Spotlight

Wondering how to spend a chilly Saturday in the Finger Lakes region? We suggest a road trip to Cortland County for the annual Chill-A-Bration in downtown Cortland! The popular mid-winter attraction is just a quick 40-minute drive from Binghamton and Syracuse, and is the perfect family-friendly day trip. Here's what you need to know… The Basics The festivities begin at 12 p.m. and run until 4…

Experience Cortland, the Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau, is pleased to announce the release of the official 2020 Cortland County Visitors Guide. Featuring cover photos depicting a taste of the variety of activities one can experience throughout the county, the new guide encourages visitors and locals alike to Experience Cortland. The 2020 Visitors Guide is a completely revamped piece…

The Center for the Arts of Homer announced 15 live music performances for its 2020 winter/spring schedule that includes classic rock bands, rap artists, blues musicians and more. The list includes three-time GRAMMY winner Shawn Colvin, The Travelin' McCourys, Macy Gray, singer-songwriter-rap-legend Everlast, Vanessa Carlton and The Travelin' McCourys, who won the Best Bluegrass Album at the 2019…

Happy National Plan For Vacation Day, a day to encourage Americans to plan their vacation days for the whole year at the start of the year - and inspire them to use those travel days to travel the USA. Did you know that more than half of American workers (55%) failed to use all their time off last year? That's a stockpile of 768 million unused vacation days in 2018, of which 236 million were…

The Homer Winterfest is a family-friendly weekend chock full of events, kid's activities, entertainment, dining, shopping and more! It's that special time of year again! The annual Winterfest in the Village of Homer is just around the corner. Now in it's 20th year, the activity-packed weekend will feature over 30 different events and activities from Friday through Saturday, January 24-25.  In…

It's time to nominate your Cortland County favorites for the SAMMY People's Choice Award, honoring the best in local music. It's time to nominate your Cortland County favorites for the Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYS) People's Choice Award, honoring the best in local music. The Center for the Arts in Homer and BRU 64 were nominated under the Local Venue category, while the Cortland Main Street…

Finger Lakes region is a finalist for Frommer's Best Places to Go in 2020. Frommer’s has been counting down the Best Places to Go in 2020, and for the last month, the public has been sending in their nominations for the final spot. The Finger Lakes Region has moved on to the final stages of voting, and now it's up to you to bring home the win!  We want to encourage each and every one of you to…

The Downtown Cortland Repertory Theatre has announced their upcoming winter and spring season. The new year means new events to look forward to at the Downtown Cortland Repertory Theatre! The Cortland location has officially announced their winter and spring events, which will include everything from karaoke nights to live music, comedy evenings to murder mystery dinners. Here's what's coming to…

The Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau now occupies space at 42 Main Street. Experience Cortland, the Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau, is pleased to announce that the corporate offices for the Bureau have moved to 42 Main Street, in downtown Cortland. The CVB will occupy space on the first floor of the newly refurbished building. “We are pleased to officially…

Don't drop the ball on New Year's Eve!  Lining up New Year's Eve plans in Cortland County? Whether you're a local, new in town, or just passing through, we have some great spots to ring in 2020! THREE BEAR INN NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY December 31 | 5 p.m. | Three Bear Inn Indulge in a Prime Rib Buffet from 5-9 p.m., followed by live entertainment by Raised on Radio. If you're looking for a place to…

The winners for the first 12 Days of Experience Cortland Giveaways have been announced! Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the 12 Days of Experience Cortland Giveaways this year, including everyone who entered and of course the amazing local businesses who donated the generous prizes. Congratulations to all of the winners – there were over 500 entries! We hope these prizes help…

We've put together a procrastinator's guide to last-minute holiday shopping in Cortland County! Now that you're down to only nine shopping days until Christmas, shoving a few bills in a card might seem like your only option, but Cortland County is filled with local shops and businesses that will make you the favorite during the holidays! Check out this holiday gift guide to all the best…

Cortland County is wasting no time serving up some holiday cheer! This weekend kicks off holiday events in Cortland County! From Christmas tree lighting ceremonies and photos with jolly Old Saint Nick, to a holiday-themed tea party in a historic mansion, you're sure to find something to do that will get you into the holiday spirit.  Check out these holiday-themed events happening in the…

The Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau wants to make your holiday season a little more “merry and bright” with the first-ever 12 Days of Experience Cortland Giveaways! The holiday season is upon us, and the Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau and local businesses have teamed up to bring you a series of special gifts.  This is our way to say thank you for experiencing…

In between cooking, shopping and dodging the crazy and weird people that are your family, catch a live music performance in Cortland County. A number of restaurants and bars in Cortland County will have great live music performances booked both before and after Thanksgiving.  For those music fans who want to celebrate the holiday with live music, check out the following shows happening this…

Cortland Repertory Theatre's Legally Blonde was awarded three Syracuse Area Live Theatre (SALT) Awards at a ceremony held on Sunday, November 17, at the Redhouse Arts Center in Syracuse. Cortland Repertory Theatre (CRT) received a total of 48 nominations from five of their summer productions in 2019 as well as The Rat Pack Lounge from September 2018. This year's Million Dollar Quartet will be in…

Whether you're looking for heart pumping, adrenaline rushing scares, or kid-friendly fall fun, there are endless ways to celebrate Halloween in Cortland County.  For more details, and plenty more great events, check out the Experience Cortland events calendar. CREATURES OF THE NIGHT Thursday, Oct. 17 | 5-8 p.m. | Lime Hollow Nature Center | $3-$7; children under 3 are free This all-ages and…

Plans to visit Cortland County this weekend? Maybe you're already here! Below is just a small sampling of what's going on in the area so you don't miss a moment. For more details, and plenty more great events, check out the Experience Cortland events calendar. 8TH ANNUAL LITTLE YORK FIBER ARTS FESTIVAL Saturday, Oct. 12 & Sunday, Oct. 13 | Little York Pavilion  Whether you're a knitter, crafter,…

Every October since 1996, Downtown Cortland has been transformed into a vibrant, outdoor fall festival when The Great Cortland Pumpkinfest arrives in Historic Courthouse Park.  The two-day event has been one of the county's most highly-anticipated fall celebrations, a family-friendly experience that has become a favorite for locals and visitors alike.  The 4th Best Fall Festival in the United…

The cooler fall temperatures inspired me to start checking off a few seasonal bucket list activities and adventures, and I made headway on my list this past weekend at Trinity Valley Dairy Farm, a fourth-generation family farm in the East Homer.There's no denying the main attraction at the moment is the 7-acre corn maze, but it certainly was not the only reason to swing by. From delectable…