Free things to do in Albany this summer: in and around Downtown
38 Free Events, Activities, Concerts, and More
Whether you’re into health and wellness, history and art, music and culture, or any old free event – we have a list for you! Downtown Albany is at the core of dozens of free events this summer, and this list is just the beginning. We will update it as we learn of other free events in the Downtown neighborhood and surrounding areas.
FITNESS
Cap City Community Group Run/Walk
Where: Downtown Albany
When: Every Thursday at 6:45 PM & every Saturday at 7:00 AM
Details: Cap City Runners - We Run 518! | Facebook
Downtown Albany BID: State Street Yoga Series
Where: SUNY Plaza
When: June & July, Saturdays at 10:00 AM
Details: Bring a mat, sunscreen, and water, our certified instructors will bring the flow. Register here.
Fitness Plaza
Where: Empire State Plaza
When: June 4-August 29, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:00 PM
Details: https://empirestateplaza.ny.gov/fitness
Free Community Workout
Where: Downtown Nutrition Albany (27 N. Pearl Street)
When: June 27 at 6:00 PM
Details: All fitness levels welcome! Bring a yoga mat & water. DM to register: @coachedbytamika (Instagram) @TamikaPickett (Facebook).
Omni Fitness Center Complimentary Free Pass (One day only)
Where: Omni Fitness Center (54 State Street)
When: Monday–Thursday: 6:30 AM- 8:30 AM, 11:00 AM-1:30 PM, and 4:00 PM-6:30 PM, and Friday from 7:00 AM-2:00 PM
Details: One-time free pass. Details here: FREE ONE DAY GUEST MEMBERSHIP - OMNI FITNESS CENTER
WELLNESS
Albany County Farmers Market
Where: Outside MVP Arena, (51 S Pearl Street)
When: July 14-September 29, Sundays from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Details: A vibrant, open-air market series that provides our neighbors with fresh, high-quality food and artisan goods sourced from local farmers and producers. Learn more here.
Empire State Plaza Farmers Market
Where: Empire State Plaza
When: Wednesdays, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Details: Empire State Plaza Farmers Market | Visit the Empire State Plaza & New York State Capitol (ny.gov)
EDUCATIONAL
1776 and the Irish
Where: Irish American Historical Museum
When: Tuesday, July 30 at 7:00 PM
Details: Learn more here.
Irish American Historical Museum
Where: 21 Quackenbush Square
When: Wednesday - Sunday from 11:00 AM-4:00 PM
Details: Free for visitors. Irish American Heritage Museum (irish-us.org)
New York State Museum
Where: 222 Madison Avenue
When: Open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:30 AM-5:00 PM
Details: Free for visitors. Donations encouraged. Welcome to the New York State Museum | The New York State Museum (nysed.gov)
The Redemption of the Lion of Manhattan
Where: Irish American Historical Museum
When: Tuesday, July 9 at 6:00 PM
Details: Learn more here.
Van Ostrande-Radliff House Tours
Where: Historic Albany Foundation (48 Hudson Avenue)
When: First Fridays of the month. Tours start at 5:30 PM & 6:00 PM.
Details: Registration Required. Learn more.
Walkabout Wednesdays
Where: Historic Albany Foundation (89 Lexington Avenue)
When: Third Wednesday of every month from May to September from 5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Details: An ever-popular monthly architecture tour around Downtown Albany. These events fill up quickly. Call 518.465.0876 ext. 110, or email [email protected] to book your place. Learn more.
MUSIC
2000s Hip Hop Nite and Night Shift
Where: The City Beer Hall (42 Howard Street)
When: Select Fridays and Saturdays, at 11:00 PM
Details: Music at Charlie’s Loft. RSVP for free entrance. Our Events | The City Beer Hall
Alive at Five
Where: Jennings Landing
When: June 6 - August 1 (excluding July 4), Thursdays from 4:30 PM-8:00 PM
Details: A Free Summer Concert Series with performances by Vannessa Carlton, Upstate Reggae Possie, DJ Show, and more. Learn more here.
Blues Jam
Where: McGeary’s Irish Pub (4 Clinton Square)
When: Sunday Nights
Details: Blues Jam (downtownalbany.org)
Live Performances
Where: 677 Prime (677 Broadway)
When: Select Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. 6:00 PM-9:00 PM.
Details: https://www.677prime.com/promotions/live-entertainment
Live Jazz
Where: Sushi by Bou (42 Howard Street)
When: Thursday from 7:00 PM-10:00 PM.
Details: Live jazz (downtownalbany.org)
Lunchtime at the Plaza
Where: Empire State Plaza
When: June 5-August 21 from 12:00 PM-1:30 PM
Details: 11 weeks of fun featuring the popular Empire State Plaza Farmer’s Market, the adjacent Plaza food truck program and lunchtime performances that cross all genres. No performances on June 19 or July 3. Learn more here
Summer Music at the Museum
Where: The Albany Institute of History & Art (125 Washington Ave)
When: Select Wednesdays from 5:00 PM-7:00 PM this Summer:
Details: Summer Concert Music Series Returns (albanyinstitute.org)
Traditional Irish Session
Where: The Olde English Pub & Pantry (683 Broadway)
When: First Wednesday of each month, 6:30 PM
Details: Traditional Irish Session (downtownalbany.org)
Tunesday: A Free Lunchtime Music Series
Where: Jim Dinapoli Park
When: July 9-August 27 at 12:00 PM
Details: Grab a bite from your favorite neighborhood spot and enjoy Tunesday in Jim DiNapoli Park at Broadway and Pine St every Tuesday, July 9 through August 27. Performances start at Noon. Learn more here.
ENTERTAINMENT
Community Block Party
Where: Palace Theatre (19 Clinton Ave.)
When: August 10, 12:00 PM-4:00 PM.
Details: Community Block Party (downtownalbany.org)
DJ Trivia
Where: The Excelsior Pub (54 Phillip Street)
When: Every Thursday, 6:00-9:00 PM
Details: Facebook
Karaoke
Where: The War Room (40 Eagle Street)
When: Tuesdays from 9:00 PM-12:00 AM
Details: Karaoke (downtownalbany.org)
Karaoke Night
Where: Ophelias (388 Broadway)
When: Every Wednesday, 8:00 PM
Details: Karaoke Night (downtownalbany.org)
Music Bingo
Where: The City Beer Hall (42 Howard Street)
When: Every Thursday, the game starts at 7:00 PM
Details: Facebook
MVP Kids Day Featuring My Little Pony
Where: West Capitol Park
When: July 13, 2024, 11:00 AM-4:00 PM
Details: MVP Kids Day Featuring My Little Pony™ | Visit the Empire State Plaza & New York State Capitol
New York State Fourth of July Celebration
Where: Empire Plaza
When: July 4, 2024
Details: New York State's Fourth of July Celebration | Visit the Empire State Plaza & New York State Capitol (ny.gov)
Punk Rock Flea Market
Where: Empire Live (93 N Pearl St)
When: August 25 from 11:00 AM-5:00 PM
Details: Punk Rock Flea Market (downtownalbany.org)
Sing Along Saturday
Where: The Excelsior Pub (54 Phillip Street)
When: Every Saturday, 8:00 PM-10:00 PM
Details: Facebook
Summer in the City: Free Family Movies
Where: Palace Theatre (19 Clinton Ave.)
When: Noon on Tuesdays in July and August (except for 8/28, which is a Wednesday)
Details: Get out of the heat and step inside the Palace Theatre for a cool family-friendly movie on our Big Screen. Free tickets are available at the Palace Theatre Box Office. Learn more here.
The Egg Presents: Open House
Where: The Egg (6 Empire State Plaza)
When: August 2, 6:00 PM-8:30 PM
Details: Featuring Ghost-Note, DJ set by Intell Hayesfield, projections by B.A. Miale, and a screening of Black Panther. Check out The Egg and all it has to offer. The Egg Presents: OPEN House (ft. Ghost-Note & a Screening of Black Panther) | The Egg
Trivia Night
Where: The City Beer Hall (42 Howard Street)
When: Every Wednesday, game starts at 7:00 PM
Details: Facebook
Twilight Market
Where: Quackenbush Square
When: Saturday, July 13, August 10, and September 14
Details: FAQ | Albany Twilight Mark (albanytwilightmarket.com)
ART
Bank of America Museums on Us this weekend*
Where: Albany Institute of Art (125 Washington Ave.)
When: First full weekend of every month
Details: For the past 25 years, Bank of America has offered cardholders free general admission. Full Calendar (albanyinstitute.org)
*For Bank of America customers only
PiecedTogether.
Where: Albany Center Gallery (488 Broadway)
When: June 11-July 13, open Tuesday-Saturday: 12:00 PM-5:00 PM
Details: PiecedTogether. (downtownalbany.org)
Summer Art Fest
Where: Albany Center Gallery (488 Broadway)
When: Saturday, July 27 from 2:00 PM-7:00 PM
Details: You won't want to miss this interactive, immersive all-ages arts festival in Downtown Albany coming this Summer. Learn more here SAVE THE DATE: Summer Art Fest | Albany Center Gallery
