We have a new calendar! We’re experimenting with including free cultural and educational events at other local and regional libraries, museums, and non-profits. We hope a compilation of these great events will be a valuable resource for our community. Click on the categories above the calendar to limit the results by drive time from the Bolton Free Library. Be sure to check the hosting organization’s website for schedule changes and cancellations. Note that some of the events at and within 10 minutes of our library are not free; these are denoted with a “($)” and costs are included in those descriptions.
Check back often for updates and let us know what you think!
Events in September 2025
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August 31, 2025(1 event) Unplug, slow down, and engage with the collections in a new way. Join us for a self-guided sketching experience in the galleries as part of a new museum initiative to foster creativity, mindfulness, and deeper observation. On select Sundays in August, visitors are invited to pick up a sketch pad and pencil, find an easel in the designated gallery, and spend time drawing the exhibits that inspire them. Whether you’re an experienced artist or trying sketching for the first time, this relaxed, interactive program offers a new lens through which to connect with the Museum’s collections. Upcoming Sessions: All materials are provided, and no registration is required. Just drop in, draw, and enjoy. |
September 1, 2025
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September 2, 2025(1 event) Join us for a special screening of Bringing Caribbean Sounds to the North Country, a WPBS original film that celebrates the joyful energy of the River Rat Rhythm Project Steel Drum Band. This documentary follows a unique community ensemble of nearly 50 members—from age 6 to 70—who come together from across New York’s North Country to perform the vibrant and uplifting music of the Caribbean. Through traditional island tunes and contemporary arrangements, the River Rat Rhythm Project creates a musical experience that transcends generations and geography. This film highlights their dedication, talent, and the transformative power of music in building community and cultural connection. |
September 3, 2025(1 event) – Registration requested: Great Camp Sagamore
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September 4, 2025
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September 5, 2025(1 event) Join Dr. Andrew Kozlowski, Curator of Quaternary Landscape Materials, for a 30-minute guided tour of Ice Ages: How Ice Shaped the Land and the Life in New York. This exhibit takes you on a journey through New York’s geological history, from the massive glaciers that sculpted the landscape to the giant mammals like mastodons and woolly mammoths that roamed the land 15,000 years ago. Dr. Kozlowski, an expert in Pleistocene geology, will share insights from his research on glacial deposits and landforms, offering a deeper understanding of how the Ice Ages shaped the state’s present-day topography and ecosystems. Don’t miss the chance to see rare Ice Age fossils from the museum's collection and learn about the forces that transformed New York’s landscape. |
September 6, 2025(1 event) Join us for a special family-friendly program designed to help children and caregivers explore the story of September 11, 2001, with care, compassion, and curiosity. The program begins with a children's book reading that introduces the themes of resilience, hope, and community, followed by an age-appropriate guided tour of the exhibit World Trade Center: Rescue, Recovery, Response led by Senior Historian and Curator Aaron Noble. After the tour, families are invited to participate in a hands-on craft activity inspired by the themes of remembrance and unity. This program is designed with younger audiences in mind and offers a gentle introduction to a complex moment in our shared history. |
September 7, 2025
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September 8, 2025
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September 9, 2025(1 event) Join us for a special screening of WCNY's documentary Floating Ideas: How the Erie Canal Helped Shape America, as we examine the spread of ideas along the Erie Canal, with an emphasis on women’s rights, suffrage, and the quest for social justice. |
September 10, 2025(1 event) – Registration requested: Great Camp Sagamore
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September 11, 2025
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September 12, 2025(2 events) Join Dr. Patricia Kaishian, Curator of Mycology at the New York State Museum, for an immersive gallery tour of Outcasts: Mary Banning’s World of Mushrooms. This exhibition highlights the fascinating life and work of Mary Elizabeth Banning, one of the first American mycologists, who defied the social and scientific barriers of her time to make significant contributions to the study of fungi. As Dr. Kaishian walks you through the exhibit, you'll discover Banning’s extraordinary illustrations and letters, her pioneering research on mushrooms, and the historical context in which she worked. Learn how fungi—often seen as "outcasts" in the natural world—were embraced by outcast scientists like Banning, who defied expectations to make lasting contributions to science. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore the often-overlooked world of fungi and celebrate the legacy of a remarkable woman scientist. – Armadi Tsayn (in Armenian, “Sounds/Voice of the Roots") is a contemporary folk ensemble which pays homage to the rich musical heritage of Western Armenia and the captivating sounds of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The group blends traditional melodies with modern influences and has played in major cities including Boston, Worcester, New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Toronto, and Yerevan (Armenia). Band members are Samuel Sjostedt/Oud, Filippo Goller/Bass, and Alek Surenian/Percussion. This second performance, hosted by the Folklife Center, will take place on Friday, September 12, 7 pm at the Historic Salem Courthouse, 58 East Broadway, Salem, NY 12865. This is a free show with no reservations required. Doors open at 6:30 for the 7 pm performance. Live! Folklife Concerts are produced by the Folklife Center at Crandall Public Library and are presented free to the public thanks to funding from the New York State Council on the Arts supported by the Governor's Office and the New York State Legislature. |
September 13, 2025
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September 14, 2025(2 events) – The Adirondack Experience The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake ADKX is pleased to welcome year-round Adirondack Park residents, with free admission on the second and fourth Sunday each month. Proof of residency such as a driver's license is required. Registration required: New York State Museum Have you ever seen a nearly two-foot-long walking stick? Or a beetle as large as the palm of your hand? Did you know that an adult insect's life span can be as short as twenty minutes or as long as 50 years? Join New York State Entomologist, Dr. Timothy McCabe, as he reveals more incredible insects and fun facts on a tour of the New York State Museum’s Entomology collection. |
September 15, 2025
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September 16, 2025(1 event) Join us for a special screening of Elbert Hubbard: An American Original, a PBS documentary that explores the life and legacy of one of the most fascinating figures of the early 20th century. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly industrializing America, the film follows Hubbard’s journey from successful soap salesman to influential leader of the American Arts and Crafts Movement. A bold thinker and charismatic writer, Hubbard founded the Roycroft Campus in East Aurora, NY, a hub of craftsmanship and creativity that remains vibrant today. This film offers an inspiring look at how one man challenged the rise of mass production by championing the value of artistry, individuality, and hand-crafted work. |
September 17, 2025(1 event) – Registration requested: Great Camp Sagamore
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September 18, 2025
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September 19, 2025(2 events) Take a time-traveling tour with Chief Curator of History Dr. Jennifer Lemak as she shares her all-time favorite artifacts from the NYSM History Collection. Expect mermaids, marvels, and mysterious objects you never knew existed. History has never been this fun! – Nicolas Babineau (modern fiddle, acoustic guitar) and Alexis Chartrand (baroque violin and foot percussion) offer a captivating dive into Quebec’s musical traditions. Inspired by a century of irresistible dance and fiddle music, they reveal the beautiful intricacy of Quebecois traditional melodies. Babineau/Chartrand’s uniquely sensitve and intimate approach brings together modern fiddling and baroque violin, bridging the gap between the old and the new. www.agchartrand.com/babineauchartrand This second free performance, hosted by the Folklife Center, will take place on Friday, September 19, 7 pm at the Historic Salem Courthouse, 58 East Broadway, Salem, NY 12865. This is a free show with no reservations required. Doors open at 6:30 for the 7 pm performance. Live! Folklife Concerts are produced by the Folklife Center at Crandall Public Library and are presented free to the public thanks to funding from the New York State Council on the Arts supported by the Governor's Office and the New York State Legislature. |
September 20, 2025
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September 21, 2025(1 event) – Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Bronte Roman at the New York State Museum. Experience Bronte’s musical fusion of Latin-Pop and Latin-Traditional Hits in a performance that showcases her vibrant energy and unique vocal style. Don’t miss this chance to experience Bronte’s exceptional talent and passion live! |
September 22, 2025
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September 23, 2025
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September 24, 2025(1 event) – Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake Explore the beautiful ADKX campus and enjoy educational exhibits with interactive experiences for all ages. |
September 25, 2025
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September 26, 2025(1 event) Join Dr. Jeremy Kirchman, Curator of Birds and Mammals at the New York State Museum, for a guided tour through the Birds of New York gallery celebrating the intersection of science and art. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, this special program highlights the extraordinary watercolor paintings of Louis Agassiz Fuertes, a pioneering ornithologist and illustrator of Puerto Rican descent whose vivid works continue to inspire bird lovers and scientists alike. Discover the stories behind Fuertes’s travels, techniques, and legacy, and explore how his contributions helped shape both the field of ornithology and the museum’s historic Birds of New York publication. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience Fuertes’s illustrations up close and learn about the remarkable birds that call New York home. |
September 27, 2025(2 events) – Adirondack Experience The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake Join us for a day devoted to outdoor recreation! Xperience for All features workshops, games, demonstrations, and presentations, all in the spirit of providing museum visitors a foundation to safely pursue recreation on their own. For those who are unfamiliar or not yet comfortable exploring the region’s woods and waterways on their own, learn tips for getting started and discover affinity groups that regularly offer outings and guidance. ADKX will be free for all on the day of the event. – Registration required: The Wild Center For the second year, The Wild Center, Third Act Upstate NY, and the North Country Clean Energy Hub will be co-hosting a celebration to raise awareness about the many benefits of electric vehicles (EVs), solar power and clean energy. Join us on September 27, 2025 for a family-friendly event where visitors can talk with local EV owners and experts showcasing their vehicles, visit with community organizations focused on clean energy, and attend programming about innovative solar solutions. Additionally, there will be many kid-friendly activities for families to engage in. Check back for detailed programming as we amp up for this event!
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September 28, 2025(2 events) – The Adirondack Experience The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake ADKX is pleased to welcome year-round Adirondack Park residents, with free admission on the second and fourth Sunday each month. Proof of residency such as a driver's license is required. Registration required: New York State Museum Explore the wild and wonderful world of fungi with the New York State Museum at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve! Join Dr. Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian, NYSM Curator of Mycology, for a beginner-friendly mushroom walk through the Hunger Kill Barrens, a forested habitat within the unique and ecologically rare Pine Bush. Discover the important role fungi play in this ecosystem and enjoy an engaging stroll through one of the Capital Region’s natural treasures. This walk takes place at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve and involves uneven terrain—please wear closed-toe shoes and be prepared for outdoor conditions. |
September 29, 2025
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September 30, 2025
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October 1, 2025
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October 2, 2025
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October 3, 2025
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October 4, 2025
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