- The 518
- Posts
- Fireworks for the 4th + First Friday Albany is better than ever!
Fireworks for the 4th + First Friday Albany is better than ever!
Plus, Top 5 Weekend Picks + music listings all week
Phat Chiem
July 03, 2024
Happy pre-4th of July, Capital District! 🇺🇲 🎇 Today, we’ve got your best fireworks shows around the region, plus a look at what’s new with First Friday Albany and your Top 5 Weekend Picks.
💣️ 💣️ away!
—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan
In partnership with
Today in The 518
Where to see Fourth of July fireworks 🎇🎆 🏙️
First Friday Albany is back, better than ever!
Albany drops speed limit for most city streets 👮
Plus, your Top 5 Weekend Picks, and best deals & discounts!
📣 TALK OF THE TOWN
Fireworks over the Empire State Plaza 📷️ via Flickr / Sébastien Barré
Where to see Fourth of July fireworks 🇺🇲 🎆
New York State’s annual fireworks extravaganza in Albany brings thousands of people to the Empire State Plaza. Festivities start at 5 pm with fireworks shooting off around 9:15 pm. But get there early to deal with parking and grab a good seat.
One last-minute change: Bruce Hornsby won’t be performing due to losing his voice. Orleans, an American pop rock band from Woodstock, will play instead. Full schedule and details here.
Wanna see the show without the crowds? Here are some great insider tips from Reddit.
Tops of Trees will headline a family-friendly concert downtown at Saratoga’s All-American Celebration, starting at 7:30 pm. But there are events all through the day. Details here.
Schenectady County will celebrate the Fourth on the Third with festivities starting at 5 pm TONIGHT at the historic Mabee Farm in Rotterdam Junction. Details here.
The Times Union has a handy guide to all of the major Fourth of July celebrations here.
First Friday Albany celebrates the best of the city
Editor’s Note: The 518 is thrilled to announce that we’re now the media sponsor for First Friday Albany. We’re excited to showcase all of the awesome events happening every month!
Revived and rebranded last year after the pandemic, First Friday Albany is back—better than ever 💪
The celebration of arts, music and community happens—you guessed it—on the first Friday of every month. Sponsoring organizations include Overit Public Relations, the Lark Street Business Improvement District, and The 518!
New this year, the Albany City Hall Rotunda will showcase one artist’s work for several weeks each month. This Friday, Rachel Anne debuts her delightful illustrations of insects, plants and tasty treats. (Interested artists may submit their work for consideration here.)
“This event provides residents and visitors alike with the opportunity to experience many of the things that make Albany great—our music and art scene and our small businesses,” says Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.
This month, look for art popping up at the Washington Avenue Armory, Common Roots Albany Outpost, and Albany Elks Lodge; the Makers Market and a community drum circle on Lark Street; Game Night at the Underground Railroad Education Center, and tours of the State Capitol, the Van Ostrande-Radliff House, and First Church.
All events are free (except for Game Night), and take place 5-9 pm. See the full schedule for this Friday. Don’t miss it!
🎆 WEATHER WATCH
“It's Fourth of July weekend, or as I call it, exploding Christmas!”—Stephen Colbert
The Fourth will be hot and humid with thunderstorms likely in the morning and afternoon, but clearing up for the evening’s fireworks show 🥳
🌤️ Wednesday 87°/67° 💧 0% ⛈️ Thursday 83°/69° 💧 80% 🌤️ Friday 94°/71° 💧 40% | 🌧️ Saturday 88°/67° 💧 80% 🌤️ Sunday 87°/65° 💧 23% |
A word from our sponsor
Storytelling is the new marketing. In a world bombarded with advertising, stories connect on a much deeper level. Find out how StoryCraft taps into the power of storytelling with engaging content to help nonprofits and brands better reach their ideal audience. Learn more and get in touch today!
🗞️ CAPITAL DISTRICT DIGEST
Albany drops city speed limit from 30 to 25 mph
Slow your roll! That’s the message from the Albany Common Council with its approval on Monday night of a new lower 25 mph speed limit on most city streets. The exact date for the implementation is still TBD.
A city-commissioned traffic study provided strong evidence supporting the change, and the public hearing was packed with parents and concerned pedestrians. Now we actually have to convince drivers to slow down!
CDTA expands Flex+ service to downtown Albany
The Capital District Transportation Authority's curb-to-curb service is expanding for the summer with additional stops in downtown Albany. FLEX+ offers service between the Joseph L. Bruno Rail Station and key Albany destinations such as the New York State Capitol, Albany Capital Center, Empire State Plaza, MVP Arena, and more. Commuters can pre-book curb-to-curb rides for just $3 per trip. More info on Flex+.
3 stores closing at Clifton Park Center Mall
The Clifton Park Center Mall announced the closure of three stores: The CBD Store, Kati Roll Wala, and Claire’s. But the mall will welcome 3 new tenants with Blow Dry Bar, The Good Feet Store, and Pita & Olive restaurant. What about a store where you can get a blow dry and a foot rub while noshing on a fresh Greek salad?
🎟️ WEEKEND EVENTS ROUNDUP
⭐️ First Friday Albany
Every first Friday of the month is a celebration of art, music and the best of our community in Albany. Browse the Lark Street Makers Market, tour the State Capitol, see the artists featured at City Hall and Albany Elks Lodge, and much more! 5-9p, Fri., mostly free. See the full schedule of events here.
⭐️ Outlaw Fest with Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
The great Willie Nelson missed the first four dates of the Outlaw Festival, but will be rejoining the tour this weekend. In its review, Rolling Stone called Bob Dylan’s show at the festival’s launch “remarkable” and “surreal.” And really, how much longer do you think we have with these guys? 5:30p, Sat. Tickets start at $55. Parking lots open at 1:30p. Event details and tix here.
⭐️ Emily Beck at the Troy Farmer’s Market
Everybody loves the Troy Farmer’s Market, and for good reason—it’s arguably the best farmer’s market in the Capital District. It’s fun for all ages, the food is awesome, and Troy takes real pride in its downtown. This week, the talented Emily Beck takes the stage with her soulful tunes. 9a-2p, Sat, free. Emily performs until 1 pm.
⭐️ “A Long Affair: Surrealism 1924 to Now” at Hyde Collection
This year marks the centennial of André Breton’s influential Manifesto of Surrealism, which evokes “the marvelous”—a pleasurable disorientation inspired by dreams, imagination, and psychological exploration. Recently featured as New York Magazine's top 10 summer events in New York State, this exhibition is a must-see for art geeks far and wide. On view now through Sept. 15. Hyde Collection, 161 Warren St, Glens Falls. $12 general admission with discounts for some groups. Learn more here.
Btw, Bank of America cardholders get free admission at museums across the country this weekend, including Albany’s Institute of History & Art.
⭐️ Historic Cherry Hill Going Dutch! Passport
This year also marks 400 years of Dutch culture in the Capital Region. Historic Cherry Hill is partnering with 7 heritage organizations and businesses to help you get in touch with Albany’s Dutch roots. Pick up your Going Dutch! passport at any participating site. Get your passport stamped at each experience and redeem your stamps for prizes, like a buy-one-get-one flight at Fort Orange Brewing and more!
Participating sites include First Friday, First Church Tour, First Friday Tours of 48 Hudson, "Dutchness on Display" Tours of Cherry Hill, Find the Giant “Klomp”!, Crailo State Historic Site, Albany Institute of History & Art, Tour of Quackenbush Square. Times and ticket prices vary. Available through Aug. 2. More details here.
🗽 WEIRD NEWS WEDNESDAY
“Sons of Freedom” topple King George’s statue. Circa 1875. Johannes A Oertel
When the Fourth of July started a riot in NYC
As news spread of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, New York City's harbor filled with British warships anticipating the impending conflict. Shortly after the announcement, General George Washington read the declaration aloud to soldiers and civilians from the steps of City Hall in lower Manhattan. The reading incited a riot, during which a crowd of fierce colonists and military personnel tore down a statue of King George III. Read 5 things you didn’t know about the Fourth of July here.
💰 CAPITAL DISTRICT DEALS & DISCOUNTS
The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) is offering 20% discounted tickets for select shows: the New York City Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Details here.
The Egg offers half off rush tickets (one hour before showtime) for both students and seniors. Also, 15% off adult tickets for groups of 20 or more. Details here.
The Daily Gazette has 30% discounted gift cards to a number of businesses, including Sliderz All American Bar & Grill in Rotterdam, and Canna Provisions in Lee, MA. You do not need to be a subscriber to get the discount. Details here.
Regal Cinemas is offering tickets on family-friendly movies for just $1 all summer. The catch? The shows are only Tuesdays and Wednesdays, at 11 am. Regal also offers Early Bird tickets before noon on Saturdays and Sundays for just $5 and $8.
Huck Finn’s is offering 3 free rides if you go to a Scene One movie theater in Schenectady, Wilton and Albany from July 4 to 14. Details here.
Apex Entertainment at Crossgates Mall is offering $1 burgers and $1 beers every Wednesday. Details here.
The Capital Hills at Albany Golf Course offers special rates for seniors, and veterans on Mondays (9a-2p only), and anytime for students. Details here.
The Honest Weight Co-op in Albany (100 Watervliet Ave) offers seniors an 8% discount on groceries every Wednesday and 2% off all other days. Students with a current valid ID get 8% off on Sunday. Details here.
Legoland New York is offering 1 free child ticket with a purchase of a full-price adult ticket. Details here.
See our full list of discounts here!
🎸 LIVE MUSIC ROUNDUP
Wednesday 7/3 | Donny Osmond | Palace Theatre Tyler Childers | SPAC James Taylor | Tanglewood Charlie Brown Superstar | Putnam Place |
Thursday 7/4 | Orleans leads the NYS 4th of July Celebration | Empire Plaza 4th of July w/ James Taylor | Tanglewood, Lenox Sirsy | Clifton Common Stage, Clifton Park |
Friday 7/5 | Alanis Morissette | Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Built4BBQ’s Star Spangled Banner Celebration | Hangar on the Hudson Dave Matthews Band (Fri & Sat) | SPAC Mike Berman | MoJo’s Cafe & Gallery |
Saturday 7/6 | Outlaw Fest with Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss | Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Dave Matthews Band | SPAC Livingston Taylor | Caffe Lena Stephanie Corwin | Union College Red, White and Blues Bluegrass Festival | Sherman Park, Caroga Tribute to Real Country Music with WailOn | The Strand, Hudson Falls The Rogues (60s & 70s classics) | Freedom Park, Schenectady Emily Beck | Troy Farmer’s Market |
Sunday 7/7 | Big D and the Kids Table | Empire Underground Latin Night w/ DJ Boy Boy | Putnam Place Skidmore Jazz Institute Students | Caffe Lena |
🚀 HELP US GROW THE 518
Thank you for being a subscriber! We appreciate you.
Invite your friends to join the coolest club in the Capital District, and get real 💰️ to spend in The 518 Merch Shop! (The rewards program only shows up in our email newsletter. Subscribe to get it straight to your inbox!)
Reply