Summer Starts Now: 20+ Adirondack Events Worth Planning Around This Week
Take a paddle with dad this Fathers’ Day weekend in the Adirondacks.
The Adirondacks have officially entered that sweet spot of the year when the calendar fills faster than the campground reservations. School is winding down, summer visitors are arriving, and the region shifts into a season where great events happen nearly every day of the week—not just on weekends.
This week’s lineup is especially stacked. Father's Day brings plenty for car enthusiasts, with shows in Saranac Lake, at Gore Mountain, and during Dad Fest in Old Forge. River lovers can choose between Riverfest in Stony Creek and River Jam in Old Forge. Juneteenth celebrations invite reflection and community gatherings in Bolton Landing and at John Brown Farm State Historic Site near Lake Placid. And for those already thinking ahead to summer traditions, the Lake Placid Horse Shows return June 23, kicking off nearly two weeks of world-class competition in the High Peaks.
As always, this is not an exhaustive list. It’s ADK Taste’s hand-picked collection of events that stand out for their quality, character, and ability to make a weekend—or a weekday—worth rearranging plans for.
Nothing says Fathers’ Day like.a classic car show.
From live music and history programs to family festivals, outdoor adventures, and small-town celebrations, there’s plenty below to justify clearing a little space on the calendar. Scroll on and find something worth getting out for.
ADK Taste recommendations
Arrive early for popular festivals and car shows. Parking fills quickly, especially in Lake Placid, Old Forge, and Gore Mountain.
Pack for Adirondack weather, not the forecast. A light rain jacket often earns its keep.
Bring cash for food trucks, vendors, and community fundraisers. Many accept cards, but not all.
Father's Day weekend tends to be busy at restaurants. Reservations are a good idea if dining out is part of the plan.
Consider making a day of it. Many of this week's events pair nicely with a hike, a paddle, a scenic drive, or a stop at a local brewery.
Lake George Village.
ADK Taste perspective
This is one of those Adirondack weeks that reminds people why summer here feels different. The days are long, the lakes are warming, and every town seems to have something happening.
The challenge isn't finding something to do—it's deciding what to skip. Fortunately, that's a good problem to have. Get out, explore somewhere new, and enjoy one of the busiest and most rewarding stretches of the Adirondack calendar.
See more of our curated guide to top events in the Adirondacks.
Here’s what’s happening across the Adirondacks this weekend.
A dying sun. One unlikely hero. Discover why this thoughtful sci-fi adventure is worth experiencing in one of the Adirondacks' favorite independent cinemas.
Mission: Movie night. →
Opera meets Adirondack charm at Deer’s Head Inn in Elizabethtown. Seagle Festival's Opera Shots brings Broadway favorites and operatic highlights to one of the region's most beloved music venues on June 18.
Chrome, classics, lobster rolls, and small-town Adirondack charm. The 2nd Annual Cruisin' Car Show takes over downtown Saranac Lake June 19-20 with vintage vehicles, live music, food trucks, and plenty of reasons to linger.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Lake Placid. Arts Center when it brings The Wizard of Oz back to the big screen, giving Adirondack audiences a chance to experience a cinematic classic as it was meant to be seen.
Music, history, and civil rights converge on the shores of Lake George as The Sembrich hosts a moving tribute to Marian Anderson. Expect live spirituals, rare museum artifacts, powerful storytelling, and a lakeside reception.
Hear the story behind the song. →
He-Man returns to the big screen. Masters of the Universe plays at The Strand Theater in Schroon Lake. See why this fantasy adventure is worth experiencing in one of the Adirondacks' classic independent cinemas.
Looking for a Father's Day weekend adventure? The Long Lake Bass & Pike Fishing Derby returns June 20 with cash prizes, Adirondack fishing traditions, and a full day on one of the region's most beloved lakes.
Bootlegger history, mountain views, live music, whiskey tastings, and a 10K near Whiteface? The Wilmington Whiskey Run returns with one of the Adirondacks’ most delightfully quirky summer festivals.
Wooden boats, friendly competition, and a floating parade of Adirondack craftsmanship. The No Octane Regatta returns. bringing together guideboats, canoes, and boat lovers for one of the region's most distinctive summer traditions.
Don’t miss this boat. →
Classic cars, live music, bounce houses, food vendors, and a frog jumping competition that's been delightfully chaotic since the 1980s. Old Forge Dad Fest returns June 20 with a full day of family fun in the Central Adirondacks.
Classic cars, mountain views, scenic chairlift rides, and great food come together at Gore Mountain's Cruise-In. Discover why this laid-back North Creek gathering is one of the most unique automotive events in the Adirondacks.
Riverfest returns to Stony Creek on June 20 with river tubing, railbiking, live music, food trucks, craft vendors, family activities, and Adirondack adventure all in one place. Here's what to know before you go.
Live music, cold drinks, and Adirondack gear deals—River Jam in Old Forge (June 20) turns Father’s Day weekend into a full-on summer kickoff party.
Enjoy a free evening of Broadway favorites and operatic highlights when Seagle Festival's Opera Shot comes to the Ticonderoga Knights of Columbus Hall on June 20, 2026. Sponsored by the Ti Festival Guild.
Two beloved North Country bands share the stage. Local Music Night features The Allens' Adirondack storytelling and Slough Creek's soaring Americana harmonies for an evening rooted in place, community, and great tunes.
Celebrate Juneteenth at John Brown Farm near Lake Placid. The event includes live music, art, family activities, local food, and a powerful connection to one of America's most important abolitionists.
Authors David Kanietakeron Fadden and Curt Stager visit Chestertown to explore 12,000 years of Indigenous history and challenge long-held assumptions about the region.
The past has a story to tell. →
For nearly 60 years, the Lake Placid Horse Shows have brought elite riders, remarkable horses, and Olympic-caliber sporting tradition to the Adirondacks. Here's what to expect during the "Best Two Weeks of a Horseman's Summer" this June and July.
Jump into summer traditions. →
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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.
Craftsman design meets Adirondack style this summer in Old Forge. View Arts’ new Stickley exhibition showcases rare furniture, Arts and Crafts history, and timeless American design in the heart of the Central Adirondacks.
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. →
Two remarkable Adirondack exhibits are now on view. Explore guideboats, paintings, photography, and fiber art inspired by environmental science at the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts before they close on June 24.
Don't let this exhibit drift away. →
Upcoming Adirondack events.
It’s never too early to start planning your next adventure in the ADK.
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.
Lake Placid goes all out for America's 250th birthday with an F-35 flyover, Olympian appearances, live music, a Main Street parade, and fireworks over Mirror Lake.
“The Gold Rush” | Strand Theater | Schroon Lake | July 6, 2026
Charlie Chaplin's The Gold Rush comes to the Strand Theatre with live musical accompaniment by renowned silent film historian Ben Model, recreating the magic of early cinema in the Adirondacks.
The CAN-AM Rugby Tournament returns this July, bringing 100+ teams, high-energy matches, and a festival atmosphere to the Adirondacks. It’s one of the region’s most electric summer weekends.
Try this summer scrum.→
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.
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