This Adirondack Weekend Has a Little Bit of Everything
Ausable River fly fishing the flume. Photo courtesy whitefaceregion.com (ROOST).
Mid-May in the Adirondacks always carries a particular kind of optimism. The black flies are negotiating their annual takeover, the lakes are slowly warming, and every town from Old Forge to Westport suddenly seems to have something going on. Memorial Day weekend is waiting just around the corner, but this is the stretch when locals quietly know the region is already hitting its stride.
This weekend feels especially stacked. There’s fly fishing along the Ausable River, Revolutionary War history at Fort Ticonderoga, classic cars in Westport, mountain-town gear culture in Old Forge, and a downtown pet festival taking over Glens Falls. Not bad for a “shoulder season.”
The Adirondacks are entering that sweet spot between mud season and full summer crowds — when parking is still possible, reservations aren’t impossible, and the people showing up genuinely want to be here. Frankly, this is one of the best weekends of spring to start putting miles back on the car.
As always, this is not a comprehensive calendar. These are ADK Taste’s hand-picked Adirondack events worth planning around right now.
Event highlights.
Ausable River Two-Fly Challenge near Whiteface
Competitive fly fishing returns to the Ausable River region with one of the Adirondacks’ most uniquely local spring traditions. The annual Two-Fly Challenge combines technical fishing, mountain scenery, and just enough friendly rivalry to make even non-anglers curious.
Annual War College of the Seven Years’ War at Fort Ticonderoga
History buffs, military scholars, and serious Revolutionary War enthusiasts descend on Fort Ticonderoga this weekend for one of the country’s premier gatherings focused on 18th-century warfare and colonial history. It’s niche in the best possible way — and exactly the kind of deeply Adirondack event that gives the region texture beyond hiking trails and lake views.
Car Show and Vendor Market in Westport
Classic cars, custom builds, local makers, and small-town fairground energy come together at the Essex County Fairgrounds this Saturday. Westport tends to do events with a little more charm and a little less chaos, which is part of the appeal.
Paddle & Pedal Festival in Old Forge
Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company officially kicks Adirondack adventure season into gear with demo paddles, bike rides, new equipment showcases, and plenty of early-season outdoor energy. If someone has been waiting all winter to buy a kayak, this is probably where they’ll end up this weekend.
Pet Fest in Glens Falls
Downtown Glens Falls turns into a four-legged street party Sunday with dog contests, demonstrations, vendors, adoptable pets, and a surprising amount of local enthusiasm for coordinated pet costumes. It’s wholesome chaos in the best sense.
ADK Taste recommendations.
Arrive early for the Paddle & Pedal Festival. Parking and crowds will build quickly by late morning.
Layers still matter. Adirondack mornings remain cool even when afternoons flirt with summer.
For the Ausable River area, bring bug spray now — not later. Mid-May is officially “you’ll wish you had it” season.
Westport and Essex County events pair exceptionally well with a scenic drive along Lake Champlain. This is the weekend to take the long route.
Pet Fest attendees should expect downtown foot traffic and limited nearby parking. Comfortable walking shoes are a better idea than trying to circle for the perfect spot.
ADK Taste perspective.
There’s a noticeable shift happening across the Adirondacks right now. Camp chairs are reappearing. Seasonal restaurants are unlocking their doors. People are lingering outside a little longer instead of sprinting back to the car after dinner.
Weekends like this remind visitors that the Adirondacks are more than postcard views and peak foliage weekends. They’re communities with quirky traditions, niche festivals, fiercely loyal local culture, and enough variety that one weekend can somehow include fly fishing, war history, mountain biking, and pet costume contests without feeling strange at all.
And honestly? That’s part of the magic.
→ Don’t miss a weekend like this. Explore the full lineup below.
Here’s what’s happening across the Adirondacks this weekend.
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.
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. →
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 poet, an exterminator’s office, and a search for meaning—The Exterminating Poet brings intimate theatre and puppetry to Upper Jay Art Center. One night only in the Adirondacks.
Gothic romance meets Adirondack moviegoing as Wuthering Heights arrives at Indian Lake Theater. A perfect excuse for a thoughtful night at one of the Adirondacks’ beloved independent cinemas
Love, revenge and moody skies. →
Historians from across Europe and North America head to Fort Ticonderoga—and you can sit in. The War College turns the Adirondacks into a global stage for history.
Classic cars, custom builds, Adirondack makers, and a spring day at the Essex County Fairgrounds in Westport? This free Adirondack event blends chrome, crafts, and community spirit along the Adirondack Coast on May 16.
Test paddle a kayak. Ride a new bike. Paddle & Pedal Fest in Old Forge (May 16–17) is the Adirondacks’ hands-on kickoff to outdoor season—where gear meets water, trail, and real conditions.
Internationally acclaimed cellist Rebecca Foon returns to The Mill in Westport on May 16 with an immersive live performance blending ambient, chamber, and cinematic soundscapes. One of the Adirondacks’ most intriguing spring arts events.
Cello, there. →
National touring comedian Andy Woodhull heads to Lake Placid for a night of sharp stand-up comedy at the Arts Center. Here’s why this Adirondack comedy night deserves a spot on your spring weekend itinerary.
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.
Global rhythms meet Adirondack charm when Heard performs at The Grange in Whallonsburg. Expect jazz, Afro-Caribbean grooves, improvisation, and one of the region’s most intimate live music experiences near Lake Champlain.
Dogs in costumes. Adirondack community vibes. Downtown Glens Falls turns delightfully furry for Pet Fest 2026 with contests, demos, adoptable pets, vendors, and plenty of four-legged chaos in City Park.
The Traveling Hoot Show brings North Country musicians, bluegrass, and listening-room energy to Lake Placid this spring and summer. Discover one of the Adirondacks’ most intimate live music experiences at the Arts Center Annex.
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Upcoming Adirondack events.
It’s never too early to start planning your next adventure in the ADK.
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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