Free things to do in Albany

Free events, confirmed free by the organizer's listing.

Tuesday, October 20

m.s. RedCherries, poet and citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Nation

Tue, Oct 20 · 4:30 PM–5:30 PM · Campus Center CC Multipurpose Room, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Join the NYS Writers Institute for a conversation with m.s.

Free

Thursday, October 22

Build A Better Budget Presented By Broadview Federal Credit Union

Thu, Oct 22 · 3 PM–4:20 PM · Thrive Hub - Campus Center West, Campus Center West 1st Floor Lobby

Your budget is a key that opens doors, guiding you to your money goals.

Free

Monday, October 26

Together Against Ageism: Combating Age-Based Bias in Albany County, NY

Mon, Oct 26 · 3:30 PM–5 PM · ETEC 149/151, 1220 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12203

The Center for Healthy Aging welcomes Dina Refki, DA, for “Together Against Ageism: Combating Age-Based Bias in Albany County, NY,” part of the Aging Well Speaker Series.

Free

Tuesday, October 27

2026 Annual Jewish Colonie Lecture

Tue, Oct 27 · 6 PM · Science Library, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

2026 Annual Jewish Colonie Lecture featuring Dr. Hannah Zaves-Greene, who will present "Welcoming the Stranger?

Free

Access and Insight: Wallace Craig and the Song of the Eastern Wood Pewee

Tue, Oct 27 · 6 PM–7:30 PM · New York State Museum, 222 Madison Ave, Albany, NY 12230

For many beginning birders, the eastern wood pewee is one of the easiest calls to identify.

Free

Wednesday, October 28

Lunch and Learn: Featuring Shawn Bushway

Wed, Oct 28 · 12 PM–1 PM

Rockefeller College Professor Shawn Bushway will discuss his new paper, "Safe to Hire: Predicting Recidivism Risk for Job Candidates with Criminal Records." It explores the use of job candidates' criminal history…

Free

Lois Lowry, two-time Newbery Medal winner

Wed, Oct 28 · 7:30 PM–8:30 PM · Page Hall Auditorium, Downtown Campus, 135 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203

Join the NYS Writers Institute for a conversation with Lois Lowry, one of the most celebrated authors of fiction for young readers and the author of more than 30 books, including the modern classics The Giver and…

Free

Thursday, October 29

Loubna Mrie: Journalist, author of Defiance: A Memoir of Awakening, Rebellion, and Survival in Syria

Thu, Oct 29 · 4:30 PM–5:30 PM · Performing Arts Center PAC Recital Hall, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Join the NYS Writers Institute for a conversation with Loubna Mrie, Syrian Arab journalist and author of Defiance: A Memoir of Awakening, Rebellion, and Survival in Syria (2026), an astonishing true story of revolt…

Free

Monday, November 2

Emeritus Center Speaker Series: "A U.S. - China Space Race?" with Dr. Patrick Besha

Mon, Nov 2 · 1:30 PM–3:30 PM · UAlbany Emeritus Center, 1215 Western Avenue, Albany, NY

The US and China operate the largest space programs in the world, with crewed space stations and thousands of satellites in orbit.

Free

NANOvember Lecture Series: Robert L. Brainard

Mon, Nov 2 · 6 PM–7 PM · ETEC 149/151, 1220 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12203

All are welcome to join us for Robert L.

Free

Wednesday, November 4

The Burian Lecture Series: UAlbany alumnus D.B. Woodside

Wed, Nov 4 · 7:30 PM–8:30 PM · Performing Arts Center PAC Recital Hall, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Join the NYS Writers Institute for a conversation with D.B. Woodside, star of television, film, and stage and a 1991 graduate of the University at Albany.

Free

Thursday, November 5

Kristen McCallum, YA author and UAlbany alumna

Thu, Nov 5 · 4:30 PM–5:30 PM · Campus Center CC Multipurpose Room, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222

Join the NYS Writers Institute for a conversation with Kristen McCallum, a UAlbany alumna, author, creative strategist, and program architect and author of the debut novel, Free Girls.

Free

Monday, November 9

Elliot Williams: Five Bullets: The Story of Bernie Goetz, New York's Explosive '80s, and the Subway Vigilante Trial That Divided the Nation

Mon, Nov 9 · 7:30 PM–8:30 PM · Page Hall Auditorium, Downtown Campus, 135 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203

Join the NYS Writers Institute for a conversation with Elliot Williams, CNN legal analyst and author of the new book Five Bullets: The Story of Bernie Goetz, New York's Explosive '80s, and the Subway Vigilante Trial…

Free

Tuesday, November 10

Understanding & Managing Credit Presented by Broadview Federal Credit Union

Tue, Nov 10 · 12 PM–1:20 PM · Thrive Hub - Campus Center West, Campus Center West 1st Floor Lobby

It can be really gratifying to buy something with a credit card or a loan.

Free

Saturday, November 14

Nanovember: STEM and Nanotechnology Family Day 2026

Sat, Nov 14 · 9:30 AM–1 PM · ETEC Lobby, 1220 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12203

This November, UAlbany is bringing science, technology, engineering and mathematics to life at its annual STEM and Nanotechnology Family Day.

Free

Monday, November 16

NANOvember Lecture Series: Angelique Raley

Mon, Nov 16 · 6 PM–7 PM · ETEC 149/151, 1220 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12203

All are welcome to join us for Angélique Raley from Tokyo Electron (TEL) America speaking about "How Wafer Fab Equipment Enables High-Performance Computing and AI." Learn how advanced wafer fabrication equipment…

Free

Monday, November 30

NANOvember Lecture Series: J. Andrés Melendez

Mon, Nov 30 · 6 PM–7 PM · ETEC 149/151, 1220 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12203

All are welcome to join us for a talk from J.

Free