Things to do this weekend in the Capital Region

Every week, we scour event calendars to find the things that are especially worth your time and attention, and we share them here. Check out our Hudson Valley list too.

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April 26-21

Don’t throw those old jeans away: Lifestyles of Saratoga is hosting a Spring Denim Event from Friday though Sunday. Donate your used denim and get $10 off a new pair of jeans. There’s also a chance to win a free pair of jeans. Find out more.

Feel good about going out to eat: Tonight, Dining Out For Life Northeastern New York presents an opportunity to visit local restaurants and help support Alliance for Positive Health, an organization that assists those with HIV/AIDS. Learn more and view participating restaurants. 

Hunt for treasure: 

• Bethany Reformed Church in Albany is hosting an Attic Treasures Sale & Bake Sale on Friday and Saturday. Find a new life for items that were “once loved, but no longer needed.” Learn more.
• A Big Gay Market is back in Albany on Sunday in Washington Park with over 100 vendors. View the list.
• The Albany Record Riot will be held on Sunday at The Polish Community Center. Dig into pierogies, burgers and more, and browse over 60 tables with LPs, CDs and 45s. Find out more.

Find more to eat and drink:

• There will be music and awards will be presented but, most importantly, there will be chicken wings. The Glens Falls Wing Fest will be held on Saturday. View all the participating restaurants here.
• Care for some wine? How about unlimited samples from New York wineries? Then the place you’ll want to be is the Capital Wine Festival at the Albany Capital Center on Saturday. Get tickets.

Leave the backing track at home: Artisanal Brew Works in Saratoga Springs is hosting Piano Karaoke tonight. Find out more.

Get some flowers and gifts for mom … while you treat yourself to samples from breweries and wineries during Pours & Petals Spring Fling Vendor Bazaar at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Rensselaer County on Saturday. Check out the list of participating vendors.

Hit the dance floor: 

• Head to the Hollow Bar + Kitchen in Albany on Saturday for an Enchanted Night of Taylor Swift with Sydney Worthley and DJ Fearless. The first 50 attendees get friendship bracelets. Get tickets.
• The Fairways of Halfmoon is hosting a dance party on Friday with $3 draft beer specials. Find out more.

Be there for opening day: It really starts to feel like spring when historical sites open to visitors.

• Think you know the whole story when it comes to Lake George’s role in shaping New York as we know it today? Find out what you’re missing when you visit Fort William Henry. The site opens on Saturday. Get details. 
• Just in time for his 202nd birthday, the Ulysses S. Grant Cottage State Historic Site & National Historic Landmark will open for the season on Saturday. Stop by and say hello to General and Mrs. Grant, have something sweet to celebrate, walk the grounds, tour the cottage and more. Get details.

Join fellow builders: Thousands of LEGO fans will descend on Empire State Plaza on Saturday for the BrickUniverse 2024 Built it! Tour. Meet professional artists, shop for merchandise, build your own masterpieces and more. Get tickets.

Root for the home team:

• The Albany Patroons basketball team will take on the Reading Rebels on Friday and the Virginia Valley Vipers on Sunday at the Washington Avenue Armory. Get tickets.
• The Albany Firebirds arena football team takes on the Orlando Predators Saturday at MVP Arena. Get tickets.
• And the Albany Firewolves lacrosse team is in the playoffs. Check out their quarterfinal game against the Halifax Thunderbirds at MVP Arena on Sunday. Get details.

Support budding musicians: 

• The University of Albany Symphony Orchestra performs works from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods on Sunday at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center. Learn more.
• Schuylerville High School vocalists will provide music during a coffee house concert at the Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitor Center on Saturday. Find out more.

Have a monstrous good time in Schenectady: It Came From Schenectady presents Godzilla Kaiju Double Stomp 2024 on Friday. The event will include two feature films, both rated G. You’ll find out which Godzilla films they are when you get there. Get details.

Listen to some (award-winning) music: The Eddy-award winning cover band, The Refrigerators, performs on Friday at Frog Alley Brewing Co. in Schenectady. Learn more.

Shake off the Monday blues: Grab a beer and create a new felt friend at Active Ingredient Brewing Co. in Malta after work on Monday. Get tickets.

Looking ahead 

Come cheer on the stars of tomorrow: Tickets are on sale now for the High School Musical Theatre Awards at Proctors on May 4. See who will win best actor and actress and will represent the region at The Jimmy Awards. Get tickets.

Got your cosplay ready? Saratoga Comic Con is May 4-5. Find out who will be there.

Explore Korean cuisine: The International Youth Fellowship in Albany is hosting a free event, Taste of Korea, on May 5. “Discover the unique blend of spices, textures, and aromas that make Korean food so special,” and learn about Korean culture. Get details.

Learn to sew: Do you have a sewing machine sitting around you wish you knew how to use? The Happie Collective Boutique and Studios in Albany can help. Check out some classes they are offering in June.

Get ready for some hot summer nights in Schenectady: Outdoor concert lineups are shaping up.

• The Harbor Jam concert will be held July 20-21. Here are the headliners.
• Jazz on Jay is back from June 6-Aug. 29. View the schedule.

There’s so much more: View our roundup for more concerts and shows coming to the area in 2024.