Weekends in Albany are about to become jam-packed with special events and festivals! Once the flowers bloom and the temperatures rise, Albany County is buzzing with floral festivals, exciting special events and cultural celebrations. Scroll on to discover Albany's upcoming festivals and special events that will make your spring and summer unforgettable!
Visit Discover Albany's Calendar of Events for more special events.
Albany Empire
April 23, May 21, June 4, June 26, July 16 & July 23
The Albany Empire is back at the MVP Arena for another season of exhilarating arena football! Cheer on Albany's hometown team as they defend their 2021 National Arena League Championship title. Plus before every home game, South Pearl Street is shut down for a block party. Football fans surge upon downtown Albany for live music, food, beer and more merriment. Albany Empire games are fun for the whole family!
74th Annual Albany Tulip Festival
May 7 & 8
The 74th Annual Albany Tulip Festival returns in-person to Washington Park on Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8! Washington Park transforms into a sea of more than 100,000 tulips during Albany's signature spring celebration. Throughout the two-day festival, enjoy two stages of live music, dozens of artisans, food vendors, kid-friendly activities and tons of tulips, of course. Catch the Tulip Queen Coronation Ceremony on Saturday or the Capital Region Best Moms Award on Sunday! The festival kicks off on Friday, May 6 with a traditional Dutch street scrubbing ceremony in downtown Albany to honor the celebration's Dutch roots.
Don’t forget to post photos of spring blooms (in your backyard or throughout the city!) with the hashtag #518TulipTracker. 518 Tulip Tracker is brought to you by The City of Albany's Office of Cultural Affairs, Discover Albany, Citizens and The City of Albany Department of General Services.
Lupine Fest
May 21
Celebrate the magic of Spring with Lupine Fest at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. Fields of violet Lupine flowers and fluttering Karner Blue butterflies set the stage for visitors to explore the unique preserve in the heart of Albany County. Soak up the beauty of spring at the preserve with nature walks, hands-on activities, live music, games, craft vendors, food, and much more!
Capital Pride Parade & Festival
June 12
Experience Albany's Capital Pride Parade & Festival, the largest celebration of pride in Upstate New York, this June. The parade and festival are hosted by the Pride Center of the Capital Region, the oldest pride center in the United States. The celebration includes a parade in downtown Albany followed a festival in Washington Park to celebrate the LGBTQ community.
Juneteenth
June 18
Celebrate Juneteenth with the African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region! South Pearl Street will be closed from Madison Avenue to Morton Avenue with parking provided at the South End Grocery for the festival. The festivities include food vendors, musical performances, youth activities and much more!
Learn more about New York's relation to Juneteenth with this guest blog post from Paul Stewart, Independent Researcher and Co-founder Underground Railroad Education Center.
Old Songs Festival
June 24, 25 & 26
Tickets are now on sale for the Old Songs Festival this June at the Altamont Fairgrounds. Hosted by Old Songs: Music with Roots, the family-friendly festival celebrates folk, traditional, Celtic and regional music and dance. In addition to performances and concerts, there are a variety of workshops, jam sessions, kid-friendly activities, artisans and more.
Altamont Fair
August 16 to 21
The Altamont Fair returns from August 16 to 21! For over 125 years, the Altamont Fair has been a summer tradition in Albany County. The Altamont Fairgrounds are one of the largest fairgrounds in New York State, sprawling over more than 138 acres. Enjoy 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!
