Weekends in Albany are about to become jam-packed with special events and festivals! As 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.
78th Annual Albany Tulip Festival
May 9 & 10
The 78th Annual Albany Tulip Festival, presented by KeyBank, returns to Washington Park on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10! More than 140,000 tulips in 150 varieties take over the park alongside two stages of live entertainment, dozens of artisans, food vendors, the KidZone, and a newly expanded Wellness Area. Catch the Tulip Queen Coronation on Saturday and the Mother of the Year ceremony on Sunday. Festivities kick off Friday, May 8 with the traditional Dutch street scrubbing in downtown Albany.
Lupine Fest at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve
Throughout the month of May
Lupine Fest is now a month-long celebration at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. Fields of violet lupine and fluttering Karner blue butterflies set the stage for guided hikes, science programs, hands-on activities, a StoryWalk adventure, and special events all month. Grab a Passport Adventure at the Discovery Center and collect stamps for prizes as you explore. Most events are free, with some requiring advance registration.
St. Sophia Greek Festival
May 15 - 17
The 54th Annual St. Sophia Greek Festival is the biggest Greek celebration in Upstate New York. Three days of live Greek music, traditional dancing, homemade food and pastries, the AGORA Marketplace with 35+ vendors, and church tours, all under a giant festival tent at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church on Whitehall Road. Friday runs 6 to 10 PM, Saturday noon to 10 PM, and Sunday noon to 6 PM. Free shuttle service from Manning Boulevard.
518 Day Celebration
May 16
Downtown Albany debuts a brand new tradition celebrating everything that makes the 518 the 518. The day kicks off with the inaugural 518 Day 5.18K (and a Kids 1K) starting at Broadway and Hudson Avenue and finishing at Quackenbush Square. From there, things shift to the Melba Madness Stroll, where 14 downtown spots will be serving up creative bites built around Albany's favorite hometown condiment. A 518 Vendor Village, live music from the Metroland Now Local Music Showcase, and ParkAlbany's “Painting the Night” event round out the day.
Pinkster Celebration at Schuyler Mansion
May 23
Once a colonial Dutch holiday, Pinkster grew into a distinctly African celebration of family, community, and cultural identity. Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site hosts a free Pinkster celebration from 11 AM to 4 PM with musical performances by the Pinkster Players and Jordan Taylor Hill, participatory dance, fabric stamping, arts and crafts, and open house tours of the mansion. Food will be available for purchase from Allie B's Cozy Kitchen.
Alive at Five Summer Concert Series
June 4, 11, 18, 25; July 9, 16
Albany's free outdoor concert series returns Thursdays from 4:30 to 8 PM, June 5 through July 16. Showcasing a diverse lineup of big names, up-and-coming acts and the region’s most talented original artists, Alive at Five offers six weeks of free, critically acclaimed performances catering to nearly every taste.
Shaker Heritage Society Summer Craft Fair
June 13 & 14
The grounds of America's first Shaker settlement become a market of local and regional artisans for the Shaker Heritage Society Summer Craft Fair. Browse handmade goods, take in Shaker-themed crafts and demonstrations, enjoy live music, and grab a treat from local food vendors. Saturday runs 10 AM to 4 PM, Sunday 10 AM to 3 PM. Admission is pay what you will.
Say It Loud! BIPOC Pride
June 13
In Our Own Voices, Inc. marks 20 years of Say It Loud! BIPOC Pride at Washington Park, recognizing the contributions, resilience, and joy of LGBTQ+ Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in the Capital Region. The free, family-friendly celebration features live music and entertainment, a Health & Wellness Expo with culturally responsive resources, a kids' corner, food, and the A Big Gay Market pop-up for queer and gender-expansive makers. BIPOC Pride and the Capital Pride Parade & Festival together make up Albany's main Pride Weekend.
Capital Pride Parade & Festival
June 14
The largest Pride celebration in the Northeast outside NYC and Boston returns to Washington Park, presented by Hannaford Supermarkets. The parade kicks off at 11:30 AM down State Street, onto Lark Street, and ending on Madison Avenue, followed immediately by the festival in Washington Park headlined by GLAAD Media Award winner David Archuleta. Hosted by the Pride Center of the Capital Region, the oldest continuously operating LGBTQ+ community center in the country.
Juneteenth Celebrations
Throughout the month of June
Albany County honors Juneteenth, the federal holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States, with a full month of events celebrating freedom, unity, and Black history and culture. The Alice Moore Black Arts and Cultural Center hosts a Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 20 from 11 AM to 6 PM on Rensselaer Street, with a day of culture, community, music, and vendors. Additional partners across the county will be announcing their celebrations in the weeks ahead, with many returning favorites like the Capital District YMCA's African Heritage Parade. Stay tuned to our social media and blogs for the lineup of events coming soon.
Dad Fest
June 21 (Rain date: June 28)
Spend Father's Day in Washington Park at KeyBank's Dad Fest, the City of Albany's celebration of all the dads. Live music, a Classic Car Show, food vendors, craft beer, and dad-centric retail vendors fill the parade grounds from 10 AM to 6 PM. You don't have to be a dad to enjoy it. Free and open to the public.
Old Songs Festival
June 26, 27 & 28
The 46th Annual Old Songs Festival returns to the Altamont Fairgrounds for three days of folk, traditional, Celtic, and world music and dance. Performances span three main stages alongside more than 100 daytime workshops, jam sessions, juried crafts, family activities, and reserved camping. A long-running Capital Region tradition for fans of music with roots.
Altamont Fair
August 18 to 23
The Altamont Fair returns August 18 through 23 for its longest-running summer tradition in Albany County. Spread across more than 138 acres at the Altamont Fairgrounds, the fair features the Royal Hanneford Circus, demolition derby, midway rides, agricultural exhibits, fair food, live music, and the Miss Altamont Fair Pageant. Most attractions are free with gate admission.
