518 Weekender: 🏳️‍🌈 Capital Pride Parade, Renaissance Fair, Summer Craft Festival & more!

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Hey 518 readers! Summer has officially arrived, and the Capital Region is wasting no time getting outside. This weekend brings the Capital Pride Parade & Festival, Renaissance Fair, Summer Craft Festival, Strawberry Fest, and plenty more reasons to soak up the sun.

🎟️ Seats are filling up for this month’s 518 Dinner Club in downtown Troy, happening next Wednesday at 6:30 pm. This month’s gathering is generously sponsored by Bootlegger’s on Broadway, which is throwing its 15th anniversary party on Saturday with a full day party in Troy! Get there for giveaways, drink specials, and a cool bunch of people.

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

⭐️ = Top 5 Staff Picks

⭐️ 🌈 Capital Pride’s big day opens with the year’s best candy-tossing parade with floats, flags, and marching groups galore, stepping off on State Street (between Robin Street/Englewood Place and Lark Street). Then make your way to Washington Park for tons of local vendors, a tasty food court, and sassy good times. Sun, 12—4p, free.

⭐️ 🐑 The Summer Craft Fair at the historic Shaker Heritage Society is the year’s brightest chance to peruse 75+ vendors, tour the historic grounds, watch artisans at work, meet the animals, see sheep shearing up close, and linger over local treats while live music fills the air. Sat & Sun, 10a—3p, free (donations requested).

⭐️ ⚔️ The NY Capital District Renaissance Faire promises two packed weekends of medieval fun like real jousting, an artisan market, a pub crawl, and a kids’ kingdom that’s sure to delight your young knights. Sat—Sun, 11a—6p. A one-day pass is just $5 for children, $25 for adults.

⭐️ 🖼️ Caffè Lena organizes the best street fairs, and Beekman Street Art Fair promises to be no exception. Featuring a juried fine art and craft show featuring 60 artists, plus music for the soul including the Folk Club for Kids, Jazz Mode, and more. Stroll through for a folksy good time. Sun, 10a—5p, free.

⭐️ 🍓 The Mayfield Historical Society’s annual Strawberry Festival pays homage to the summertime ripening of America’s favorite berry. And you know what else spells summer? Flea market finds. The Gloversville festival also features Treasures in the Trunk, with neighbors popping their trunks and setting up card tables full of new, used, and antique goods. Sat, 12–4p, free.

Honorable Mention

 🔈️ Level up your listening skills with the phenomenal vibrations of of experimental Japanese sound artist FUJI|||||||||||TA at The Egg. It’s another, um, eggcellent example of how the iconic performing arts venue is willing to push the envelope and bring in the most interesting acts. Bravo to the team at The Egg 👏 BTW, Fujita is pronounced foo-JEE-tah (with the 'j' sound as in jump) or colloquially compressed as FOO-jah. Sun, 8p, $35.

A word from our sponsor

Good Friend Ecological Gardens is what happens when environmental stewardship and responsible design reshape the relationships between people and place. Plan your tour of our Niskayuna Learning Gardens, shop our locally-grown flower bouquets, or bring Good Friend home through our garden design service.

Read about us in The 518: The Nisky gardener creating beauty with purpose.

🐈🐱 Are you just crazy about cats? You’re not the only one around here! Lori Doyle has just launched the Capital Purrspective, a region-specific newsletter that just tickles our toe beans with its adorable drawings and far ranging topics.

🖤 🐟 Have you ever seen a baby fish that looks like a tiny shadow? Here at the 518 headquarters, we have an explosion of baby Black Mollies, a freshwater fish with a dark aesthetic. They are easy to care for and fun to watch. Reach out to [email protected] to pick up a few for your juveniles for your tank. Just $1 each.

THURSDAY

☠️ It’s Emo Night at Alive at Five, featuring We The Kings (w/ Side B).

♦️ Putnam Place hosts a Texas Hold'em tournament to help cover the production costs of Saratoga's annual Flag Day Parade.

🎡 The Wilton Mall Carnival offers classic fair fun with rides, games, and plenty of fried foods.

🤠 Country cover band Big Sky Country headlines Electric City SummerFest.

🎻 The Mostly Modern Festival continues through the weekend, concluding with George Gershwin's American in Paris.

FRIDAY

👩‍🌾 Good Friend Ecological Gardens kicks off the summer season with tours of its lush learning garden, plus the flower shop will be open. Come see why we featured this Nisky gardener.

⚽️ Kick It In Troy gets you in the spirit with public viewings of the World Cup all tournament long.

⚽️ Catch the World Cup tournament at watch outdoor parties at Jennings Landing, Saint Rose Quad, and West Capitol Park.

SATURDAY

🚴‍♂️ Online registration closes Wednesday for Saturday’s Tour de Cure, which raises money to help people with diabetes. Day-of registration will be available.

🎭️ Spontaneous Broadway is back at Mopco. Watch a musical get conceived, produced, and played right in front of your eyes. Read our coverage of Spontaneous Broadway.

✊ The FlagSSS Day collective formed in 2019 after International Flag Day ceased celebration in Troy. On Sunday, the event continues with costumed marchers.

📚️ The Grown Up Book Fair organized by the gals at The Book Hive is back at Bard & Baker Cafe in Troy.

🐟️ Via Aquarium hosts a 90s murder mystery among the fishes. Costumes highly encouraged!

🎃 Is it really time for Halfway to Halloween? Double M's Haunted Hayride in Ballston Spa features six haunted houses, food, music and adult beverages from Speckled Pig Brewing Co.

🚒 Get to the Gas Up in Schoharie County for antique engines, tractors, demonstrations, great food, live music, and homemade ice cream.

🍄‍🟫 If you’re up for the drive, the 2026 Hudson Valley Fermentation Drive is in New Paltz this Saturday.

SUNDAY

🧘‍♂️ Pints & Poses is an hour-long vinyasa flow class with Amy S. from The Hot Yoga Spot! At Wolf Hollow Brewing Co.

🛍️ Come out to support businesses throughout the Capital Region at the free 518 Business Expo.

🍽️ The Lake George Restaurant Week kicks off on Sunday with 3 course for $35.

💀 The Twilight Market returns to Quackenbush Square in Albany. While you’re there, be sure to check out the new murals on the parking structure.

UPCOMING

6/15: Art on the Rail Trail Mini Gala
6/17: The 518 Dinner Club (sponsored by Bootlegger’s on Broadway)
6/20: Whitman Fantasy Faire
6/20: Center Square Stoop Stroll
6/20: Summer Solstice Celebration at Huck Finn’s Playland
6/21: Dadfest 2026
6/27-28: Saratoga Jazz Festival
6/27-28: Adirondack Wine & Food Festival

Our music listings are now published separately on The 518 website. Click here.

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE LIST 🎸

Our rolling deadline is the Saturday before your event!

 💌 GET IN TOUCH!

Got an awesome business, event or personality we should feature? Let us know! Contact: [email protected]