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When it comes to special events, fairs and festivals, New York has something for everyone. Whether it's honoring food, history, heritage, or one of the four seasons, New York celebrations are known for their authentic charm. The following is just a sample of our favorite  events taking place during 2014.

Empire State Winter Games

February 6-9, 2014 in Lake Placid, New York

For more than 32 years, the Games have brought together over 1,000 athletes from across the State to compete in a variety of winter sports, New York's Empire State Winter Games is not only the first and largest of its kind in the nation, but is often considered to be among the most successful - setting the standard for multi-sport amateur athletic programs. Lake Placid's Winter Games have been the training ground for many of New York State's most successful winter Olympic athletes. Several former Empire State Winter Games athletes medaled in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Visit:www.empirestatewintergames.com

High Falls Film Festival

April 24-27, 2014   in Rochester, New York

The High Falls Film Festival in Rochester, New York returns to its original focus celebrating the cinematic achievements of women. We are one of the longest running women’s film festivals on the east coast, and we are pleased to have fostered many career successes for women filmmakers. Visit: www.highfallsfilmfestival.com

Tulip Festival

May 10 & 11, 2014  in Albany, New York

Named one of the 2008 top 100 events by the American Bus Association, and Winner of the 2003 Hospitality Excellence Award, this spring festival of more than 200,000 tulips has been a hit for over 65 years. Attractions at this three day event include the street scrubbing on State Street, the Tulip Queen Coronation, Tulip Queen and Court Luncheon and Royal Tulip Ball, music events, children’s activities, food, and art and craft vendors. Visit: www.albanyevents.org

Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival

June 20-28, 2014  in Rochester, New York

With all performances at 8pm at the Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, a Rochester tradition for 10 years, offers an impressive line-up of stars and talent. Attracting more than 165,000 visitors each year, the jazz festival showcases 250 concerts over 9 days in June each year. Visit : www.rochesterjazz.com/

Harborfest

July 24-27, 2014 in Oswego, New York

During the past 25 years Harborfest has grown from a small local festival to a major regional event with national performance acts and the ever-popular fireworks show. More than 250,000 visitors attend the annual festival that has earned more than 10 International Festival and Event Association Awards for excellence. Harborfest was named a “Top 100 Event in North America” by the prestigious American Bus Association on four different occasions and was voted the most popular festival in Central New York by viewers of WSTM-TV3.  Visit: www.oswegoharborfest.com

Great New York State Fair

August 21 - September 1, 2014 in Syracuse, New York

Each summer, the 12-day Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York State's agriculture, entertainment, education, industry & technology. More than a million visitors enjoy more than 375 acres of animals, exhibits and displays, food, live performances from the biggest names in entertainment, midway rides and games of skill. Visit: www.nysfair.org

Adirondack Balloon Festival 41st  Annual

September 18-21, 2014  in Queensbury, New York

Voted one of the top 100 events in the country by event goers of the American Bus Association, the Adirondack Balloon Festival features several balloon flights over four days as well as kids activities, art shows, kite flying, military aircraft displays, and fireworks. The event takes place in the city of Glen Falls, the town of Queensbury, Lake George Village Battlefield Park and Adirondack Community College with five balloon launches featuring more than 350 balloons of all shapes and sizes. Visit: www.adirondackballoonfest.org

Hudson Valley Garlic Festival

September 27 & 28, 2014  in  Saugerties, New York

The annual, fall Hudson Valley Garlic Festival celebrates garlic and its generous life-sustaining gifts with early harvest rituals, music, dance, delicious food, and fun. Main attractions include the GArlic MArketplace, Garlic Food Alley, demonstrations and lectures about garlic, chef demonstrations, arts and crafts and a children’s area. The first festival in 1990 attracted less than 420 enthusiasts. Today, the event draws more than 50,000 attendees. Visit: http://hvgf.org

Oyster Festival, Oyster Bay

October  in Long Island, New York

The Oyster Festival, the East Coast's largest waterfront festival, returns this October for its 30th year, offering a fun mixture of new activities and old favorites that are certain to entertain the entire family. The Oyster Festival originated as a hometown parade honoring Theodore Roosevelt before evolving into the largest outdoor festival on Long Island, under the auspices of the Oyster Bay Rotary. Every year, more than 200,000 visitors flock to an Indian-summer weekend on the waterfront in downtown Oyster Bay – drawn by live entertainment, Tall Ships, top-notch artisans, pirate shows, midway rides, and the iconic oyster eating and shucking contest. And of course…the Food Court, where volunteer chefs and culinary pros work side by side, cooking and serving dozens of unique oyster, clam and other seafood concoctions along with traditional festival fare. Visit: www.theoysterfestival.org

Hamptons International Film Festival

October  in Long Island, New York

Founded to celebrate the Independent film - long, short, fiction and documentary - and to introduce a unique and varied spectrum of international films and filmmakers, the 16 year old Hamptons International Film Festival exhibits films that express fresh voices and differing global perspectives. Notable films have included Birth, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Gods and Monsters, Hotel Rwanda, Kinsey, Pollock, Nowhere in Africa, and much more. Visit: www.hamptonsfilmfest.org

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

November 27, 2014 in New York City, New York

Starting in 1924 as Macy’s Christmas Parade with animals from the Central Park Zoo, this popular event now attracts more than 2.5 million people and another 44 million tune in to watch the balloons, floats, bands and celebrities in the most spectacular Thanksgiving holiday celebration in the world. The three hour parade trails from 77th Street down Central Park West to Columbus Circle, then down Broadway to Herald Square. Visit: www.macys.com/