The following organizations received 2025 Onondaga County Festival Fund awards.
- Pride Community Center of CNY, Onondaga County
CNY Pride I $3,000
The CNY Pride Festival is the largest pride centered festival in a 70 mile radius of Syracuse, New York. A full weekend of celebration and joy has been the tradition here in June since 1996. - Fayetteville Free Library, Onondaga County
2025 Fayetteville Art Festival I $2,000
The annual Fayetteville Art Festival is a community event, sponsored by the Fayetteville Free Library, allowing local authors and artists to present their work to the public. The festival provides an opportunity to engage with and purchase art and books created by our local authors and artists. - Syracuse JAMS, Onondaga County
JAMS Performance Stage Inaugural Festival I $2,000
Artists of multi-disciplines coming together in a festival in celebration of their successful efforts to build a stage at the Spirit of Jubilee Park. The festival will present musical performances, spoken word, visual arts displays, food, and fun for the whole family. - The Syracuse Orchestra, Onondaga County
Lunar New Year I $1,750
Welcome in the Year of the Snake and celebrate the Asian community in Central New York. Experience the unique melodies, instruments, and arrangements of some of the oldest and most complex music in the world! - St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Onondaga County
Festival of Music Series 2025 I $2,500
Three Week Summer Series, Gospel Retrospective and Exhibition, Young Artists with Orchestra, Celebrating Women Composers, Fall Benefit Concert featuring Elliot Fisk, Classical Guitar, Winter Concert Black Nativity and Telemann Christmas Cantatas. - Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation, Onondaga County
Beyond the Rainbow I $2,000
Matilda Joslyn Gage Center Rainbow Open House and Oz-topian Exhibition. - 727 Instrumental, Onondaga County
Party in the Square I $2,800
A free to attend Summer Concert Series in Clinton Square with Live Music, Multiple Food Trucks, Craft Vendors, Refreshments, and more. - Syracuse International Film Festival, Onondaga County
22nd Year Anniversary I $2,500
The Syracuse International Film Festival’s 22nd year will showcase exceptional films from around the globe, host workshops and panels, and celebrate diverse voices in cinema. Events include Kung Fu, Horror, and our 22nd Anniversary in October, fostering community engagement and artistic expression. - Jubilee Homes of Syracuse, Onondaga County
Showcase Sunday 2025 I $3,250
Showcase Sunday brings together community talent, from renowned bands to emerging youth artists, celebrating diverse culture and history. Over five Sundays, this family-friendly event creates a safe, welcoming environment for all ages. Local businesses and agencies join to share products, information, and resources, fostering engagement, education, and support within community. - Syracuse Community Choir & BLAAC School of the Arts, Onondaga County
School of the Arts Festival I $1,800
This festival is a partnership between The Syracuse Community Choir and the BLAAC School of the Arts, which is a program that teaches aspiring young actors, singers, and producers how to hone their chosen craft. The festival will operate as a showcase of the students work. - InterFaith Works of Central New York, Onondaga County
Building Bridges of Understanding Community Festival 2025 I $3,000
Building Bridges Community Festival offers a chance to celebrate the cultural richness of the Central New York community. The Festival is a family-friendly atmosphere that includes a performance stage presenting a variety of exciting groups, a food giveaway, food trucks, lawn games, hands-on STEM activities, and family arts and crafts. - Civic Morning Musicals, Onondaga County
Winter Lights: A Musical Celebration of the Season and 135 years I $1,000
Celebrate the season and 135 years of musical tradition with Winter Lights: A Musical Celebration of the Season and Civic Morning Musicals. This special event features a series of inspiring performances—choral, chamber, and solo—alongside a historical exhibit and community collaborations that highlight CMM’s rich artistic history. - Westcott Area Cultural Coalition, Onondaga County
Westcott Street Cultural Fair I $4,000
Westcott Street Cultural Fair is a one-day festival celebrating the diversity of our neighborhood through music, dance and art. - India Community Religious and Cultural Center, Onondaga County
ICRCC I $775
The ICRCC will have a Spring Festival, a 100 years of Bollywood Musical, and a Diwali celebration. - Everson Museum of Art & Wildflowers Armory – Salt City Market, Onondaga County
Everson Museum of Art in partnership with Wildflowers Armory – Syracuse City Market I $3,000
City Market engages the spirit of urban creativity on the second Sunday of the month from June to September as the plaza transforms into an open-air flea market featuring vintage and antique vendors alongside local artisans, musicians, food trucks, and access to free tours and art activities inside the Everson. - Amberations, Onondaga County
20th Annual Fall Festival I $3,500
The Amberations Fall Festival is an annual event featuring live music, arts, crafts and family activities highlighting our barn, animals and culture. - YWCA Onondaga County, Onondaga County
Cuse Culture The Reunion Fest 2025 I $3,000
Reunion Fest unites artists, performers, and culinary masters in a vibrant celebration that strengthens neighborhood bonds in the center of downtown. This dynamic gathering serves as community glue while fueling local businesses, creating jobs, and showcasing global flavors—building economic vitality through shared experiences. - Hopeprint, Onondaga County
Bare Roots Festival I $3,750
A one day music festival, bringing together and celebrating Syracuse’s creative scene. - Black Artist Collective CNY & Niche Productions, Onondaga County
5th Annual Freedom Festival 2025 I $2,000
In partnership with the Black Artist Collective and Niche Production, we are excited to present the 5th Annual Freedom Festival, a unique and culturally significant event that blends comedy, music, and the arts. Set in a local Onondaga County public park space. - Erie Canal Museum, Onondaga County
Erie Canal Bicentennial Commemoration I $2,800
This weekend-long event will commemorate the bicentennial of the Erie Canal’s opening, featuring Canal speakers, music and arts performances, hands on activities, and Buffalo Maritime Center’s replica Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief. - Red House Arts Center, Onondaga County
BabelFest, A Festival of New American Plays | $3,250
BabelFest brings fresh, original voices to Central New York, highlighting underrepresented playwrights and innovative new works. By connecting both local artists and audiences with national talent, the festival fosters dialogue, strengthens community, and helps position CNY as an emerging player in the broader theater landscape. - Festival Latino Americano, Onondaga County
Festival Latino Americano 2025 I $4,350
FREE family event. Great opportunity to learn about the Latino/Hispanic community in Syracuse and Onondaga Community, from food to music to culture. - Syracuse Stage, Onondaga County
Julie Lutz Cold Read Festival of New American Plays I $2,500
Syracuse Stage will present their biennial Cold Read festival by hosting talented writers and professional actors for events that center the playwriting process, allowing audiences to peek behind the curtain and witness artists at work. - CNY Jazz, Onondaga County
CNY Jazz in the City I $2,800
This aggressive, community-wide public health outreach effort uses the arts as a mobile platform to bring people together and provide them with the joy of congregating to enjoy music, food, and fun. These Thursday evening concert fairs span the neighborhoods of urban Syracuse THROUGH June, July, and August, providing safe outdoor environments for all to attend. - Pakistan Community of CNY & Keepers Connections, Onondaga County
78th Pakistan Independence Day I $2,000
Pakistani Community of CNY in collaboration with Keepers Connections will host this year’s Pakistan Independence Day; where the cultural food, music, sports, and arts will be promoted by the local community. The community is isolated and loves to come to enjoy the art work by young people of community. - End Antisemitism Now, Onondaga County
Jewish Film Festival 2025 I $3,000
The Syracuse Jewish Film Festival is presented by End Antisemitism Now and the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse. The hope is to shine a light on Jewish filmmakers and Jewish stories with a connection to Syracuse. - Community Folk Art Center, Onondaga County
REEL Stories: A CFAC Film Festival I $3,450
The Community Folk Art Center Film Festival is a three-day celebration of storytelling through film, showcasing independent, student, and community voices. Featuring screenings, talkbacks, and workshops, the festival uplifts diverse perspectives and promotes dialogue through the cinematic arts in the heart of Syracuse’s South Side. - Syracuse Hibernian Festival Corporation, Onondaga County
Syracuse Irish Festival I $2,500
The Syracuse Irish Festival is a 2-day family oriented, cultural festival that is free to the public and features cultural activities that promote and highlight the strong Irish Heritage that is prominent in Central NY. - Village of Solvay, Onondaga County
Solvay-Geddes Summer Field Days I $2,753
The Solvay-Geddes Summer Field Days is an Annual Three Day Festival with live music, food, local vendors, rides, and more. - German-American Society of CNY, Onondaga County
Oktoberfest 2025 I $2,250
Traditional Oktoberfest to celebrate German culture, music, food and comradery. - Jewish Community Center of Syracuse, Onondaga County
Klezfest 2025 I $3,000
Annual Celebration of Jewish Culture in CNY. Emphasis on Klezmer music, ethnic food and Jewish spirit. Open to everyone in CNY with entertainment for all ages. - Greater Strathmore Neighborhood Association, Onondaga County
Art on the Porches I $2,000
Art on the Porches is a festival celebrating Syracuse area artists & musicians. Browse & shop art by CNY artists, groove to local bands, and enjoy your favorite food trucks. Join us to celebrate city living & the unique urban lifestyle of the historic Strathmore neighborhood. - Syracuse Polish Festival, Onondaga County
Syracuse Polish Festival I $5,250
The three-day family-friendly celebration of Polish culture, heritage, and traditions. One of the main attractions is the annual “Pierogi Eating Contest” and “Miss Polonia” presentation and to provide a variety of entertainment, including Polka, Pop/Jazz music along with folklore dance performances by the folk-dancers group “Lechowia” from Canada. - Urban Jobs Task Force of Syracuse, Onondaga County
Youth Uprising Arts Festival l $2,300
Step by Step is a festival for safe streets and healthy homes; a powerful day of art, action, and community building. Step by Step is a a youth-led festival shining light on barriers through art. - Vegan CNY, Onondaga County
Syracuse Vegfest I $1,000
Syracuse Vegfest is a free, community event that promotes plant-based living through food, education, and inclusive celebration. It engages the broader public with cooking demos, speakers, music, children’s’ activities and vendors while supporting local nonprofits and showcasing the demand for compassionate, sustainable choices. - Focusing Our Resources for Community Enlightenment (FORCE), Onondaga County
CPR/AED Music Festival I $3,000
The CPR/AED Music Festival, held during FORCE’s CommUNITY Outreach Day, celebrates culture, wellness, and community. Featuring a variety show, dance instruction, and interactive sessions, it uplifts and empowers youth and families through music, arts, and education on the final day of National CPR/AED Week. - Syracuse Parks Conservancy, Onondaga County
The Art Extravaganza Festival I $5,000
The Art Extravaganza festival, on July 19, 2025, will celebrate the creativity that exists in Syracuse. Hosted at Lipe Art Park, this event will feature local musicians and the unveiling of new public art. It will be coordinated with the Gear & Delavan Open Studios and CNY’s Art Trail. - Downtown Syracuse Foundation, Onondaga County
2025 Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival I $2,000
The Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival is a three-day showcase of ~150 of artists, craftspeople, and performers centered in Downtown Syracuse. The family-friendly festival attracts over 40,000 people annually. The event has been part of Arts Week, now The Syracuse Art Trail, a collaboration celebrating visual and performing arts throughout Downtown Syracuse.