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 

People participating in State Street Yoga
State Street Yoga (SUNY Plaza)

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.   

Crowd enjoying the Alive at 5 concert
Crowd enjoying the Alive at 5 concert

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. 

Twilight Market vendors and attendees
Twilight Market at Quackenbush Square

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

Kids at the Palace Theatre Block Party
Community Block Party at the Palace Theatre (19 Clinton Ave.)

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.