Downtown Albany
Celebrate the 518!
Get ready for a day full of family-friendly fun, from a first-of-its-kind road race and live local music to a 518-themed Vendor Village, Melba Madness Stroll, Sidewalk Chalk Competition, and more. This event brings the community together to celebrate everything that makes this region of New York special. Don’t miss out!
518 Day 5.18K I 8:30 AM-10 AM
Broadway & Hudson Ave.
Nothing says hometown pride quite like a road race. We’re taking it a step further with a 5.18K through downtown Albany—a nod to the Capital Region’s 518 roots (and area code). Join us on Saturday, May 16 (since May 18 falls on a Monday, and nobody wants that) and help us kick off a new community tradition celebrating everything that makes our region of New York State special, co-produced by the Downtown Albany BID, Cap City Runners, and Common Roots Brewing Company.
Race Registration
Get ready to celebrate the 518! Click here to register today.
Runners who register in advance will receive a commemorative T-shirt and a ticket for one free beer courtesy of Common Roots Brewing Company. (Must be 21+ with a valid ID. T-shirts are first-come, first-served.) Kids who are registered in advance will receive a commemorative T-shirt and a medal! (T-shirts are first-come, first-served.)
- $25 Adults I $10 Kids Early Bird Registration: Register by Saturday, April 17
- $30 Adults I $12 Kids Regular Registration: Register by Wednesday, May 15
- $40 Adults I $15 Kids In-Person Registration: Register in person on May 16
Race Details
An original 5.18K (just over 3.2 miles) honoring the Capital Region and our 518 zip code! The race will kick off in downtown Albany — stay tuned for racecourse details. This is a chip-timed race with awards for top finishers.
518 Vendor Village I 10 AM-3:00 PM
11 Clinton Ave, Clinton Market Collective & 19 Quackenbush Square, Courtyard
Enjoy a market filled with vendors selling 518-themed gifts and goods at Clinton Market Collective and Quackenbush Square. We're seeking vendors of merchandise that celebrate Albany, NY, and the greater Capital Region. Apply today.
Examples of theme-fitting products include:
- Albany or Capital Region-themed apparel and accessories, especially handmade products by local artisans
- Greeting cards featuring photography, artwork or designs showing the Hudson Valley's scenic natural landscape, Albany's historic architecture, or other iconic Capital Region imagery
- Mugs, coasters, pottery, and/or other household goods featuring Albany or Capital Region-centric imagery or themes
- Paintings, prints, or other visual art depicting imagery or exploring themes related to Albany and/or the Capital Region
Melba Madness I 12 PM-4 PM
Participating locations
Sample small bites featuring Albany’s signature Melba sauce—a sweet, tangy raspberry staple often paired with mozzarella sticks across the Capital Region. This competition spans 10+ downtown restaurants, each serving a small plate with their own take on Melba sauce.
At every location, collect a stamp or unique mark on your passport. Gather 10 or more to be entered into a random drawing to win a pair of tickets to the Hot Chocolate Stroll on Saturday, December 5, 2026 (a $50+ value). Five winners will be selected and contacted by Wednesday, May 27.
Tickets
$30 in advance I $40 day of
Check in at Clinton Market Collective (11 Clinton Ave.)
Participating businesses
Stay tuned for more details!
- A Slice of That I 123 Madison Ave
- City Beer Hall I 42 Howard Street
- Loch & Quay I 414 Broadway
- Stacks Espresso Bar I 488 Broadway
- Hilton Albany I 40 Lodge St
- The Hollow Bar + Kitchen I 79 N Pearl St
- Viva Empanadas I 90 N Pearl St
- Jack's Oyster House I 42 State St
- Ophelia's on Broadway I 388 Broadway
- Rii'Laxx Tavern I 4 Sheridan Ave
- The Yard: Sports Bar & Hatchet House I 16 Chapel St
Paint the Night I 5 PM-9 PM
19 Quackenbush Square, Courtyard
Celebrate 10 years of public art with ParkAlbany, Albany Barn, and Albany Center Gallery! After 518 Day wraps up, head to Quackenbush Square and experience an energetic and artistic evening in Downtown, filled with amazing art, artists, and featuring:
- Live Mural Painting: Downtown Albany’s newest murals will come to life during the event as muralists work their artistic magic on the walls of the Quackenbush Garage.
- Albany Barn Inc’s Artist Alley: Take a stroll through Quackenbush Square and explore a selection of local artists demonstrating and/or selling their art. Artist announcements coming soon!
- Unveiling of New Up-Cycled Parking Meters: A yearly project that began in 2023, in coordination with ParkAlbany and the Albany Barn, where local artists bring new life to decommissioned parking meters by transforming them into public art.
- Live Fire Dancing: The “Danger Dame of the Flame” Opal Raven will ignite the night with two high-octane performances.
- Roaming Circus Performances: The Chalk Gremlin Circus Company will bring their “mildly chaotic but always entertaining” energy to Quackenbush Square.
- Plus: Live music, photo ops, free popcorn and more!
Sponsors
The Downtown Albany BID thanks Cap City Runners, Common Roots Brewing Company, CS Arch, Fort Orange General Store, Metroland Now, and the City of Albany for their support.
