# Free things to do with kids in Albany this week

> Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Albany this week: we found 16 free outings, including Halloween Photo Booth (Delaware Branch), Library Trick or Treat (Bethlehem Public Library) and Drop-In Halloween Fun (Scotia Branch), plus nine library programs. Five free days and events are coming up, each with its date. And four places never charge admission, like Albany Public Library and Crossgates.

- Last checked: 2026-10-30
- 16 free outings this week; 5 free days and events coming up; 4 always-free places
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/albany-ny/free/
- Indoor play (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/albany-ny/indoor-play/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/albany-ny/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/albany-ny/llms.txt

## Free days and free events coming up

- **Halloween Spooktacular** at New York State Museum, Downtown Albany. When: Sat Oct 31. Price: Free. Official page: https://nysm.nysed.gov/programs/halloween-spooktacular (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Trick or Treat at the Palace** at Palace Theatre, Downtown Albany. When: Sat Oct 31. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.palacealbany.org/education/trick-or-treat-at-the-palace (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Schenectady County Holiday Parade** at Downtown Schenectady, Downtown Schenectady. When: Sat Nov 21. Time: Steps off at 5pm. Price: Free. The 57th year of the parade. Official page: https://www.schenectadycountyny.gov/special-events/holiday-parade (checked 2026-10-30)
- **City of Albany Holiday Tree Lighting** at Academy Park, Academy Park. When: Fri Dec 4. Time: 5–7pm. Price: Free. Moves into City Hall if the weather is bad. Official page: https://www.albanyny.gov/2354/Annual-Holiday-Tree-Lighting (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Troy Victorian Stroll** at Downtown Troy, Downtown Troy. When: Sun Dec 6. Time: 11am–5pm. Price: Free. Rain or shine. Official page: https://www.victorianstroll.com/ (checked 2026-10-30)

## Free this week

- **Bilingual Storytime (North Albany)** at North Albany Branch, Albany Public Library, 616 N. Pearl St., Albany, NY 12204. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 10:30–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–6. Stories and songs in English and Spanish, with playtime after. Everyone is welcome. Official page: https://albany.librarycalendar.com/event/bilingual-storytime-73594 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Toddler Storytime & Play (Washington Ave.)** at Washington Ave. Branch, Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 10:30–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–4. Stories, fingerplays, songs and rhymes for ages 1 to 4 with a grown-up, then free play. Official page: https://albany.librarycalendar.com/event/toddler-storytime-play-washington-ave-branch-75031 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Halloween Photo Booth (Delaware Branch)** at Delaware Branch, Albany Public Library, 331 Delaware Ave., Albany, NY 12209. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 3:30–4:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 2–10. Come in costume for a photo at the Halloween booth. The library prints it and kids decorate a frame to take home. Official page: https://albany.librarycalendar.com/event/halloween-photo-booth-and-picture-frames-75270 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Growing Readers Stories and Play (Pine Hills)** at Pine Hills Branch, Albany Public Library, 517 Western Ave., Albany, NY 12203. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 10:30–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Saturday stories, songs and movement for ages 0 to 5, with play time after. Official page: https://albany.librarycalendar.com/event/growing-readers-stories-and-play-pine-hills-branch-75636 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Growing Readers Storytime and Play (Washington Ave.)** at Washington Ave. Branch, Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 10:30–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Saturday storytime with songs and movement for ages 0 to 5. Bring the whole family. Official page: https://albany.librarycalendar.com/event/growing-readers-storytime-and-play-washington-ave-branch-75944 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Growing Readers Stories and Play (Howe)** at Howe Branch, Albany Public Library, 105 Schuyler St., Albany, NY 12202. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 11:30am–12pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. A half-hour of Saturday stories, songs and movement for ages 0 to 5. Official page: https://albany.librarycalendar.com/event/growing-readers-stories-and-play-howe-branch-58373 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Heroic Horizons comic book pop-up (Washington Ave.)** at Washington Ave. Branch, Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 2–4pm. Price: Free. Ages: 5–10. A comic book pop-up for ages 5 to 10 that celebrates reading like a hero. Best for kindergartners and big siblings. Official page: https://albany.librarycalendar.com/event/heroic-horizons-project-launch-day-75998 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Library Trick or Treat (Bethlehem Public Library)** at Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 10–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–6. Trick-or-treat in the library’s Children’s Place, safe and dry. Costumes are optional and treat bags are provided. Official page: https://bethlehem.librarycalendar.com/event/library-trick-or-treat-35750 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Saturday Story Time (Bethlehem)** at Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 11–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–6. Stories and songs for ages 0 to 6 with a caregiver. Official page: https://bethlehem.librarycalendar.com/event/saturday-story-time-35573 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Halloween Music and Movement (Guilderland)** at Guilderland Public Library, 2228 Western Ave., Guilderland, NY 12084. When: Fri Oct 30. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. A high-energy half-hour of songs, dancing and movement for young kids. Official page: https://guilderland.librarycalendar.com/event/music-and-movement-58480 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Seasonal Family Story Time (Schenectady)** at Schenectady County Public Library, Main Library, 99 Clinton St., Schenectady, NY 12305. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Autumn and Halloween stories for families with kids from birth to 5. Costumes are encouraged. Official page: https://schenectady.librarycalendar.com/event/family-story-time-34354 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Drop-In Halloween Fun (Scotia Branch)** at Scotia Branch Library, 14 Mohawk Ave., Scotia, NY 12302. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: During library hours. Price: Free. Ages: 2–10. Drop in any time to find six hidden pumpkins for a prize and decorate a Day of the Dead sugar skull to take home. Official page: https://schenectady.librarycalendar.com/event/drop-halloween-fun-scotia-37260 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Halloween Spooktacular at the New York State Museum** at New York State Museum, 4th Floor Terrace, 222 Madison Ave., Albany, NY 12230. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 10am–1pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. Creepy art projects, games, spooky science specimens and a dance floor, ending with a children’s costume parade at 1pm. There’s no candy here. Official page: https://nysm.nysed.gov/programs/halloween-spooktacular (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Malloween at Crossgates** at Crossgates, 1 Crossgates Mall Rd., Albany, NY 12203. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: See the mall’s event page for times. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. Halloween at the mall, a warm and dry spot for little trick-or-treaters. Check the mall’s page for the schedule. Official page: https://www.shopcrossgates.com/events/malloween/ (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Trick or Treat at the Palace** at Palace Theatre, 19 Clinton Ave., Albany, NY 12207. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 4–7pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. The theater fills up with free candy, a DJ, balloon twisters and a few spooks. Stop in while you’re out trick-or-treating. Official page: https://www.palacealbany.org/education/trick-or-treat-at-the-palace (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Light Up the Night at Macedonia Baptist Church** at Macedonia Baptist Church, 26 Wilson Ave., Albany, NY 12205. When: Sat Oct 31. Time: 4–7pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. Games, music, dancing and lots of candy. It’s peanut-free and held entirely outside, so dress warmly. Official page: https://www.macedoniaofalbany.org/event-details/light-up-the-night-2026 (checked 2026-10-30)

## Always free

- **Albany Public Library**, Seven branches. Free storytimes most mornings, including Saturday Growing Readers sessions at Pine Hills, Washington Ave. and Howe. Official page: https://albany.librarycalendar.com/ (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Crossgates**, Westmere, 1 Crossgates Mall Rd. The region’s big mall, with seasonal events for kids. Official page: https://www.shopcrossgates.com/events (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Washington Park Playground**, Washington Park, Washington Park Rd. at State St. The rebuilt playground in the park’s northeast corner reopened in fall 2025, with a tot area, baby slides, swings and water play. Official page: https://www.albanyny.gov/2259/Washington-Park-Playground (checked 2026-10-30)
- **New York State Museum**, Empire State Plaza, 222 Madison Ave. A big, free museum in the Cultural Education Center at the Empire State Plaza. It’s an easy way to fill a cold morning. Official page: https://nysm.nysed.gov/ (checked 2026-10-30)

## Free library storytimes

- **Albany Public Library**: Weekday and Saturday mornings at several branches. Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. Calendar: https://albany.librarycalendar.com/

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
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## FAQ

### What’s free to do with kids in Albany this weekend?
This week we found 16 free outings for ages 0–6, including Halloween Photo Booth (Delaware Branch), Library Trick or Treat (Bethlehem Public Library), Drop-In Halloween Fun (Scotia Branch) and Halloween Spooktacular at the New York State Museum. See [free this week](https://littlesweekly.com/albany-ny/free/#this-week); the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

### Are there free museum or zoo days in Albany?
Halloween Spooktacular: Sat Oct 31. Trick or Treat at the Palace: Sat Oct 31. Dates come from each venue’s own page; see [free days and free events](https://littlesweekly.com/albany-ny/free/#free-days).

### Where can we go for free any day in Albany?
Albany Public Library, Crossgates, Washington Park Playground and New York State Museum don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.

### Is there free indoor play in Albany?
Yes: New York State Museum.

### Are library storytimes free in Albany?
Yes. Albany Public Library runs free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Times change by branch, so check the calendar linked below.

### How do you check these free listings?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).