2026 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. [awaiting 2026 schedule]
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. [awaiting 2026 schedule]
The Town of Rotterdam offers Free Concerts at 6:30 pm on Wednesdays. [awaiting 2026 schedule]
Rockin' on the River are on Wednesday nights at 5:30 pm in Troy. [awaiting 2026 schedule]
Capital Concert Series on Wednesday nights at 5:30 pm at Albany's Empire State Plaza. [awaiting 2026 schedule]
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall plans the Barker Park Kids' Summer Concert Series at 11 am on Thursdays. [awaiting 2026 schedule]
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. [awaiting 2026 schedule]
Rock the Block concert series is mostly on Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 pm in Cohoes. [awaiting 2026 schedule]
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. [awaiting 2026 schedule]
The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall’s free Summer Square Series will be held Saturday evenings at 6 pm through August. [awaiting 2026 schedule]
Guilderland Performing Arts Center Summer Concert Series is held on Thursday evenings. [awaiting 2026 schedule]
Concerts at the Crossings are on Thursday nights June through August. [awaiting 2026 schedule]
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. [awaiting 2026 schedule]
The Palace offers "Summer in the City" free kid-friendly movies on Tuesdays in July & August at 1 pm (doors open at noon). [awaiting 2026 schedule]
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). [awaiting 2026 schedule]
Live Score Movie Nights show family-friendly movies at dusk on the third Friday of the month in downtown Albany. [awaiting 2026 schedule]
See recent family-favorite Movies Under the Stars on select Friday nights in a variety of locations. [awaiting 2026 schedule]

Free Theater

Will Kempe's Players will be performing "Much Ado About Nothing" & "Measure for Measure" at a variety of locations. Click their website for updates.
At Park Playhouse in Washington Park, Albany, they'll be showing ... [awaiting 2026 schedule]
The Not So Common Players will perform "Some Enchanted Evening" and "Seussical the Musical" at Clifton Common.

Free Festivals

Mohawk-Hudson Earth Fest is on Saturday, April 25 in Schenectady's Central Park.
Kids Arts Festival is Saturday, June 6 in downtown Schenectady.
Capital Pride is June 14, 2026 at Albany's Washington Park.
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 10, 2026.
Kids Day at the Plaza at West Capitol Park is Saturday, July 12, 2025. [awaiting 2026 schedule]
New York State Food Festival is Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at Empire State Plaza. [awaiting 2026 schedule]
The Palace Theatre hosts a Community Block Party on Saturday, August 16, 2025. [awaiting 2026 schedule]

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 . . .

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.