This is the Weekend to Get Back Out There in the Adirondacks
Siamese Pond Wilderness Area.
Mud season is loosening its grip, and the Adirondacks are shifting—subtly, but unmistakably—into something new.
Trails are still soft, but main streets are waking up. Galleries are opening their doors a little wider. And the first real signals of the spring-to-summer transition are starting to show up on the calendar.
This is the kind of weekend that rewards those paying attention. Not peak season, not shoulder season—something in between, where locals start re-emerging and early-season travelers get a peaceful, more personal version of the Adirondacks.
What follows isn’t everything happening across the region. It’s a curated shortlist—events that feel worth planning around, whether you’re in the mood for art, history, or simply a good reason to get out for a drive.
Here are a few of ADK Taste’s hand-picked events worth your time this weekend:
→ Don’t miss a weekend like this. Explore the full lineup below.
Here’s what’s happening across the Adirondacks this weekend.
From a front yard in 1951 to a defining Adirondack exhibition, the 75th Central Adirondack Art Show at View Arts Center in Old Forge is a standout this season—featuring regional artists and a legacy worth seeing.
A fresh take on familiar Adirondack landscapes, LOCAL LIGHT at Whitcomb’s Arts in Westport showcases Deb Kahler’s vibrant, color-driven paintings inspired by Lake Champlain and beyond.
An intimate evening of chamber music comes to Westport as the Trillium String Quartet performs at The Mill. Rising talent, a beautiful setting, and a uniquely Adirondack cultural experience—this is one to add to your spring calendar.
Kevin James brings Solo Mio to Indian Lake Theater on April 30—a laid-back, small-town movie night in the Adirondacks worth planning around.
Plan your movie night. →
A new art show lands in Saranac Lake this spring. Moving Mountains brings together painting, drawing, and storytelling inspired by the Canadian Rockies—plus a live memoir reading on opening night.
Pique your curiosity. →
Spring starts here. It’s About Thyme Farm reopens with blooming greenhouses, wood-fired pizza, and a new specialty food shop.
An Oscar-winning documentary comes to Lake Placid. Mr. Nobody Against Putin offers a rare, intimate look inside modern Russia—screening at Arts Center Lake Placid.
Step into 1776 at Fort Ticonderoga’s Opening Day, where history unfolds in real time. From live reenactments to sweeping Lake Champlain views, this Adirondack experience brings the Revolution to life.
Whitewater meets the big screen in Saranac Lake. River Reels Film Fest brings paddlers, films, and community together for one night at The Garagery.
A rare bipartisan success story comes to North Creek. Historian Connor Williams shares behind-the-scenes insights from Congress’s Naming Commission—and the American heroes who helped unite it.
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Upcoming Adirondack events.
It’s never too early to start planning your next adventure in the ADK.
One road. One climb. Big Adirondack views. The Prospect Mountain Road Race returns to Lake George on May 9, challenging runners to conquer 1,601 feet of elevation—all for a great cause.
The CAT Grand Hike connects Whallonsburg to Lewis with a scenic, town-to-town trek through the Champlain Valley. It’s not about summits—it’s about community, conservation, and a different way to experience the Adirondacks.
Paddle into spring at Saranac Lake’s ‘Round the Mountain race. This 10.5-mile Adirondack favorite winds through lakes, river, and carry routes—welcoming everyone from casual paddlers to seasoned racers.
The Ausable River Two-Fly Challenge returns with high-stakes fly fishing, riverside gatherings, live music, and Adirondack tradition. It’s one of spring’s most authentic events.
A rare Adirondack performance: Seagle Festival brings Happy End—a jazz-infused opera satire—to North Creek. Part of a historic statewide tour, this is your chance to catch world-class theater right in the Park.
One of the Adirondacks’ most unexpected Memorial Day traditions is back. The Great Adirondack Garage Sale spans 200+ miles of treasure hunting from Old Forge to Speculator—part road trip, part scavenger hunt, and entirely worth the detour.
Boreal birds, sunrise hikes, and one million acres of wilderness—this four-day Adirondack festival is a must for birders and nature lovers alike. Explore guided outings, rare species, and the wild heart of Hamilton County.
The Black Fly Challenge is back—and it’s as tough as ever. This 40-mile gravel race through the Adirondacks tests endurance, grit, and self-reliance from Inlet to Indian Lake.
William Shatner returns to Ticonderoga this June for an immersive Star Trek experience inside the iconic USS Enterprise set. Tours, autographs, and once-in-a-lifetime fan moments await in the Adirondacks.
To see all our recommendations for upcoming events in the Adirondacks, visit our events page.
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