Nowhere else in the world will you find this story. Nowhere else in the world will you find the family-friendly spookiness of Halloween celebrated quite like The Days of Incandescence, a blend of historic fact and supernatural tale.
You may have heard the story of young inventor Thomas Edison and his incandescent lamps or how, one night, he transformed an entire street into a spectacle of light. You may have even heard that Edison hired Corning Flint Glass Works to create the special glass bulbs for his lamps.
But have you heard about the mysterious Corning boy who blew the first glass bubble? The boy who made it possible for light to spread around the globe, one magnificent bulb at a time.
Nowhere else in the world will you find the family-friendly spookiness of Halloween celebrated quite like The Days of Incandescence, a blend of historic fact and supernatural tale.
You may have heard the story of young inventor Thomas Edison and his incandescent lamps or how, one night, he transformed an entire street into a spectacle of light.
But have you heard about the mysterious Corning boy who blew the first glass bubble? The boy who made it possible for light to spread around the globe, one magnificent bulb at a time.
Explore Corning’s Historic District on these special actor-led walking tours and learn about Corning’s rich history from some of its past residents. These popular tours sell-out quickly and are limited to 20 registrants per tour, so you’ll want to sign up early. Tour lasts approximately 45-60 minutes.
Thursday, October 24th
6pm & 8pm
Historic Walking Tours
Explore Corning’s Historic District on these special actor-led walking tours and learn about Corning’s rich history from some of its past residents. Tour lasts approximately 45-60 minutes.
Thursday, October 24th
6pm & 8pm
The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes and Heritage Village (Corning’s living history museum) collaborate on these fun cemetery tours exploring Corning’s past as well as gravestone art. Finish off with a nightcap of local libations in the historic Benjamin Patterson Inn’s Tavern.
Thursday, October 24th & Friday, October 25th
5:30-8:30pm
Cemetery Tour
The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes and Heritage Village bring you along to explore Corning’s past as well as gravestone art. Finish off with a nightcap of local libations.
Thursday, October 24th & Friday, October 25th
5:30-8:30pm
Encounter costumed residents from 1880’s Corning on this fun adult-friendly version of trick-or-treat in the form of a libations crawl with stops at 12 Gaffer District locations, each featuring local wine, beer or spirits samples.
Archibald’s Libations Crawl happens each year during the Days of Incandescence. Some stops offer themed drink specials exclusive to this event.
Friday, October 25th
5-9pm
Music in the Square: during check-in from 5-7pm, enjoy live music by Annie Ol Thyme in
Centerway Square.
• Pick up your commemorative drinking vessel in Centerway Square.
• Costumes encouraged, but not required (register at check-in selfie station for a chance at costume contest prizes).
• Must be 21 to attend.
Encounter costumed residents from 1880’s Corning on this fun adult-friendly version of trick-or-treat in the form of a libations crawl throughout the Gaffer District.
Friday, October 25th
5-9pm
History comes alive during this FREE family-friendly activity. Actors portraying residents from Corning’s past will be scattered throughout the Gaffer District and sharing their stories.
Pick up a Story Station activity card at any Story Station location. Visit all eight stations, collect a light bulb sticker at each station by engaging with the characters, and turn in your bulbs for a special treat!
Saturday, October 26th
3-5pm
Story Stations
History comes alive during this FREE family-friendly activity. Actors portraying residents from Corning’s past will be scattered throughout the Gaffer District and sharing their stories.
Collect a sticker at each location, add it to your story station card and turn it in for a special treat!
Saturday, October 26th
3-5pm
Local pianist and musician Russel Anthony has written new music inspired by The Days of Incandescence and the supernatural tale Legend of the Gathers. Together with other musicians, Russel will give a free performance of the new music along with several familiar Halloween pieces for a fun, family friendly concert at 171 Cedar Arts. This event was made possible by a grant from the ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes and the New York State Council on the Arts.
Saturday, October 26th
3-4pm
171 Cedar Arts Center
This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.
Phantoms of the Light
Enjoy a free musical performance by local pianist Russel Anthony with his new music inspired by The Days of Incandescence at 171 Cedar Arts. This event was made possible by a grant from the ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes and the New York State Council on the Arts.
Saturday, October 26th
3-4pm
Watch world record holder and pumpkin carver extraordinaire Eric Jones (also known for his Buffalo Bills Snow Carvings) as he transforms a giant pumpkin into a spooktacular work of art live in Centerway Square.
You may have seen Eric on the Food Network’s Outrageous Pumpkins which he won and Halloween Wars for which he was a Finalist.
Saturday, October 26th
2:30-6:30pm
Centerway Square
World-Famous Pumpkin Carver
Watch world record holder and pumpkin carver extraordinaire Eric Jones as he transforms a giant pumpkin into a spooktacular work of art live in Centerway Square.
Saturday, October 26th
2:30-6:30pm
Join us for the Culminating Event!
Free old-time family-friendly festival event featuring live performances and demonstrations, vendors, activities, food, and more.
Saturday, October 26th
4-8pm
Steuben Riverfront Park & Centerway Square
• Horse and Wagon Rides - 3-7pm
(Depart from Centerway Square in Front of Old World Café. *small fee)
• Live Music - TBD
• Storytelling
(Cathie Wiggs Spins Tales of the Past at Fountain in Riverfront Park)
• Live Juggling - 4-8pm
(Nate the Great - Ithaca Circus Performer Juggling Sundry Items)
• Headless Horseman - 5-7pm
(Arrives 5pm at Fountain in Riverfront Park)
• Blacksmith Demo - 4-8pm
(Leon and Casey from Cooley Blacksmith Shop)
• Market Vendors
• Street Magician
• Kids' Activity Stations
Try your hand at some of the favorite games and pastimes from the Victorian Era.
• Food
• Jack-o-Lantern Contest - 5:00pm
(We invite you to carve some jack-o-lanterns at home, and bring them to the park where they will be illuminated helping make Corning GLOW and sharing the light.)
Join us for the Culminating Event!
Free old-time family-friendly festival event featuring live performances and demonstrations, vendors, activities, food, and more.
Saturday, October 26th
4-8pm
Steuben Riverfront Park & Centerway Square
• Horse and Wagon Rides - 3-7pm
(Depart from Centerway Square in Front of Old World Café. *small fee)
• Live Music - TBD
• Storytelling
(Cathie Wiggs Spins Tales of the Past at Fountain in Riverfront Park)
• Live Juggling - 4-8pm
(Nate the Great - Ithaca Circus Performer Juggling Sundry Items)
• Headless Horseman - 5-7pm
(Arrives 5pm at Fountain in Riverfront Park)
• Blacksmith Demo - 4-8pm
(Leon and Casey from Cooley Blacksmith Shop)
• Market Vendors
• Street Magician
• Kids' Activity Stations
Try your hand at some of the favorite games and pastimes from the Victorian Era.
• Food
• Jack-o-Lantern Contest - 5:00pm
(We invite you to carve some jack-o-lanterns at home, and bring them to the park where they will be illuminated helping make Corning GLOW and sharing the light.)
