



Jan 17-19
Long Lake Winter Carnival
Experience a day filled with snowmobile parades, cardboard box sled races, ice skating, broomball, and a fireworks display in Long Lake, NY. Details at visitadirondacks.com.
Jan 24-26
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival
Celebrate winter with ice sculptures, parades, and outdoor activities in Saranac Lake, NY. Details at saranaclakewintercarnival.com.
Jan 31 - Feb 2
Lake George Winter Carnival
Enjoy ice fishing, snowmobile races, and live music in Lake George, NY. Details at lakegeorgewintercarnival.com.
Feb 14-16
Flurry Festival
Participate in one of the largest contra dances in the U.S., along with other folk dances and music performances in Saratoga Springs, NY. Details at flurryfestival.org.
Feb 22
Inlet Frozen Fire & Lights
Enjoy a day of sledding, ice-skating, kite decorating, and a bonfire with fireworks in Inlet, NY. Details at visitadirondacks.com.
Feb 28 - Mar 2
Adirondack International Snowmobile Festival
Celebrate snowmobiling with races, shows, and a parade in Old Forge, NY. Details at oldforgeny.com.
Villa di Como Ristorante
Imported ingredients directly from Italy and authentic Italian food and gourmet pizzas and Limoncello
286 Lark St, Albany, NY 12210
Web: www.villadicomo.com | Phone: (518) 475-7777
Grappa ‘72
Elegant eatery, tucked away in a strip mall, featuring classic Italian fare, music & grappa.
818 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12206
Web: grappa72.com | Phone: (518) 482-7200
Athos Restaurant
Authentic Greek fare in an upscale setting with a lively bar, fixed-price specials & Friday music.
1814 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203
Web: www.athosrestaurant.com | Phone: (518) 608-6400
Have a restaurant you’d like us to feature?
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Cafe Calabria II
Family-run bistro serving Southern Italian dishes such as veal marsala & pasta in a warm setting.
1736 Western Ave, Albany, NY
Dove + Deer
Great cocktails and a happy hour, with vegetarian dishes available.
32 Dove St, Albany, NY
Hill Street Cafe
Old-timey, wood-paneled hangout offering pub grub & craft draft beer, along with growlers to go.
180 Madison Ave, Albany, NY
Phoebe’s Restaurant
Long-running skylight-topped American bistro serving a seasonal menu, with an attached coffee bar.
900 E Genesee St, Syracuse, NY
Isaan Thai Star
Authentic North Eastern Thai Cuisine prepared by Chefs from the Isaan region of Thailand.
41 N 7th St, Hudson, NY
The Cascades
Long-running deli, espresso bar & cafe serving breakfast & sandwiches in a casual, old-school space.
407 Warren St, Hudson, NY
Otro Cinco
Spanish & Mexican plates, craft beers & boutique wines in a buzzy space with old-world atmosphere.
206 S Warren St, Syracuse, NY
The Cuckoo’s Nest
Homey Southern fare with cocktails, presented in an eclectic setting with full bar & happy hour.
234 Western Ave, Albany, NY
Pastabilities
Contemporary eatery serves homemade pasta dishes & Italian-American fare.
311 S Franklin St, Syracuse, NY
The Hollow Bar
American eats, rotating craft beers & live music.
79 N Pearl St, Albany, NY
Mar 7-9
Lake Placid Film Festival
Attend screenings of independent films and participate in filmmaker panels in Lake Placid, NY. Details at lakeplacidfilmfestival.org.
Mar 22-23
Bristol Mountain Spring Carnival
Watch skiers attempt to cross a 50-foot pond in the Slush Cup event, enjoy snow tubing, and participate in an Easter egg hunt in Canandaigua, NY. Details at bristolmountain.com.
Mar 23
Binghamton On Tap
Sample craft beers, ciders, and seltzers from local and regional breweries, enjoy live music, and indulge in food vendors at Visions Veterans Arena in Binghamton, NY. Details at binghamtonontap.com.
Apr 5
Saratoga Springs Farmers Market Spring Kickoff
Celebrate the start of the season with local produce, crafts, and live music at the Saratoga Springs City Center. Visit saratogafarmersmarket.org.
Apr 12
Albany Tulip Festival
Enjoy Dutch-themed festivities, music, and over 100,000 blooming tulips in Washington Park, Albany, NY. Details at albanytulipfestival.com.
Apr 19-20
Rochester Lilac Festival
Experience the beauty of over 500 varieties of lilacs, along with live entertainment and food vendors in Highland Park, Rochester, NY. Details at lilacfestival.com.
May 8
Annual Dinner and Business Expo
Celebrate a significant milestone with local business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community members at the Franklin Plaza in Troy, NY. Details at renscochamber.com.
May 10
77th Annual Royal Tulip Ball
Join the community for an elegant evening celebrating Albany’s heritage and the annual Tulip Festival at Duo at the Dunes in Albany, NY. Details at albanytulipfestival.com.
May 31 - Jun 1
Rhinebeck Crafts Festival
Explore over 165 artisans showcasing handmade treasures, enjoy live craft demonstrations, and indulge in gourmet specialties at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, NY. Visit rhinebeckcraftsfestival.com.
Jun 7-8
Taste of Syracuse
Sample dishes from over 75 restaurants, enjoy live entertainment, and participate in the Paige’s Butterfly Run in Syracuse, NY. Details at tasteofsyracuse.com.
Jun 7-9
Great NY State Food & Wine Festival
Savor “Made in New York” products, including wines, cheeses, and desserts, at the Clayton Opera House in Clayton, NY. Visit nyfwa.com.
Jun 8-9
LARAC June Arts Festival
Discover over 100 artists offering handmade items, enjoy live music, and participate in children’s activities at Glens Falls City Park in Glens Falls, NY. Details at larac.org.
Jul 5-7
Ellicottville Summer Music Festival
Celebrate music and community at Holiday Valley Resort with performances by Marc Martel’s One Vision of Queen, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and a grand fireworks finale. Details at ellicottvilleny.com.
Jul 6 - Aug 18
Sterling Renaissance Festival
Step back in time to 1585 with jousting, magic shows, swordplay, and themed weekends like Pirate Invasion and Ale Fest in Sterling, NY. Details at sterlingfestival.com.
Jul 17-20
Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival
Enjoy acoustic music including traditional and contemporary bluegrass, jam bands, and old-time music, along with workshops and a “Bluegrass Academy for Kids” in Oak Hill, NY. Details at greyfoxbluegrass.com.
Aug 11-22
Lake George Music Festival
Experience daily concerts, open rehearsals, and captivating special presentations in Lake George, NY, featuring guest artists like Jessie Montgomery and Solomiya Ivakhiv. Visit lakegeorgemusicfestival.com.
Aug 16-18
Sunflower & Sangria Festival
Pick your own sunflowers from over 125,000 blooms, enjoy live music, hayrides, and sample sangria or local craft beer at Meadowbrook Farm in Leeds, NY. Details at meadowbrookfarmcatskills.com.
Aug 13-17
Pageant of Steam
Discover antique steam engines, participate in tractor pulls, and explore
a large flea market at the New York Steam Engine Association’s event in Canandaigua, NY. Details at nysteamengineassociation.com.
Sep 7-8
Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest
Indulge in New York wines, gourmet foods, and live entertainment at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, NY. Visit hvwinefest.com.
Sep 10-21
Rochester Fringe Festival
Experience over 500 performances including theatre, comedy, music, and dance across various venues in Rochester, NY. Visit rochesterfringe.com.
Sep 11-15
Catskill Mountain Thunder
Enjoy scenic motorcycle rides, bike-build offs, motocross stunts, and live music from bands like Drowning Pool in East Durham, NY. Details at catskillmountainthunder.com.
Oct 8-10
APA New York Upstate Annual Conference
Join planning professionals for sessions and networking opportunities in Rochester, NY. Details at nyupstateplanning.org.
Oct 10-12
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Witness hot air balloons take flight over the Adirondacks with events at Floyd-Bennett Memorial Airport in Queensbury, NY. Details at adirondackballoonfest.org.
Oct 18-19
Lake Ontario Wine Trail Harvest Fest
Sample wines and enjoy food pairings from wineries along the Lake Ontario Wine Trail in New York. Details at lakeontariowinetrail.com.
Be Flexible: Travel during off-peak seasons for cheaper flights and accommodations. Midweek flights are often more affordable than weekend ones.
Stay Smart: Skip pricey hotels and opt for hostels, vacation rentals, or even house-sitting gigs.
Eat Local: Ditch the tourist traps and try street food or local markets for authentic, wallet-friendly meals.
Use Freebies: Many cities offer free walking tours, museums with free days, and parks brimming with charm.
Plan Ahead: Book tickets early to snag the best deals.
Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing fun. With these tips, you can make memories that are priceless—without spending a fortune! Where will your next adventure take you?
Nov 10
Boz Scaggs Concert
Enjoy a performance by Boz Scaggs during his “Rhythm Review Tour” at a venue in Rochester, NY. Details at bozscaggs.com.
Nov 21
Unemployment Bridge Program Forum
Attend a community discussion on unemployment support at 2013 E Genesee St, Syracuse, NY. Details at workerscenternyr.org.
Nov 23
Syracuse University vs. Boston College Football Game
Cheer on the Syracuse Orange as they face Boston College at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY. Details at cuse.com.
Dec 6-7
Saratoga Springs Victorian Streetwalk
Experience a festive evening with carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, and holiday shopping in downtown Saratoga Springs, NY. Details at saratogachamber.org.
Dec 14
Troy Victorian Stroll
Step back in time with Victorian-era costumes, street performers, and holiday festivities in Troy, NY. Details at victorianstroll.com.
Dec 20-21
Lake Placid Holiday Village Stroll
Celebrate the season with holiday lights, ice skating, and festive events in Lake Placid, NY. Details at lakeplacid.com.
Jan 17-19, 2026
Long Lake Winter Carnival
Celebrate winter with snowmobile parades, cardboard box sled races, ice
The mission of the Pride Center of the Capital Region is to promote the well-being of all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer-identified people and those affected by discrimination based on gender identity and expression. Web: capitalpridecenter.org
SAGE Upstate promotes the well-being of older gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in CNY through health programs, socials, support groups, & education. Web: www.sageupstate.org | Phone: (315) 478-1923
Hudson Pride Center is a home and voice for the diverse LGBTQ community and our allies that advocates for our physical, mental, social and political well-being. We create safe and vibrant spaces to gather and celebrate our lives. Web: hudsonpride.org
The Syracuse Gay and Lesbian Chorus is a community choral ensemble of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people and their allies, dedicated to providing and performing an eclectic and entertaining offering of quality choral music which reflects the diverse nature of our community and serves to unite us with the wider community around us. Web: www.syrglc.org | Phone: (315) 476-4329
IMAGEOUT
ImageOut presents LGBT arts and cultural experiences showcasing films, other creative works and artists to promote awareness, foster dialogue and build community. Web: www.imageout.org | Phone: (585) 271-2640
Our mission is to support the LGBTQ+ community by promoting well-being, advocating for equity and opportunity, and celebrating our diverse experiences. Web: lgbtqcenter.org
skating, broomball, and a fireworks display in Long Lake, NY. Details at visitadirondacks.com.
Jan 24-26
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival
Experience a day filled with snowmobile parades, cardboard box sled races, ice skating, broomball, and a fireworks display in Saranac Lake, NY. Details at saranaclakewintercarnival.com
Jan 31 - Feb 2
Lake George Winter Carnival
Enjoy ice fishing, snowmobile races, and live music in Lake George, NY. Details at lakegeorgewintercarnival.com.
Feb 13-15
Flurry Festival
Join one of the largest traditional dance and music festivals in North America, featuring swing, blues, contra, square dancing, Cajun, Zydeco, and more in Saratoga Springs, NY. Details at flurryfestival.org.
Feb 14-16
Syracuse Winterfest
Celebrate winter with ice skating, culinary cruises, cornhole, beer tasting, and chili cook-offs in downtown Syracuse, NY. Details at syracusewinterfest.com.
Mar 22-23
Bristol Mountain Spring Carnival
Watch skiers attempt to cross a 50-foot pond in the Slush Cup event, enjoy snow tubing, and participate in an Easter egg hunt in Canandaigua, NY. Details at bristolmountain.com.
Mar 23
Binghamton On Tap
Sample craft beers, ciders, and seltzers from local and regional breweries, enjoy live music, and indulge in food vendors at Visions Veterans Arena in Binghamton, NY. Details at binghamtonontap.com.
KITCHEN
Feeling drained by endless notifications and screen time? A digital detox might be just what you need to reclaim your energy and focus!
Start small—try unplugging for an hour a day. Use this time to read, journal, or simply relax. Gradually extend your tech-free periods to rediscover what life feels like offline.
Create phone-free zones, like your bedroom or dinner table, to reconnect with yourself and loved ones. Replace mindless scrolling with meaningful hobbies, like painting, yoga, or gardening.
You’ll notice big changes: better sleep, improved concentration, and more time for what truly matters. It’s not about ditching tech completely—it’s about finding balance.
So, go ahead! Power down to power up your life. What will you do with your reclaimed time?