Have a holly jolly weekend! There are still a multitude of holiday celebrations and festivities happening to get you in the holiday spirit! From the Santa Speedo Sprint, the brunches with Santa, to the Magic of Christmas by the Albany Symphony, there is something everyone will enjoy. Keep reading for more free and frugal events for December 13 - 15.
Friday, December 13
Weekday Tours of the New York State Capitol
Location: New York State Capitol
Address: Washington Ave and State St, Albany, NY 12242
Time: 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM
Price: Free
Free Tours and Tastings at Riverside Maple Farms
Location: Riverside Maple Farms
Address: 7152 Amsterdam Rd, Glenville, NY 12302
Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Price: Free
Happy Hour at Warehouse Grill & BBQ
Location: Warehouse Grill & BBQ
Address: 219 Wolf Rd., Albany, NY 12205
Time: 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Happy Hour at UNO!
Location: UNO Pizzeria & Grill
Address: Crossgates Mall, 120 Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12203
Time: 3:00 PM -7:00 PM and 9:00 PM – Close
Price: Half-priced apps and drinks specials in the bar
Happy Hour at the Tavern
Location: The Tavern
Address: 660 Albany-Shaker Rd, Albany, NY 12211
Time: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Price: Free
Annual Shoppers Night
Location: Grapevine Farms
Address: 2373 State Route 7, Cobleskill, NY 12043
Time: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Price: FREE
Happy Hour
Location: MezzaNotte
Address: 2026 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203
Time: 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Fort Orange Holiday Market
Presented By: Fort Orange General Store
Location: Arcade Building
Address: 488 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Price: Free
Capital Holiday Lights in the Park
Location: Washington Park
Address: State and Willet Streets, Albany, NY 12210
Time: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Price: $22/vehicle
Friday Night Wine Tastings
Location: Capital Wine Albany
Address: 348 State Street, Albany, NY 12210
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Price: Free tasting!
Live Music Every Friday & Saturday Night at Emack & Bolio's!
Location: Emack & Bolio's
Address: 366 Delaware Ave, Albany, NY 12209
Time: 7:00 PM
Disney On Ice
Location: Times Union Center (TUC)
Address: 51 S Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 7:00 PM
Price: Tickets start at $20 + fees
It's A Wonderful Life Live From WVL Radio Theatre
Location: Capital Repertory Theatre
Address: 111 N. Pearl St., Albany, NY 12207
Time: 8:00 PM
Price: Tickets starting at $27
Fresh Squeeze Fridays
Location: City Beer Hall
Address: 42 Howard St., Albany, NY 12207
Time: 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Price: Free
Saturday, December 14
Frozen Breakfast with Elsa and Anna
Location: Grapevine Farms
Address: 2373 State Route 7, Cobleskill, NY 12043
Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Price: $12.00 Children ages 2 and up$15.00 Adults
Brunch with Santa
Location: Innovo Kitchen
Address: 1210 Troy Schenectady Rd., Latham, NY 12110
Time: Seatings at 9:30, 11:00, 12:30 & 2PM
A Second Chance Thrift Shop
Location: American Italian Heritage Museum & Cultural Center
Address: 1227 Central Ave., Albany, NY 12205
Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
The Mac Factor at Riverside Maple Farms
Location: Riverside Maple Farms
Address: 7152 Amsterdam Rd, Glenville, NY 12302
Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Gaelic Football Youth Clinics
Location: James Connolly Albany Rebels Gaelic Football Club
Address: The Armory at Sage, 130 New Scotland Avenue, 12208, Albany, NY 1220
Time: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Price: Free Admission for boys and girls ages 8-16
Free Tours and Tastings at Riverside Maple Farms
Location: Riverside Maple Farms
Address: 7152 Amsterdam Rd, Glenville, NY 12302
Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Price: Free
Art for All
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Address: 125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210
Time: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Price: Included with museum admission
Disney On Ice
Location: Times Union Center (TUC)
Address: 51 S Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 11:00 AM/3:00 PM/7:00 PM
Price: Tickets start at $20 + fees
Fort Orange Holiday Market
Presented By: Fort Orange General Store
Location: Arcade Building
Address: 488 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Price: Free
Saturday Tours of the New York State Capitol
Location: New York State Capitol
Address: Washington Ave and State St, Albany, NY 12242
Time: 11:00 AM & 1:00 PM
Price: Free! Registration required.
Lego Day
Location: miSci Museum of Innovation and Science
Address: 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308
Time: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Price: Children (3-12) $8.00, Adults (13+) $12.00, Seniors Citizens (65+) $10.00, Children under 3 - free, Planetarium Shows: an additional $6.00 per person, Classes with LEGO Master Builder Ian Coffey: an additional $10 per child
CO-ED Gaelic Football Indoor Training Sessions
Location: James Connolly Albany Rebels Gaelic Football Club
Address: 20 Frisbie Ave, Albany, NY 12209
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Price: Free Admission
Santa Speedo Sprint 14!
Presented By: Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy (ASAP)
Location: Lark Street
Time: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
A Taste Of Lark: Chili & Chowder Edition
Presented By: Lark Street BID
Location: Lark Street
Time: 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Price: No fee for entry
New York State Education Tours
Location: The Education Building of the State of New York
Address: Front Steps, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY
Time: 12:30 PM & 2:30 PM
Price: FREE
Carriage Rides
Location: Stuyvesant Plaza, Inc.
Address: 1475 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203
Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Price: Free
Ten Broeck Mansion Holiday House Tea
Location: Albany County Historical Association-Ten Broeck Mansion
Address: 9 Ten Broeck Place, Albany, NY 12210
Time: Tea Settings Offered at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM
Price: $20.00 for all
Craft and Cocoa
Location: Huyck Preserve Eldridge Research Center
Address: 284 Pond Hill Road, Rensselaerville, NY 12147
Time: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Price: $5 suggested donation non-members; members and children under 12 free.
The Nutcracker- Albany Berkshire Ballet
Location: The Egg
Address: Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223
Time: 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Price: $41 adults, $26 child
Happy Hour at Warehouse Grill & BBQ
Location: Warehouse Grill & BBQ
Address: 219 Wolf Rd., Albany, NY 12205
Time: 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Albany Distilling Tours
Location: Albany Distilling Co., Inc.
Address: 75 Livingston Ave., Albany, NY 12207
Time: 3:00 PM
Magic of Christmas
Presented By: Albany Symphony Orchestra
Location: Palace Performing Arts Center
Address: 19 Clinton Avenue, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Price: Tickets starting at $30
Greetings by Tom Dudzick
Location: Curtain Call Theatre
Address: 1 Jeanne Jugan Ln, , NY , Latham, NY 12110
Time: 3:00 PM
It's A Wonderful Life Live From WVL Radio Theatre
Location: Capital Repertory Theatre
Address: 111 N. Pearl St., Albany, NY 12207
Time: 3:00 PM & 8:00 PM
Price: Tickets starting at $27
The Holidays at PS21: Carnegie’s Ensemble Connect, Poulenc and Messiaen
Location: Performance Spaces for the 21st Century (PS21)
Address: 2980 Route 66, Chatham, NY 12037
Time: 5:00 PM
Price: Advance tickets are $25 general/$20 members/$10 students.
Capital Holiday Lights in the Park
Location: Washington Park
Address: State and Willet Streets, Albany, NY 12210
Time: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Price: $22/vehicle
Live Music Every Friday & Saturday Night at Emack & Bolio's!
Location: Emack & Bolio's
Address: 366 Delaware Ave, Albany, NY 12209
Time: 7:00 PM
Dueling Pianos at City Line Bar and Grill
Location: City Line Bar and Grill
Address: 1200 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12203
Time: 9:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Price: FREE
Joe Barna Live
Location: Speakeasy 518
Address: 42 Howard St., Albany, NY 12207
Time: 9:00 PM
90s House Party!
Location: City Beer Hall
Address: 42 Howard St., Albany, NY 12207
Time: 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Price: Free
Sunday, December 15
Breakfast with Santa at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Location: Dinosaur BBQ Troy
Address: 377 River St., Troy, NY 12180
Time: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Brunch with Santa
Location: Innovo Kitchen
Address: 1210 Troy Schenectady Rd., Latham, NY 12110
Time: Seatings at 9:30, 11:00, 12:30 & 2PM
Maple Soft Serve Sundays at Riverside Maple Farms
Location: Riverside Maple Farms
Address: 7152 Amsterdam Rd, Glenville, NY 12302
Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Price: $3
The Mac Factor at Riverside Maple Farms
Location: Riverside Maple Farms
Address: 7152 Amsterdam Rd, Glenville, NY 1230
Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Free Tours and Tastings at Riverside Maple Farms
Location: Riverside Maple Farms
Address: 7152 Amsterdam Rd, Glenville, NY 12302
Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Price: Free
SenseAble Science
Location: Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci)
Address: 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
All Day Happy Hour at UNO!
Location: UNO Pizzeria & Grill
Address: Crossgates Mall, 120 Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12203
Time: All-day
Price: Half-priced apps and drinks specials in the bar
Reel Seafood Sunday Brunch
Location: Reel Seafood Company
Address: 195 Wolf Rd, Albany, NY 12205
Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Baby got, Brunch - Sundays at Lost & Found
Location: Lost & Found Bar & Kitchen
Address: 942 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Howliday Pet Pawrade
Presented By: Altamont Community Traditions
Location: Masonic Temple
Address: 138 Maple Ave., Altamont, NY 12009
Time: 11:45 AM to 12:30 PM
Price: Free
2019 Victorian Holiday Celebration and Wintermarket
Presented By: Altamont Community Tradition
Location: Various locations in Altamont, NY
Time: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Disney On Ice
Location: Times Union Center (TUC)
Address: 51 S Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 12:00 PM/4:00 PM
Price: Tickets start at $20 + fees
Carriage Rides
Location: Stuyvesant Plaza, Inc.
Address: 1475 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203
Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Price: Free
The Nutcracker- Albany Berkshire Ballet
Location: The Egg
Address: Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223
Time: 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Price: $41 adults, $26 child
It's A Wonderful Life Live From WVL Radio Theatre
Location: Capital Repertory Theatre
Address: 111 N. Pearl St., Albany, NY 12207
Time: 2:00 PM
Price: Tickets starting at $27
Sketch Club with Carol Coogan
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Address: 125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210
Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Price: $15.00, $20.00
Happy Hour at Warehouse Grill & BBQ
Location: Warehouse Grill & BBQ
Address: 219 Wolf Rd., Albany, NY 12205
Time: 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM
The Many Moods of Christmas: Christmas Around the World
Location: Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
Address: 30 Second Street, Troy, NY 12180
Time: 3:00 PM
ESYO Wind Orchestra
Presented By: Empire State Youth Orchestra
Location: Massry Center, College of St. Rose
Address: 1002 Madison Ave, Albany, NY 12208
Time: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Price: Suggested Price: $10
Capital Holiday Lights in the Park
Location: Washington Park
Address: State and Willet Streets, Albany, NY 12210
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Price: $22/vehicle
ESYO Percussion Ensembles
Presented By: Empire State Youth Orchestra
Location: Massry Center, College of St. Rose
Address: 1002 Madison Ave, Albany, NY 12208
Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Price: Suggested Price: $10
Sunday Night Blues Jam
Location: McGeary's Irish Pub
Address: 4 Clinton Square, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 7:30 PM – 12:00 AM
Price: Free
Ongoing
Shaker Christmas Craft Fair
From: October 22, 2019 – December 20, 2019
Location: Shaker Heritage Society
Address: 25 Meeting House Road, Albany, NY 12211
Time: Monday through Saturday 10am – 5pm and Thursdays 10am – 8pm
CHEW: Food as Muse
From: November 1, 2019 - December 20, 2019
Presented By: The Sage Colleges
Location: Opalka Gallery
Address: 140 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208
Time: Tuesday - Saturday: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM; Thursdays open until 8:00 PM
Santa Land at Crossgates
From: November 14, 2019 - December 24, 2019
Location: Crossgates
Address: 1 Crossgates Mall Rd, Albany, NY 12203
Time: Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm; Friday & Saturday 10:00 am – 9:00 pm; Sunday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Santa Hours
From: November 14, 2019 - December 24, 2019
Location: Colonie Center Mall
Address: 131 Colonie Center, Albany, NY 12205
Time: Monday through Saturday: 11AM-9PM; Sunday: 11AM-6PM
'An Orphan No More': Recently Discovered Oil Sketch by Anthony Van Dyck
From: September 18, 2019 – December 29, 2019
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Address: 125 Washington Ave, Alban
Time: Sunday, Noon - 5PM; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10AM - 5PM; Thursday, 10AM - 8PM
Price: Included with Museum Admission
The Schuyler Sisters and Their Circle
From: July 20, 2019 - December 29, 2019
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Address: 125 Washington Ave, Albany
Time: Sunday, Noon - 5PM; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10AM - 5PM; Thursday, 10AM - 8PM
Price: Adults: $10, Seniors: $8 Students: $8, Children 6–12: $6, Children under 6: Free
A Brilliant Bit of Color: The Work of Walter Launt Palmer
From: June 22, 2019 - December 29, 2019
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Address: 125 Washington Ave, Albany
Time: Sunday, Noon - 5PM; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10AM - 5PM; Thursday, 10AM - 8PM
Price: Adults: $10, Seniors: $8 Students: $8, Children 6–12: $6, Children under 6: Free
Special Exhibit Room: Buon Natale Christmas Traditions
From: November 28, 2019 - December 30, 2019
Location: American Italian Heritage Museum & Cultural Center
Address: 1227 Central Ave., Albany, NY 12205
Time: Monday, Thursday & Friday 11:-2:00; Saturday 1pm to 4:00
Price: Adults $5 Seniors (over 65) $4 Students $3 Children (12 years & under) Free
People of New York Exhibition
From: March 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Location: New York State Capitol
Address: Washington Ave and State St, Albany, NY 12242
Time: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Price: FREE
1969 Exhibition
From: May 9, 2019 - January 3, 2020
Presented By: New York State Office of General Services
Location: Vietnam Memorial Gallery, Robert Abrams Building for Law and Justice, Empire State Plaza
Address: 100 S Mall Arterial, Albany, NY 12242
Time: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Price: FREE
"EMBODY"
From: August 31, 2019 - January 19, 2020
Presented By: Union College
Location: Mandeville Gallery at Union College
Address: Nott Memorial, 807 Union Street, Schenectady, 12308
Time: Daily, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Price: Free and Open to the Public
Insatiable: Cooking Up Innovation
From: October 12, 2019 - January 19, 2020
Location: Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci)
Address: 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308
Time: Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Sunday 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Price: Adults $12: Children 3 - 12 $8, Seniors 65+ $10
Wikoff Student Gallery: "The Weight of This: Femininity and Sexual Assault on Campus"
From: September 7, 2019 - February 7, 2020
Presented By: Mandeville Gallery at Union College
Location: Wikoff Student Gallery, Nott Memorial Union College
Address: 807 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308
Time: Daily, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Price: Free!
Patterns of Engagement
From: November 20, 2019 - March 2, 2020
Presented By: Albany International Airport Art & Culture Program
Location: Albany International Airport Gallery
Address: Albany Shaker Road, Albany, NY 12110
Price: Free
A Small Fort, Which Our People Call Fort Orange
From: May 5, 2018 – May 5, 2020
Location: New York State Museum
Address: 222 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12230
Time: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
I Love Cars Exhibit
From: November 2, 2019 - May 31, 2020
Location: Saratoga Automobile Museum
Address: 110 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Time: OPEN 10AM-5PM: January - March: Wednesday - Sunday | April - December: Tuesday - Sunday
Price: Adults $8.50; Students (17+ with ID) $6; Senior Adults $6; Children 6 - 16 $4; Children under 6 Free
Equality Will Never Be Silent Exhibition
Location: New York State Capitol
Address: Washington Ave and State St, Albany, NY 12224
Time: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Price: FREE
Hudson River School
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Address: 125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210
Time: Sunday, Noon - 5PM; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10AM - 5PM; Thursday, 10AM - 8PM
Price: Members: Free, Adults: $10, Seniors: $8, Students: $8 (must present ID), Children 6–12: $6, Children under 6: Free
Traders and Culture: Colonial Albany and the Formation of American Identity
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Address: 125 Washington Ave. Albany, NY 12210
Time: Sunday, Noon - 5PM; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10AM - 5PM; Thursday, 10AM - 8PM
Price: Members: Free, Adults: $10, Seniors: $8, Students: $8 (must present ID), Children 6–12: $6, Children under 6: Free
Ancient Egypt
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Address: 125 Washington Ave Albany, NY 12210
Time: Sunday, Noon - 5PM; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10AM - 5PM; Thursday, 10AM - 8PM
Price: Members: Free, Adults: $10, Seniors: $8, Students: $8 (must present ID), Children 6–12: $6, Children under 6: Free
Ice Ages
Location: New York State Museum
Address: Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230
Time: Daily (except Mondays), 9:30AM-5:00PM
Nineteenth-Century American Sculpture
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Address: 125 Washington Ave Albany, NY 12210
Time: Sunday, Noon - 5PM; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10AM - 5PM; Thursday, 10AM - 8PM
Price: Members: Free, Adults: $10, Seniors: $8, Students: $8 (must present ID), Children 6–12: $6, Children under 6: Free
Whole New Ballgame Exhibit
Location: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Address: 25 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326
Recurrence: Recurring daily
For these and other events, check out our event calendar here.
