Capital Region Festivals and Events

Tulips in May, racing in August and art in the Stockade in September.

The Capital Region's busiest stretch runs from May to September. Albany opens the season with the Tulip Festival in Washington Park, free summer concerts follow downtown, and Saratoga Springs fills from mid-July through Labor Day with racing, ballet and orchestra performances at SPAC. Late summer adds county fairs.

Some events come back every week or month. Troy's farmers market runs every Saturday all year, Troy Night Out turns downtown into an art walk on the last Friday of most months, and Saratoga's Congress Park has free concerts on summer evenings.

Annual Festivals and Events

Saratoga Chowderfestusually February · Saratoga Springs (downtown)

Restaurants serve samples of chowder around downtown as visitors vote for a winner, a popular winter outing.

Albany Tulip Festivalusually Mother's Day weekend in May · Albany (Washington Park)

Thousands of tulips in bloom, a Dutch heritage celebration with music, crafts and the crowning of a Tulip Queen.

Alive at Fiveusually Thursday evenings starting in early June · Albany riverfront

A free summer concert series by the Hudson, run by the city's special events office.

New York City Ballet at SPACusually July · Saratoga Springs (SPAC)

The company's summer residency in the park, a tradition since 1966.

Saratoga Race Course summer meetusually mid-July through Labor Day · Saratoga Springs

Thoroughbred racing at one of America's oldest tracks, with picnics and morning workouts.

Travers Stakesusually late August · Saratoga Race Course

The biggest race of the Saratoga meet, often called the Midsummer Derby.

Philadelphia Orchestra at SPACusually August · Saratoga Springs (SPAC)

The orchestra's annual summer residency, with classical programs and film-score nights.

Altamont Fairusually mid-August, six days · Altamont

A classic county fair in the Helderberg foothills with livestock, rides and grandstand shows.

Stockade Villagers' Outdoor Art Showusually a Saturday in mid-September · Schenectady (the Stockade)

Artists hang their work on fences along the historic streets, a tradition since 1951.

Dates move from year to year — confirm on the organizer’s site before you plan around an event.

Official Event Calendars

Discover Albany eventsThe Albany County visitors bureau's calendar of concerts, festivals and exhibits. Discover Saratoga eventsSaratoga Springs festivals, concerts and seasonal events. Downtown Troy eventsTroy Night Out, the Pig Out, Chowderfest and other downtown events. Proctors showsBroadway tours, concerts and films at Schenectady's main theater.

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the Capital Region Events — FAQ

When is the Albany Tulip Festival?

Usually on the Saturday and Sunday of Mother's Day weekend in May, in Washington Park. Bloom depends on the spring weather.

When is the Travers Stakes?

Usually on a Saturday in late August, near the end of the Saratoga meet. Hotels across the region book up months in advance.