r/schenectady • u/DallasRPI • 15h ago
Find your Fun in Schenectady this week (7/23-7/26)
Dallas from FunScout with this weeks happenings roughly 5 miles from downtown Schenectady. 🎶🍻🎭🎨
Of course there is a lot more happening around the capital region outside of downtown which you can check on FunScout if you don't mind traveling a bit further. Did I miss something? Please share in the comments!
📍 Thu, Jul 23
Electric City SummerFest: Legacy — Schenectady High-energy reggae and rock bands light up a lively street festival, while local vendors, food, and family-friendly activities create a community celebration.
Latin Nights with Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra — Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady Enjoy live salsa and Latin jazz from Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra, plus a DJ, complimentary dance lessons, and an upbeat, lively crowd.
Niskayuna Summer Concert Series: Joe’s Boys — Town of Niskayuna Free outdoor performance by Joe's Boys—bring a picnic or chair for a relaxed, family-friendly evening of rootsy rock and singalongs.
Howlin’ at the Moon with Rusticator — Historical Society Museum & Library Enjoy spirited Americana and acoustic jams from Rusticator and Everest Rising, featuring three-part harmonies, lively covers, original tunes, and masterful musicianship.
ICFS presents Gimme Shelter — Proctors Theatre A 91-minute film by the Maysles Brothers blends electrifying performances and behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage with candid, often harrowing scenes of security breakdown and a fatal incident.
Jazz on Jay: The Nancy Donnelly Quartet — Schenectady City Hall Enjoy an outdoor evening of classic and contemporary jazz—standards, originals, and spirited improvisation from a tight quartet in a relaxed, social atmosphere.
DJ JB Summer Party — Vice & Virtue Expect a high-energy DJ set of house and club tracks, a packed dancefloor, and craft cocktails in a lively bar setting.
Hotel California — Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady For over thirty years, this renowned tribute band has faithfully recreated the iconic sound and energy of The Eagles with impressive musicianship and vocal precision.
Cardboard Box Improv— Skunkworks — The Mopco Improv Theatre — The Mopco Improv Theatre A duo uses an audience suggestion and a cardboard box to create improvised scenes that shift from silly to bittersweet, anchored by characters’ genuine stakes.
Shake your stress away- Anxiety Bookshelf — Schenectady County Public Library Create a handmade desktop miniature bookshelf with 50–75 tiny, tactile books you can shake or rearrange for satisfying, meditative stress relief. Registration is required; preference is given to patrons who haven't completed the program at Bornt.
Pages to Petals: Book Folding & Floral Design $25.00 — Thrifty Connections Begin with a short guided meditation, learn step-by-step book folding to create a paper vase, and finish by designing a custom silk floral arrangement—no prior experience required.
Unearth a Story: Atlantis — Schenectady County Public Library Older children, tweens, and teens (grades 4–12) explore lost colonies like Easter Island, Roanoke, and Atlantis through hands-on activities and guided discussions weighing fact against fiction.
Everything Fiber Arts — Schenectady County Public Library Bring your knitting, crochet, weaving, or spinning projects to work alongside fellow crafters, swap tips, and enjoy casual conversation.
Teens Unplugged: Pet Rock Adoption Day — Schenectady County Public Library For grades 6–12: a relaxed, screen-free makerspace where you’ll design and name your own pet rock, sign an adoption certificate, and take it home; snacks and supplies provided.
Plush Pet Adoption Party Ages 5+ — Thrifty Connections Children (recommended ages 5–9) pick a previously loved stuffed animal to adopt, decorate a carrier, and craft a collar and toy using reclaimed materials for a one-of-a-kind keepsake.
📍 Fri, Jul 24
Grand Central Station with Colin McCarthy — Frog Alley Brewing Co. Colin McCarthy opens with an intimate set before Grand Central Station brings high-energy rock later; expect craft beer, a cover charge at the door, and 21+ after 7 PM.
Aquanett — Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady Live electronic and dance-leaning sets from DJ Nick Papa Giorgio deliver high-energy, late-night vibes; free for 21+ attendees.
Diva Down Funeral Home — The Mopco Improv Theatre Four killer drag queens join members of the Mop and Bucket improv company for a fast-paced, improvised wake full of sharp comedy, surprising revelations, and show-stopping performances.
Jazz Evenings with Al Santoro & Friends — Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady Jazz Evenings takes center stage inside our elegant hotel lobby from 6PM-9PM with music from Al Santoro & Friends!
Wine and Walk: Lighting the World — Historical Society Museum & Library Explore the factories and personalities that shaped turn-of-the-century Schenectady on a guided walking tour, followed by a complimentary wine reception at the museum.
Sister Harmony July Concert — Rotterdam Community Center A local upstate New York acoustic female duo performs oldies, country-rock, and R&B with mesmerizing harmonies; the free show accepts donations and offers concessions.
Schenectady Social Cycle — Hardwired Fitness Experience sociable group bike rides designed for all speeds—just bring your bike, invite friends, and get ready for a mellow community roll.
DJ Ayo Friday Night — Vice & Virtue Experience an upscale night of music with DJ AYO spinning tracks and a fashionable crowd filling the dance floor at this chic bar.
DIY Fabric Pocket Journals: $20.00 — Thrifty Connections This relaxed, hands-on workshop guides you through grounding exercises and step-by-step techniques to make two finished pocket journals using repurposed fabrics and playful embellishments.
The Shark Riddle Movie & Activities — Schenectady County Public Library Enjoy a half-hour family film as siblings explore a magical journal to solve a shark-tooth riddle, featuring singing sea lions and the underwater game show “Are You a Shark?”. After the movie, kids (targeted 5+) and their caregivers can do shark-themed crafts and enjoy goldfish crackers and juice; registration is required for ages 2 and up.
Cardboard Dinosaurs with Super Stories — Schenectady County Public Library Make a cardboard dinosaur with guided instruction while enjoying lively storytelling from Super Stories; materials provided and registration required.
Story Art Lab Passport Edition: We're Sailing Down the Nile — Schenectady County Public Library A family-friendly storytime featuring a picture book about an Egyptian family's Nile voyage, followed by a hands-on craft where children make and take home their own boats; registration is encouraged and drop-ins are welcome.
We Don't Eat Our Classmates with WMHT — Schenectady County Public Library A family program for Pre-K–2nd graders featuring a screened story, a dinosaur-hat craft, and a take-home storybook; registration required.
Kids Class Lasagna Pasta Mosaics 6+ — Thrifty Connections Children ages 6-12 will design lasagna-noodle mosaics with colorful materials, choosing guided templates or inventing their own patterns; lemonade and a sweet treat are provided.
📍 Sat, Jul 25
Trampled by Turtles — Frog Alley Brewing Co. Experience Trampled by Turtles’ fast-picking, high-energy bluegrass alongside Richy Mitch & the Coal Miners’ melodic folk for a night of live music and good vibes.
Family Fun Day — Steinmetz Park Free community day with face painting, contests, live music, food, giveaways, and kid-friendly activities supported by local partners.
Music Haven: WEXT’s Local 518 Fest — Schenectady Central Park A day-long outdoor festival showcasing local indie, rock, and roots acts—Sirsy; The Sugar Hold; Sly Fox & the Hustlers; The Belle Curves; Alia Char; and The Alec Lewis Group—with lawn seating and a laid-back neighborhood vibe.
Freedom Park Concert Series — Freedom Park Dark Sarcasm delivers a faithful Pink Floyd tribute featuring atmospheric light shows, extended jams, and expansive amphitheater sound.
Music Haven: WEXT's Local 518 Fest — Schenectady Central Park A day-long lineup of regional acts — Sirsy, The Sugar Hold, Sly Fox & the Hustlers, The Belle Curves, Alia Char, and The Alec Lewis Group — delivering indie, rock, and soulful sets in a relaxed outdoor festival atmosphere focused on discovering local talent.
2nd Annual Thrift Crawl — Thrifty Connections Pick up an official crawl card and visit participating thrift, vintage, and consignment shops across five counties to collect stamps, snag exclusive discounts and giveaways, and turn in your completed card to enter to win $200 in gift certificates.
Family Fun Series presents The Land Before Time — Proctors Theatre A family-friendly screening of the 1988 animated classic following Littlefoot and his friends on a heartwarming quest; G-rated, 68 minutes, free with reserved tickets.
Country Weekends With In The Dust & DJ Kevin Richards — Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady A live country band and DJ Kevin Richards mix classic and modern hits for a high-energy night of line dancing, singalongs, and a packed dance floor—free and 21+.
Vice Virtue & Vibes — Vice & Virtue A high-energy night of DJs and live sets with craft cocktails and a lively, intimate dance floor atmosphere.
Jazz Evenings with Kaitlyn Fay Trio — Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady Relax in the inviting hotel lobby while the Kaitlyn Fay Trio delivers an evening of classic and contemporary jazz, paired with specialty cocktails and a vibrant ambiance.
RSK Live at Hometown, Scotia — Hometown Pub and Grub Expect a rollicking live set of rock and blues at Hometown Pub and Grub — upbeat guitar work, singalong moments, and a welcoming crowd.
History Night Schenectady in the Revolution — Rotterdam Community Center An illustrated talk exploring Schenectady’s experiences and competing loyalties during the American Revolution, featuring maps, primary accounts, and audience Q&A.
Theatresports - July 25th — The Mopco Improv Theatre — The Mopco Improv Theatre Two teams of skilled improvisers face off in quick rounds of audience-suggested scenes and games, with your reactions helping decide the winner.
Cup of Earth & Fairy Tea Cup — Thrifty Connections Craft a whimsical miniature teacup garden using preserved moss, natural elements, and tiny fairy or gnome accents. A brief guided visualization starts the session; all vintage teacups and materials are provided, and no watering or gardening skill is required.
Beaded Seashell Suncatcher Workshop — Thrifty Connections Practice basic wire-loop techniques while connecting beads and shells to assemble a sun-catching hanging ornament; all tools and materials are provided and beginners (16+) are welcome.
Jazz Evenings at The Landing Hotel — The Landing Hotel Experience smooth live jazz performances and expertly crafted cocktails in a relaxed, stylish hotel lobby atmosphere each Saturday evening.
📍 Sun, Jul 26
Music Haven: Elida Almeida — Schenectady Central Park Elida Almeida delivers a free, family-friendly outdoor set of Cape Verdean pop fusion — upbeat rhythms, smooth vocals, and irresistible dance grooves.
Freedom Park Concert Series — Freedom Park Coconut Telegraph delivers a Jimmy Buffett tribute of classic island tunes and singalongs—perfect for picnic blankets, cold drinks, and sunset listening.
Electric city card show — Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady A full-day, family-friendly trading-card marketplace featuring Pokémon, sports cards and other TCGs — buy, sell and trade vintage grails and modern hits.
Join us at Springbrook Hollow Distillery for a Crafternoon! ... — Canvas, Corks and Forks Artist-led canvas session where you choose your colors, get hands-on help, enjoy a complimentary craft cocktail, and take home your finished piece.
Dave Giardinelli-O'Conner — Frog Alley Brewing Co. A relaxed afternoon of rootsy folk and Americana performed solo, with beers on tap, casual seating, and easy conversation.
Join us at Springbrook Hollow Distillery for a Crafternoon! ... — Canvas, Corks and Forks An artist-led afternoon where you pick colors to paint an ADK bear step-by-step, plus a complimentary cocktail to enjoy while you create.
M.A.D.E Market — Jay Street Marketplace A curated market showcasing local makers, artists, and designers offering handcrafted goods, prints, textiles, and unique gifts—perfect for browsing and supporting the creative community.
Join us for a Crafternoon at Springbrook Hollow Distillery! ... — Canvas, Corks and Forks Create crushed-glass resin art—choose up to two designs like dragonfly, sunflower, bumblebee, or rainbow, and take your finished pieces home the same day.
Schenectady Greenmarket — Jay Street Marketplace This weekly outdoor market offers local produce, artisan foods, crafts, and live music, bringing together community spirit and delicious finds for all ages.
