites
Help with canal-wide cleanup and beautification projects. More than 100 projects are on tap.
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NYS Canal System Opening Day
May 17 (weather permitting)
STATEWIDE
The New York State Canal System opens for the 2025 navigation season on Friday, May 17 at 7 am.
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Cycle the Erie Canal
July 7 - 14, 2024
Buffalo to Albany
More than 750 riders of all ages cycle from Buffalo to Albany for this 8-day, 400-mile bike tour.
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Featured Community Events
Annual events include recreational activities, tours, concerts, and heritage celebrations.
I Love My Park Day
May 4 >> Multiple Locations
The largest single-day volunteer event in NYS mobilizes thousands of volunteers across the state in celebrating and enhancing New York’s parks, historic sites, greenway trails and other public lands. Clean up our favorite parks and shorelines, plant trees and gardens, restore trails and wildlife habitats, remove invasive species, and work on various site improvement projects.
More > EarthFest 2024
MAY 4 >> Canal Landing Park, Fayetteville
The Town of Manlius and Village of Fayetteville host the third EarthFest: an outdoor environmental and sustainability event featuring information booths, an EV car show with 50 EV and hybrid cars, music, and food alongside educational and fun activities for adults and children. Learn about solar power, native plant and home gardening, electric bicycles, recycling, sustainable practices, historical…
More > Pedal-Paddle-Run
May 11 >> AQUEDUCT PARK, NISKAYUNA
Bike 7 miles on the Empire State Trail, paddle 2 miles on the Erie Canal and run a 5K on the trail. Sign up as an individual or team.
More > The Old Erie Canal Boat Float
June 15 >> Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum, Chittenango
Join hundreds of paddlers to celebrate the Old Erie Canal. Start from one of four locations and paddle up to 9.5 miles. Enjoy live music, food trucks, Erie Canal Brewing Company craft beers, demonstrations, and exhibits after the paddle. Count your miles toward the Canalway Challenge.
More > Donald Patneaude Memorial Towpath Regatta
June 20 >> Gateway Landing Park, Schenectady
Free, family-fun event. Paddle a 4.5-mile loop. Sponsored by Schenectady Wintersports Club and Northern New York Paddlers. Questions: Beverly and Bruce Blinn-Knapp; (518) 257-6567; bruce.blinnknapp@gmail.com
More > Paddle the Canals: Mohawk River Expedition
JUNE 21 - 23 >> CANAJOHARIE to SCHENECTADY
Paddle through history on the scenic Mohawk River and celebrate 200 years of the Erie Canal on this 3-day, 2-night exploration of the Erie Canal from Canajoharie to Schenectady. Registration required.
More > Armond Bassett Canoe and Kayak Race
June 29 >> MACEDON CANAL PARK, MACEDON
Start and finish in the same location on the Erie Canal. Three races: C1 Pro - 3 miles, 10-Mile Marathon and 3-Mile Recreational. Free t-shirts for the first 50 paddlers registered. Awards with food afterwards.
More > 49th Electric City Regatta
July 13 >> LOCK 9 STATE CANAL PARK, ROTTERDAM
Open to canoes and kayaks. Three races: Marathon - 11 miles between Locks 9 and 10; Recreational - 3 miles; Family Fun Race - 1 mile. T-shirts for each participant and prizes to first three finishers in each class. Sponsored by NY Paddlesports Racing Association. Questions: Ed Greiner egreiner1@yahoo.com or 518-421-2947.
More > Barge Chaser Race
July 14 >> Kiwanis Park, Rotterdam
Open to canoes and kayaks. Three races: Marathon - 10 miles between Locks 8 & 9, Recreational - 3 miles, Family Fun - 1 mile. Sponsored by NY Paddlesports Racing Association.
More > On the Canals
Multiple Dates and Locations >> Multiple Locations
The NYS Canal Corp/NYPA offers FREE winter excursions across the Canal Corridor.
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