North Country New Year Festival

New Year's Eve in Saranac Lake is decidedly entertaining and full of excitement for the whole family. Join us for live music and activities throughout the village.  

Building on the success of past celebrations—which showcased thrilling new performers alongside beloved returning acts—2026 promises to be the biggest and best North Country New Year yet. Enthusiastic audiences filled venues across the village last year, creating memories to last a lifetime.

The 2025 lineup included:

• Grammy nominated Professor Louie & the Crowmatix headlining Town Hall 

• Magic show by Alakazam!

• Local music from The Allens

• Ever-popular local favorites, the ‘50s/’60s revivalists Frankie & the Moonlighters

• Hilarious comedy act by Moody McCarthy and Completely Stranded

• Back again this year, Kids' Carnival with Scotto the Balloon Wizard, Circus with Sammy, Rainbow Sue, Joe Ferris, and a special visit from the Adirondack Sky Center planetarium! We can't forget to mention Jeff Boyer's Big Bubble Bonanza will be back! 

• Ice skating at the Saranac Lake Civic Center

• Game night and hot chocolate bar at Historic Saranac Lake's Laboratory Museum

• Ms. Rebecca and Friends: a children's sing along with arts and crafts at St. Bernard's School 

• Dance lessons at the Dance Sanctuary

• Rides on the Adirondack Carousel

• Breathtaking fire dancing by Smoke Show Fire Co.

• A spectacular Fireworks Display 

Admission:

The artfully designed sticker serves as your admission to all events during North Country New Year. Stickers can be picked up at the Harrietstown Town Hall/Welcome Center on December 31. Please ensure you bring proof of purchase.

Admission Rates (stickers): 

• $20 per person per sticker

• $15 for seniors per sticker 

• Free sticker for children under 18

Add a commemorative button! Admission will be via an official sticker, for $3 you can add a commemorative button upgrade during checkout. Buttons are locally designed and limited production.

MHS Special programs!

All programs will be held at the Minerva Community Center: Morse Hwy. and Rt 28N

**Museum is open July 6 through September 2 from 1 PM to 4 PM

• Saturday July 6 (1 pm - 4 pm): OPENING DAY
• Friday July 19 (1 pm - 3 pm): Fabric Art & Quilting with Ann Hornbeck, ADULTS only
• Saturday July 20 (10 am - 12 pm): Making a Memory Quilt & "Quilt Stories”, KIDS (adults welcomed)    
• Friday August 2  (1 pm - 2:30 pm): “Barn Quilts” with Joe & Ruth McWilliams, from TAUNY/Colton, NY Learn the history, creation, design of these colorful signs!

All programs are FREE and light refreshments are available! 

The 177th Annual Essex County Fair!

Get ready for an exciting five-day celebration at the 2026 Essex County Fair, happening July 29 - Aug 2 2026, at the beautiful Essex County Fairgrounds in Westport, New York! This year’s fair promises fun for all ages with a blend of traditional favorites and exciting new experiences.

Amusements of America will be joining the Essex County Fair in 2026 to help make this summer’s event the best ever! Thrilling carnival rides for all ages are what make a County Fair so memorable.

Join us for:

• Live Entertainment & Music – Enjoy performances from local bands and talent shows throughout the fair.

• Agricultural Exhibits & Competitions – See the best of local livestock, 4-H displays, and more.

• Carnival Rides & Games – Featuring Smokey’s Greater Shows, with rides for the whole family.

• Food & Vendors – Taste delicious local fare and browse unique artisanal goods from regional vendors.

• Demolition Derby – Get ready for action-packed, thrilling derby events.

We can’t wait to welcome you to the fair this August. Whether you’re here for the rides, the food, or the fun atmosphere, the 2026 Essex County Fair is sure to be a highlight of your summer!

Making a Memory Quilt and "Quilt Stories"

This is a FREE workshop for kids! 10:00 am- Noon at Minerva Community Center, 5 Morse Hwy, Minerva, NY 12851

Light refreshments; adults welcome to accompany kids

Glow in the Snow Luminary Walk

Saturday, January 18th, 6pm-8pm

This self-guided snowshoe walk on the Rich Lake Trail is perfect for families and friends alike. Snowshoe among the luminary lanterns placed along the trail and enjoy the beauty of the forest at night. After your walk, hang around the fire and enjoy some hot chocolate to warm up. Dress for the weather! Snowshoes are available.

May your troubles be less and your blessings be more and nothing but happiness when you come through the doors at PARADOX BREWERY. St. Patrick’s Day Celebrate with live music and good beer!
Come do an Irish jig to some
Roots, Rock & Blues you will dig!

Treasure Hunting Galore!

Over 200+ miles of garage sales with treasures to behold from Old Forge to Cranberry Lake to Speculator and everywhere in between! With offerings of antiques, rustic furniture, jewelry, kitchen items, toys, clothing and more -- there is always something for everyone.

Towns located along NYS Routes 28, 30 & 3, including Old Forge, Inlet, Raquette Lake, Indian Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, Long Lake, Tupper Lake, Cranberry Lake, Piercefield, Newcomb, North Hudson, Speculator, Piseco, and beyond. Find hidden treasures in garage sales, or set up your own sale. 

To sign up, please visit www.greatadirondackgaragesale.com. Simply fill out the form to let us know the time/days/address of your garage sale and a description of the items you will be selling.

To discover sales, please visit www.greatadirondackgaragesale.com.

NFL Sunday: Let’s go team!

Enjoy big screens, great seats, and unbeatable food and drink specials. Indulge in game day favorites paired with ice-cold beers and signature cocktails.

Bring your friends and family for a fun-filled football Sunday at The Tavern. Every game, every Sunday—don’t miss out!

Celebrating Worldwide "Play Music on the Porch Day!"

Porch Fest returns, with NINE locations this year!

Below is a list of locations this year hosting live music and who will be performing:

Starting at 1pm

Lorraine's Lakeside Laundry - Performing: Schroon lake Ramblers

Insull's Porch (23 Leland Ave) - Performing: Bandana Dave, Patty and Sue

Loch House Inn (18 Leland Ave) - Performing: Yod Squad

Schroon Lake Community Church - Performing:Schroon lake Community Band

Friendman's Porch (27 Leland Ave) - Performing: Bare Naked Bears 

The Strand Theatre - Performing: Mark Piper Cigar Box Guitar Wizard

Starting at 3pm

Pine Cone Mercantile - Performing: Mike Grazioso

Ammon's Porch (5 Broad St) - Performing: Mary and Karen 

Conners' Porch (11 Dock St) - Performing: Solace Band 

Maps are available at the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce

*Sponsored by the Schroon Lake Arts Council

JOIN US TO OBSERVE THE BOREAL BIRDS OF THE ADIRONDACKS!

June 4th-7th, 2026!

This four-day Adirondack Birding Festival features birding hikes, walks, safaris, outings, and seminars throughout Hamilton County.  

The festival reaches into the vast Adirondack wilds of Hamilton County and includes the surrounding forests of our hamlets: Long Lake, Indian Lake, Speculator, Raquette, Blue Mountain Lake, Piseco, Morehouse, Lake Pleasant, and Inlet. Affordable lodging is available, so you and your birding partners can enjoy a comfortable evening retreat to refuel and refresh as the festivities advance.

Hamilton County contains more than one million acres within the Adirondacks. With more than 60% of those acres classified as either wilderness or wild forest, it is one of the best locations to watch boreal birds. Starting in 2005, the Hamilton County Birding Festival brings together birders from all over the United States to explore and discover the amazing birds of the Adirondacks.

Remember, this is the Adirondacks, so you should be prepared for all types of weather including heat, humidity, rain, cold, and even snow. June is typically filled with warm days and cool evenings, but you can never be sure about the weather you will find.

This year's presentation at the Adirondack Experience Museum on Blue Mountain Lake is sponsored by the Northern New York Audubon Society. 

What to bring

For each trip, be sure to bring the following:

• sunscreen

• bug repellent (netting or a bug shirt is recommended)

• water

• snacks and/or lunch

• binoculars and/or spotting scope if you'd like

• bird books

• comfortable waterproof footwear

2026 Schedule of Events!

• 2026 Adirondack Birding Festival Schedule of Events

• Special Presentation and Reception at the ADKX

  • Pre-registration is required - Register Here!

  • Special Guest Speaker - Michale Glennon Ph.D.

  • Join wildlife ecologist Michale Glennon for a talk on the boreal birds of the Adirondacks and the impacts of a changing climate. Drawing on long-term research, Dr. Glennon will explore how these species are responding to shifting conditions and what this may mean for their future in the region. The talk will be held in the ADKX Auditorium from 4–5 PM. Guests are invited to remain for a reception in the Lakeview Café from 5–6:30 PM, where light refreshments will be served and wine and beer will be available for purchase.
    

Registration for Birding Festival

Register Here!

Looking for accommodation?

Check out these listings - Lodging Specials!

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