Summer may be over, but the fun never stops in Albany! We’ve rounded up the top 10 events ranging from fall festivals, charity events, kids events, and early Halloween events all happening in the Albany area this weekend.
Fabulous Fall Festivals
Saturday, October 1
Head on down to Wolff’s Biergarten on Broadway in Albany for Oktoberfest! Broadway from Ferry to Thatcher Streets will be shut down for this amazing festival. Check out food vendors, events for all ages, and of course awesome German beer. There will also be Weiner Dog Races!
11th Annual Upper Union Street Harvest Fest & Art Show
Saturday, October 1
This annual fall festival takes place on Upper Union Street in Schenectady, where you can find a plethora of different kinds of foods, live jazz music from Tananager and John McIntosh, local artists, children’s activities, and more.
Saturday, October 1
Come and support this benefit for Derek Murphy, a young man with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The festival takes place in Ganser Smith Park in Menands and will include games, food, raffles, live music by Mike DeAngelis and Rick Rourke and Lost Wages, and a cow plop contest!
For Charity
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
Saturday, October 1
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Show your support by participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, happening in the Empire State Plaza. Race registration is $30.00 – you can register online at www.komenneny.org.
11th Annual Empty Bowls of Troy
Sunday, October 2
This is a really unique event taking place at the Italian Community Center in Troy. Local ceramic artists and Troy restaurants are coming together to raise money for area food programs. Participants select a bowl and have it filled with their choice of soup – bread, dessert, and drinks are also included. Keep the decorative bowl as a reminder that there is hunger in our world every day. Tickets are $15 in advance, or $20 at the door.
Kids Events
Big Truck Day at Guilderland High School
Sunday, October 2
What kid doesn’t love trucks? Bring your children to this awesome event where they can check out big trucks and meet the truck drivers. Construction trucks, dump trucks, emergency vehicles, cement mixers, a News Channel 10 truck, Jim Becker and his race car, and more will be on site. Refreshments will be provided by DC’s Pizza Truck and there will also be a bounce house! Tickets are $5 per child and $1 per adult.
Fall Cupcake Decorating! Culinary Arts Class for Kids
Sunday, October 2
The Art in Mind Creative Wellness Studio in Glenville is hosting a Fall Cupcake Decorating Class for kids, where your little ones will learn the basics of cupcake decorating by creating some Halloween-themed cupcakes! Take home at least six decorated cupcakes. The class is $35 and is for kids ages 7 and up. All supplies are included and there’s no experience necessary.
Apple picking season is now in full swing at the many orchards in the area! Kids love coming along for the adventure to pick apples right out of the trees, sample cider doughnuts, check out farm animals, and more!
Call ahead of time to find out which apple varieties are available and then decide what you plan to do with this versatile fruit – snacking, salads, applesauce, apple pies, apple cobbler? The possibilities are endless!
Early Halloween Events
Ghosts of Albany Walking Tours
Friday, September 30 through Sunday, October 2
Take a tour of Albany’s history with a paranormal spin! Ghosts of Albany starts this weekend. Guests meet outside the Hilton Albany on Lodge Street, and proceed onto an hour and a half walking tour amidst Albany’s restaurants and bars, learning all about just how haunted our city actually is. Tickets are $20, and reservations must be made ahead of time through ghostsofalbany.com.
Nightmares at Liberty Ridge Farms
Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1
Nightmares begins this weekend at Liberty Ridge Farm in Schaghticoke! The $26 general admission gets you into all seven truly haunting attractions: Farmer’s Haunted House, Forest of Fear, Field of Screams, Fort HuntD, Psychic Sideshow, Macobb Manor – 3D House, and Brad’s Barnyard Adventure. Nightmares is recommended for adults and kids aged 10 and older.
For even more events going on, see the full events calendar.
