Albany is bustling this time of year! Between holiday shopping and festive events, there is a lot going on. Scroll on for a list of free and frugal events for December 20 - 22.
Friday, December 20
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
Happy Hour
Location: MezzaNotte
Address: 2026 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203
Time: 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
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
Winter Solstice Hike
Location: Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission
Address: 195 New Karner Rd, Albany, NY 12205
Time: 6:00 PM
Price: Free! Reservations required
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
Annie
Presented By: Park Playhouse
Location: Cohoes Music Hall
Address: 58 Remsen St, Cohoes, NY 12047
Time: 7:00 PM
Price: $22 Adults; $12 Under 12
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 21
Ten Broeck Mansion Holiday House Children's Story Hour and Craft
Location: Albany County Historical Association-Ten Broeck Mansion
Address: 9 Ten Broeck Place, Albany, NY 12210
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Price: Free
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
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.
Saturday Star Shows
Presented By: Discover Albany Visitors Center
Location: Henry Hudson Planetarium
Address: 25 Quackenbush Square, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 11:00 AM & 1:00 PM
Price: $3 all seats
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
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
Annie
Presented By: Park Playhouse
Location: Cohoes Music Hall
Address: 58 Remsen St, Cohoes, NY 12047
Time: 2:00 PM/7:00 PM
Price: $22 Adults; $12 Under 12
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
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
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
POPA CHUBBY
Location: Skyloft
Address: 1 Crossgates Mall Rd., Suite 200, Albany, NY 12203
Time: 8:00 PM
Price: $25.00 - $30.00
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 22
Barre at the Bar with Best Fitness
Location: City Line Bar and Grill
Address: 1200 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12203
Time: 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Price: FREE
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 12302
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
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
Owl Investigation
Location: Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission
Address: 195 New Karner Rd, Albany, NY 12205
Time: 1;00 PM
Price: Free, registration required
Carriage Rides
Location: Stuyvesant Plaza, Inc.
Address: 1475 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203
Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Price: Free
Annie
Presented By: Park Playhouse
Location: Cohoes Music Hall
Address: 58 Remsen St, Cohoes, NY 12047
Time: 2:00 PM/7:00 PM
Price: $22 Adults; $12 Under 12
Ten Broeck Mansion Holiday House Musicians of Ma' Alwyck
Location: Albany County Historical Association-Ten Broeck Mansion
Address: 9 Ten Broeck Place, Albany, NY 12210
Time: 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Price: $25.00/$20.00 for ACHA Members
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
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
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
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, Albany
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.
