April showers bring May flowers (and festivals!). Once the food trucks arrive and the tulips bloom, Albany’s weekends become jam-packed with fun events and festivals. Keep scrolling to discover 8 can't-miss events happening this Spring and Summer in Albany County.
Albany Empire
Before every Albany Empire home game, South Pearl Street is shut down for a block party and football fans surge upon downtown Albany. Enjoy live music, food, interactive games, beer and even try to catch a glimpse of the team’s friendly mascots, Emperors Mac & Jack. After enjoying the festivities, head inside the Times Union Center for an exhilarating arena football game. Touchdown! 2019 home games on April 27, May 4, June 1, June 8, June 22 and July 20.
Living History Day & Albany History Fair
Calling all history buffs! Step back in time on May 5 at Historic Cherry Hill’s 20th Annual Albany History Fair and Ten Broeck Mansion’s Living History Day. The Albany History Fair will explore all things literary with a poetry performance, Van Rensselaer library tour, book signings and more. Living History Day will celebrate Albany "in the roaring 20s" with tours of the mansion, live music from the era, historical re-enactors and more! Plus, CDTA’s Capital City Trolley is making it easy to attend both events by offering rides between the two historic homes between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM time. May 5.
Albany Tulip Festival
Albany’s signature festival, the annual Tulip Festival, is an iconic event held over Mother’s Day weekend. The celebration begins on Friday afternoon with a traditional Dutch street scrubbing ceremony on State Street. The festivities continue on Saturday and Sunday in Albany’s historic Washington Park with live music, craft vendors, the crowning of the Tulip Queen, delicious eats, the Mother of the Year award and more. The Tulip Festival is set against a backdrop of more than 140,000 vibrant tulips. May 10, May 11 and May 12.
Lupine Festival
Albany is widely-known for tulips, but the Albany Pine Bush Preserve is transformed into fields of violet Lupine flowers each spring. The free annual Lupine Festival showcases the beauty of the Pine Bush through nature walks, hands on activities, live music, games, craft vendors, food, and more! Visitors might even glimpse at the endangered Karner Blue butterfly fluttering among the lupines. May 18.
Capital Pride Parade and Festival
If you can’t make it to World Pride in New York City, experience the Capital Region Pride Festival in Albany instead! Hosted by the Pride Center of the Capital Region (the oldest pride center in the country), it is the largest celebration of pride in Upstate NY. Celebrate the LGBTQ community with a parade in downtown Albany, followed by a free music festival in historic Washington Park. June 9.
Dad Fest
While Tulip Fest is all about the Capital Region’s marvelous mother’s, Dad Fest celebrates the area’s fantastic fathers! Enjoy the newly added Classic Car Show, live music, great food, vendors and more in historic Washington Park. Make this fun festival your family's new Father's Day tradition! June 16.
New York State's 4th of July Celebration
Rock your red, white and blue at the Empire State Plaza for New York State's 4th of July Celebration. This annual Albany tradition includes live entertainment, delicious food vendors, kid-friendly activities, and more! Over 20,000 people gather for this celebration, making it one of the biggest 4th of July celebrations in Upstate New York. The night ends with a dazzling fireworks display over the Empire State Plaza. July 4.
Aurora Games
Celebrate the best in women's sports, entertainment and culture with the first-ever Aurora Games at the Times Union Center. All-star athletes from more than 15 countries will travel to Albany to compete in basketball, tennis, figure skating, gymnastics, ice hockey and beach volleyball. Fans will also enjoy musical performances, food tastings, sports clinics, autograph sessions and seminars in the Aurora Games Fan Zone at the Albany Capital Center. August 20 - 25.
