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
September 9, 2025 (1 event)
September 9, 2025Join 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)
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September 10, 2025Registration requested: Great Camp Sagamore
September 12, 2025 (2 events)
September 12, 2025Join 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.
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September 12, 2025Armadi 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 (2 events)
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September 13, 2025Saratoga National Historical Park
A live tinsmith demonstration! At the time of the Battles of Saratoga, the tinsmith was an important part of both community and military life. Tinsmiths created dozens of useful items like cups, bowls, candle molds, lanterns, tea canisters, and other containers. They also provided armies with needed items such as oil flasks, canteens, document cases, cooking kettles, and even canister shot for artillery. Learn about the process and see a sampling of the many civilian and military wares a tinsmith could make! The tinsmith demonstration is weather sensitive and will be cancelled in the event of rain.
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September 13, 2025Experience the museum like you haven't before through a new series of audio tours, launching today!
September 14, 2025 (2 events)
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September 14, 2025The 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.
September 14, 2025Registration 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 (1 event)
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September 15, 2025Registration required: Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)
This free inclusive dance class for ages 16+ welcomes developmentally and physically disabled and neuro-typical participants in a collaborative atmosphere that celebrates individuality through movement. The class will explore a variety of dance styles including hip hop, contemporary, ballet, freestyle, and pop. Original choreography will be created and dancers will have the opportunity to perform during the year.
September 16, 2025 (4 events)
September 16, 2025Take a walk and learn about the history of the Delaware & Hudson Rail Trail. The trail travels the railbed of the former Delaware & Hudson Railroad, known locally as the Slate Picker, which stretched 26 miles through the Slate Valley.
This program will originate at the access point directly adjacent to the Slate Valley Museum. Park in the museum lot and meet right outside the museum's front entrance!
September 16, 2025Join 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.
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September 16, 2025Registration required: Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)
Welcome to Rhythm & Sole, the tap class for students ages 14+ with physical and intellectual exceptionalities that celebrates every dancer, no matter their abilities. Discover the delightful sounds and rhythms of tap as we explore the art of self-expression through movement. Our class is tailored to each student’s unique groove and style, so let your inner dancer shine. Join us and step to the beat of your own drum!
This class is free to attend, but donations are greatly appreciated to support our programs.
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September 16, 2025Registration required: Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)
Do you sing in your car? In the shower? At work?! Come sing with SOTA Voices!
Did you love singing in Chorus back in school and want to relive those great times? Did you ever want to be part of a choir but never had the chance? Come sing with SOTA Voices!!
Do you want to feel the joy of singing with a group, but don’t know where to start?
Come sing with SOTA Voices!!!
Participants will be a contributing voice in an ensemble bringing musical arrangements to life. Focus will be on musicality, performance, energy, but most of all, the joy of singing! All ages, levels, and abilities are welcome in this safe, collaborative space. Pop, Rock, Jazz, Broadway, and everything in between.
We know SOTA Voices sounds a bit like the musical term “sotto voce” (which means “under the voice” or “quietly”) but in SOTA Voices, we will making some joyful noise!
This class is free to attend, but donations are greatly appreciated to support our programs.
September 17, 2025 (2 events)
September 17, 2025Registration required: Hudson Crossing Park
This nature-themed excursion will have kids hiking and exploring along Hudson Crossing Park’s trails, looking for signs of the park’s animal residents and their habitats. Participants will take an easy hike looking for signs of Northern Map Turtles, beaver, osprey, and more! They will learn about the behaviors and habitats of the animals who call the canal home before heading back to the pavilion to create a nature themed craft.
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Approximately 2 hours long.
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Best suited for ages 3-6 (but older kids are welcome!)
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Group size is limited to 16, Children must be accompanied by an adult (not included in the group size)
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Registration is required!
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September 17, 2025Registration requested: Great Camp Sagamore
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September 19, 2025 (2 events)
September 19, 2025Take 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!
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September 19, 2025Nicolas 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 (3 events)
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September 20, 2025Saratoga National Historical Park
Soldiers return to Saratoga! Some of the heaviest fighting in the two Battles of Saratoga in 1777 involved Massachusetts Continental infantry on the American side and General Fraser’s Advanced Corps on the British.
You can meet American soldiers from multiple recreated regiments of the Massachusetts Continental Line at Tour Stop 2. They will fire muskets, drill, post guard, cook, and sew clothing throughout the weekend.
Fraser's British soldiers from the 24th and 62nd Regiments of Foot will await you at Tour Stop 6! Activities there will include soldiers drilling, cooking, and sewing clothing.
Make sure to ask the reenactors lots of questions!–
September 20, 2025Saratoga National Historical Park
Join Park Ranger Eric Schnitzer as he gives a guided tour of Freeman's Farm, the place where most of the first battle of Saratoga was fought on September 19, 1777. The battle - one of the longest land battles of the eight-year-long war - was a terrible fight over farm fields and woods and ended up costing the lives of hundreds of men and boys, most of whom are still buried in unmarked graves near where they fell. Meet at the Freeman Farm parking lot (stop 6); the tour will last for about one hour.
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September 20, 2025Saratoga National Historical Park
Saratoga National Historical Park is hosting a Night Sky Viewing Party on September 20, from 8:00 to 9:00 pm. Visitors may start arriving around 7:00 pm if they would like to enjoy sunset and find a spot on the Visitor Center lawn. Join us for a night under the stars on the Visitor Center Lawn during the new moon. Park Rangers will give a short presentation about our connections to the night sky, a night sky tour, and how you can help to protect this disappearing resource. Junior Rangers can work on the Night Explorer Activity Book to earn their Night Explorer Badge! After the presentation, attendees will have time to enjoy the night sky. Although we have light pollution here, if the weather cooperates, we hope for a good viewing!
September 21, 2025 (4 events)
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September 21, 2025Registration required: Hudson Crossing Park
Participants will create a painting of a favorite insect on a piece of slate to add to their home garden. We will talk about the critical needs of insects in the fall as they prepare for the long winter hibernation. Materials and instruction provided.
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Adults only
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Group size is limited to 10
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Registration is required!
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September 21, 2025Saratoga National Historical Park
Soldiers return to Saratoga! Some of the heaviest fighting in the two Battles of Saratoga in 1777 involved Massachusetts Continental infantry on the American side and General Fraser’s Advanced Corps on the British.
You can meet American soldiers from multiple recreated regiments of the Massachusetts Continental Line at Tour Stop 2. They will fire muskets, drill, post guard, cook, and sew clothing throughout the weekend.
Fraser's British soldiers from the 24th and 62nd Regiments of Foot will await you at Tour Stop 6! Activities there will include soldiers drilling, cooking, and sewing clothing.
Make sure to ask the reenactors lots of questions!–
September 21, 2025Celebrate 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 21, 2025RSVP requested: Adirondack Interpretive Center
With the guidance of mushroom enthusiast Sandy Bureaus, head out for an afternoon of mushroom hunting along the AIC trails. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned forager these walks will help expand your knowledge into the mysteries of mycology. Walks will be held every third Sunday at 1pm starting in May and continuing through October. Registration is not required but encouraged.
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September 24, 2025 (1 event)
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September 24, 2025Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake
Explore the beautiful ADKX campus and enjoy educational exhibits with interactive experiences for all ages.
September 26, 2025 (1 event)
September 26, 2025Join 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 (3 events)
September 27, 2025Saratoga National Historical Park
Looking for a more in-depth, hands-on experience during your visit? Join a Park Volunteer for a caravan-style tour of the Battlefield! Tours will last 2.5-3 hours. Meet in the Visitor Center and follow along in your own vehicle for as long as you like. May be cancelled in the event of inclement weather.
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September 27, 2025Adirondack 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.
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September 27, 2025Registration 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!- Solar and clean energy exhibitors
- Electric vehicle expo & electric school bus
- Live music
- Kids activities: solar printmaking, solar bugs, & lego cars
- Electric smoothie bike
- Solar oven
- Sun Day Wool tapestry will be on display!
September 28, 2025 (3 events)
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September 28, 2025Registration requested: Adirondack Interpretive Center
The Adirondacks have long been known for its breathtaking fall foliage, attracting people from all over the Northeast. The bright greens of summer turn to fiery reds, yellows, and oranges of autumn giving the forests a beautiful new palette. What better place to experience these magnificent colors than from Goodnow Mountain fire tower. Learn about the forest’s seasonal changes on the 4-mile round trip hike, considered moderately challenging, that culminates in a spectacular 360-degree view of Rich Lake, Huntington Wildlife Forest, the High Peaks, and surrounding areas. Dress for the weather. Meet at Goodnow Mountain Trailhead.
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September 28, 2025The 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.
September 28, 2025Registration 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 30, 2025 (1 event)
September 30, 2025Take a walk and learn about the history of the Delaware & Hudson Rail Trail. The trail travels the railbed of the former Delaware & Hudson Railroad, known locally as the Slate Picker, which stretched 26 miles through the Slate Valley.
This program will originate at the access point directly adjacent to the Slate Valley Museum. Park in the museum lot and meet right outside the museum's front entrance!