Visitor’s Guide to Ellicottville Fall Festival (2024)

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Thinking of a charming, nature-immersive getaway for your next vacation? Fall in Ellicottville (a ski town in Western New York) brings gorgeous landscapes of colors, moving up and down the valleys of the village’s popular ski hills. 

Another reason to visit Ellicottville in the fall? The annual Ellicottville Fall Festival. Here at Aranar, we host many returning travelers in our luxurious, modern vacation rental who come to town for the festival. 

We take pride in not only offering sophisticated amenities like a dry sauna and heated floor — but as local experts, we also offer curated advice and experiences to help you make the most of your trip. 

Let’s walk through everything you need to know about the Ellicottville Fall Festival, including its date and location, rules, main attractions, and how to enjoy the festival to its fullest with Aranar’s lux accommodation.

2024 Ellicottville Fall Festival

Ellicottville Fall Fest becomes a magical hub for arts and culture within New York State’s Cattaraugus County. The village of Ellicottville transforms its core into a four-block host for the festivities

This year’s festival takes place over the weekend of October 12 and 13, with activities and events happening throughout the course of both full days. 

Here’s what you can expect from this year’s festival: 

Pumpkin Carvings & Snow Sculptures

Are you an arts aficionado? You might appreciate the creativity of Eric Jones, Guinness World Record Holder of the biggest Jack O Lantern. He’s famous for his striking snow sculptures and eccentric pumpkin carvings that have even been featured on the Food Network. 

He’ll showcase his sculptures to attendees on the second day of this year’s festival, October 13. 

Scenic Fall Colors

Ski lifts aren’t just for skiing — they’re also an unbeatable way to experience the beautiful scenery and fall colors of Ellicottville. Fall weather warms up every tree that pepper the hills with mesmerizing tones of red, orange, and yellow. 

Live Music

You’ll hear tons of live entertainment throughout the festival, often bands that perform outside the village’s breweries. 

Endless Food Vendors

Fall fest is famous for its experiential mountaintop cookouts (BBQ brisket, anyone?). The festival also opens up applications for different food vendors who sell a variety of American comfort eats for you to enjoy. 

Getting to Ellicottville Fall Festival

Downtown Ellicottville becomes the site of the festival

The Ellicottville Fall Festival essentially takes up the main streets (four blocks) of the village. However, you can access the chair lifts from the Holiday Valley Ski Resort, specifically the Mardi Gras Lift and Spruce Trail Lift.

Here’s what you can plug into Google Maps: 

Holiday Valley Resort, 6557 Holiday Valley Rd, Ellicottville, NY 14731, United States 

If you have other questions about the festival, you can reach out to the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce at this phone number:

(800) 349-9099 / 716-699-5046

Festival Rules, Policies, and Tips

The Ellicottville Fall Festival shares a few rules on their website for patrons to keep in mind before they attend. Most center around rules and ticket tips for chair lift rides, as well as advice on attire. 

  • Chair lift limits: You cannot bring coolers, backpacks, or dogs on the chairlift. 
  • Comfortable shoes: You might take the chair lift up the mountain, but once you get up there, you might decide to walk back down. Similarly, you’ll be on your feet most of the time as you meander from place to place within the festival. That’s why it’s vital to wear comfortable shoes that you can comfortably hike in for a few hours. 
  • Bring cash: While the festival does have ATM machines, you might avoid lines for them by taking out cash in advance. Food vendors at the top of the Mardi Gras mountain don’t accept any card payments. 
  • Dress warm: October is mild temperature wise, but you could experience some windy days during this season. Remember to pack a scarf, jacket, and long pants to stay warm and comfortable. 
  • Kids ride free: If you’re traveling with any children under 6 years old, they can enjoy the lifts free of charge. 
  • Pay for chair lift tickets in advance: The Fall Fest gets crowded and you can save time waiting in lines if you prepay. After paying, make your way to one of the PUB machines outside the Customer Service Building. We also recommend taking screenshots of your tickets. 
  • Hours: Chair lifts are available for you to enjoy between 12-4pm on each day of the festival. 

Enjoy the Ellicottville Fall Festival at Aranar’s Luxury Vacation Home

Warm up after the festival at your private fire pit

Feeling excited about the Ellicottville Fall Festival? So are we — and we can’t wait to host you at Aranar’s luxurious home. Sky-high windows give you unparalleled views of nature’s serenity, whether it’s the simply stunning silhouettes of the ski hills, or wildlife sightings like deer along the property. 

We immerse you in the gorgeous backdrop of the village’s natural scenery, with every luxurious comfort to provide an unforgettable experience. Heated floors, a dry sauna, hot tub, and modern interiors invite you to indulge and relax on your vacation. 

Ready to experience Ellicottville’s Fall Festival? Book your Ellicottville vacation today!

Cick here to book your stay today!

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