Mark Your Calendar for These Top Annual Events in the Lake George Area
Lake George has thrilling events worth checking out all year long! From maple and whitewater rafting in the spring to Elvis and Americade in the summer to a fishing derby and jazz weekend in the fall and much more, we've rounded up the top annual events you won't want to miss out on.
Browse the list below, and mark your calendars so you don't miss a moment of the excitement.
Top Spring & Summer Events to Look Forward To
Adirondack Wine & Food Festival
June 24 - 25, 2023
Wine and food enthusiasts will not want to miss out on this incredible festival with over 120 New York State craft beverage producers and food vendors. The Adirondack Wine & Food Festival highlights some of the best wineries, breweries, distilleries, artisanal food vendors, food trucks, and craft vendors that our region has to offer.
The festival takes place outdoors at the Charles R. Wood Park Festival Commons, and is considered to be the official start to summer in Lake George. Besides being able to sample dozens of beverages and food to make your taste buds dance, there are also cooking demonstrations, bartender demonstrations, and a Kids Activity Tent.
Americade Motorcycle Rally
May 31 - June 4, 2023
The biggest multi-brand motorcycle touring rally in the world takes place every year in Lake George: Americade. Like Elvis Festival, Americade takes place over several days, with multiple events happening in different locations throughout Lake George. There are guided rides (including charity rides), exhibits and vendors, fireworks, parades, contests, and much more.
Over 50,000 riders, passengers, and spectators come out for Americade, and the rally has continued to draw increasingly large crowds with each year that passes. Americade has earned a reputation for being family-friendly, so make sure to bring the kids out for this one!
LARAC June Arts Festival
June 17 & 18, 2023
The Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC) hosts the LARAC June Arts Festival each year in nearby Glens Falls. You can expect over 200 exhibitors and crowds of around 15,000 at this fun event.
Shoppers browse products like jewelry, home decor, outdoor decor, gourmet food, fine art, textiles, and more. You can also expect arts demonstrations, kids activities, food concessions, and live music performances. This event is free to attend and happens rain or shine.
Adirondack Theatre Festival
March 31 - August 9, 2023
Even if you're not normally a theater-goer, you will want to check these plays out. The Adirondack Theatre Festival in Glens Falls is a hugely popular event, with shows typically selling out and attendance and subscribership increasing each year. In addition to the mainstage productions they often have comedy, magic, and a dinner theater for kids.
Discover more about the Adirondack Theatre Festival »
Smoke Eaters Jamboree
July 28 & 29, 2023
Just north of Lake George is Warrensburg, which hosts the Smoke Eaters Jamboree each summer. As the name suggests, you can be prepared for incredible grilled food like barbecue chicken and corn on the cob, but there's also live music, karaoke, carnival rides, fireworks, and entertainment for kids. All proceeds for this event go towards the Warrensburg Volunteer Fire Company.
Stony Creek Mountain Days Festival
Photo provided by Stony Creek Chamber of Commerce
August 5, 2023
Stony Creek, located just under 30 minutes west of Lake George, is home to the Stony Creek Mountain Days Festival. This weekend-long event calls on participants to channel their inner lumberjack as they enjoy family-friendly fun. You can see lumberjack competitions, enjoy live music, chow down on delicious food, browse local and regional vendors, and there are activities for the kids as well.
Lake George Music Festival
August 6 - 17, 2023
The Lake George Music Festival is a week-long event that celebrates everything relating to music - from chamber to full orchestra music to experimental pieces, contemporary works, and beyond, there's undoubtedly something for everyone.
The chamber performances tend to be the highlight of the festival, and then other events can include a kids concert, wine-centered music events, a cruise with the Lake George Steamboat Company, performances at the amphitheater in Shepard Park, and more.
This event draws experienced musicians from renowned institutions like the Philadelphia Orchestra, along with students, up-and-coming musicians, and music lovers.
Lake George Triathlon Festival
Photo provided by Adirondack Race Management
Stay tuned for 2023 dates!
The Lake George Triathlon Festival is split up into two events: the Lake George Triathlon - Olympic Distance and the Big George Triathlon - Half Iron Distance. Participants can choose either race or both; one takes place each day of the festival.
Those competing enjoy an invigorating swim in Lake George followed by fast but scenic bike rides and runs on two-loop courses. Both races are spectator-friendly, and end with post-race food.
Get Ready for Fall Fun & Winter Events
Adirondack Nationals Car Show
September 7 - 10, 2023
Classic car enthusiasts head to Fort William Henry the weekend after Labor Day for the Adirondack Nationals Car Show. Visitors enjoy the beautiful cars, special events, music, and more - they've also been known to have celebrity guests!
This event was first held in 1988 with under 300 vehicles. Today, the car show boasts over 1,500 classic and antique cars, with registration beginning early in the year as everyone wants to get in on the fun.
King George Fishing Derby
Stay tuned for 2023 date!
Several thousand dollars worth of prizes are given away in adult and junior divisions each year at the King George Fishing Tournament, which got its start in 2015. This ultimate fishing tournament takes place right on Lake George and is perfect for both experienced and new anglers. It also includes live music, food, and more fun.
Jazz at the Lake - Lake George Jazz Weekend
September 15 - 17, 2023
Jazz lovers bring chairs and blankets to Jazz at the Lake for a weekend-long event of thrilling jazz performances. Sit in Shepard Park, or enjoy the performances from a boat right on Lake George. All concerts are free and performed by talented musicians.
Adirondack Balloon Festival
September 21 - 24, 2023
People flock from all over the North Country and Capital Region for this event! The Adirondack Balloon Festival is spectacular sight to see, as dozens of hot air balloons fill the sky with brilliant colors.
Visitors can walk inside half-inflated balloons, get an inside look at balloonists preparing for flight, and there's also live music and other fun activities. Balloons take off at select locations in Queensbury and Glens Falls. This event has been taking place for nearly 50 years.
World's Largest Garage Sale
September 29 - October 1, 2023
The World's Largest Garage Sale in Warrensburgh comprises over 500 vendors lining the streets and residential neighborhoods.
Garage sale vendors sell a wide range of home goods, collectables, toys, and much more, and there is also a slew of street vendors with mouthwatering food to keep your energy up during your massive shopping spree. Make sure to dress warm, have solid walking shoes on, and bring plenty of cash for this one.
Adirondack Film Festival
Stay tuned for 2023 dates!
The Adirondack Film Festival in Glens Falls includes several feature films, short films, kids films, documentaries, and more, all spanning different genres from romance to horror and beyond. In addition to the film screenings, guests also enjoy panel discussions, meet and greet events, Q&A sessions with filmmakers and casts, and parties.
Lite Up the Village
November 25, 2023
Lite Up the Village kicks off the holiday season in Lake George! The Village transforms into a winder wonderland of magic as 3,500 light displays illuminate Shepard Park at once. The event typically includes holiday shows and performances, fireworks, and a Lighted Fire Truck Parade with Santa himself.
Polar Plunge
January 1, 2024 (stay tuned for 2024 info!)
Take a dip in Lake George - in January! The Polar Plunge is a Lake George New Year's Day tradition, when 1,000 or more participants head into the lake for a shivering good time. This event happens at Shepard Park Beach, with a party often taking place at Duffy's Tavern afterwards.
Lake George Winter Carnival
Photo credit: Charles Henry Eldridge
Every Weekend in February, 2024 (stay tuned for 2024 details!)
Ever wondered what it'd be like to walk right over the lake? You can, at the Lake George Winter Carnival! The biggest event of the season, the carnival takes place every weekend in February with a jam-packed schedule of events, many of which happen right on the ice.
You can expect events and activities such as: sanctioned car races, youth hockey games, outhouse races, pony rides, horse-drawn carriage rides, cornhole games, a bonfire on the beach, a hot chocolate bar, a BBQ, a chowder cookoff, fireworks, ice diving demonstrations, and they even offer helicopter rides over Lake George!
Thurman Maple Days
Stay tuned for 2024 dates and info!
March is maple season in the Lake George area, and all month long pancake breakfasts, sugar house tours, and more maple fun takes place. The cornerstone of these events in the region is the Thurman Maple Days in Thurman and Athol.
Other non-maple farms typically participate in the event too, so you can enjoy additional activities like goat cheese tastings, sausage samplings, tractor wagon rides, and more. This is a self-guided tour where you pick where you want to go.