
Happy 4th of July! Albany County celebrates America's birthday with dazzling firework shows, historic programs, free concerts and more. Keep reading for our guide to Albany's Independence Day events & activities.
Independence Day Aboard USS Slater
Location: USS Slater DE766
Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Price: $14 for Adults, $12 for Veterans & Seniors, $10 for Children 6-17, Children under 5 are free
Celebrate the United States' independence on a vessel that was used to defend our nation during World War II. The USS Slater, the last WWII destroyer escort left afloat in the country, is open for tours on Independence Day.
Independence Day Celebration at Schuyler Mansion
Location: Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site
Time: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Price: Free
Spend this 4th of July at a historic home that stood in Albany during Revolutionary times. Take part in a series of 18th century inspired activities at the site of Revolutionary War General, Philip J. Schuyler's home. Children and families will have the opportunity to sign the Declaration of Independence with quill pens in the "Hands-On History" tent which will also feature crafts and colonial games and toys. Enjoy free Open House tours of the mansion, ice cream, reenactors, and 18th-century demonstrations.
Inde"pond"ence Day
Location: Albany Pine Bush Preserve
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Price: Suggested Donation $5
Children ages 6 and older can enjoy a morning of nature exploration and observation at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. Learn about the creatures who call the pond their home. Make sure to wear long pants and appropriate footwear for mud and water. Pond sampling materials will be provided.
July 4th Oration – New York State's Investment in the Institution of Enslavement and its Legacy Today
Location: The Stephen & Harriet Myers Residence
Time: 11 AM to 1 PM
Price: Free
The annual July 4th Oration, hosted by the Underground Railroad Education Center, invites the community to reflect, connect, and engage through powerful storytelling, history, and art. This year’s program features Lavada Nahon, culinary historian and interpreter of African American history, speaking on New York State’s role in the institution of slavery and its lasting legacy. Community activist Nell Stokes will share her poetry, and artist Maggie D’Aversa will present her storytelling coverlet. The program will be accompanied by a lunch from 12 PM to 1 PM.
New York State's 4th of July Celebration
Location: Empire State Plaza
Time: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Price: Free
Rock your red, white and blue at New York State's 4th of July Celebration at the Empire State Plaza. This annual Albany tradition captivates attendees with live entertainment from local bands, delicious food vendors, a flyover by the 109AW New York Air Guard, and more. The event features fun for the whole family with pony rides and a bounce house. Plus enjoy a headlining act POP 2000 TOUR, hosted by Chris Kirkpatrick of *NSYNC, with O-Town, Ryan Cabrera, and LFO, bringing high-energy hits and boy band nostalgia to the main stage. To cap off the evening of patriotic fun, the night sky is ignited with a brilliant fireworks display. The Empire State Plaza is the place to be in Albany on the 4th of July.