2024 FREE Summer Concerts, Shows, Lessons, and More in New York's Capital Region

Free Summer Programs in Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and beyond!

Did someone say free? See concerts, play sports, take in a show, all for free! Come & get 'em, And share this list with your friends!

If you see an item in red brackets, we're awaiting information for 2024!

Free Concert Series

Freedom Park in Scotia includes a wide variety of concerts and shows on various days.
Performing Arts at the Common includes concerts on Sunday nights and family-focused concerts on Wednesday nights at 7 pm at Clifton Commons in Clifton Park.
Music Haven Concert Series will happen on Sunday nights as well as on a few Thursdays.
Check out Tunesday concerts at noon on Tuesday in Albany's Jim DiNapoli Park.
There are Free Concerts in Saratoga's Congress Park at 7 pm on Sundays in July and Tuesdays in August.
The Town of Schodack has Free Concerts on Tuesdays at 6 pm in June and August.
Tuesday Nights in the Park at Cook Park in Colonie are on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm.
The Town of Rotterdam offers Free Concerts at 6:30 pm on Wednesdays.
Rockin' on the River are on Wednesday nights at 5 pm in Troy.
Capital Concert Series on Wednesday nights at 5:30 pm at Albany's Empire State Plaza.
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall plans the Barker Park Kids' Summer Concert Series at 11 am on Thursdays.
Glenville Thursdays in the Park usually include concerts or movies every Thursday at 7 pm in August.
Alive at Five offers a variety of music on Thursdays (and a couple of Tuesdays) at 5 pm in downtown Albany.
Jazz on Jay offers jazz on Thursdays at noon in downtown Schenectady. Click here for updates.
Rock the Block concert series is mostly on Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 pm in Cohoes.
Concerts in the Gazebo are in Niskayuna on Thursdays at 7 pm.
Concerts in the Park are at 6 pm on Thursdays in Ballston Spa.
The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall’s free Summer Square Series will be held Saturday evenings at 6 pm through August.
Guilderland Performing Arts Center Summer Concert Series is held on Thursday evenings.
Concerts at the Crossings are on Thursday nights June through August.
Riverlink Concerts in Amsterdam are on Saturdays at 7 pm.
Watervliet Summer Concert Series is on Thursday nights through August.

Free Movies

Family-friendly movies are shown in Wiswall Park in Ballston Spa on the first Friday of the month.
[Bites Camera Action] is a free family-friendly movie series on Friday nights in downtown Albany.
The Palace offers "Summer in the City" free kid-friendly movies on Tuesdays in July & August at 1 pm (doors open at noon).
They show free movies in the Capitol Park After Dark in West Capitol Park starting in late August on Wednesdays at 8:30 pm (near Empire State Plaza).
See recent family-favorite Movies Under the Stars on select Friday nights in a variety of locations.

Free Theater

Will Kempe's Players will be performing "Pericles" & "Midsummer Madness" at a variety of locations. Click their website for updates.
At Park Playhouse in Washington Park, Albany, they'll be showing The Marvelous Wonderettes. They'll also be showing Legally Blonde at Cohoes Music Hall, with free rush seating available (first come first serve) at every show.
Performing Arts Family Series are kid-friendly shows on Wednesday nights at 7 pm at Clifton Common.
The Not So Common Players will present Gypsy at Clifton Common.
Circus in Prospect Park in Troy from Contemporary Circus and Immersive Arts Center will offer a Family Circus Day on August 17. Visit their website for updates.

Free Festivals

June 1st through 8th is Downtown Schenectady Artsweek with a variety of activities.
Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in a variety of locations.
Mabee Farm hosts 4th on the 3rd of July with live music and fireworks.
Dad Fest in Washington Park is happening on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
Schenectady County SummerNight is Friday, July 12, 2024.
Kids Day at the Plaza at West Capitol Park is Saturday, July 13, 2024.
Summerfest in Troy is July 26, 2024.
Black Arts & Cultural Festival Teen Night is Thursday, August 1, 2024 at Empire State Plaza.
New York State Food Festival is Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at Empire State Plaza.
Central Park Field Day is Friday, August 31, 2024.

Arts and Active Free Fun

Kids Bowl Free offers 2 free games (check the link for participating bowling alleys and the days that free games are available).
15 Love offers free tennis lessons (they'll even supply the racquets!) at a variety of locations throughout Albany, Schenectady, and Troy. For 2024, you'll need to pre-register.
Arts and Crafts Day at the Schenectady JCC is July 28th.
There are free fitness classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-6 pm though August 29 at Empire State Plaza.
The Boys & Girls Club of Schenectady runs drop-in programs for kids.
A FREE Nature Bus stops throughout Albany on Saturdays and will take you to lovely nature destinations.
[The US Water Ski Show Team performs free shows next to Jumpin' Jacks most Tuesday nights June through August.]
[The Fish Market Project is offering free half-day arts summer camps to Troy youth in August.]
[Free art in the park with CREATE Community Studios on Thursday afternoons at Gateway Plaza in Schenectady.]

And Don't Forget . . .

Do you have a free favorite, or an addition to suggest? Email katie@kidsoutandabout.com and let her know! Do you get our free weekly email newsletter? You should! Click here to sign up.