Harborfest is a vibrant, free summer festival held at the end of July in Oswego, NY each year since 1988. This beloved community event, organized by a non-profit, features live music from more than two dozen bands and performers, delicious food, thrilling rides, and the biggest and best fireworks show in Upstate New York. More than 50,000 people attend each year.
Schedule of Events:
Breitbeck Park
Breitbeck Park comes alive during Harborfest. The park hosts a diverse variety of live music performances on its main stage. Food, arts and crafts, farmer’s market and business vendors line the park, making for great eating and excellent shopping. Support our vendors to help keep Harborfest free for you to attend!
Children take center stage on Friday, as the annual Children’s Parade ends at the park and kicks off a day of special performances and activities. The Midway Carnival and the Cahill Pier music stage are a short walk away. The park’s scenic location along the Oswego Marina, Harbor, and Great Lakes provides a beautiful backdrop for the festivities and a great place to watch the region’s biggest and best fireworks show. Breitbeck Park is the heart of Harborfest.
On the Breitbeck Park Constellation stage:
1:45 PM: Diana Jacobs Band
3:45 PM: dangerous type – sponsored by Sherman Construction Inc.
5:45 PM: Letizia and the Z Band – sponsored by Harbor Eye Associates
7:45 PM: The Horn Dogs – sponsored by Century 21 Galloway Realty
9:30 PM: Spectacular Fireworks over Lake Ontario – sponsored by Pathfinder Bank
10:00 PM: ColdFront – sponsored by Harbor Eye Associates
NEW: Water Thrills Show – sponsored by Integrated Power Services
Shows Saturday afternoons in the harbor off Cahill Pier.
1:30, 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.
Children’s area (East end of Breitbeck Park) – Friday, July 25
Children’s Tent sponsored by Wayne Drug Co. Inc.
Noon & 2:00pm: Jared Campbell – sponsored by NBT Bank
11:00. 1:15 & 3:15pm: Diggery Dinosaur Show
Children’s Attractions
Friday – Sunday:
-Veranica’s Dancing Dogs
-The Shadow Players
Cahill Pier Stage
Schedule
12:30 PM: See Through Faded – sponsored by Port City Family Medicine PC
2:15 PM: The Arcade – Musical Tribute to the 80’s – sponsored by Community Bank
4:15 PM: Little Queen – sponsored by Community Bank
6:15 PM: Frostbit Blue – sponsored by Canale Insurance & Accounting
Food Vendor
NEW: Water Thrills Show
Shows Saturday afternoons in the harbor off Cahill Pier.
1:30, 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.
East Park/Washington Square (Jazz & Blues)
Jazz and Blues Stage
1:15 PM: Heather Pierson Trio
3:30 PM: Prime Time Brass
5:45 PM: Chris Beard Band
8:00 PM: Triple Threat
Fireworks
Saturday, July 26th at 9:30 PM
The best viewing areas for the fireworks range from Fort Ontario on the east side of Oswego to the inner harbor and Breitbeck Park on the west side.
Blankets and Tarps: An evening crew will dispose of items left in the park after they have closed. The City of Oswego does not allow placement of tarps, blankets or plastic sheets in city parks for fireworks prior to Saturday at 6AM. Placement of stakes or rocks to secure these items are prohibited at all times.
Note: The fireworks simulcast will be played on Dinosaur Radio
Midway Carnival
On Lake Street in front of the Coast Guard Station.
Hours of Operation:
Saturday – 11:00 AM – Midnight
Pricing:
Rides will be priced at 3, 4 and 5 tickets per ride.
Tickets are $1.50 each; 20 tickets for $30 and 50 tickets for $60.
Pre-event sale; 50 tickets for $45.
Water Show
Harborfest is proud to bring Ski Extreme Productions’ water thrills show to the 2025 edition of the festival.
The show, taking place in the harbor on the east side of Cahill Pier, features barefoot waterskiing with speeds up to 40 miles per hour, Sky Ski – a hydrofoil device launching the performer six feet above the water, freestyle water skiers being launched into the air from a ramp, high-horsepower freestyle jet ski flips and spins, a performer flying 70 feet in the air on a water jetpack, a human pyramid of skiers and more.
Shows take place three times daily on Saturday:
1:30, 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.
Helicopter Rides
Helicopter rides return to Harborfest for 2025!
Soar high above Harborfest for five minutes and see the beauty of Lake Ontario and our amazing shoreline. Let FLX Helicopters show you Oswego as the birds see it! Rides are $50 per person for a five minute flight.
Schedule:
Saturday, noon-9pm
Location:
Breitbeck Park - 91 Lake St, Oswego, NY 13126
William S. Cahill Pier - 39 Lake St, Oswego, NY 13126
Franklin Square - W Seneca St, Oswego, NY 13126
Washington Square - 25 E Oneida St, Oswego, NY 13126
