Summer may be coming to a close but there is no end in sight to free and frugal events in Albany County! August brings outdoor adventures, the last chance to enjoy some outdoor performances, and of course the annual Altamont Fair. Scroll on for some fun, free and frugal events to attend during the final few weeks of summer!
Week 1: August 1 - August 7
Summer Sampler
Location: Crailo State Historic Site
Date: Begins July 31, runs through August 4
Time: 10 AM to 12 PM
Price: $5 per child per day
Pine Bush Pups: Discover Sand
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Ages: 6 and under with caregiver
Dates: August 1 and August 2
Time: 10 AM to 11 AM
Price: $5 suggested donation
Concerts in the Barn: Get Up Jack
Location: Pruyn House
Date: August 2
Time: 6 PM to 8 PM
Price: Free!
Alive at Five Summer Concert Series: Montell Jordan/ DJ TGIF
Location: Jennings Landing
Date: August 3
Time: 4:30 PM to 8 PM
Price: Free!
Morning Meander: Great Dune
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: August 4
Time: 10 AM
Price: $5 suggested donation
Opening Reception: The Feels
Location: Albany Barn
Date: August 4
Time: 6 PM to 8:30 PM
Price: Free!
First Friday Makers Market
Presented by: Lark Street BID
Location: Trinity Church Parking Lot
Date: August 4
Time: 6 PM to 9 PM
Price: Free!
Bites, Camera, Action: Space Jam
Presented by: Downtown Albany BID
Location: SUNY System Administration Building
Date: August 4
Time: 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Price: Free!
Guided Hike of the Bozen Kill Preserve
Presented by: Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy
Location: Bozen Kill Preserve
Date: August 5
Time: 10 AM to 12 PM
Price: Free! Registration required.
Living History: Plants of South America Family & Art Garden Program
Location: Ten Broeck
Date: August 5
Time: 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Price: Free!
Week 2: August 8 - August 14
Nine PINGO
Location: Nine Pin
Date: August 8
Time: 6 PM to 8 PM
Price: Free!
Bearly Dead (Grateful Dead Cover Band)
Location: Cohoes Music Hall
Date: August 9
Time: 8 PM to 11 PM
Price: $23
Photographing Architecture from the Inside Out
Location: Olana State Historic Site
Date: August 11
Time: 3 PM to 5 PM
Price: $10 for members, $15 for non-members
Art by The Lake
Location: Fenimore Art Museum
Date: August 12
Time: 10 AM to 5 PM
Price: $15 for adults, $12.50 for seniors, free for ages 19 and under
Week 3: August 15 - August 21
The Altamont Fair
Location: Altamont Fairgrounds
Dates: August 15 through August 20
Time: 10 AM to 10 PM, Fair schedule varies by day
Price: $13 general admission ($11 online advance tickets until August 14). Children under 11 years old are free. $25 unlimited ride wristband, single tickets are $1.50. Advance sales and daily specials are available.
Nature Night Out
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: August 16
Time: 4 PM to 7:30 PM
Price: Free!
Wildflower Stroll
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: August 16
Time: 11 AM
Price: $5 suggested donation
Family Scavenger Hunt
Location: Albany Rural Cemetery
Date: August 16
Time: 6 PM to 8 PM
Price: $10 per family
Night at the Museum: A Musical Celebration of Local Artists
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Date: August 17
Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Price: Free!
Live Music Night at Nine Pin
Location: Nine Pin
Date: August 17
Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Price: Free!
Batty for Bats
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: August 17
Time: 7 PM
Price: $5 suggested donation
Living History: Global Explorer Pastport
Location: Ten Broeck
Date: August 19
Time: 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Price: Free!
Community Block Party
Location: Palace Theatre
Date: August 19
Time: 12 PM to 4 PM
Price: Free!
Albany County Farmers Market
Presented by: Downtown Albany BID
Location: MVP Arena
Date: August 20
Time: 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Price: Free!
Week 4: August 22 - August 31
Connect with the Pine Bush
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: August 22
Time: 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Price: $5 suggested donation
Common Nighthawk Watch
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: August 24
Time: 6 PM to 7:30 AM
Price: Free!
Yappy Hour
Location: Colonie Center Mall
Date: August 25
Time: 4 PM to 6 PM
Price: Free!
Got Kids? Children’s Consignment Sale
Location: Altamont Fairgrounds
Dates: August 26 and August 27
Time: Saturday, 8 AM to 6 PM, Sunday 8 AM to 2 PM
Price: Free!
Albany Latin Fest
Location: Washington Park
Date: August 26
Time: 11 AM to 6 PM
Price: Free!
Ongoing Events
Lunchtime Music Series at The Plaza
Location: Empire State Plaza
Dates: Wednesdays until August 16
Time: 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM
Price: Free!
"The Secret Garden" at Park Playhouse
Location: Park Playhouse at the Washington Park Lakehouse
Dates: Tuesdays through Saturday, August 3 to August 19
Time: 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Price: Free!
State Street Yoga
Presented By: Downtown Albany BID
Location: SUNY System Administration Building
Dates: Every Saturday until August 26
Time: 10 AM to 11 AM
Price: Free!
Summer in the City: Free Family Movies
Location: Palace Theatre
Dates: August 2, August 8, August 15, August 22, August 29
Time: 12:00 PM
Price: Free!
Tunesday Lunchtime Live Music
Presented by: Downtown Albany BID
Location: Jim DiNapoli Park
Dates: Every Tuesday until August 29
Time: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Price: Free!
Summer Movie Express
Location: Crossgates
Dates: Every Tuesday and Wednesday until August 30
Time: Mornings, times vary
Price: $2 per ticket
Empire State Plaza Tours
Location: Empire State Plaza
Dates: Monday to Thursday until August 31
Time: 10:00 AM
Price: Free!
"Ride the Plaza" Trolley Tour
Location: Empire State Plaza
Dates: Every Friday until September 1
Time: 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, & 3:00 PM
Price: Free! Reservations required.
Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: 50 Years of Hip Hop Exhibit
Location: Albany Center Gallery
Date: Tuesday to Saturday until September 2
Time: 12 PM to 5:00 PM
Price: Free!
