The 518 on a budget: 8 free things we’re loving right now 🥳

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Hey 518 readers, this week, we’ve put together a list of our favorite things to do in the Capital Region for free—beyond the obvious like amazing hiking in the Adirondacks, a lovely summer stroll in Washington Park, and all of the free concert series kicking off this week.

🏳️‍🌈 Last week, we goofed and listed BIPOC Pride in our Top 5 Weekend Picks. The event was held the previous weekend 🤦 

🍨 Tickets are now available for our Sundae Morning event on July 19th. Think brunch with ice cream—plus cool popups with art, books, jewelry & vintage threads, all taking place in our historic 1874 rowhouse!

🍽️ Save your spot for the next 518 Dinner Club! We’re heading back to downtown Troy for another inspired evening of good eats & good vibes.

🛒 A dedicated reader, Jen Carter, reached out to offer a counterpoint to our profile of the Afghan International Market, in which we said ethnic markets are not always the most pleasant places to shop, calling out Farmer’s India Market specifically.

Jen says: “Many of your readers have probably never been to one of these spots, and this comes off as possibly stereotypical and definitely off putting. And regarding the mold on berries—this is exceedingly common, as berries are highly perishable. I was just at Hannaford the other day and had to examine six pints of strawberries before I found one without mold. I have shopped at Farmer’s India Market many times and always found their produce section to be clean and abundant. Maybe you went on an off day.”

Let us know about your experience at our local ethnic markets. How clean are they? Is the produce fresh? What are your favorites?

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

The 518 on a budget: 8 free things we’re loving right now 🥳 

The economy is shaky. The job market is trash. Gas prices are still too high. So here’s a list of the best things to do in the Capital Region that require zero dollars to enjoy!

Free theater at Park Playhouse 🎭
Going to the theater can get pricey fast. That’s why the free shows at the Park Playhouse in Washington Park are such a gem; it’s the full theater experience without the hit to the wallet. New this year: All seats are now totally free—there’s no more reserved seating. “Elephant & Piggie: We Are in a Play!” based on the beloved books by Mo Willems, runs Aug. 16-28.

Free yoga at SUNY Plaza 🧘
Stretch, breathe, and admire the stunning architecture of the SUNY Building. Certified yoga instructors from Synergy Fitness and Nutrition and The Hot Yoga Spot lead these free, one-hour classes every Saturday morning until Aug. 1 (no class on July 4th).

Free classes at Honest Weight Food Co-op 🥕
Even though Honest Weight celebrates its 50th year in 2026, many people still don’t know that Albany’s employee-owned grocery store offers a monthly lineup of amazing community classes—almost all of them at no cost. Topics taught in June: acupuncture, reiki, reflexology massage, vegan cooking, conversational Spanish, tarot reading, and more.

Free admission to the New York State Museum 🦣
The NYS Museum is in its $150 million makeover era. You can already see some of the changes: a new cafe operated by Stacks Espresso, and exciting new exhibits (Expedition: Dinosaur and Revolutionary New York). Best of all, admission is always free!

Free museum passes everywhere 🎟️
Last year, we introduced you to the Museum & Adventure Passes at the Albany Public Library, and it’s still one of our favorite things ever. With this program, which you can find at most public libraries, you’re able to get free passes to some amazing venues, including the USS Slater, Mass MOCA, the Hyde Collection, the Albany Institute of History & Art, the Saratoga Automobile Museum, and more!

Free shows at the Arthur Zankel Music Center 🎻
Did you know that the Zankel Music Center offers a ton of free shows throughout the year? For example, Kenny Garrett, recognized as one of modern jazz’s living masters, plays the Zankel on June 30—and the show is freakin’ free. Don’t sleep on this Capital Region treasure!

Free access to the new Lincoln Park Pool 🏊
The historic Lincoln Park Pool completed a massive renovation a year ago and it’s truly one of the best things that the city has done in a hot minute. The new complex is basically a free water park, complete with big slides, splash pads, and an Olympic lap pool. One catch: It’s only open to Albany residents. Opens in July.

Free compost & mulch 🌱
Stop spending money at Home Depot. City of Albany residents can pick up free compost and mulch during regular hours at the Yard Waste Compost Facility. Don’t have a green thumb? Get free passes to the Berkshire Botanical Garden through the Museum & Adventure Pass.

A word from our sponsor

Children's Place at the Plaza is a non-profit early childhood education center where each child is supported in social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.

With a convenient central location in downtown Albany and easy pick-up/drop-off, Children's Place at the Plaza is the perfect solution for professional, nurturing childcare.

🚨 The crew at New Scotland Spirits Tasting Room are local heroes after coming to the rescue of a young woman who was being harassed by a “tweeking stalker” on Lark Street. Bartenders Neil Benjamin and Holly Cruger stepped in to protect the woman, who came up to them asking for help. Neil told us the creepy fellow “spit in my face, and I sent him into next week with three punches.” The whole encounter was caught on security camera and even featured on Robbie Harvey’s Instagram channel with 1.3 million followers. Bravo, Neil & Holly 👏 

🗳️ It’s Election Day! The TU has a handy guide to today’s primary contests. FYI, some polling spots have changed.

🚍️ After fierce opposition doomed a county proposal to create a bus terminal in Albany’s South End, officials are considering a new site: the Empire State Plaza Concourse. This makes a lot more sense! [Times Union]

🍦 Opening today, Robo’s Creemees & Deli in Loudonville has taken over the former Genoa Importing building near Siena. On the menu: deli meats and cheeses, all-day breakfast sandwiches, and Vermont-style soft serve ice cream. Yum!

🏊‍♂️ The $125 million Capital Region Aquatic Center is moving forward. [Albany Business Review]

Situated on nine secluded acres in the Berkshire foothills, this 1940 Adirondack-style compound in Stephentown sits directly on the Black River. Sold fully furnished, the main house features a cantilevered deck and 270-degree river views. Inside, you’ll find a Scandinavian-inspired kitchen, a three-sided windowed media room, and a spa bathroom with radiant floors and a claw-foot tub.

Beyond the main house, the estate unfolds into a full recreational ecosystem: a guest house with wood-burning stove, a sauna repurposed for yoga or creative practice perched above a swimming pond, a tennis court, and an expansive lawn. You really need to click through the photos to fully appreciate this property’s well-appointed grandeur.

The deets: 3 bd, 3 ba, 1664 sf., 9+ acres. Asking: $1,150,000. Days on market: 1. See the full listing here.

Note: The 518 Weekender now publishes on Thursdays. Watch your inboxes! 

SUMMER FUN

👩‍🌾 Good Friend Ecological Gardens kicks off the summer season with tours of their lush learning garden. Grab a stunning fresh-picked bouquet from the flower shop. Come see why we featured this Nisky gardener who creates beauty with purpose.

👩‍🎨 Artist and educator Allison Debritz is now offering one-on-one mentoring for early-career artists looking for individualized guidance on your work, career, applications, or MFA programs. Contact [email protected].

⚽️ “Kick It in Troy” hosts World Cup viewing parties all week, at Riverfront Park and the Italian Community Center.

TONIGHT

🍣 This might already be sold out, but Sushi by Bou is putting on a Tuna Spectacle tasting menu.

WEDNESDAY

🤠 The Capital Concert Series is back at the Empire State Plaza, with KANSAS headlining.

🎵 The Freedom Park Summer Concert Series in Scotia kicks off its season with the Capital District Youth Pipe Band.

THURSDAY

🎸 It’s classic rock night at Alive at Five, headlined by You, Me & Afrobeats Party.

🇺🇲 Scotia’s Freedom Park lights with an “America 250” fireworks celebration featuring Roxy and the Rollers (classic rock).

🎸 Skeeter Creek headlines Rock the Block in Cohoes.

💜 It’s a Prince x David Bowie mashup at Schenectady’s Electric City SummerFest.

FRIDAY

🪕 The Old Songs Festival is a sprawling music event with 100 daytime performances, dances and workshops, at the Altamont Fairgrounds. All weekend.

🌖 The Moon Bloom Music & Arts Festival is a family-friendly celebration of art, music, wellness, creativity, and community, taking place in Coeymans Hollow. All weekend.

🏳️‍🌈 A Big Gay Market heads to Collar City for Troy Night Out.

🍫 Catch Roald Dahl’s classic, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, at Cohoes Music Hall, opening Friday (through July 18).

🎸 Jive Hive Live is taking it on the road to Troy’s Slidin’ Dirty, with the NolaNaughts and the Amy Ryan Band headlining. Read our profile of Jive Hive Live—the Capital Region’s best-kept musical secret.

🫧 Get to Saratoga’s Congress Park for the Big Bubble Party, a family-friendly affair featuring, yup, lots of bubbles.

📷️ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑ (Greek for freedom), a photo exhibit by Kiki Vassilakis, opens at Context Collective.

SATURDAY

🎷 The Saratoga Jazz Festival takes over SPAC with incredible jazz talents from across the globe.

🛼 Catch the Albany All Stars Roller Derby vs Hill City Capital Crushers at the Washington Avenue Armory.

🍷 Get to the 10th annual Adirondack Wine & Food Festival in Lake George for a weekend of tasty indulgence.

SUNDAY

🏳️‍🌈 The Saratoga Pride parade kicks off at 1 pm, with tons of musical acts, food vendors, and community partners in pride joining in. Afterparty at Whitman Brewing Co.

🎭️ The audience helps create the show at Mabel & Geffrey’s Musical Comedy Fundraiser, benefiting Things of Our Very Own. At Mopco.

🏳️‍🌈 Drop in to craft, connect, and play with materials at the Big Gay Community Craft Day at Context Collective.

🧘‍♂️ One of Lark Street Yoga's OG instructors Alyssa Ladzinski leads Disco Yoga at Lark Hall.

🎸 The Lost Radio Rounders perform at the Guilderland Public Library.

ON VIEW

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

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