🎉 Weekend Spotlight: July 12–13, 2025
Saturday Highlights – July 12
1. MVP Kids Day + Baby Shark™ Mini Show
Bring the little ones to West Capitol Park (Empire State Plaza) from 11 AM–4 PM for a lively family festival featuring a Baby Shark performance, pony rides, rock climbing, arts & crafts, balloon twisting, and food trucks—a free event tailor-made for families!
2. 48th Annual Mechanicville Family Day in the Park
Kick off the day at 8 AM at Tallmadge Park for Mechanicville’s largest family celebration. Expect a full day of rides, games, craft and food vendors, live music, culminating in a fireworks display at dusk
3. Six‑Week Youth Improv (Ages 13–17)
Also on Saturday, MopCo Improv Theater in Schenectady hosts its second session (11 AM–1 PM) of youth improv—a great creative outlet for teens
4. Live Music & Concert Series
- Freedom Park Summer Concert: Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra perform at Scotia’s Freedom Park at 7 PM—free and family-friendly.
- Free Concerts in the Region:
- NY concert series spotlight: The Refrigerators perform at Troy’s Powers Park on Saturday evening
- Ongoing summer concerts include Albany’s Alive at Five and Empire State Plaza Capital Concert Series featuring free music
- 5. “Oklahoma!” at Park Playhouse
Catch the first weekend of this free outdoor production in Washington Park—through July 27! The Times‑Union praised standout performances from Calista Case and the ensemble, despite a few stage inconsistencies
Sunday Picks – July 13
1. Freedom Park Concert: Bob Marley for Kids
Scotia’s Sunday concert series continues with this reggae-inspired performance at 7 PM—perfect for a laid-back family evening.
2. Mechanicville Family Day Continues
While fireworks were Saturday’s grand finale, Sunday keeps a spirit of community alive—vendors, food, and lingering entertainment await.
3. Movies in the Park & Historic Tours
- Movie Night in Ballston Spa: Dusk screenings at Wiswall Park will charm families under the stars
- Hart‑Cluett House Tour in Troy: Step back into history with morning tours on Sunday
🎶 More Music & Entertainment Throughout the Region
- Free summer music series continue across towns: Guilderland, Schenectady, Malta, and many more host weekly performances—including blues, rock, classic hits, and tributes
- Alive at Five, downtown Albany’s signature Thursdays-only concert series, wraps soon (runs through July 17) at Tricentennial Park, featuring acts like Queensrÿche and Lupe Fiasco
Whether you’re chasing fireworks, grooving to live beats, letting creativity flow, or soaking in theater under the summer sky, the Capital Region has your weekend covered. From Mechanicville’s grand celebration to intimate park concerts and historic tours—there’s something for everyone. Let me know if you want maps, registration links, or insider tips!
