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 October 2025

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
September 28, 2025(1 event)


September 28, 2025

Registration 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.

September 29, 2025
September 30, 2025(2 events)


September 30, 2025

Slate Valley Museum

Enjoy an early fall walk on the Cider Day! Celebrate with some refreshing apple cider at the museum after the walk.

Take 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 30, 2025

October 1, 2025(2 events)


October 1, 2025

Registration 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.


October 1, 2025

Registration required: Lake George Land Conservancy

Help us prepare the trails at Amy’s Park for the upcoming Race For The Lake. The race route needs to be marked with special signs to help runners find their way around the park safely.

October 2, 2025(3 events)


October 2, 2025

Registration required: Caldwell-Lake George Library

Join us in conversation with Smithsonian professionals Adrián Aldaba and Emily Key as they discuss Nuestra América and highlight inspiring stories of Latinos throughout history, as well as their incredible contributions to the cultural, social, and political character of the United States on Thursday, October 2 at 2 PM ET via digital live-stream. Register and submit questions for the author here: https://libraryc.org/lakegeorgelibrary/95116


October 2, 2025

Registration required: Crandall Public Library

Join us in conversation with Smithsonian professionals Adrián Aldaba and Emily Key as they discuss Nuestra América and highlight inspiring stories of Latinos throughout history, as well as their incredible contributions to the cultural, social, and political character of the United States.

The stories in Nuestra América cover each figure's cultural background and childhood, and their accomplishments or contributions to American history. A glossary of terms and discussion question-filled reading guide, created by the National Museum of the American Latino, encourages further research and exploration. The museum has featured twenty-three of these stories in its exhibition ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States, the first exhibition to feature U.S. Latino history at the national level.

Featuring beautifully illustrated portraits by Gloria Félix, this is a book that children (and adults) will page through and learn from again and again. A must have for every school and home library to help students understand the American story!


October 2, 2025

October 3, 2025
October 4, 2025(4 events)


October 4, 2025

Registration required: Lake George Land Conservancy

Cat and Thomas Mts Preserve, Edgecomb Pond Trailhead

Join a Naturalist on a hike up Cat Mountain and learn about the Leave No Trace Seven Principles®. This is a great way to learn how to best care for our local trails and see some amazing views of the area.

This longer hike is considered moderately challenging with views of Lake George and southern Adirondacks. Total length, 5 miles.


October 4, 2025

Saratoga 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.


October 4, 2025

Registration requested: Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)

Join us for the return of Caffè Lena @ SPAC—a full day of free live music on the Charles R. Wood Stage.

This year’s lineup features five bands that explore roots, global, bluegrass, pop, and indie-folk music, including Misty Blues, Tom Chapin, Chatham County Line, Farah Siraj, and Aleksi Campagne.

This is a free event, please register to receive event update emails and helpful “Know Before You Go” information. Please note your email address will be added to SPAC and Caffè Lena’s mailing lists.

This is a rain or shine event.

Artist Lineup / Day at a Glance

11:30 AM | Gates Open

12-12:50 PM| Aleksi Campagne

1:10-2:00 PM| Farah Siraj

2:20-3:10 PM | Tom Chapin

3:30-4:20 PM | Chatham County Line

4:40- 5:20 PM | Misty Blues


October 4, 2025

Registration required: Up Yonda Farm

Eastern chipmunks are characterized by their reddish-brown fur and white underbellies. They have five dark brown stripes running lengthwise down the body with whitish stripes in between. While you paint this chipmunk perched on a branch and showing its prominent tail, a Naturalist will share a Native American folktale about how the chipmunk got its stripes.

Paint with Patrice classes are geared for beginners, but open to all ages and artistic abilities. Participants will use acrylic paints on an 8×8 inch stretched canvas and take home a finished painting.

$17 per person in addition to Day Use Fee. Members $12.

October 5, 2025(1 event)


October 5, 2025

Registration required: sdm246@cornell.edu

We are hiking OK Slip Falls in Indian Lake. Meeting at the trailhead by 8:30am. 4-H membership is not required to participate.
While it is a longer hike (about 6.5 miles total), the trail only has short ups and downs. It is even one of my mother's favorite trails. She hiked it a few years ago with a torn meniscus in one knee and MCL in the other!
OK Slip Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in New York along with Niagara. The trail can be muddy with recent showers but there are no rock scrambles.
Let's Go Outside!
October 6, 2025(1 event)


October 6, 2025

Registration required: Hudson Crossing Park

Explore the park after dark!

Join us each month for an inclusive evening adventure on or near the full moon. As the sun sets and the moon rises, the park comes alive in subtle ways, and this program invites guests of all ages to discover the secret life of crepuscular animals- creatures most active during the twilight hours.

Take a guided walk through Hudson Crossing Park and search for signs of some of our quietest neighbors: deer, foxes, raccoons, bats, rabbits, and even fireflies. These elusive animals tend to avoid the hustle and bustle of the day, but under the glow of the full moon, they become more active — giving us a rare chance to spot them in their natural element.

Space is limited, and registration is required.

October 7, 2025(3 events)


October 7, 2025


October 7, 2025

Saratoga National Historical Park

Park Ranger Eric Schnitzer leads a guided tour of the fields where the Battle of Bemus Heights - the second battle of Saratoga - was fought on October 7, 1777. The battle was one of the most decisive American victories of the Revolutionary War and put an end to the British scheme to capture Albany. Major new information has reshaped our understanding of Benedict Arnold's role in the battle, and discussing his heroism in the fight will be a highlight of the tour. No sign-up required; those interested should meet at "The Tide Turns" parking lot (stop 5); the tour will last for about one hour.


October 7, 2025

October 8, 2025(2 events)


October 8, 2025

Saratoga National Historical Park

Have you ever wondered what plants and creatures you are seeing as you traverse the park or your own backyard? Join us for a nature walk where Park Rangers will discuss park species, identification, and natural resource management. Saratoga is home to thousands of species of flora and fauna. We would like to introduce you to some of the citizen science programs that can be used for collecting observations while in the park or in your backyard.

You can become a citizen scientist by participating in programs such as: iNaturalist, Seek, eBird, Nature's Notebook under the National Phenology Network, and Audubon's Christmas Bird Count. Having observations from data collected by volunteer citizen scientists, will help inform park resources staff about invasive species, population dynamics, time-sensitive interactions, range limits, species diversity, and the changing climate. Observations that are collected in the park will be compared to existing data. Data collected can also be used at the state and national level.

Park Rangers will demonstrate how to use these applications during the program. Meet at the Visitor Center to join the hike and be prepared to walk 2 miles on uneven terrain.


October 8, 2025

Registration required: sdm246@cornell.edu

Let's go outside!
October 9, 2025(3 events)


October 9, 2025


October 9, 2025

 


October 9, 2025

Hillview Free Library (Diamond Point)

Join us, the first Thursday each month, for a friendly game of Scrabble! We begin at 6:30pm, and play until all the tiles are done. High score takes home a prize! For teens & adults.

October 10, 2025
October 11, 2025(4 events)


October 11, 2025

Registration required: Lake George Land Conservancy

New York State experiences a significant fall bird migration, offering fantastic birding opportunities. Join a Naturalist on the Cat Mountain trail along Edgecomb Pond to observe and record a diverse range of birds from waterfowl to raptors and songbirds.

This 1.5 mile out and back hike will be relatively flat and provide ample time for observing species to later upload to eBird. Prior birding experience is not necessary and binoculars will be available for use.


October 11, 2025

Saratoga National Historical Park

Renowned blacksmith Jymm Hoffman will demonstrate 18th century techniques at the forge. Living Historian Anne Clothier will share the stories of Women in Healing from the time of the Battles of Saratoga. Living Historian Sara Evenson will discuss and demonstrate 18th century food. The Saratoga County 250th Commission will be there with their tent full of fun activities for the whole family! And you can visit General Philip Schuyler’s home.


October 11, 2025

Saratoga National Historical Park

Tour Stops 2, 3, & 6

More soldiers return to Saratoga! The park will host three small encampments on the original 1777 Revolutionary War battlegrounds.

At Benedict Arnold's headquarters (tour road stop 2), Continental soldiers from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont will encamp within the American defenses, ready to defend against any British invasion.

At Bemus Heights (tour road stop 3), New York's Continental artillery corps will ensure that no Redcoats pass the high bluffs and march on to conquer Albany.

At Freeman's Farm (tour road stop 6), British soldiers of His Majesty's 24th Regiment will be on hand to restore legitimate government to the rebellious American colonies.

All camps are free to visit and open to the public during the dates and times listed above. Soldiers will fire cannons and muskets throughout the event and perform other martial activities, while they and the camp's followers will cook food and sew clothing throughout the event. Make sure to ask the reenactors lots of questions!


October 11, 2025

Registration required: Hillview Free Library (Diamond Point)

In this fun, hands-on program, become a detective and examine artifacts from the 19th & 20th centuries for clues about their purpose in the past. Participants will learn about antique household objects, that they have likely never seen before. Recommended for ages 5+.

October 12, 2025(2 events)


October 12, 2025

Saratoga National Historical Park

Tour Stops 2, 3, & 6

More soldiers return to Saratoga! The park will host three small encampments on the original 1777 Revolutionary War battlegrounds.

At Benedict Arnold's headquarters (tour road stop 2), Continental soldiers from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont will encamp within the American defenses, ready to defend against any British invasion.

At Bemus Heights (tour road stop 3), New York's Continental artillery corps will ensure that no Redcoats pass the high bluffs and march on to conquer Albany.

At Freeman's Farm (tour road stop 6), British soldiers of His Majesty's 24th Regiment will be on hand to restore legitimate government to the rebellious American colonies.

All camps are free to visit and open to the public during the dates and times listed above. Soldiers will fire cannons and muskets throughout the event and perform other martial activities, while they and the camp's followers will cook food and sew clothing throughout the event. Make sure to ask the reenactors lots of questions!


October 12, 2025

Saratoga National Historical Park

Historian, blogger and reenactor Sherman Lohnes will present a brief history of the comings and goings of Brigadier General James Brickett and his Massachusetts militia troops during the siege of Saratoga in October 1777.

October 13, 2025
October 14, 2025(4 events)


October 14, 2025

Saratoga National Historical Park

Discover the Siege of Saratoga. Following their defeat in the Battle of Bemus Heights, Burgoyne’s army struggled to retreat. They made it this far before being surrounded by superior American forces, beginning the short but unpleasant siege. Park Ranger Eric Schnitzer will lead a walking tour from the Saratoga Monument through part of Burgoyne’s camp.


October 14, 2025

Slate Valley Museum

Take 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!


October 14, 2025


October 14, 2025

Registration required: Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)

This is a hands-on workshop with instruction in rhythmic handclaps (palmas), arm movements (braceo), body posturing (marcaje), and footwork (taconeo) tailored to the participants experience level. The class is supportive and fun, and flamenco technique is woven into a short choreography. By the end of the class the participants will be able to “perform” a simple choreographed dance.

October 15, 2025(1 event)


October 15, 2025

Registration required: Saratoga National Historical Park

Experience the ambiance of an 18th Century house in the evening with a special candlelight tour through the Schuyler House! Entry is by tours only which will be held from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Reservations are required for this special event. Visitors should be aware that the candlelight tours are low light and may make walking through the house challenging for some visitors. Capacity limits will be in effect for safety and protection of visitors and the historic resource.

October 16, 2025(4 events)


October 16, 2025

Registration required: Up Yonda Farm

Young Learners (ages 5-7) will explore the role of adaptations in different animals in the forest food web while elementary students (ages 8-10) will learn about the influence of habitat limitations on wildlife populations.

$5 per person in addition to Day Use Fee. Members Free.


October 16, 2025


October 16, 2025

Hillview Free Library (Diamond Point)

Gift Yourself an Hour of Peace with soothing sounds of crystal singing bowls, chimes, Tibetan bowls & more. Bring your yoga mat, pillows & blankets, or sit in one of our chairs. Robin Jay, World Peace®Karuna Reiki Master Teacher, Certified Sound Healer, will be your guide.

$8.00 suggested donation.

October 17, 2025(1 event)


October 17, 2025

Saratoga National Historical Park

Visit with a park ranger at the Saratoga Surrender Site in Schuylerville, NY to learn more about the surrender of General Burgoyne and his forces.

October 18, 2025(4 events)


October 18, 2025

Registration required: Lake George Land Conservancy

Join a Naturalist on a hike at The Pinnacle Preserve observing how the local trees are changing before winter, and learn some Adirondack tree identification.

This hike is rated moderately challenging with rewarding views of Lake George to the east and the southern Adirondacks to the west. 3 miles round-trip.


October 18, 2025

Registration required: Hillview Free Library (Diamond Point)

Kids become chefs in this tasty culinary story hour! Enjoy a reading of "The Boy Who Wanted to Cook" then whip up some fresh cream to top your fruit tart creation! Participants will also decorate a Chef bandana. Recommended for ages 4+


October 18, 2025

Slate Valley Museum

Celebrate the end of the harvest and the end of our regular season with a traditional barn dance right in the museum's Dutch style barn!

Contra Dance Lesson (for all ages) from 2-3pm
Contra Dance from 3-5pm

Featuring caller Fern Bradley and live music by traditional celtic band Hudson River Ceili.


October 18, 2025

Registration required: Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)

at the Arthur Zankel Music Center, 815 N Broadway, Saratoga Springs

This evening-length performance is a band-generated theatrical experience, featuring music from Caroline Shaw and Sō Percussion’s Grammy-winning album Rectangles and Circumstance, as well as their first album Let the Soil Play Its Simple Part, with an interlude from Shaw’s pop duo Ringdown. Beginning with a lone spotlight on Shaw singing “I’ll Fly Away,” the performance builds as musicians gradually introduce lights and inventive instruments, culminating in an ecstatic full-ensemble experience featuring up-tempo songs like “Sing On” and “To the Sky”—a dazzling blend of DIY design and original music.

In celebration of the Tang Museum’s 25th anniversary, this presentation of Who Turns Out the Light continues a long-standing artistic partnership between Sō Percussion and the Tang. The performance is co-presented with Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), which joins as a community partner during renovations of the Spa Little Theater—helping maintain strong connections to the region through collaborative programming.

October 19, 2025(3 events)


October 19, 2025

Registration required: Hudson Crossing Park

Join the garden keepers on a seed collection expedition in the park.  Learn how to collect, store, stratify, scarify and winter sow seeds for growing your own native plants.

  • Adults only

  • Group size is limited to 10

  • Registration is required!


October 19, 2025

RSVP 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.


October 19, 2025

Saratoga National Historical Park

When Burgoyne’s army surrendered at Saratoga, the agreement was that they could return to Europe. But Congress intervened, claiming that Burgoyne broke the deal himself by not surrendering all the stuff he was supposed to. Or did he? This program examines how a tiny uniform detail broke our nation's first treaty.

Park Ranger Eric Schnitzer has called Saratoga National Historical Park home for more than two decades. Eric’s immense knowledge of military history and 18th century material culture, which have made him one of the foremost experts on the Saratoga Campaign, come together perfectly in this talk.

October 20, 2025
October 21, 2025(1 event)


October 21, 2025

Come join us on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. You don’t need to read the book to come to our meetings.

October 22, 2025(1 event)


October 22, 2025

October 23, 2025(3 events)


October 23, 2025


October 23, 2025

 


October 23, 2025

Registration required: Saratoga National Historical Park

On October 7, 1777, the Second Battle of Saratoga began in field of ripening wheat at Stop 5 along today’s Battlefield Tour Road. By the end of the day, the United States had achieved a monumental victory which resulted in the surrender of General Burgoyne’s army 10 days later. However, questions have remained on how the battle unfolded. How exactly were the contending forces arrayed? How did the American Army achieve victory on that October day?

In the fall of 2021, a team of researchers, archaeologists, and military veterans assembled at Saratoga National Historic Park under the auspices of American Veterans Archaeological Recovery (AVAR) to look for answers to some of these questions. Ben Powers will share how the project played out and what was discovered during this three-week exploration.

Ben resides in Texas with his wife, K.C., and four children, Arthur, Michaela, Emma, and Jordan. He holds a master’s degree in strategic leadership from American Military University and served 24 years in the United States Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Ben is an author, YouTuber, and President of the Board of Directors of the American Veterans Archaeological Recovery Project (AVAR). He participated in fieldwork in Barber’s Wheatfield on the Saratoga Battlefield in the fall of 2021.

Support for the Fall Lecture Series is provided by Friends of Saratoga Battlefield. Reservations are required due to limited space. Email us (SARA_Reservations@nps.gov) to reserve your seat!

October 24, 2025
October 25, 2025(2 events)


October 25, 2025

Up Yonda Farm

It’s our annual Trunk or Treat event (rain or shine).

Dress up in your Halloween best and Trick-or-Treat among decorated vehicles. This event is open to all ages.

This event is not possible without the support of our community bringing a decorated vehicle and treats. Register your vehicle!


October 25, 2025

Hudson Crossing Park

Join us for the spookiest night of the year at HCP!

From 4pm-6pm, carve pumpkins with us at the pavilion before lining the Sensory Trail with everyone's glowing creations. Once the sun goes down, take a stroll down the trail... If you dare!

Details:
-$10 per pumpkin if you use one of ours (bring your own at no cost!)
-At the end of the night, you can take your jack o’lantern home (or leave it as a special snack for our resident wild life)
-The Sensory Trail is wheelchair and stroller accessible. This event is open to all ages, abilities, and disabilities.

Come for the carving, stay for the glow, and make some fall memories with us at Hudson Crossing Park!

October 26, 2025
October 27, 2025
October 28, 2025(1 event)


October 28, 2025

October 29, 2025
October 30, 2025(3 events)


October 30, 2025


October 30, 2025

Registration required: Saratoga National Historical Park

What did it take for a six-man crew to fell trees in frigid 18th century Saratoga? How did African (American) women master the arduous task of laundry day at the Schuyler Estate? How did Lewis, one of General Philip Schuyler's coachmen, earn a shoutout from Benjamin Franklin for his skilled maneuvering of rural roads? Join us as we dig deeper into the tools, knowledge, natural objects and skills that local enslaved people mastered while in bondage and piece together what 18th and early 19th century life might have been like for African Americans in Saratoga and Washington counties.

Dr. Shanleigh Corrallo is a scholar of African American history who has applied her research to positions in academia, government and public policy, and community advocacy. Through her work, Corrallo has developed programs and implemented policies that restore and uplift diverse communities across New York State that have been negatively impacted by social, economic and legal injustice. In her current role as a Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow, she works with Skidmore College and the New York State Division of Parks and Historic Preservation to unearth and document the lives of individuals enslaved in Saratoga and Washington Counties, New York. In addition to collaborating with the NYS Office of Parks on a portfolio of projects commemorating 400 years of presence and contributions of African Americans in the State, Corrallo has developed an oral history series with local descendants that will be housed at Skidmore College. Outside of the fellowship, Corrallo is working on a book project with the University of Rochester Press on the Black Power Movement in Buffalo and Rochester, New York.

Dr. Corrallo lives in the beautiful town of Schodack Landing, New York, with her beloved dog, husband, chickens and gardens.

Support for the Fall Lecture Series is provided by Friends of Saratoga Battlefield. Reservations are required due to limited space. Email us (SARA_Reservations@nps.gov) to reserve your seat!


October 30, 2025

October 31, 2025
November 1, 2025(4 events)


November 1, 2025

Saratoga National Historical Park

Want to appreciate the beauty of one of the last later sunrises of the year before the time change? Join Park Volunteer and Photographer David Truland and Park Ranger Kristin Vinduska to welcome a new day at the Saratoga National Historical Park Visitor Center Lawn on Saturday, November 1 at 7:00 am. Exchange photography tips and experience the beautiful fall scenery highlighted in the day's first golden light. This time of year is especially photogenic because of the fog that blankets the Hudson River first thing in the morning.


November 1, 2025

Registration required: Up Yonda Farm

Come inside our inflatable planetarium, StarLab, to learn to identify some of the constellations in our sky and hear the mythology behind them.

Please note that the StarLab is a small space that requires crawling into with seating on the floor. With its acoustics, participants will need to be able to sit quietly for the duration of the program. Recommended for those 7 years of age and older.

$5 per person in addition to Day Use Fee. Members Free.


November 1, 2025

Registration requested: Hillview Free Library (Diamond Point)

Learn the traditions of the Mexican celebration of The Day of the Dead. We will read "Mi Familia: Celebrating the Day of the Dead" and then decorate plaster sugar skulls. Pre-Registration appreciated. ALL ages welcomed!


November 1, 2025

Hillview Free Library (Diamond Point)

The Witches bring peace, love, and healing wherever they go with their unique mini production combining sound, music, & dance. Each Witch has their own creative & unique style, & bring a smile to faces wherever they go!

$5.00 suggested donation.