Step into an unforgettable autumn on the Hudson River! This September 2026, the Bannerman Castle Trust is bringing the island to life with an extraordinary lineup of programming.
From an open-air movie night and live theater under the stars to intimate musical performances and an annual culinary feast, there is no better time to explore these legendary ruins.
Set sail for Bannerman Island
Your journey begins aboard the Estuary Steward tour boat, which departs from the Beacon waterfront dock. You can easily find it right across from the Metro-North Train Station at 2 Red Flynn Drive in Beacon, NY.
The boat accommodates 44 passengers per tour, sweeping you across the Hudson Highlands. Once you arrive, you can enjoy guided or self-guided tours of the late-summer gardens and the historic original residence, which now serves as a museum.
Dine and watch movies under the stars
Foodies and film buffs are in for a treat this month. Grab your tickets early for these highly anticipated evening events:
- Annual Farm-to-Table Dinner (Saturday, September 5): Chef Scout Metzler and his culinary team are serving a delectable five-course meal as a fundraiser for island restoration projects. Enjoy the peak late-summer garden bloom and live music by the Storm King Duo. Reservations are strictly required!
- Bannerman Movie Night (Friday, September 11): Catch a visually extravagant outdoor screening of Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby (2013), set perfectly against the island’s dramatic backdrop.
Live theater and ambient concerts
The island’s stone residence (the smaller castle) becomes a breathtaking stage this season.
- Dracula (September 16–27): “Drac is back!” Don’t miss this incredible live adaptation of the Dracula story by Jim Helsinger. Starring Duane Boutté and directed by Christian Conn, the show follows Jonathan Harker’s horrific discoveries behind closed doors.
- Third Sunday Music Concert Series (Sunday, September 20): Ambient guitarist Jeffrey Kirn will perform original compositions on the island stage. You can catch the music exclusively during the 11:00 am and 12:30 pm tours.
Mainland art exhibitions
The culture continues back on the mainland! Stop by the Bannerman Island Gallery located at 150 Main St. in Beacon, NY.
The Main Gallery features a history exhibition with artifacts from the Bannerman Family Collection, while the West Wall features gorgeous paintings by Virginia Donovan and mixed-media photography by Mary Ann Glass.
The gallery is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm, and all art sales directly support preservation projects on the island.