Fall in love with Free and Frugal events this month in Albany County and beyond! As the cool air, changing leaves, and cozy atmosphere of fall settles in, find affordable ways to celebrate the start of the season. September brings favorite fall festivals and plenty of ways to get outdoors and enjoy the crisp autumn weather. Scroll on for free and frugal events taking place each week of September!

Week One: September 1 – September 7  

USS SLATER open for Labor Day
Location: USS SLATER
Date: September 2
Time: 10 AM to 4 PM
Price: $12 for adults, $10 for veterans & seniors, $8 for children, under 5 are free

Discover the Pine Bush at Karner Barrens
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: September 2
Time: 1 PM
Price: Suggested donation $5

Capitol Park After Dark Movie Series: The Thin Man
Location: Empire State Plaza
Date: September 4
Time: 8 PM to 11 PM
Price: Free

Morning Meander: Blueberry Hill East
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: September 6
Time: 10 AM
Price: Suggested donation $5

First Friday at the Albany Institute
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Date: September 6
Time: 5 PM to 6 PM
Price: Free

Pop-Up Book Store
Location: Common Roots Brewing Company
Date: September 6
Time: 5 PM to 8 PM
Price: Free

First Friday Capitol Tours
Location: New York State Capitol
Date: September 6
Time: 5:30 PM
Price: Free

1st Fridays at 48 Hudson
Presented by: Historic Albany Foundation
Location: 48 Hudson
Date: September 6
Time: 5:30 PM & 6 PM
Price: Free

Pop-Up Beer Garden
Location: Opalka Gallery
Date: September 6
Time: 6 PM to 9 PM
Price: Free

Film Screening “Lone Star”
Presented by: NYS Writers Institute
Location: University at Albany
Date: September 6
Time: 7 PM
Price: Free

Living History: Free Family Art, Garden & History Programs
Location: Ten Broeck Mansion
Date: September 7
Time: 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Price: Free

Albany: Crossroads of History – Global Perspectives on the Arts & Gardens
Location: Ten Broeck Mansion
Date: September 7
Time: 11 AM
Price: Free, accepting donations

Wonder Walk
Location: Albany Pine Bush
Date: September 7
Time: 11 AM
Price: Suggested donation $5

Read & Explore: Gallery Tour of the World Trade Center: Rescue, Recovery, Response for Families
Location: New York State Museum
Date: September 7
Time: 11 AM to 12 PM
Price: Free

Macedonia Baptist Church Community Block Party
Location: Macedonia Baptist Church
Date: September 7
Time: 12 PM to 4 PM
Price: Free

Marine Invertebrate Touch Tank
Location: Thacher Park
Date: September 7
Time: 12 PM to 1 PM
Price: Free

Fossil Hunting
Location: Thacher Park
Date: September 7
Time: 1 PM to 2 PM
Price: Free

Watervliet City School District Annual Welcome Back Celebration in partnership with CDPHP Healthy Neighborhood
Location: Watervliet High School
Date: September 7
Time: 1 PM to 4 PM
Price: Free

Overlooking the Geology. Age 16+
Location: Thacher Park
Date: September 7
Time: 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Price: Free

Week Two: September 8 – September 14  

Birds Take Flight
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: September 8
Time: 7 AM
Price: Suggested donation $5

Old Fashioned Sunday
Location: Pruyn House
Date: September 8
Time: 12 PM to 4 PM
Price: Free

Owl Prowl
Presented by: Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy
Location: Bozen Kill Preserve
Date: September 8
Time: 7:30 PM to 9 PM
Price: Free

Monarch Mondays
Location: Pine Hollow Arboretum
Date: September 9
Time: 2 PM to 3 PM
Price: Free

Conversation with Dmitry Bykov and Ian Singleton
Presented by: NYS Writers Institute
Location: University at Albany
Date: September 9
Time: 4:30 PM
Price: Free

Nine Pin Trivia hosted by Typhoid Mary!
Location: Nine Pin
Date: September 10
Time: 6 PM to 8:30 PM
Price: Free

Book Discussion “The Princess of Las Vegas” by Chris Bohjalian
Presented by: NYS Writers Institute
Location: University at Albany
Date: September 10
Time: 7 PM
Price: Free

Story Hour at the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza
Location: Stuyvesant Plaza
Date: September 11
Time: 10 AM to 11 AM
Price: Free. Recommended for ages 0 to 4

Conversation with Samhita Mukhopadhyay
Presented by: NYS Writers Institute
Location: University at Albany
Date: September 12
Time: 4:30 PM
Price: Free

Pop-Up Beer Garden
Location: Opalka Gallery
Date: September 13
Time: 6 PM to 9 PM
Price: Free

Painting at Night Reception
Location: Opalka Gallery
Date: September 13
Time: 6 PM to 9 PM
Price: Free

2024 Harvest Craft Fair
Location: Shaker Heritage Society
Date: September 14 & September 15
Time: 10 AM to 4 PM
Price: Pay what you will

Discussion moderated by Kaylan Buteyn, host of Artist/Mother Podcast
Location: Opalka Gallery
Date: September 13
Time: 6 PM to 9 PM
Price: Free

Buffalo Moon Fall Artisan Market
Location: Lakota’s Farm Wedding and Events
Date: September 14 & September 15
Time: 10 AM to 5 PM
Price: $2. Kids 12 and under are free

Helderberg Hawk Watch
Location: Thacher State Park Overlook
Date: September 14
Time: 10 AM to 3 PM
Price: Free

Clarksville Harvest Market
Location: Clarksville Community Church
Date: September 14
Time: 11 AM to 5 PM
Price: Free

Albany Twilight Market
Location: Quackenbush Square
Date: September 14
Time: 5 PM to 9 PM
Price: Free

Week Three: September 15 – September 21 

2024 Harvest Craft Fair
Location: Shaker Heritage Society
Date: September 14 & September 15
Time: 10 AM to 4 PM
Price: Pay what you will

Buffalo Moon Fall Artisan Market
Location: Lakota’s Farm Wedding and Events
Date: September 14 & September 15
Time: 10 AM to 5 PM
Price: $2. Kids 12 and under are free

EP Release Party Performance by Flutist Melanie Chirignan and Pianist Melinda Faylor
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Date: September 15
Time: 2 PM to 4 PM
Price: Free with museum admission

Gallery Tour Unveiled: Wedding Wear in New York 1910s to 1940s
Location: New York State Museum
Date: September 15 & September 19
Time: Varies
Price: Free

Memoir Discussion: “Five-Dog Epiphany” by Marianne Leone
Presented by: NYS Writers Institute
Location: University at Albany
Date: September 16
Time: 7:30 PM
Price: Free

Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour Visits Albany: Welcoming Remarks and Capitol Tour
Pre-registration required by September 10
Location: New York State Capitol
Date: September 17
Time: 10 AM
Price: Free

Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour Visits Albany: Guided Downtown Tour
Pre-registration required by September 10
Location: Albany Masonic Temple
Date: September 17
Time: 10 AM
Price: Free

Full Moon Hike at Blueberry Hill
Location: Pine Bush Preserve, Trailhead #5 Blueberry Hill West
Date: September 17
Time: 6:30 PM
Price: Suggested donation $5

Fall Concert on the Lawn featuring Theresa Broadwell Quartet
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Date: September 18
Time: 5 PM to 7 PM
Price: Free

Hops & Harvest
Location: Empire State Plaza
Date: September 18
Time: 5 PM to 9 PM
Price: Free

Nine Pin Yarn Swap
Location: Nine Pin Cider
Date: September 19
Time: 6 PM to 8 PM
Price: Free

Pop-Up Beer Garden
Location: Opalka Gallery
Date: September 20
Time: 6 PM to 9 PM
Price: Free

Albany Book Festival 2024
Presented by: NYS Writers Institute
Location: University at Albany
Date: September 21
Time: 10:30 AM to 5 PM
Price: Free

Hawks Overhead!
Location: Thacher State Park Overlook
Date: September 21
Time: 12:30 PM to 4 PM
Price: Free

Overlooking the Geology. Age 16+
Location: Thacher Park
Date: September 21
Time: 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Price: Free

Harvest and Wine Festival
Location: Altamont Fairgrounds
Date: September 21 & September 22
Time: 10 AM
Price: $10. Free for ages 15 and under with paid adult.

Trade Days
Location: Crailo State Historic Site
Date: September 21 & September 22
Time: 11 AM PM to 4 PM
Price: Free

Pearlpalooza 2024
Presented by: Downtown Albany BID
Location: N. Pearl Street
Date: September 21
Time: 11 AM to 7 PM
Price: Free

Week Four: September 22 – September 30 

Harvest and Wine Festival
Location: Altamont Fairgrounds
Date: September 21 & September 22
Time: 10 AM
Price: $10. Free for ages 15 and under with paid adult.

Trade Days
Location: Crailo State Historic Site
Date: September 21 & September 22
Time: 11 AM PM to 4 PM
Price: Free

Free Family Day at the Albany Institute
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Date: September 22 & September 28
Time: 12 PM to 4 PM
Price: Free

Van Schaick Mansion Open House
Location: Nine Pin
Date: September 22
Time: 1 PM to 4 PM
Price: Free. Guided tours available at select times for a $5 donation

Capital Trio
Location: University at Albany
Date: September 22
Time: 4 PM
Price: Varies - $3 to $14

Story Hour at the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza
Location: Stuyvesant Plaza
Date: September 25
Time: 10 AM to 11 AM
Price: Free. Recommended for ages 0 to 4

Conversation with Adelle Waldman author of “Help Wanted”
Presented by: NYS Writers Institute
Location: University at Albany
Date: September 26
Time: 4:30 PM
Price: Free

Drag Me to Nine Pin
Location: Nine Pin Cider
Date: September 26
Time: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Price: Free

Brilliant and Bristly Buckmoths
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: September 27
Time: 11 AM
Price: Suggested donation $5

Excerpts from "Michael & Steve Talk About the End of Life as They Knew It," a play by Michael Kennedy & Steve Swartz
Location: Opalka Gallery
Date: September 27
Time: 7 PM
Price: Free

Fire Ecology and Ethnobotany of the Albany Pine Bush
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: September 28
Time: 10 AM to 1 PM
Price: Suggested donation $5

Schoharie County Fall Festival
Location: Old Stone Fort Museum
Date: September 28
Time: 10 AM to 4 PM
Price: Suggested donation $10 for adults, children free

Tulip Fest: Family Bulb Planting at the Ten Broeck Mansion
Location: Ten Broeck Mansion
Date: September 28
Time: 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Price: Free

Kids' Art Workshop led by RSC MAT Art Education Students
Location: Opalka Gallery
Date: September 28
Time: 1 PM
Price: Free

Moonbow #8
Location: Shaker Heritage Society
Date: September 28
Time: 7 PM to 8:30 PM
Price: Suggested donation $10 or more

Brilliant and Bristly Buckmoths
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: September 29
Time: 1 PM
Price: Suggested donation $5

Page Turner’s Club
Location: Stuyvesant Plaza
Date: September 29
Time: 11 AM
Price: Free. For ages 8 to 12

Wedding & Event Expo
Location: Common Roots Brewing Company
Date: September 29
Time: 12 PM to 4 PM
Price: Free with pre-registration. $10 at door

“There are NO Black Shakers” Contemporary Folk Opera
Location: Shaker Heritage Society
Date: September 29
Time: 5 PM to 7 PM
Price: $15. $12 for Members. $8 for Students. Free for 12 and under

Ongoing Events       

Albany County Farmers Market
Presented by: Downtown Albany BID
Location: MVP Arena
Dates: Every Sunday through September 29
Time: 10 AM to 2 PM
Price: Free

Yoga Beginners Series
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Date: Mondays September 9 to October 28
Time: 11 AM to 1 PM
Price: Free for AIHA Members. $10 for non-members

Albany Nature Bus 2024
Presented by: Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy and CDTA
Location: Multiple Locations
Dates: Saturdays through October 5
Time: Multiple times
Price: Free

Then & Now: Brian Cirmo
Location: Albany Center Gallery
Dates: Tuesday through Saturday, September 6 through October 8
Time: 12 PM to 5 PM
Price: Free

100 Years: We’ll See You Out There
Location: New York State Capitol
Dates: Weekdays
Time: 7 AM to 7 PM
Price: Free