2024 New York State Sheep & Wool Festival
Check out a sheep or goat show, shop for yarn or a gorgeous sweater, take a knitting class and more on October 19 & 20 in Rhinebeck, NY.
It’s one of the most beloved events in the Hudson Valley. The New York State Sheep & Wool Festival is always held every third weekend in October at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, NY; This year the festival will take place rain or shine on Oct. 19 and 20.
Things to do at the Sheep & Wool Festival
There are endless things to do at this festival besides ooh and aah over the dozens of different breeds of sheep. Attend a sheep or goat show—everything from the Northeast Angora Goat Show to Leaping Llamas to a wool fashion show; view a fiber competition or watch the frisbee dogs or a sheep herding dog demonstration. Listen to an author while getting a book signed. There are dozens of workshops to sign up for, from multiple knitting options, crocheting for beginners or advanced amigurumi making, natural dye, felt pumpkin making, spinning basics, and so much more.
Children can enjoy some of the many demonstrations of sheep shearing, dog demos and fiber art demos. They’ll also love all of the livestock displays!
Stop by Food Alley or one of several Food Trucks to grab a snack or a meal. You can also catch a specialty food or wine tasting or watch a cooking demonstration.
Shopping at the Sheep & Wool Festival
More than 250 vendors will be on site, selling all types of (mostly) wool-related products. Shop for hundreds of different yarns and dyes or treat yourself to an Angora sweater or other wonderful wooly clothes. 2024 vendors include American Made Alpaca, Browder’s Birds, Cardinal Woodwork, Daschund Daddy Knits, and Ideuma Creek Alpacas. See a full list of vendors here.
Attending the New York State Sheep & Wool Festival
The Sheep & Wool Festival is open on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and on Sunday, Oct. 20, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Buy pre-sale online tickets for $12 (plus a $1.50 convenience fee) here. Tickets are $15 at the gate. Children 11 and under are free.
The Festival offers a bad check area to store your purchases; you can pick up all your goodies on your way out!
Take Amtrak to the New York State Sheep & Wool Festival
Have fun at the Sheep & Wool Festival via Amtrak to the Rhinecliff-Kingston Station—Don’t forget to use the See New York and Save 15% discount! The Dutchess County Fairgrounds is only 2.9 miles from the train station!
Get picked up from the Rhinecliff-Kingston Station and taken to your reserved NYTRAIN Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Click here to reserve your car or call the Kingston office today at: (845) 336-4700.
