July 12–August 23: Powers Park Concert Series
Troy
Troy’s popular annual concert series, featuring a variety of local talent, returns to Powers Park. Highlights of the 2025 season include a dance party with The Refrigerators, a Grateful Dead tribute by Neon Avenue, and a Rush tribute by Run for Cover. Concerts will take place on Saturdays from 6-8:30pm; admission is free and the shows are family-friendly. Set up with lawn chairs and coolers or enjoy food from local vendors at this weekly event! Powers Park on Facebook
July 18–26: 1776: The Musical
Home Made Theater
If you enjoyed watching the original cast of Hamilton perform at the Tony Awards, consider taking a trip back in time with 1776: The Musical at Saratoga’s Home Made Theater. Like Hamilton, the musical brings to life figures more likely to be found in a history textbook than a stage, with a contemporary spin. Irreverent humor and rock-inspired musical numbers combine with poignant themes of war and democracy to produce a show that will leave the audience entertained and thoughtful. homemadetheater.org
August 3: Hudson Jazz Workshop Concert
Hudson Hall Topping off the Hudson Jazz Workshop, a weekend immersion in jazz improvisation that’s now in its 19th year, is a free and open-to-the-public concert at the historic Hudson Hall. This year’s show, which starts at 4pm, will feature the talents of special guest guitarist Steve Cardenas as well as the students of the previous weekend’s jazz workshop, led by pianist Armen Donelian and saxophonist Marc Mommaas (pictured above). hudsonhall.org
August 6–23: Philadelphia Orchestra
SPAC
This year’s Philadelphia Orchestra season at SPAC promises to be one of the best in the nearly 60-year history of the residency. On the docket: A Night at the Symphony with Laufey (pronounced lay-vay), the international superstar who’s taken TikTok by storm and won the hearts of Gen Z music-lovers; An Evening with Cynthia Erivo (yes, that Cynthia Erivo, who recently starred alongside Ariana Grande in the film adaptation of Wicked); two film nights, at which the Orchestra will play the scores of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Back to the Future; and a show in which the Orchestra will be joined by Grammy- and Emmy-winning trio Time for Three for a performance of a Mason Bates work that was co-commissioned by SPAC. Oh, and seven other can’t-miss shows. spac.org
August 12–17: Altamont Fair
Altamont Fairgrounds
The Capital Region’s favorite fair returns to the Altamont Fairgrounds for six days of good, old-fashioned fun. In addition to agricultural shows, rides, and plenty of food, this year’s fair also boasts quite the lineup of live music, with shows planned for five of the six days, as well as a Taylor Swift dance party and a gravity-defying performance by the Royal Hanneford Circus. altamontfair.com
August 16: RuPaul’s Drag Race Live: Werq The World
Proctors
See your favorite show go from screen to stage with RuPaul’s Drag Race Live! Walk the runway hosted by Jimbo as Joan Rivers, and then witness performances by Daya Betty as Lady Gaga, Jaida Essence Hall as Beyoncé, Jorgeous as Ariana Grande, Kim Chi as Celine Dion, and Vanessa Vanjie as Rihanna. Wondering what to expect? Think: Comedy. Glamor. Drama. atproctors.org
August 16: The Great Influencers of the Capital Region
Capital Repertory Theater
The Great Influencers of the Capital Region event will honor champions of the community—including Key Bank Market President Fran O’Rourke, Albany Business Review Publisher Walter Thorne, The Red Bookshelf Executive Director Paul Collins-Hackett, and Business for Good Co-founder Lisa Mitzen—who have worked tirelessly to create lasting and impactful change. Their contributions will be celebrated at an evening of food, live performances, and dancing to benefit The Cultural Center in Albany. attherep.org
August 23: Albany LatinFest
Washington Park
Celebrate Hispanic culture at the largest New York cultural festival outside NYC. Going on from 11am–6pm, Albany LatinFest is a full-day extravaganza complete with live music performances, food, activities for children, local vendors, and information booths. The event is put on by Albany Latin Festival Association, a nonprofit that promotes and develops Hispanic cultural events to acknowledge the contributions of Hispanic performing artists and promote an appreciation for multicultural diversity. albanylatinfest.org
August 30: Capital District Scottish Games
Altamont Fairgrounds
You don’t have to compete in the Capital District Scottish Games to get your fill of Scottish culture—anyone is welcome to attend the competitions, which include everything from the throwing of heavy objects to a Scottish breed dog show. There’ll be other festive attractions too, such as performances by traditional Scottish bands and Highland dancers, a petting zoo, pony rides, and plenty of Scottish food. scotgames.com
September 6: Little Italy Street Fest
Union Street at North Jay Street, Schenectady
Head to Schenectady from noon–9pm on September 6 for the 20th annual Little Italy Street Fest, where revelers can indulge in Italian favorites from Perecca’s and Cornell’s, learn about the beautiful country in the Italian Cultural Heritage Tent, and listen to live music all afternoon long. facebook.com/LittleItalyStreetFest
September 14: Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival
Jennings Landing
Head to Jennings Landing on September 14 from noon–8pm for the 22nd annual Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival to check out a full slate of performances by critically acclaimed up-and-coming jazz artists including Bright Dog Red, Melanie Charles, Henry Johnson Award, Matthew Whitaker, and Nate Smith. Admission is free, and $8 parking is available at the Riverfront Garage. albanyny.gov
