Magical Fun at Fairy Fest in Ithaca, NY

Hold on to your wings, because Fairy Fest is back in Ithaca, NY, and it’s more magical than ever! 🧚🏼‍♀️

After a hiatus due to the pandemic, the annual festival for fae folk fluttered back into town in 2023, bringing with it a host of enchanting activities and sights. 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR 2024’s EVENT: SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 10 AM to 3 PM

Find more information at the event Facebook page.

Get ready to embrace your inner fairy, elf, or woodland creature because dressing up is just the beginning. With over 30 local businesses and organizations joining in the fun, you won’t be able to swing a wand without hitting something delightful to do.

Whether you’re a local looking for Ithaca events or a visitor seeking things to do in the Finger Lakes region, Fairy Fest is out to charm you. Read on for all the details!

What to Expect at Fairy Fest

In 2023, Fairy Fest ran from late morning until mid-afternoon. Miki, our 5-year-old, was not going to risk missing a single moment of fairy fun, so we headed into town bright and early, festival map in hand.

There must be some real fairy enthusiasts around, because we admired some pretty impressive getups on other fae folk passing us on the Commons!

Our costume box at home didn’t hold a lot of fairy finery, but that was OK. Thanks to the festival’s activities, it was easy enough to assemble a nice fairy outfit on the fly.

As we meandered through downtown, popping in and out of shops, the kids flitted from one fun activity to another.

This is just some of the magic that was on offer this year:

• wand making, flower crown craft, button pressing, 
• cookie decorating
• face painting
• a special movie screening
• storytimes at bookstores and the library
• fairy dress-up photo booth
• little gifts: gemstones, coloring sheets, flower tattoos, handmade soaps, lollipops, stickers, bookmarks
• special treats for sale

After a couple of hours, we’d covered a lot of ground, and even our enthusiastic little faeries were ready to return to their flowers (aka, home) – but not until they’d replenished their strength with some ice cream in fairy cones .

We had an enchanting time at Fairy Fest in downtown Ithaca and can’t wait to see what kind of magic next year’s festival will bring!

Tips for Attending Fairy Fest

Are you ready to enter the magical realm of Fairy Fest in Ithaca? Here’s everything you need to know to ensure an enchanting experience:

• Where to find information: The event was announced via a Facebook event, so be sure to follow their page for updates and information.
• Register for activities. Some activities required prior registration (such as crafting fairy doors at Handwork or attending the special screening of The Neverending Story at Cinemapolis). Keep an eye out for announcements about registration next year.
• Arrive early if you want to make the most of the event. Some activities may eventually run out of supplies or items to hand out. (However, not all businesses were open yet at the beginning. I hope next year the map will specify hours.)
• Dress in layers for the weather. Since the festival takes place in March, it can be chilly or snowy, so check the forecast before you go.
• Carry some cash for small purchases and tips.
• Keep an eye out for special deals and discounts offered by participating businesses during the event.

Most importantly, embrace the magic and have fun!

How Fairy Fest began

Maybe you’ve gotten curious who brought all this magic to town. Here’s the tale of Fairy Fest.

It all started with a surplus of flower crown crafting kit samples and an idea from Greta Perl, owner of Alphabet Soup toy store on the Commons.

“I thought, I’ve got to do something with these, get people into the store to make them,” Greta told me. “What if I team up a couple of other businesses. And wouldn’t it be cute if we invite people to wear costumes. You know, everyone wants an excuse to dress up.”

And with that, the spark for Fairy Fest was ignited! 🔥

The idea caught on like wildfire, and soon over a dozen businesses were on board — and so were Ithaca’s little fairies. The 50 flower crown kits Greta had accumulated were gone within the first hour of the event. “It was a really big success!” she beamed.

The pandemic may have put a temporary halt to the festivities, but Greta and the rest of Ithaca’s fae folk waited patiently until March 2023 to flutter back into action.

As for the future? There will be more and likely even bigger Fairy Fests with enchanting activities for little and big fairies alike.

Greta plans to keep the events in March, despite the occasionally unpredictable weather. “Everyone has cabin fever and wants to get out. It’s just a good time for that energy of spring that everyone has.”

With that kind of fairy godmother behind the event, we can’t wait to see what kind of magic is in store for the next Fairy Fest!

Other things to do in Ithaca

Don’t worry if you missed Fairy Fest this year, because it’s sure to return! 

In the meantime, there are plenty of other festivals and attractions to check out in Ithaca. Here are a few:

• Ithaca Festival: This is one of the most popular events in Ithaca, held annually in June. It’s a four-day festival featuring music, dance, food, and arts and crafts.
• Apple Harvest Festival: Held in September, this festival celebrates all things apple with food, live music, and artisanal vendors.
• Chili Cook-Off: If you’re a fan of spicy food, this is the event for you. Held every February, the Chili Cook-Off features dozens of different chili recipes to sample and enjoy.

If your little fairies still haven’t run out of steam, consider visiting the Sciencenter, the Museum of the Earth, the Lab of Ornithology, or some of these indoor play spaces.

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