Free things to do in Albany this summer: in and around Downtown
25+ 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 for the summer of 2025, 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: Common Roots Outpost
When: Every Wednesday at 6:00 PM & every Saturday at 8:00 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 3-August 28, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:00 PM
Details: https://empirestateplaza.ny.gov/fitness
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
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
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)
IAHM and Metroland Now-FIRST FRIDAY ALBANY-feat. James Kelly
Where: Irish American Historical Museum (21 Quackenbush Square)
When: Every First Friday
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
Alive at Five
Where: Tricentennial Park
When: June 5 - July 17 (excluding July 3), Thursdays from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
Details: A Free Summer Concert Series. Learn more here.
Blues Jam
Where: McGeary’s Irish Pub (4 Clinton Square)
When: Sunday Nights
Details: Blues Jam (downtownalbany.org)
First Friday by Metroland Now
Where: TBD
When: Friday, August1
Details: Stay tuned for details.
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 July 2nd. Learn more here
Music on the Lawn Summer Series
Where: The Albany Institute of History & Art (125 Washington Ave)
When: Select Wednesdays July-September from 5:00 PM-7:00 PM this Summer:
Details: Summer Concert Music Series Returns (albanyinstitute.org)
Music on the Patio
Where: Loch & Quay (414 Broadway)
When: July 11, July 17, and July 24
Details: Music on the Patio
Tunesday: A Free Lunchtime Music Series
Where: Jim Dinapoli Park
When: July 8-August 26 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 8 through August 26. Performances start at Noon. Learn more here.
ENTERTAINMENT
Community Block Party
Where: Palace Theatre (19 Clinton Ave.)
When: August 16, 12:00 PM-4:00 PM.
Details: Community Block Party (downtownalbany.org)
Summer In The City-Free Movies
Where: Palace Theatre (19 Clinton Ave.)
When: July 8-August 26, 1:00 PM.
Details: Summer In The City
DJ Trivia
Where: The Excelsior Pub (54 Phillip Street)
When: Every Thursday, 6:00-9:00 PM
Details: Facebook
Karaoke Night
Where: Ophelias (388 Broadway)
When: Every Wednesday, 8:00 PM
Details: Karaoke Night (downtownalbany.org)
Trivia Wednesday
Where: The City Beer Hall (42 Howard Street)
When: Every Wednesday, the game starts at 7:00 PM
Details: Learn More
MVP Kids Day Featuring Baby Shark
Where: West Capitol Park
When: July 12, 2025, 11:00 AM-4:00 PM
Details: MVP Kids Day Featuring Baby Shark
Music Bingo
Where: The Excelsior Pub (54 Phillip Street)
When: Every Saturday, 7:00 PM-10:00 PM
Details: Facebook
Twilight Market
Where: Quackenbush Square
When: Second Saturday, July-December (Except November 8)
Details: Event Schedule
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
Remix, Match, & Wear
Where: Albany Center Gallery (488 Broadway)
When: June 20-July 26, open Tuesday-Saturday: 12:00 PM-5:00 PM
Details: Remix, Match, & Wear
Summer Art Fest
Where: Albany Center Gallery (488 Broadway)
When: Saturday, July 19 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.
