A retailer in downtown Albany that has expanded in both size and scope was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on, Small Business Saturday, November 27, 2021.

The second Downtown Albany Hot Chocolate Stroll takes place Saturday, December 11 from Noon-4:00 PM.

A restaurant that serves exclusively vegan meals was welcomed to downtown Albany on November 19, 2021.

DeCrescente Distributing Company and the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) present the Downtown Thanks You safe ride program from November 24 to 28, 2021.

B. Lodge & Co. presents Shop & Savor smAlbany, two weeks of promotions celebrating and showcasing downtown Albany's independent businesses this holiday season.

Skip the stress of preparing for Thanksgiving and focus more on family time this year, with multiple Downtown restaurants offering dine-in and to-go options, and beautiful centerpieces available, and an opportunity to help those in need. 

What's new, exciting, and intriguing in Downtown? Read all about it with our weekly e-newsletter, Links! Sign up to get info on upcoming events, news from our District, and get an inside look at Downtown businesses. Plus, we'll never share your info or spam you (unless you think bad puns are spam... then we can make no promises).

Downtown’s public art has grown by more than 1,000-square-feet following the addition of a Capital Walls mural by artist Free Humanity completed on Sunday, October 24. The mural was funded as part of Albany’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) award, through which Albany Center Gallery received a $72,000 award for the Capital Walls mural project to add four mu

For something sweet, something spooky, or something to dance to, check out what downtown Albany businesses are serving up for Halloween 2021, and as always, you can view our full event calendar right here.

Ongoing:

Happy Howl-o-ween! On Saturday, October 23, ghoulish golden retrievers, devilish dachshunds, and terrifying terriers will return to roam the streets of downtown Albany for the BID's annual dog trick-or-treating event: Hounds of Halloween! Dress up your pup for the Costumed Canine Contest and stop by local businesses for unique Halloween treats for pups and people.

During the Downtown Albany BID's Annual Meeting on September 29, Cornelius D. Murray, Esq., O’Connell & Aronowitz Shareholder, was awarded the 2021 James M. DiNapoli Award. Created in 2013 in honor of founding member and inaugural Chairman of the Downtown Albany BID, the Award is presented to an individual, organization, or business that exemplifies Mr.

Two years after signing the lease for the space, and nearly 100 years after the historic Rain-Bo Room first opened its doors, The Kenmore Ballroom was welcomed to downtown Albany with a ribbon cutting ceremony on September 16, 2021.

SEFCU presents PearlPalooza, downtown Albany’s highly-anticipated, FREE, all-ages music festival, returns to N Pearl Street for its 12th year on Saturday, September 18 from 12:00 - 6:00 PM.

MVP Health Care presents YogaPalooza 2021, the Capital Region's only FREE, streetwide mass yoga event.

Just before the PearlPalooza music festival, a team of instructors from The Hot Yoga Spot will instruct and assist this free 60-minute yoga class that is perfect for all levels.

Please join the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District at our Annual Meeting at the Kenmore Rooftop on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 3:00 PM. 

The "Celebrating the Familiar" exhibit has ended. For more information on current public art offerings in Downtown, visit downtownalbany.org/publicart.  

A space dedicated to highlighting local artists across mediums, Etrice Gallery was welcomed to downtown Albany with a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 15, 2021. 

The Downtown Albany Gift Card makes it easy for all of us to play an important role in boosting the local economy and strengthening our community.

Join friends, neighbors, and coworkers for a free, all-levels yoga class on the beautiful lawn at downtown Albany's SUNY Plaza Park, Saturdays in August from 10 AM - 11 AM and Wednesdays in September from 12 - 1 PM.

A vibrant new bodega that got its name from the common internet search to locate something to eat nearby, Food Near Me features fresh produce, lunch specials, smoothies, and household items. 

Is patio season the best season? We like to think so, and with so many places to choose from you're invited to sit back, relax, and take in the view whether you're about to enjoy a meal or a manicure. Here's a list of all the places that'll have you saying pati-ooooh yeah this is awesome:

The dream of two sisters has come to fruition following the opening of STUDIO23 in downtown Albany. The hair and nail salon is named for co-owners Christina and Crystal Mallett's birth order, what those numbers represent, and a beloved Bible scripture.

Exciting Bites Camera Action update: based on Governor Cuomo's June 15 announcement and updated New York State COVID-19 safety guidance, pre-registration requirements have been removed for Bites Camera Action.

It's your Downtown - increase your impact!

Split The Bill NY is a charitable initiative that aims to drive business to local restaurants dealing with the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, announced the next phase of their campaign.

The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District is collecting community feedback information on how consumers are engaging with businesses within our District. We will use this data to inform our retail and retail-related businesses and restaurants about consumer insights and habits.

Mother's Day (May 9, 2021 for those who are unsure) may look a little different this year, but that won't keep us from celebrating mom! Downtown restaurants and retailers are here to help you honor these wonderful women.

Join us on Saturday, April 24, 2021 for two Earth Day neighborhood clean-ups. We'll start at the Olde English Downtown Dog Park (119 N.

The prize period for the Artful Albany Spring Scavenger Hunt has ended. You can still play along on your own time by downloading the clue sheet here and hunting down the pictured artwork.

Please note the deadline for this RFP has passed.

The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) is seeking proposals for website redesign and development, with submissions due by 3:00 PM on April 23, 2021. Questions in relation to the RFP will be addressed via email through Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 3:00 PM.

Through in-person or online services and dine-in or meals enjoyed at home, Downtown churches and restaurants are working to ensure your souls and stomachs are well nourished this Holy Week. Remember to shop Downtown to help fill those Easter baskets, too!

Governor Cuomo announced in mid-March that construction on the Albany Skyway, the region's first elevated park, will begin this month and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021. 

May the road rise up to meet you this St. Patrick's Day! From a virtual parade to great dining specials, there are plenty of ways to celebrate this year. Reservations recommended for St. Patrick's Day dining; find a full list of Downtown dining destinations here. 

Those seeking to work in downtown Albany now have another option, as Novel Coworking was officially welcomed to downtown Albany with a ribbon cutting ceremony at their 69 State Street location. 

Through a partnership between ParkAlbany and The City of Albany, special free Curbside Pick-Up parking zones are available for customers picking up orders from Downtown restaurants and retailers.

The National Lacrosse League has announced that a new professional indoor lacross team will be based at the Times Union Center, with games slated to begin in December 2021.

Please note that the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 16, 2021 has been canceled. 

Free to attend for all downtown Albany residents! Register to play here.

The African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region hosts Black History Month activities February 3-26, 2021 with both virtual and in-person offerings.

February is Albany County Restaurant Appreciation Month, and all month long your support of Downtown eateries could win you a great takeout care package. 

We invite you to support - today and every day - the Black-owned businesses and organizations in downtown Albany. These leaders of their industries offer a wide array of services and through them you can master a new yoga pose, enjoy an incredible meal, experience meaningful exhibits and programs, and sport new clothes, accessories, and hairdos.

If there was ever a year to express love, it is this one. For gifts, cards, meals, and more head to - or order from - your favorite Downtown businesses that also need your love.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, financial assistance in the form of loans and grants have been made available to businesses and non-profit organizations. Below is a list of currently available funding opportunities, and resources that can provide additional information and assistance. 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

As small businesses have experienced major economic impacts related to COVID-19, state-mandated restrictions, and winter weather, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (DABID) is making one-time, forgivable loans of up to $2,500 available for eligible small businesses.

For over three decades the Business Review has been releasing the Book of Lists, a go-to publication in doing business for anything from job-seekers to CEOs looking for bids on an upcoming project.

There's no shortage of ways to support local Downtown businesses and organizations this holiday season, and for those last minute shoppers, here are the spots where you can shop online, in-store, and more.

As with so many things, Covid postponed the Downtown Albany BID's Board elections and Annual Meeting. We are pleased now, though, to present this video recapping 2019, a year that saw the State announce over $40 million in grants for projects in our District and immediately adjacent, substantial growth of residential, and a broad range of businesses open in Downtown.

We are grateful to share that Downtown businesses have been able to return to regular hours and services, so we have removed the directory here of what is open and when.