August Starts Here: The Adirondacks Are Hitting Their Summer Stride
Misty morning on Brant Lake.
The Adirondacks have reached that sweet spot in the calendar when every road seems to lead to something worth discovering.
Village parks fill with music, fairgrounds buzz from morning to night, and historic downtowns turn into gathering places where locals and visitors mingle as though they've known each other for years. If summer has a signature weekend, this one makes a convincing case.
From porch concerts in Saranac Lake to a county fair that's been bringing people together for generations, this week's lineup captures what makes an Adirondack summer feel distinctly Adirondack.
Raquette Lake celebrates one of the region's great historical figures during Durant Days, while Port Henry embraces its favorite legendary resident with Champ Day. It's history, community, live music, good food, and a healthy sense that not everything needs to be taken too seriously.
As always, these are ADK Taste's hand-picked highlights—not every event happening across the Park, but the ones we think deserve a spot on your calendar. Scroll through the full list, find a few favorites, and make a plan. August may have just arrived, but summer still has plenty to say.
See more of our curated guide to top events in the Adirondacks.
Here’s what’s happening across the Adirondacks this weekend.
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.
A Catholic school, a minor incident, and a whole lot of human nature. Depot Theatre's Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help brings sharp wit and surprising heart to one of the Adirondacks' most charming venues.
Heaven help us, it’s hilarious. →
The 177th Essex County Fair continues with carnival rides, The Flying Wallendas, livestock shows, maple treats, and demolition derby action. Here's why this Adirondack tradition deserves a spot on your summer calendar.
Fair play. →
Glens Falls is an open-air art studio this week. Watch artists paint Lake George, downtown streets, and Adirondack landscapes in real time during the First Annual Glens Falls Plein Air Festival.
Brush up on a new summer event.→
The Force arrives in the Adirondacks. Join Din Djarin and Grogu at Indian Lake Theater July 27–August 2 and experience Star Wars on the big screen in one of the Park's beloved independent cinemas.
This is the way to movie night. →
Celebrate W.W. Durant, godfather of the Adirondack Great Camp style, with tours, a historic boat excursion, live music, a boat parade, fireworks, and Vespers by the water. Discover the birthplace of Adirondack Great Camp architecture.
Lumberjacks, banjos, garage sales, and creekside adventures? Stony Creek Mountain Days returns July 31–August 2 with three days of small-town Adirondack charm just minutes from Lake George and Warrensburg.
Think you've heard every Adirondack legend? Think again. Champ Day returns to Port Henry with cardboard boat races, waterfront fun, family activities, local vendors, and a celebration of Lake Champlain's most famous mystery.
Dive into this legend.→
Chrome shines, engines rumble, and summer nostalgia rolls into Elizabethtown. The Antique and Classic Car Show returns with vintage vehicles, oldies music, BBQ, raffles, and free admission—an easy stop for any Adirondack weekend adventure.
One Saturday. Dozens of porches. Endless live music. Discover why Saranac Lake PorchFest is one of the Adirondacks' most beloved summer traditions, where neighborhoods become concert venues, and every stroll brings a new soundtrack.
Old Forge's sweetest summer tradition returns August 1. Browse handcrafted pottery, build a Mercer's Ice Cream sundae, and support View Arts Center at this beloved Adirondack event. It's art, dessert, and community—all in one afternoon.
Garden glamour meets Adirondack history at the Annual King's Garden Party. Sip cocktails, admire spectacular blooms, enjoy live music, and embrace this year's playful Polka Dots & Pinstripes theme during one of summer's most elegant evenings.
Music, mountain views, and one of the Adirondacks' most meaningful historic sites come together as the Lake Placid Sinfonietta performs a free outdoor concert at John Brown Farm. Here's why this Sunday tradition deserves a spot on your itinerary.
Take note. →
John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, and a live introduction by TCM historian Jeremy Arnold make this Classic Movie Monday at The Strand Theater in Schroon Lake a must for classic film fans.
One of America's most celebrated modern operas comes to Schroon Lake. Dead Man Walking delivers powerful storytelling, unforgettable music, and a cultural experience unlike anything else in the Adirondacks this summer.
Powerful performance. →
Looking for more unforgettable Adirondack events like this? Sign up for our newsletter to get your weekly guide to the region’s best stories, food, and happenings.
Ongoing events and exhibitions.
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.
Canoes, costumes, community, and six miles of Adirondack scenery—discover why the Great Brant Lake Canoe Race has become one of summer's most entertaining traditions, and why it's worth adding to your August itinerary.
Perseid Meteor Shower | August 12-13, 2026
One of summer's greatest natural shows returns. Discover the best Adirondack locations for watching the Perseid Meteor Shower, plus insider tips for making the most of one of the darkest skies in the Northeast.
Don’t sleep through this show.→
It’s never too early to start planning your next adventure in the ADK.
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.
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.
