New York State Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn Destito today announced the 2019 Summer at the Plaza series of free community events that will be presented at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. Summer at the Plaza will feature family-friendly concerts, movies, and festivals starting with the annual July 4 celebration.

“Thousands of people come to our free Summer at the Plaza events each year with their family, friends, and neighbors to enjoy the great entertainment, delicious food and beverages, and the amazing fireworks at New York State’s Independence Day celebration,” Commissioner Destito said. “We have an exciting lineup of concerts, festivals, and movies this year with something for everyone, and I want to thank our generous 2019 sponsors whose support makes it all possible.”

SUMMER AT THE PLAZA WEBSITE
 

Summer at the Plaza 2019 Festivals

Thursday, July 4, 3 – 10 p.m.

New York State’s 4th of July Celebration presented by Price Chopper & Market 32 featuring Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx — www.dennisdeyoung.com
 

Price Chopper & Market 32 have presented this New York State tradition since our country’s bicentennial celebration in 1976. The annual event features live music and fun for the whole family, including the best fireworks show in the region. Each year more than 20,000 people gather on the Plaza and in the surrounding neighborhoods to enjoy the day, which includes a naturalization ceremony, dozens of food and craft vendors, activities for kids, and an evening of live entertainment leading up to the big pyrotechnics show.
 

Sponsors include Price Chopper & Market 32, Miller Lite, I Love NY, CDTA, JDog Junk Removal, Times Union, PX 106, 98.3 TRY, and Renaissance Albany Hotel.
 

Saturday, July 13, noon – 5 p.m.

Kids Day presented by MVP Health Care featuring Beat Bugs — www.beatbugs.com

Kids Day is this area’s “kid-centric” outdoor event. Nowhere else can children enjoy an array of favorites such as live music, balloons, face painting, bounce rides, magic shows, a Touch-a-Truck display, the Two by Two Zoo and more. Jay, Kumi, and Crick of the Beat Bugs will take the stage at Kids Day for a fun singalong featuring songs made famous by The Beatles.
 

Sponsors include MVP Health Care, New York 529 College Savings Program, New York State of Health, 99.5 The River, Kiss 102.3, and CDTA.

Saturday, August 3, 2 – 7 p.m.

Black Arts & Cultural Festival featuring Mýa — www.myamya.com

The Black Arts and Cultural Festival is an updated take on a classic celebration of the traditions and cultural contributions of the black community through music, art, dance, and more.

Sponsors include New York’s 529 College Savings Program, New York State of Health, SONYMA, Price Chopper and Market 32, MVP Health Care, Hot 99.1, and Renaissance Albany Hotel.

Wednesday, August 7, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

New York State Food Festival featuring Brian Setzer’s Rockabilly Riot — www.briansetzer.com

With many food vendors to choose from, 15,000 people annually flock to the Plaza Food Festival for lunch, dinner, or both. They come for the food and stay for a day of live musical entertainment. The Food Festival showcases New York producers and specialty products, New York State beverages, and the popular Empire State Plaza Farmers Market.

Sponsors include SEFCU, CSEA, New York Lottery, BlueShield of Northeastern NY, I Love New York, JDog Junk Removal, Watkins Glen, Times Union, and Renaissance Albany Hotel.

Wednesday, September 18, 5 – 9 p.m.

Hops & Harvest Festival, featuring The Dawg Trio with David Grisman, Sam Grisman, and Danny Barnes — www.davidgrisman.com 

The Hops and Harvest Festival will mark its second year in 2019. This special event celebrates the best of what autumn has to offer in upstate New York.

Sponsors include Times Union, WEQX, Saranac, Druthers Brewing Company, Brooklyn Brewery, and Renaissance Albany Hotel.

Saturday, September 28, 6 – 10 p.m.

Hispanic Heritage Celebration featuring Toby Love — www.facebook.com/tobyloveofficial

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with this tribute to Latin culture. Rich in tradition, the Hispanic community comes together in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center for a colorful pageantry of live music, dance, food, and family friendly activities.

Sponsors include Price Chopper & Market 32, SONYMA, New York State of Health, MVP Health Care, and Renaissance Albany Hotel.

Capital Concert Series presented by Miller Lite

The Capital Concert Series presented by Miller Lite offers four concerts free to the public. With an exciting list of award-winning and diverse artists scheduled to take the stage, there is something for everybody this summer at the Plaza.

Wednesday, July 17 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

The Wallflowers — www.facebook.com/thewallflowersmusic
 

Wednesday, July 24 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Stephen Marley — www.stephenmarleymusic.com
 

Wednesday, July 31 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Eric Paslay — www.ericpaslay.com 
 

Wednesday, August 14, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Salt-N-Peppa — www.saltnpepa.com 
 

Sponsors of the Capital Concert Series include Miller Lite, County Waste, SEFCU, Renaissance Albany Hotel, Times Union, CDTA, Saranac, Druthers Brewing Company, Brooklyn Brewery, Wild Country 99.9, 99.5 The River, Kiss 102.3, and Hot 99.1.

Lunchtime at the Plaza

Wednesdays, June – August, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Twelve weeks of summer fun featuring the popular Empire State Plaza Farmers Market, the Plaza food truck program, and lunchtime musical performances (from noon to 1 p.m.)  that cross all genres.
 

Aurora Games NY Kickoff at the Plaza

Monday, August 19, 5 p.m.

Celebrate the kickoff of the Aurora Games at the Empire State Plaza with a special screening of “A League of Their Own” on the Plaza’s main stage. In addition to the feature film, festivities will include presentations and meet-and-greet opportunities with star athletes of the 2019 Aurora Games. The evening will be capped off with a fireworks display.

Capitol Park After Dark Movies Series in West Capitol Park

Outdoor movie nights return to Albany on two Wednesday nights in August, featuring classic films suitable for the entire family.

Wednesday, August 21, 8 p.m.

“Double Indemnity”
 

Wednesday, August 28, 8 p.m.

“My Fair Lady”
 

Sponsors of Capital Park After Dark include BlueShield of Northeastern NY.

Jazz on the Plaza

In its third year, the Jazz on the Plaza concert series features two free jazz performances this summer on the patio of Cornerstone at the Plaza.

Wednesday, September 4, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Doc Scanlon — www.facebook.com/DocScanlonBands
 

Wednesday, September 11, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Fleur Seule — www.fleurseule.com 
 

All of the Summer at the Plaza events are FREE. Free parking is available in the East Garage and the Cathedral, Madison, and Grand Street parking lots on Saturdays during At the Plaza events. Free parking is also available in the East Garage after 4 p.m. for weeknight events. Paid parking is available in the visitor lot underneath the plaza.

No alcoholic beverages, coolers (defined as rigid insulated containers), or glass containers of any kind, animals or pets, other than ADA-defined service animals, will be allowed. Alcohol will be sold by vendors to adults with proper identification.

For event updates and additional information on opening acts, visit empirestateplaza.ny.gov, @EmpireStatePlaza on Facebook, and @plazaevents on Twitter or call (518) 474-4759.