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The 518 Weekender: Earth Day parties, World Circus Day, Dark Sky Week

April 16, 2026

Hey there, beautiful 518 readers. It’s a deliciously warm evening in the CR and we’re just happy to be here. We’ve got a packed 518 Weekender for you—so many fun events, so little time…

🍏 Thanks to the folks who came out to our first 518 Happy Hour at Nine Pin. You’re a good looking bunch! Missed it? Save the date for the next happy hour on May 6.

🍸️ Signups for our inaugural 518 Dinner Club will close on Monday evening. Hurry to join the 35 folks who have already reserved their spots. Can’t make the dinner? Get on the list for next month!

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

The South End Earth Day in Albany is a big ol’ party for a great cause! 📷️ Radix

⭐️ = Top 5 Staff Picks

⭐️ 🎪 World Circus Day makes full use of The Egg as it brings the joy of the circus to Albany. Performers will be roaming the lobby and engaging guests with interactive circus arts. The main show revolves around a retelling of the classic children’s tale, Repunzel. Expect a spectacle filled with physical feats and comedic theatrics. Sat, 3p, $35-55.

⭐️ 🌍️ Celebrate Earth Day by pitching in and helping to prep community gardens for the growing season, at The South End Earth Day on Saturday, hosted by Radix Ecological Sustainability Center. Show up early at 10 am to volunteer and stay for the party from 1-4 pm. At the same time, Skidmore College hosts its Earth Day Fest, featuring a bazaar, food, and music from Spill Tab. Sat, 1-4p, free.

⭐️ 🌈 Chalk The Block features some of the best local chalk artists showing off their stuff on the sidewalk in front of the Arts Center of the Capital Region in Troy. While you’re there, hit up Little Pecks or Naughters for some excellent grub. Or get over to Pizzeria Mari for the best artisan pizza in the 518, hands down. Tell Alex The 518 sent you! Sun, 10a-3p, free.

⭐️ 🪐 The Dudley Observatory’s Mindy Townsend leads a couple of star parties this weekend for Dark Sky Week: Friday at Grafton Lakes State Park (meet at the Deerfield Pavilion); and Saturday at Thacher State Park (registration required). On Sunday, get to Huyck Preserve in Rensselaerville for professor Craig Frank’s talk on the effects of not-so-dark skies on insectivorous bats. Fri-Sun, various times, free.

⭐️ 🌷The Albany Tulip Festival takes over Washington Park on May 9-10, but if you’re up for a bit of a drive, Kelder’s Farm in Kerhonkson, NY, is putting on its 4th annual Hudson Valley Tulip Festival this weekend. Wander through 10 acres of tulip fields—over 800,000 blooms in 50 different varieties! Sat, 10a-6p. Tickets start at $17.95. Watch a preview of the festival here.

Honorable mention:

⭐️ 💨 Monday is 4/20, which is an excellent reason to get on high on life, if you catch our smoke. On Saturday, Hold Up Roll Up in Albany has DJs, raffles, and hot dogs from LA Dawgz (which we’ve been meaning to try!). Also Saturday, Brownies on Central Avenue celebrates its 2-year anniversary with live music. On Sunday, Third Rock in Glens Falls puts on a party with live music, taco truck, photo booth and raffles.

On Monday, Nine Pin hosts The Elevated Social: Paint & Puff, a 4/20 hangout with live DJs, food, games, swag, and local pop-ups including State of Mind Dispensary. We’re giving away 2 tickets to this event! Head on over to our Instagram to enter the contest.

👀 Keep reading to see more notable events in “What’s Happening.” 👇️

🐈️ Help keep these kitties well fed

Mohawk Hudson Humane Society in Menands recently put out a call to fill their empty pantry. On Saturday, you can help by bringing some food to their Kitten Shower. Your reward will be cuddling with baskets of kittens!

Also on Saturday, Common Roots Glens Falls brings in birds of prey for Bikes, Birds & Beer 🦅 

FRIDAY

🥖 Bread & Puppet, the political provocateurs who also bake sourdough bread, are posting up at Albany’s Westminster Presbyterian Church for one show only!

🖼️ Art Night Schenectady returns to downtown with more than a dozen venues participating.

📽️ The Warwick Drive-In Theatre opens for the season.

📚️ Guilderland Library’s Book Sale is happening all weekend—fill up a tote for just $10! Or head to the East Greenbush Community Library and grab books for just $1 each.

SATURDAY

🥕 Dig into a scrumptious 5-course meal at Spring Fling, cooked up by the folks at First + Adams.

🍁 Dig into sweet treats at the Maple Syrup Festival in Menands. The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls has its own Maple in April festival.

🎻 Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra plays their final shows of the season. Also this weekend, Skidmore’s String Festival is totally free.

🌲 It’s opening day at Adirondack Extreme adventure & zipline park in Lake George.

SUNDAY

🍏 You know we love a good cleanup at The 518. Nine Pin hosts its 11th annual Warehouse District Cleanup. If you go, mention “The 518 Crew” and get 10% off all cider drinks!

🎬️ Catch the documentary, “The Plastic Detox,” followed by a panel discussion on the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution. At the NYS Museum.

👜 The Last Lap Market, Saratoga’s alternative market, is at Putnam Place.

👰 The NY Bridal & Wedding Expo is at the Albany Capital Center.

UPCOMING

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

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