Cap off the final month of summer by attending not-to-miss events and must-see exhibits in Albany County! From old fashioned county fairs, to world-class art exhibits, to live musical performances, there are events for a wide variety of interests on the calendar. Scroll on for the details on six upcoming August events and exhibits in Albany County, New York.
Visit Discover Albany's Calendar of Events for more.
The Altamont Fair
The Altamont Fair is back from August 17 to 22! For over 125 years, the Altamont Fair has been a tradition in Albany County. The Altamont Fairgrounds are one of the largest fairgrounds in New York State, sprawling over more than 138 acres. Jam to live music, view antique farm machinery, get your thrills on carnival rides, peruse the craft competition and learn about agriculture. The countdown is on for savoring funnel cake and fried dough under the flashing lights of the Midway!
Michelangelo – A Different View
Get an up close glimpse of the most famous fresco in the world with Michelangelo - A Different View, a traveling exhibit of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, on display at the Albany Capital Center. Under the license of the Vatican Museums, the true-to-life reproductions give a unique “different view" of Michelangelo’s masterpieces. Tickets are not timed, so leisurely observe and admire every detail in over 50 pieces, including a 20'x20' painting of the Last Judgement. The exhibit opens at 10:00 AM every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from July 29 to August 23.
Please Note: Tickets MUST be purchased online in advance. No ticket sales are available at the door.
Photo Credit: Fazioli Photography
Capital Concert Series
The Capital Concert Series presented by SEFCU returns to the Empire State Plaza every Wednesday in August! Jam out at a free outdoor concert for a midweek pick-me-up. The lineup includes Ginuwine on August 4, Lit on August 11, Wild Adriatic & Super 400 on August 18 and The Legendary Wailers on August 25. Each concert runs from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM, except for August 11 which will be a full day of fun at the Plaza including live music at lunchtime and in the evening.
New York Capital District Renaissance Festival
Step back in time to days of yore with the 7th annual New York Capital District Renaissance Festival on August 14 to 15. Held in the fields of Indian Ladder Farms against the backdrop of the Helderberg Escarpment, enjoy a weekend of knights, ladies, minstrels, princesses and more. Peruse 45+ artisan vendors, watch live jousts and sword fighting, partake in a pub crawl (21 and over), participate in a costume contest, enjoy a princess tea party and savor the flavors of forgotten foods.
Swan Lake
The Egg Performing Arts Center reopens with a world-class performance of Swan Lake on August 7! The show will be performed by the Ajkun Ballet Theatre, a Manhattan-based professional company that has been resident at The Egg every summer since 2000. Purchase tickets for this enchanting performance to celebrate the reopening of this vital cornerstone of Albany's arts and entertainment scene.
Fashionable Frocks of the 1920s
Save the date for August 28! Fashionistas will flock to the Albany Institute of History & Art for the highly anticipated opening of the Fashionable Frocks of the 1920s exhibit. The upcoming exhibit will showcase 25 rarely-seen dresses from the Albany Institute's historic clothing selection. Exhibit goers will learn about trends of the era and that the fashion of the infamous 1920s goes beyond the quintessential flapper's dress.
