Best Things to Do in the Adirondacks This Weekend
Gore Mountain’s Annual Leprechaun Hunt kicks off on March 14, 2026.
Looking for things to do in the Adirondacks this weekend? ADK Taste rounds up the region’s best events every week.
The Adirondacks are looking a little greener than usual this weekend.
With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, communities across the region are celebrating with lively parades, Celtic music, pub gatherings, and festive block parties where everyone is Irish for the day. From Lake George to Long Lake and beyond, the holiday spirit is in full swing.
But the fun doesn’t stop with shamrocks and bagpipes.
This weekend’s calendar also features great food events, local traditions, and a few sure signs that spring in the Adirondacks isn’t too far away. Food lovers can warm up at the Essex Chili Cook-Off, craft beer fans can sample rare brews at Adirondack Brewery’s Barrel Fest, and runners will hit the pavement in Glens Falls for the Shamrock Shuffle.
And perhaps the sweetest sign of the changing seasons: opening day at Martha’s Dandee Creme, the legendary roadside stand where Adirondack summers unofficially begin with the first swirl of soft-serve.
Whether you’re looking for festive St. Patrick’s celebrations, family-friendly community events, or simply a fun excuse to get out and explore the region, you’ll find plenty to do across the Adirondacks this weekend.
Below is ADK Taste’s curated guide to the best events happening across the Adirondacks.
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Let your next adventure begin with our top recommendations for this weekend's events.
Here’s what’s happening across the Adirondacks this weekend.
SpongeBob returns to the big screen! This colorful, laugh-filled adventure makes a perfect family outing in the Central Adirondacks.
Old Forge is going green on March 13. Join the St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 5:30 pm on Main Street and celebrate Adirondack-style.
Get lucky. →
Sing your shamrocks off in Saranac Lake. Celtic Karaoke with Knotty Paddy takes over the Great Hall at Hotel Saranac on for a high-energy St. Patrick’s celebration.
Roll into St. Patrick’s season with Irish Road Bowling in Indian Lake. Teams, costumes, camaraderie — and a 28-ounce “bullet” flying down Pelon Road.
Maple season begins in Thurman. Tour working sugarhouses, taste fresh Adirondack syrup, and celebrate the first sweet weekend of spring
Martha’s Dandee Creme reopens, bringing 39 handmade soft serve flavors and classic grill favorites back to Route 9 near Lake George. A sure sign Adirondack summer is on the way.
Tiny troublemakers are hiding on the slopes at Gore Mountain. Join the annual Leprechaun Hunt in North Creek on March 14 and trade your lucky find for treasure.
Saranac Lake goes full shamrock mode for its annual St Patrick’s Day Parade, complete with bagpipers, floats, fire trucks, and Clan pride marching through downtown. It’s one of the Tri-Lakes’ most festive traditions.
Après ski season is still going strong at Gore Mountain. Kick off your ski boots and enjoy live music from regional favorite Jason Irwin, plus drink specials and giveaways.
Chestertown is going green. The 14th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns with bagpipers, fire trucks, and full-on Adirondack charm.
Barrel-aged brews, bonfires, and fireworks return to Lake George on March 14, 2026. Adirondack Brewery’s Barrel Fest is a must for serious craft fans.
Live Irish music, a downtown soup stroll, pub pop-ups, and family fun — Shades of Green brings the luck of the Irish to the Adirondacks on March 14.
Go green in Ti. →
The Shamrock Shuffle returns to Glens Falls on March 15 with a fast 5-mile race and kids’ Leprechaun Leap—all to benefit Project: Cameron’s Story.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s weekend Adirondack-style at the Long Lake Celtic Ceilidh. Enjoy live Celtic music, an open jam session, and beginner-friendly contra dancing.
Don’t jig past this one. →
Free chili, local farms, live music, and winter comfort vibes—what’s not to love? Spoon your way out of the winter blues.
Lake George goes green on March 15. Don’t miss festive floats, pipe bands, and shamrock spirit in the heart of the village.
Plan your lucky day. →
Lake George goes full Irish for Sham “Rock” the Block at Duffy’s Tavern. Live music, fire pits, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade make this Adirondack celebration one lucky weekend.
Sláinte! →
Celebrate St. Patrick’s season with lively Irish music and dance as Hudson River Céilí brings traditional Celtic tunes to the ADK for a festive Winter Coffeehouse Concert.
Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day at P-2’s Irish Pub in Tupper Lake. Doors open at 12 pm for live music, festive décor, and the “Party of the Year” at this beloved Adirondack pub.
Sham-rock on over and join the fun. →
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day the Lake George way with a festive pub crawl through the village’s best bars. Drink specials, food discounts, shuttle rides, and a hotel stay make this Adirondack celebration easy and unforgettable.
Ongoing events and exhibits in the Adirondacks.
Farmers by day, artists by instinct. Discover Harvest: The Art of Local Farmers at Whitcomb’s Arts through March 21.
Sudan, seen through friendship—not headlines. This moving exhibit at Saranac Lake Free Library captures a country before war reshaped it.
Upcoming Adirondack events.
It’s never too early to start planning your next adventure in the ADK.
Love Adirondack loons but don’t live lakeside? You’re still invited. Loon Zoom is a virtual talk series bringing loon conservation stories, science, and unforgettable moments straight to your screen.
Lake Placid hosts the men’s 2026 ECAC Hockey Championships this March on Miracle on Ice turf, featuring future Olympians and NCAA dreams.
Don’t let this skate by. →
Bands-n-Beans is back with live local music, bold chili, and big community vibes. Grab a spoon, cast your vote, and turn up the heat this March.
Chili so good it deserves an encore. →
Spring comes slowly to the Adirondacks, but Fort Ticonderoga’s Garden & Landscape Symposium offers insights from experts in gardening, landscape history, and flavor for northern gardeners.
To see all our recommendations for upcoming events in the Adirondacks, visit our events page.
St. Patrick’s Day in the Adirondacks
Discover the best places to wear your green and join the fun across the ADK.
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