The Adirondacks Just Shifted Into Summer—Here's Where to Be This Weekend
Schroon River in the southern Adirondacks.
Summer has officially found its stride in the Adirondacks.
The lakes are warming, patios are filling, and next week's Fourth of July celebrations are already building momentum. Before the holiday rush arrives, this weekend offers one of the season's best opportunities to get out and explore.
From professional theater and world-class equestrian competition to scenic cycling, free fishing, and community festivals, the calendar is unusually full. As always, these are ADK Taste's hand-picked highlights—not a comprehensive list, but the events we think are genuinely worth your time.
Scroll through this week's picks, choose a few favorites, and enjoy one of the best weekends of the Adirondack summer.
ADK Taste recommendations.
Arrive early for popular events in Lake Placid and Westport. Summer parking fills quickly.
Pack a light jacket. Adirondack evenings still cool off after sunset.
Bring cash for smaller community events, farm stands, and local vendors.
Pair an event with a scenic drive, local restaurant, or short hike to make a full Adirondack day of it.
The last word before you head into the wild.
Late June is one of the Adirondacks' sweet spots. Summer energy has arrived, but the biggest holiday crowds haven't. It's the kind of weekend that rewards spontaneity—whether that means discovering a new festival, catching a live performance, or simply taking the long way home.
That's why we curate these lists each week: to help you spend less time searching and more time enjoying everything the Adirondacks do so well.
See more of our curated guide to top events in the Adirondacks.
Here’s what’s happening across the Adirondacks this weekend.
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. →
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.
Before Rent changed Broadway forever, Jonathan Larson wrote Tick, Tick… Boom! Now the powerful, deeply personal musical comes to Westport's Depot Theatre. Discover why this intimate Adirondack production is one of the summer's must-see cultural events.
A moving true story comes to Indian Lake Theater. I Swear follows Scottish activist John Davidson's journey from misunderstanding and isolation to becoming a powerful voice for awareness of Tourette's.
Trade the multiplex for a historic Adirondack theater. Project Hail Mary lands at The Strand in Schroon Lake, combining breathtaking sci-fi with one of the region's most charming movie-going experiences.
Blast off at The Strand in Schroon Lake. →
No fishing license? No problem. New York’s Free Fishing Days return, giving visitors and locals the chance to fish Adirondack lakes, rivers, and ponds at no cost.
For 44 years, the Tupper Lake Tinman Triathlon has challenged athletes in the heart of the Adirondacks. From first-timers to seasoned competitors, this endurance classic blends mountain scenery, small-town energy, and serious bragging rights.
Swim. Bike. Brag.→
Wine, craft beer, artisan foods, live music, and Lake George summer vibes— the Adirondack Food & Wine Festival returns. Here's what to expect, insider tips, and why it's one of the tastiest weekends in the Adirondacks.
Craft beer meets Adirondack history at Great Camp Sagamore. Black Fly Beer Camp features lunch, a presentation by beer historian John Holl, and tastings from seven regional breweries in one of the Adirondacks' most iconic settings.
Buzz over for a cold one. →
Internationally acclaimed violinist Kinga Augustyn brings “Soulful Visions” to The Sembrich. Enjoy an evening of music by Clara Schumann, Florence Price, Amy Beach, and more, followed by a lakeside reception.
The Rapid River Fondo returns to Warrensburg on June 28 with 33-mile, 48-mile, and 100K cycling routes winding through some of the Southern Adirondacks’ most scenic river corridors. A perfect ride for cyclists of all abilities.
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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. →
Upcoming Adirondack events.
It’s never too early to start planning your next adventure in the ADK.
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.
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.
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.
