On October 10–11, 2026, the hills around Holiday Valley come alive with brilliant fall color, live music, scenic chairlift rides, hilltop food and drinks, and that unmistakable Fall Festival energy. Add everything happening throughout the Village of Ellicottville, and you’ve got two days packed with reasons to get outside, get together and make the most of autumn.
Take Fall to the Top
One of the best ways to experience Fall Festival? Head up to the top of Mardi Gras.
The Mardi Gras 6 Express will be spinning from 12–4PM on Saturday and Sunday, carrying guests above the colorful hillsides to the top of the resort. The ride itself is worth it, but there’s plenty waiting when you arrive: beautiful views, food, drinks and live music.
Tommy Z Band takes the mountaintop stage Saturday from 12–4PM, followed by Porcelain Train on Sunday from 12–4PM. When you’re ready to head back down, the music keeps going at the Cabana Bar, where Jay McDonnell plays Saturday and Sunday from 3–6PM.
Fall colors, live music and a drink with friends on top of the mountain? That’s a pretty good October afternoon.
Think Snow at the Fall Fest Ski Swap
Yes, we know...t’s Fall Festival. But around here, once the leaves start changing, it’s hard not to start thinking about snow.
That’s why the Fall Fest Ski Swap is a favorite stop during the weekend. The swap is your chance to shop for new and used ski and snowboard equipment and winter gear while supporting a great cause.
Have equipment at home that’s ready for a new owner? Bring it along. The Ski Swap gives you the opportunity to sell your gently used winter gear and clear some space before the new season arrives.
The swap takes place in Holiday Valley’s Main Lodge, making it easy to add a little winter shopping to your Fall Festival plans. Whether you’re looking for gear for a growing skier, hoping to score a new-to-you setup or simply counting the days until the first chair of winter, it’s a fun reminder of what’s coming next at Holiday Valley.
And while you’re in a shopping mood, stop by the Mountain Shop Outerwear Sale, where select outerwear will be marked down by as much as 50%.
Consider it your Fall Festival weekend mission: enjoy the colors now and get ready for the snow later.
Make a Weekend of It
With this much happening, Fall Festival is one of those weekends when you don’t want to rush home.
That’s where staying at Holiday Valley makes things even better.
Book the Fall Festival Chairlift Package and your accommodations become part of the experience. Each adult on the reservation receives one chairlift ride on the Mardi Gras Chairlift, or the Spruce Chairlift, to use Saturday or Sunday between 12–4PM. Kids ages 6 and younger ride free, and tickets for kids ages 7+ can be added as needed.
And because a fall weekend deserves a toast, your first drink is on us. Each adult on the reservation receives one voucher for a choice of beer, wine, soda, coffee or hot chocolate.
Morning coffee before exploring? Hot chocolate on a crisp afternoon? A beer after a ride up the mountain? You decide.
Want to squeeze even more into the weekend? Guests can also add discounted Mountain Coaster rides to their stay.
Best of all, when the day winds down, your room is right here at Holiday Valley. There’s no need to cut the fun short. Settle in, recharge and wake up ready for another day of Fall Festival.
Explore Ellicottville
Fall Festival stretches well beyond the mountain. The Village of Ellicottville turns into a celebration filled with entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, shopping and plenty of food.
Between the festivities downtown and everything happening at Holiday Valley, you can build your weekend however you like. Browse the Ski Swap in the morning, take a scenic chairlift ride in the afternoon, catch live music on the mountain and then head into the Village to keep exploring.
For anyone who prefers to experience fall at a faster pace, Holiday Valley’s annual Fall Scramble Off Road Run adds another way to get out on the mountain and enjoy the season.
One Weekend. A Whole Lot of Fall.
Fall Festival weekend has a little bit of everything: brilliant foliage, scenic chairlift rides, live music, food and drinks, shopping, the Ski Swap, mountain adventures and all the energy of Ellicottville in October.
Grab your family. Rally your friends. Pack a layer or two, and maybe leave a little extra room in the car for whatever you find at the Ski Swap.
Fall Festival 2026 at Holiday Valley is October 10–11.
Come for the colors. Stay for the weekend. Start getting excited for winter before you leave.