2025 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!
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.
- There are Free Concerts in Saratoga's Congress Park at 7 pm on Sundays in July and Tuesdays in 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.
- Alive at Five offers a variety of music on Thursdays 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.
Free Movies
- Family-friendly movies are shown in Wiswall Park in Ballston Spa on the first Friday of the month.
- 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).
- Live Score Movie Nights show family-friendly movies at dusk on the third Friday of the month in downtown Albany.
- 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 "The Alchemist" & "Julius Caesar" at a variety of locations. Click their website for updates.
- At Park Playhouse in Washington Park, Albany, they'll be showing Oklahoma!
- Performing Arts Family Series are kid-friendly shows on Wednesday nights at 7 pm at Clifton Common.
Free Festivals
- 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 11, 2025.
- Kids Day at the Plaza at West Capitol Park is Saturday, July 12, 2025.
- New York State Food Festival is Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at Empire State Plaza.
- The Palace Theatre hosts a Community Block Party on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
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. Plan to pre-register.
- There are free fitness classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-6 pm though August 28 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 from late June through August.
And Don't Forget . . .
- Your local library
- Hungry? Find free summer meals
- Take a hike
- Visit a new playground
- The New York State Museum
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.
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