Days of Incandescence: A Free October Festival in Corning Where History Becomes Theater

Corning's historic district transforms every October into a stage — and on the evening of October 24, the curtain goes up on Days of Incandescence, a free festival built around the city's singular story: the glass town where Thomas Edison's incandescent light bulb came to life. The pages of the Explore Steuben site put it plainly: "Nowhere else in the world will you find this story... a blend of historic fact and supernatural tale." Actor-led walking tours, live music, a pumpkin-carving legend, blacksmith demonstrations, and a libations crawl through twelve downtown venues fill the evening — all free, all within walking distance.

Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026 Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Location: Corning Historic District, Riverfront Centennial Park & Centerway Square, Corning, NY Cost: Free

No advance registration required for the main Culminating Event. Visit the Explore Steuben County event page at exploresteuben.com for the full schedule, including any ticketed elements like the cemetery tour and libations crawl.