There’s something about mid-August in the Adirondacks. The days are still decidedly summer, but suddenly every sunny afternoon feels a little more valuable. This is the point in the season when “we’ll do that sometime this summer” starts becoming “we should probably do that now.”
Fortunately, there are plenty of reasons to get out between August 12 and 17. Artists take to the landscape for the Adirondack Plein Air Festival in Saranac Lake, the Franklin County Fair keeps Malone in full summer-fair mode, and Lake Placid welcomes readers young and old to the Adirondack Family Book Festival. In Elizabethtown, Field Day brings relay races, water games and a little friendly competition to the Social Center.
And those are only a few of the hand-picked Adirondack events worth putting on the calendar. This week’s collection is a little more compact than some of the summer blockbusters—but there’s plenty here worth leaving the porch for.
Scroll on for ADK Taste’s curated picks for what’s happening around the Adirondacks this week.
See more of our curated guide to current and upcoming events in the Adirondacks.
Here’s what’s happening across the Adirondacks this weekend.
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is now playing at The Strand in Schroon Lake. Discover why this ambitious adventure—and one of the Adirondacks' most charming historic theaters—belongs on your summer itinerary.
A beloved contemporary musical comes to Saranac Lake. With unforgettable music and a moving story about beauty, faith, and self-discovery, Violet is a cultural highlight of the Adirondack summer.
Follow the road to Violet. →
The Franklin County Fair returns to Malone with carnival rides, demolition derbies, livestock shows, legendary fair food, and concerts from Gin Blossoms, Spin Doctors, Dylan Marlow, and more. Here's everything you need to plan your visit.
Looking for more movies in the Adirondacks? Obsession arrives at Indian Lake Theater August 10–16, bringing supernatural suspense to one of the region's favorite independent cinemas.
One hundred craft booths, homemade baked goods, and a mission that matters. The Twigs Craft Fair returns to Speculator August 13, with proceeds supporting local ambulance squads, health care, and scholarships in the Central Adirondacks.
Two wheels, five films, one Friday night in North Creek. Tannery Pond Center’s Cycling Film Festival explores racing, freeriding, trail towns, and the unexpected power of mountain biking—just as the North Creek 4-6er endurance weekend rolls into town.
Get reel on two wheels. →
Books take over Lake Placid’s Olympic Speed Skating Oval as acclaimed children’s and YA authors and illustrators gather for a free day of readings, drawing, discovery, book sales and literary fun — all under the Adirondack sky.
Book it to Lake Placid. →
Ready to defend the family honor? Elizabethtown Social Center's Field Day brings relay races, obstacle challenges, water games and team spirit to the Adirondacks on August 15. Four-person teams compete for prizes—and bragging rights.
Saranac Lake becomes an open-air studio August 17–22 as 40 juried artists capture Adirondack landscapes in real time. Watch them paint, catch the two-hour Quick Draw, then see — or buy — the finished works at Town Hall.
Cold War dread meets Classic Movie Monday. Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire, and Anthony Perkins star in On the Beach, screening August 17 at The Strand in Schroon Lake with a special introduction by filmmaker Brian T. Brown.
Come in. The fallout’s fine.→
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Ongoing events and exhibitions.
Remember Storytown, roadside motels, classic attractions, and the family vacations that defined Lake George? Bolton Museum's newest exhibit brings the golden age of Adirondack tourism vividly back to life.
Six giant trolls are taking over The Wild Center this summer. Created from reclaimed materials by world-renowned artist Thomas Dambo, these whimsical guardians invite visitors to explore the Adirondacks through art, storytelling, and environmental stewardship.
Upcoming Adirondack events.
It’s never too early to start planning your next adventure in the ADK.
More than 50 gleaming antique wooden boats return to Lake George for one of the Northeast's most celebrated classic boat shows.
The Adirondack Canoe Classic returns this September, sending 275 boats across 90 unforgettable miles from Old Forge to Saranac Lake. Here's where to watch, what to expect, and why the 90-Miler remains an Adirondack tradition.
Bluegrass, folk, and Americana meet breathtaking Lake George views at Silver Bay's Mountain Music Festival. Spend a September weekend surrounded by great music, historic charm, and one of the Adirondacks' most beautiful waterfront settings.
Mark your calendar for the annual Sasquatch Festival in the historic Champlain Valley town of Whitehall, NY, bringing together Bigfoot believers, cryptid-curious travelers, researchers, live music fans, and families for one of the Adirondacks’ quirkiest and most unexpectedly beloved pop culture events.
Big foot, big….?→
America's Story Runs Through the Adirondacks
From Fort Ticonderoga and Teddy Roosevelt to the Miracle on Ice and the birth of the American vacation, the Adirondacks helped shape the nation.
To see all our recommendations for upcoming events in the Adirondacks, visit our events page.
Ultimate Guide to the Adirondacks
Your insider’s guide to exploring the Adirondacks—where to go, what to eat, and the experiences that make this place unforgettable.
ADK Talks Podcast
Love the Adirondacks? You’ll love our podcast. We take listeners beyond the guidebooks and into the heart of the Adirondacks. We share stories from the people behind the best places to eat, shop, stay and explore in the ADK. Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Recent episodes.
ADK Taste Instagram followers will immediately recognize our popular Loon Facts, which we share regularly. These factoids are now available on ceramic mugs, suitable for coffee, tea, hot cocoa, or even a hot toddy in front of the campfire.
These unique 11-oz hot beverage mugs feature an interesting fact about loons, such as “Fact #12: Loons are Not Ducks,” with an explanation. It's a great way to show off your love for the Common Loon, the Adirondacks, and random trivia.
This ceramic mug is perfect for coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. It also makes an excellent gift for nature lovers, bird watchers, and anyone who appreciates unique, trivia-inspired drinkware.
Material: White ceramic
Size: 11oz (0.33 l)
Uses: Coffee, tea, hot cocoa, hot toddy
Features: Durable, trivia-themed design, great gift idea