Park News Article
Ten Must-Do’s This Spring in Albany, NY
March 20, 2025
It’s finally spring in Albany! The winter thaw has begun and with both the weather and the City of Albany heating up, there’s so much to look forward to! From sightseeing to high-octane sports and energetic live music, there’s a little something for everyone this season. Whether you’re headed uptown, downtown, or anywhere in between, ParkAlbany is proud to offer convenient off-street parking at our centrally located garages and lots just a short walk from your destination! And if you can’t get enough of New York’s Capital City this spring, be sure to browse our extensive events calendar to discover another upcoming event and start planning your next outing!
Take A Relaxing Spring Stroll Along Albany’s Waterfront
Get outside this season and enjoy a relaxing stroll along Albany’s scenic waterfront! There’s nothing quite like a pleasant stroll next to the Hudson River, and Albany’s waterfront is the perfect place to watch the trees bloom, see the boats pass, and enjoy a slice of nature as spring blossoms just a short walk from bustling Downtown Albany. Connecting with New York’s renowned Empire State Trail, Albany’s waterfront boasts 3+ miles of paved trails, wildlife, panoramic views of the Hudson River and the skyline, plus plenty of spots to capture pictures! Access to the waterfront is now easier than ever thanks to the Albany Skyway, the Jennings Landing bridge next to our Riverfront Garage, and access points via Broadway and Quay Street! So grab those walking shoes, your camera, a coffee, and your sunglasses to experience nature all around you this spring along the iconic Hudson River!
Laugh With Gabriel Iglesias at the MVP Arena
Kick off your spring with a can’t-miss evening of laughter with Gabriel Iglesias! On March 30th, “Fluffy” is coming to the MVP Arena for his latest stand-up tour, “Don’t Worry Be Fluffy”! Regarded as one of the world’s most well-known and successful stand-up comedians, Iglesias is the second highest grossing touring comedian of all time and is one of the few comics to ever headline and sell out Madison Square Garden! On the scene for nearly 30 years, Gabriel is best known for referencing his weight in his routine, dubbing himself “Fluffy” and often saying “I’m not fat, I’m fluffy”. Donning a trademark Hawaiian shirt, Iglesias has been performing stand-up since 1997 and has appeared in 7 critically acclaimed comedy specials, as well as countless movies and TV shows. With a lighthearted, relatable comedy style that has kept fans laughing for decades, Gabriel Iglesias remains a premier touring comic, and fans are in for a treat this spring when he brings his lovable act to Downtown Albany for an unforgettable night of humor! ParkAlbany has the event parking covered, so be sure to grab a bite to eat from an incredible nearby eatery before the fun begins at the MVP Arena!
Discover Amazing Public Art In Quackenbush Square
Albany is a city full of vibrant public art, and Quackenbush Square is the perfect place to explore a blossoming hub of incredible art in Downtown Albany! Stretching from Broadway across from the Clinton Market Collective all the way back into our Quackenbush Garage & Parking Lot, visitors will be treated to over a dozen awe-inspiring murals and sculptures throughout this historic downtown space! Featuring pieces from both local and internationally known artists, Quackenbush Square is an ever-growing space for art and Instagram-worthy spots in New York’s Capital City. From the iconic wall-spanning Capital Walls murals like “Belonging” by Adam Fujita and “Bluebirds” by Michael Conlin to abstract sculptures like “The Meeting of Houses” and “Hypaethral Redux” by Jeremy Entwistle, this striking thoroughfare is an ideal place to view amazing art, get your steps in, and enjoy a remarkable pop of color and artistry while you’re out and about enjoying spring in Downtown Albany!
Rock Out With Melissa Etheridge At The Palace Theatre
Heartland rock icon Melissa Etheridge is headed to the Palace Theatre on April 29th for a must-see evening of legendary music in Downtown Albany this season! Storming onto the scene from Leavenworth, Kansas back in 1988, Melissa has been a fixture of the folk-rock scene thanks to her debut self-titled album featuring hit single “Bring Me Some Water”. Featuring her signature powerful, smoky, emotional vocals, Etheridge soon became one of rock’s biggest stars and her following releases would see her reach greater heights through legendary albums like Yes I Am and Your Little Secret! From her illustrious career to her renowned LGTBQ+ activism, Melissa Etheridge remains one of rock’s most well-known and beloved figures of the last 40 years! With an ASCAP Founders Award, 2 Grammy awards, an Academy Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Melissa is a must-see artist for any music fan. Her Downtown Albany stop this spring is slated to feature her signature sound with support from Grammy-winning singer/songwriter opener Joss Stone, and you won’t want to miss any of the action!
Explore The Albany Twilight Market in Quackenbush Square
The incredibly unique and eclectic Albany Twilight Market is back, happening every second Saturday from May 10th through September 13th in Downtown Albany! This distinctive curated monthly event showcases the very best of the Northeast’s alternative artists and makers in a vibrant, walkable public space in the middle of Downtown Albany. Visitors will discover an intriguing blend of antiques, macabre jewelry, gothic apparel, spooky home décor, dark arts, and so much more throughout this can’t-miss Saturday night showcase. Spread throughout Quackenbush Square, the Albany Twilight Market is a must-visit destination for unique shopping in Downtown Albany. Be sure to park at the nearby Quackenbush Garage and visit the ParkAlbany table for free popcorn and goodies as you stroll through this one-of-a-kind market!
Catch A Thrilling Albany Firebirds Game At The MVP Arena
Arena football is back and better than ever, and the Albany Firebirds are set to put on another incredible season for sports lovers at the MVP Arena this spring! After reaching the finals in the playoffs last season, the Firebirds are looking to build on their success and are slated to play 6 thrilling home games this season. Beginning with the home opener on March 21st, the Firebirds are bringing 4 quarters of high-octane arena football to Downtown Albany that any sports lover is sure to enjoy. Fans will be treated to special themed home games, giveaways, and mind-blowing catches and plays from one of the AF1’s premier franchises! While the NFL is dormant, spring is the perfect time to get your football fix and cheer on Albany’s home team in a heart-pounding environment right in the heart of the city! For Firebirds fans heading to the games from out of town, our Green-Hudson Garage is the perfect place to park before you grab some bites and pints before the game!
Visit The 77th Annual Albany Tulip Festival In Washington Park
Albany’s signature spring event is back for its 77th year this May, and you won’t want to miss any of the action! Every Mother’s Day weekend in Albany brings thousands of visitors to Washington Park for a spirited celebration featuring live music, a plethora of food and craft vendors, and over 100,000 tulips! With Albany being deeply rooted in Dutch culture dating back to the 1600s, this celebration pays homage to the rich culture of the Netherlands while also highlighting the vibrant culture of present-day Albany through its arts and businesses. This special 2-day event spans the entirety of Albany’s “Crown Jewel” 81-acre park in the heart of the city, and visitors are in for a treat with 2 stages of music, endless food options, and the opportunity to view some of New York’s best floral displays! Whether you’re attending for another stellar lineup of live music or just want to get outside and enjoy the weather, the Albany Tulip Festival is a can’t-miss event for everyone this spring! Coming from out of town? Event parking will be available at our nearby Parking Lots 2, 3, and 4, just a quick walk from all the fun in Washington Park!
Experience The Capital Pride Festival In Center Square & Washington Park
Celebrate Pride Month in Albany this spring during the Capital Pride Festival on June 8th! The largest pride festival outside of NYC and Boston is back for another energetic day in Washington Park and Albany’s Center Square neighborhood, and it’s the perfect time to get out and show your pride in New York’s Capital City. The Capital Pride Parade kicks off at 11:30am and brings thousands of people marching through the streets of Center Square, running along State Street, Lark Street, and then Madison Avenue before finishing in nearby Washington Park. From there, festivalgoers will be able to enjoy a lively pride celebration in the park all day long, featuring plenty of delicious food, drinks, amazing local vendors and businesses, and energetic live music on the parade grounds! This can’t-miss festival always makes for a lively spring day in Albany, and visitors are sure to love this celebration of pride and positivity in the heart of the city on June 8th! On-street parking will be free all-day for the 2025 Capital Pride Festival, and additional paid off-street parking will be available in nearby ParkAlbany Lots 2, 3, and 4.
Head To An Electrifying Alive At 5 Show Along The Hudson River
Now that spring is here, outdoor live music is back, and the Alive at 5 Concert Series is making its debut early this year in Albany! This free outdoor concert series presented by the City of Albany’s Office of Cultural Affairs has been a staple of Thursday evening fun in Albany, NY since 1990, and this year brings six weeks of energetic live music to Jennings Landing for that perfect after-work outing. This annual concert series has featured everything from international icons to up-and-coming talent, and the 2025 lineup is sure to offer something for every music taste (stay tuned for the announcement coming soon)! From hip-hop and rock to funk and reggae, these Alive at 5 shows are free, open to the public, and run from June 5th through July 17th. Need to park for these must-see shows? The Riverfront Garage is a quick 6-minute walk across the Hudson River walkway to Jennings Landing or avoid the after-show traffic and take the scenic route by parking at the Quackenbush Garage and take the nearby Albany Skyway down to the stage through the Corning Preserve!
Celebrate Father’s Day At Dad Fest in Washington Park
Celebrate Father’s Day in Albany this spring in Washington Park during the 2025 Dad Fest! Dad Fest is Albany’s premier celebration of dads, giving dads and their families a jam-packed afternoon of music, food, and fun in one of Albany’s most picturesque parks. Featuring live music, delicious food and drinks, and a classic car show, there’s a lot to look forward to on June 15th! Of course you don’t have to be a dad to enjoy dad fest, it’s a lively event in the park for everyone! Last year featured musical tributes to Janis Joplin and Ozzy Osbourne, and this year’s lineup is sure to have everyone singing and dancing again throughout Washington Park’s parade grounds. From spectacular bands to an endless selection of food trucks and vendors throughout the park, Dad Fest is the perfect time to venture outside and enjoy the sights and sounds of this vibrant annual Father’s Day celebration in Albany!
From incredible festivals to simply enjoying the warmer weather, Albany is the place to be this spring! Get outside and enjoy a vibrant season here in New York’s Capital City and stay up to date with these and other amazing happenings by browsing our events calendar! Remember that parking is always just a quick walk away from your destination, and to find the best place to park, visit our garages and lots page to start planning your outing!
