Mark Your Calendar for These Top Annual Events in Lake George & Nearby
Lake George has thrilling events worth checking out all year long! From maple and whitewater rafting in the spring to Americade in the summer to a fishing derby and jazz weekend in the fall and much more, we've rounded up the top annual events in Lake George you won't want to miss.
Browse the list below and mark your calendars today!
Jump To: Fall & Winter | Spring & Summer
Get Ready for Fall Fun & Winter Events
Adirondack Nationals Car Show
September 5-8, 2024
Classic car enthusiasts head to Fort William Henry the weekend after Labor Day for the Adirondack Nationals Car Show. Visitors enjoy the beautiful cars, special events, music, and more - they've also been known to have celebrity guests!
This event was first held in 1988 with under 300 vehicles. Today, the car show boasts over 1,500 classic and antique cars, with registration beginning early in the year as everyone wants to get in on the fun.
Jazz at the Lake - Lake George Jazz Weekend
September 13-15, 2024
Jazz lovers bring chairs and blankets to Jazz at the Lake for a weekend-long event of thrilling jazz performances. Sit in Shepard Park, or enjoy the performances from a boat right on Lake George.
All concerts are free and performed by talented musicians.
Adirondack Balloon Festival
September 19-22, 2024
People flock from all over the North Country and Capital Region for this event! The Adirondack Balloon Festival is spectacular sight to see, as dozens of hot air balloons fill the sky with brilliant colors.
Visitors can walk inside half-inflated balloons, get an inside look at balloonists preparing for flight, and there's also live music and other fun activities.
Balloons take off at select locations in Queensbury and Glens Falls. This event has been taking place for nearly 50 years!
World's Largest Garage Sale
October 4-6, 2024
The World's Largest Garage Sale in Warrensburg comprises over 500 vendors lining the streets and residential neighborhoods.
Garage sale vendors sell a wide range of home goods, collectables, toys, and much more, and there is also a slew of street vendors with mouthwatering food to keep your energy up during your massive shopping spree.
Make sure to dress warm, have solid walking shoes on, and bring plenty of cash for this one.
Lite Up the Village
November 29 & 30, 2024
Lite Up the Village kicks off the holiday season in Lake George! The Village transforms into a winder wonderland of magic as 3,500 light displays illuminate Shepard Park at once.
This event typically includes holiday shows and performances, fireworks, and a Lighted Fire Truck Parade with Santa himself.
Polar Plunge
January 1, 2025
Take a dip in Lake George - in January! The Polar Plunge is a Lake George New Year's Day tradition, when 1,000 or more participants head into the lake for a shivering good time.
This event happens at Shepard Park Beach, with a party often taking place at Duffy's Tavern afterwards.
Lake George Winter Carnival
February 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, and 23, 2025
Ever wondered what it'd be like to walk right over the lake? You can, at the Lake George Winter Carnival!
The biggest event of the season, the carnival takes place every weekend in February with a jam-packed schedule of events, many of which happen right on the ice.
You can expect events and activities such as: sanctioned car races, youth hockey games, outhouse races, pony rides, horse-drawn carriage rides, cornhole games, a bonfire on the beach, a hot chocolate bar, a BBQ, a chowder cookoff, fireworks, ice diving demonstrations, and they even offer helicopter rides over Lake George!
Top Spring & Summer Events for Lake George Visitors
Thurman Maple Days
March 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 2024
March is maple season in the Lake George area, and all month long pancake breakfasts, sugar house tours, and more maple fun takes place. The cornerstone of these events in the region is the Thurman Maple Days in Thurman and Athol.
Other non-maple farms typically participate in the event too, so you can enjoy additional activities like goat cheese tastings, sausage samplings, tractor wagon rides, and more. This is a self-guided tour where you pick where you want to go.
The Great Upstate Boat Show
March 22-24, 2024
With warmer days approaching, many of us are thinking about spending days on the water. Luckily, The Great Upstate Boat Show is the largest boat sales event between New York City and Montreal.
Taking place at the Adirondack Sports Complex, this has become a tradition for many boat enthusiasts. Thousands attend each year to get a great deal!
Warrensburg Bike Rally
May 28 - June 4, 2024
One of the best weekends for anyone that loves to ride a motorcycle is in late May.
The Warrensburg Bike Rally takes place on the same weekend as Americade. This will be the 22nd year for the event and it is free to participate in. Ring in the summer season with an event-filled weekend!
Americade Motorcycle Rally
May 29 - June 1, 2024
The biggest multi-brand motorcycle touring rally in the world takes place every year in Lake George: Americade.
Americade takes place over several days, with multiple events happening in different locations throughout Lake George. There are guided rides (including charity rides), exhibits and vendors, fireworks, parades, contests, and much more.
Over 50,000 riders, passengers, and spectators come out for Americade, and the rally has continued to draw increasingly large crowds with each year that passes.
Americade has also earned a reputation for being family-friendly, so make sure to bring the kids out for this one!
LARAC June Arts Festival
June 8-9, 2024
The Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC) hosts the LARAC June Arts Festival each year in nearby Glens Falls. You can expect over 200 exhibitors and crowds of around 15,000 at this fun event.
Shoppers browse products like jewelry, home decor, outdoor decor, gourmet food, fine art, textiles, and more. You can also expect arts demonstrations, kids activities, food concessions, and live music performances.
This event is free to attend and happens rain or shine.
Adirondack Wine & Food Festival
June 29-30, 2024
Wine and food enthusiasts will not want to miss out on this incredible festival with over 120 New York State craft beverage producers and food vendors.
The Adirondack Wine & Food Festival highlights some of the best wineries, breweries, distilleries, artisanal food vendors, food trucks, and craft vendors that our region has to offer.
The festival takes place outdoors at the Charles R. Wood Park Festival Commons, and is considered to be the official start to summer in Lake George.
Besides being able to sample dozens of beverages and food to make your taste buds dance, there are also cooking demonstrations, bartender demonstrations, and a Kids Activity Tent.
Adirondack Theatre Festival
June 27 - August 7, 2024
Even if you're not normally a theater-goer, you will want to check these plays out.
The Adirondack Theatre Festival in Glens Falls is a hugely popular event, with shows typically selling out and attendance and subscribership increasing each year. In addition to the mainstage productions, they often have comedy, magic, and a dinner theater for kids.
Best 4th in the North
July 1-4, 2024
If any place knows how to celebrate the Fourth of July, it's Ticonderoga. The Best 4th in the North is a full four days of fun in the Adirondacks.
This includes the Montcalm Mile, a parade, and a beautiful display of fireworks. The celebrations will take place in Bicentennial Park with live music, games, rides, and food vendors.
Rock the Dock Music Festival
July 13, 2024
Lake George is one of the best places to experience music during the summer. The Rock the Dock Music Festival is a family friendly event that occurs each year.
Enjoy the sounds of well known bands in the region, whether you are on the dock or on board one of the steamboats. This is guaranteed to be an incredible experience!
Smoke Eaters Jamboree
July 26-27, 2024
Just north of Lake George is Warrensburg, which hosts the Smoke Eaters Jamboree each summer.
As the name suggests, you can be prepared for incredible grilled food like barbecue chicken and corn on the cob, but there's also live music, karaoke, carnival rides, fireworks, and entertainment for kids. All proceeds for this event go towards the Warrensburg Volunteer Fire Company.
Lake George Art & Craft Festival
August 2-4, 2024
One of the best festivals in the Adirondack region is the Lake George Art & Craft Festival. With over 100 artists, there will be many handmade creations to look at or purchase.
The three days are full of live music and wonderful festival fare. There will be refreshing beverages and activities for kids too.
Stony Creek Mountain Days Festival
August 3-4, 2024
Stony Creek, located just under 30 minutes west of Lake George, is home to the Stony Creek Mountain Days Festival.
This weekend-long event calls on participants to channel their inner lumberjack as they enjoy family-friendly fun. You can see lumberjack competitions, enjoy live music, chow down on delicious food, browse local and regional vendors, and there are activities for the kids as well.
Lake George Music Festival
August 11-22, 2024
The Lake George Music Festival is a week-long event that celebrates everything relating to music - from chamber to full orchestra music to experimental pieces, contemporary works, and beyond, there's undoubtedly something for everyone.
The chamber performances tend to be the highlight of the festival, and then other events can include a kids concert, wine-centered music events, a cruise with the Lake George Steamboat Company, performances in Shepard Park, and more.
This event draws experienced musicians from renowned institutions like the Philadelphia Orchestra, along with students, up-and-coming musicians, and music lovers.
Lake George Triathlon Festival
August 31 - September 1, 2024
The Lake George Triathlon Festival is split up into two events: the Lake George Triathlon - Olympic Distance and the Big George Triathlon - Half Iron Distance. Participants can choose either race or both; one takes place each day of the festival.
Those competing enjoy an invigorating swim in Lake George followed by fast but scenic bike rides and runs on two-loop courses. Both races are spectator-friendly, and end with post-race food.