The 12 best annual events in Saratoga Springs

The calendar in Saratoga Springs runs on a handful of big annual events, and locals plan their year around them.

This list runs in calendar order with the 2026 dates we could confirm. Dates move each year, so confirm before you book.

How we chose

We chose recurring events with a track record, a public audience and dates confirmed by organizers or established local outlets. The list runs in calendar order rather than by rank, and dates change each year.

Hours and dates below come from each business, event organizer or official source and change without notice. Call ahead if you are making a special trip.

Chowderfest

Chowderfest is Discover Saratoga’s winter signature and one of the busiest days of the year downtown. In 2026, about 80 restaurants and businesses around the county served 4-ounce cups of chowder for $2 each on February 7, with Broadway closed to cars from Lake Avenue to Washington Street. Free shuttles ran from the Saratoga Casino Hotel. Arrive when it opens at 11 a.m., since popular chowders run out.

Hours: Early February. In 2026: February 7, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Address: Broadway and restaurants countywide

Why they made the list

• About 80 restaurants and businesses took part in 2026.
• Broadway closes to cars for the day.
• Visitors vote for favorites in the Discover Saratoga app.

See the full directory listing

The Beekman Street Art Fair

The Beekman Street Art Fair fills the West Side’s arts district each June with juried artists in white tents, food trucks and a music tent. In 2025 it ran on June 1, with dozens of artists, music booked by Caffè Lena and a free CDTA shuttle from the Saratoga Casino Hotel. The fair is free and is produced by the district’s nonprofit. Use the shuttle rather than hunting for parking.

Hours: Early June. In 2025: June 1.

Address: Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Why they made the list

• It is free.
• Caffe Lena booked the music in 2025.
• CDTA ran a free shuttle from the Saratoga Casino Hotel in 2025.

See the full directory listing

New York City Ballet at SPAC

New York City Ballet’s summer residency at SPAC has been part of the Saratoga summer since the amphitheater opened in 1966. Performances run in July, and the lawn fills with picnics under the pines. In 2026, lawn tickets for most performances were $19.66 to mark SPAC’s 60th season, and children 16 and under got in free on the lawn with an adult. Amphitheater seats are covered if rain threatens.

Hours: July.

Address: 108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Why they made the list

• It has been a SPAC tradition since the venue opened in 1966.
• Kids 16 and under were free on the lawn in 2026.
• Lawn tickets were $19.66 for most 2026 shows.

See the full directory listing

Opening week at Saratoga Race Course

Opening week of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course brings the city’s busiest season to life. In 2026 the meet opened July 3 with a July 4th Racing Festival and ran 46 days to Labor Day. The racing association plans to return to a traditional 40-day meet in 2027, when the July 4th festival moves back to Belmont Park. First post was 1:10 p.m. in 2026.

Hours: July. In 2026: opened July 3.

Address: 267 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Why they made the list

• The racing association plans a 40-day meet in 2027.
• First post was 1:10 p.m. in 2026.
• The July 4th festival moves to Belmont Park in 2027.

See the full directory listing

Whitney Day

Whitney Day is one of the biggest Saturdays of the meet, when the track dresses in pink to honor Marylou Whitney. The $1 million Whitney ran August 8, 2026, on a card with four Grade 1 races, including the Fourstardave, the Saratoga Derby and the Test. Expect heavy crowds and traffic around Union Avenue. Arrive early if you want a picnic table in the backyard.

Hours: Early August. In 2026: August 8.

Address: 267 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Why they made the list

• The Whitney is a $1 million Grade 1 race.
• The 2026 card included four Grade 1 races.
• Arrive early for a picnic table.

See the full directory listing

The Philadelphia Orchestra at SPAC

The Philadelphia Orchestra has played SPAC every summer since the venue opened in 1966. Its 2026 residency ran August 5 to 22 under music and artistic director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and included Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, the same work that opened its first SPAC season. Children 12 and under got in free on the lawn for most concerts, and a $215 pass covered every ballet and orchestra performance.

Hours: August. In 2026: August 5 to 22.

Address: 108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Why they made the list

• The 2026 season included Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
• Kids 12 and under were free on the lawn for most concerts.
• A $215 lawn pass covered every ballet and orchestra show in 2026.

See the full directory listing

Travers Day

Travers Day is the centerpiece of the summer meet and the day Saratoga dresses up. The 157th Travers, worth $1.25 million, ran August 29, 2026, with a post time of 6:35 p.m. and five Grade 1 races on the card. Coolers, food, folding chairs and pop-up tents are allowed in the backyard, but glass is not. Picnic tables go to whoever lines up earliest, often at dawn.

Hours: Late August. In 2026: August 29, Travers post 6:35 p.m.

Address: 267 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Why they made the list

• The Travers is worth $1.25 million.
• Coolers, chairs and tents are allowed; glass is not.
• Picnic tables go to whoever lines up first.

See the full directory listing

The Giant PumpkinFest

The Giant PumpkinFest weigh-off marks the start of fall downtown. Growers from across New York and the Northeast bring pumpkins that can top 2,000 pounds to the City Center garage, and last year’s winner weighed more than 2,200. The free event is presented by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce with the City Center and the farmers market. The 2026 weigh-off is September 26, starting at 11 a.m.

Hours: Late September. In 2026: September 26, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Address: City Center garage, 11-77 High Rock Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Why they made the list

• It is free.
• 2026 is the 11th year.
• The farmers market runs next door.

See the full directory listing

The Head of the Fish

The Head of the Fish regatta brings rowing crews from across the Northeast to Fish Creek at the north end of Saratoga Lake each fall. Rowing on the creek dates to college championship races in 1874, and the regatta revived that tradition in 1986. It has grown into one of the largest regattas in the country by boats entered. Spectators can watch for free from the creek banks.

Hours: Fall.

Address: Fish Creek, north end of Saratoga Lake

Why they made the list

• The regatta revived racing on Fish Creek in 1986.
• It grew into one of the largest regattas in the country by boats entered.
• Spectators watch free from the banks.

See the full directory listing

The Fall Festival

The Downtown Business Association’s Fall Festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2026. In recent years the free festival has featured trick-or-treating at participating shops, a pumpkin roll down Caroline Street, face painting, balloon twisting, live music on the Salt & Char patio and a pumpkin scavenger hunt through store windows. It is aimed at families, so expect plenty of costumes along Broadway and Caroline Street.

Hours: Late October. In 2026: October 24.

Address: Downtown Saratoga Springs

Why they made the list

• It is free.
• Kids come in costume.
• Shops along Broadway and Caroline Street take part.

See the full directory listing

The Victorian Streetwalk

The Victorian Streetwalk opens the holiday season on the first Thursday after Thanksgiving. The 40th Streetwalk is December 3, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Broadway, with a Santa parade, the city tree lighting in front of Putnam Market, street performers and dancers in shop windows. The Festival of Trees at the City Center runs alongside it as a Catholic Charities fundraiser. It is free.

Hours: First Thursday after Thanksgiving. In 2026: December 3, 6 to 9 p.m.

Address: Broadway, downtown Saratoga Springs

Why they made the list

• 2026 is the 40th Streetwalk.
• The Festival of Trees at the City Center runs alongside it.
• It is free.

See the full directory listing

New Year’s Eve downtown

Downtown Saratoga Springs closes the year with a New Year’s Eve celebration featuring live entertainment and fireworks, according to Discover Saratoga. Details for each year are announced in the fall. It is the last big downtown gathering of the year, so restaurants book up early; reserve dinner well ahead. City garages are free with posted time limits in winter, though the Putnam Street garage bans overnight parking.

Hours: December 31.

Address: Downtown Saratoga Springs

Why they made the list

• It is the last big downtown gathering of the year.
• Restaurants book up, so reserve early.
• City garages are free with time limits in winter.

See the full directory listing

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest event in Saratoga Springs?

Travers Day at Saratoga Race Course, held in late August. In 2026 it was August 29.

When is Chowderfest?

A Saturday in early February. In 2026 it was February 7.

When is the Victorian Streetwalk?

The first Thursday after Thanksgiving. In 2026 it is December 3.

See a place we missed or a detail that has changed? Send us a correction.