17th Annual Adirondack Plein Air Festival

Monday, August 18 – Saturday, August 23

The Adirondack Plein Air Festival is an annual tradition in Saranac Lake, celebrating its 17th year in 2025. This unique event invites 40 talented artists from across the country to capture the breathtaking beauty of the Adirondack Mountains through their art, painting plein air.

Spectators are welcome to all of our events! We encourage people to stop and watch artists at work. 

There is a full schedule of events that you can see HERE.A printed schedule and list of painting locations can be picked up at event headquarters, the Adirondack Artists Guild Gallery, 52 Main Street. ArtWorks is also holding a special 50/50 raffle this year—the prize winner will be drawn at the conclusion of the Festival and proceeds will go towards our Sandra Hildreth ArtWorks Scholarship—awarded to a graduating senior continuing their education in the arts.

This is your chance to see the landscapes, buildings, and views you might see every day, portrayed as works of art. Visit HERE to learn more.

Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts (ALCA) presents

DUO Stephanie & Saar

Saturday, August 16, 7:30 pm

The acclaimed piano duo, celebrated for their visceral energy, artistic vision, and innovative performances, will perform an evening of innovative classical piano—reimagined classical and contemporary music.

Stephanie Ho and Saar Ahuvia, known as DUO Stephanie & Saar, boast an impressive list of musical accomplishments. From their Lincoln Center debut with Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring to their collaboration on Frank Zappa’s The Yellow Shark, their artistry transcends boundaries and captivates audiences. ALCA is proud to host the duo again as returning artists from the 2023 Weekend Series.

More info and tickets are HERE.

The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts, 8897 NY-30, Blue Mountain Lake

Adirondack Family Book Festival

Saturday, August 16, 9:30 – 4

The Adirondack Family Book Festival brings together an illustrious and richly diverse group of children’s and YA authors and illustrators under a big convening tent and several smaller tents to meet their readers of all ages, read aloud, and talk about their work.  Activities that pair select books with the natural beauty of the John Brown Farm and hands-on art making and discovery are also planned.

The Adirondack Family Book Festival is free and open to all.

Join us for a celebration of community, diversity, and storytelling in the beautiful Adirondack mountains!

Get all the details including participating authors HERE.

Lake Placid Middle/High School, 34 School Street, Lake Placid

Jay Entertainment & Music Society (JEMS) presents

Contra Dancing With Adirondack 2-Step

Wednesday, August 13, 7 pm 

Come on down and join in the fun! No experience necessary, fun for all ages! Refreshments! Chairs for those who just wish to listen and watch.

Check us out on Facebook HERE.
Connect with us HERE.
Instagram HERE.

Amos & Julia Ward Theater, 15 Parkside Rd., Jay

The View Arts Center presents

16th Annual Plein Air Paint Out Auction

Saturday, August 16, 4 – 8 pm

Join us for the 16th Annual PAPO Auction at View! This is a FREE event to attend and is open to the public. Preview starts at 4 pm and the auction starts at 5! Be sure to get here early to get a close up look at each of the paintings.

Each year around 50 artists come to Old Forge to Plein Air paint in our beautiful Adirondack Park. These artists come from all over the country and specialize in a variety of mediums from watercolor, acrylic, oil, pastel and more. The auction is the perfect way for you to come see their work as well as bid on your favorite piece! Meet some of the artists behind the work, enjoy some light appetizers, a cash bar, browse our consignment sale in the lobby and enjoy a fun and eventful evening!

Find out more HERE.

The View Arts Center, 3273 State Route 28, Old Forge

Adirondack Sky Center and Observatory presents

Ask Me Anything

Thursday, August 14, 6 pm

Shows and movies keep mentioning “multiverses,” “pocket universes,” or “extra dimensions.” How much of this is science, and how much is fiction? What do we know about the beginning of our universe, and could there be others?

Simon Thill is the Associate Director of Astronomy Outreach at the Adirondack Sky Center, and he studies theoretical gravitational effects and the early universe. He’ll be talking about his work and answering questions. Come join if you have a burning question, or would just like to learn more!

Learn more about the Adirondack Sky Center and Observatory HERE.

Adirondack Sky Center and Observatory, 68 Park St., Tupper Lake

The Old Forge Library’s Music in the Gazebo Series presents

Tom O’Carroll

Tuesday, August 19, 4 pm

Tom O’Carroll. The Dublin-born folklorist, folk-singer, and multi-instrumentalist, brings a rich tapestry of Irish culture to life through song, humor, history, and engaging storytelling. Whether performing a haunting air on the tin whistle or energizing the crowd with rousing traditional songs on the guitar or bodhrán (Irish drum), Tom’s lively and heartfelt program appeals to audiences of all ages.

The library lawn provides the perfect setting for this relaxed summer afternoon performance. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or folding chairs and enjoy the spacious grounds surrounding the gazebo. If the weather is uncooperative, the large tent will ensure the show goes on.

Old Forge Library,220 Crosby Blvd, Old Forge

In Case You Missed It

The Elements: Images Of Hope

# 125: A Conversation with Dan Keegan

In his Substack blog, James McElhinney interviews Dan Keegan about Dan’s The Elements: Images of Hope, his exhibition of works on paperat the Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown through October 11, 2025.

Your can read this fascinating article HERE.