North Country New Year Festival

Review the 2024 schedule here! The 2025 schedule will be announced this fall!

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 the 2023 and 2024 celebrations—which showcased thrilling new performers alongside beloved returning acts—2025 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.

Last year's lineup included:

• Folk rock band Driftwood headlining Town Hall

• The Gaslight Tinkers, playing a dance-happy blend of old-time fiddle, funk, Caribbean and African music

• Hip-hop harp music from Küf Knotz and Christine Elise

• Flamenco-to-bluegrass virtuosos Maria Zemantauski and Sten Isachsen

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

• The rafter-rattling Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir

• Hilarious comedy act by Moody McCarthy and Completely Stranded

• New this year, a kids carnival, featuring balloon animals, caricatures, and face painting, along with performances from the legendary "Bubble Man" Jeff Boyer and juggler extraordinaire Stephen Gratto

• Ice skating at the Saranac Lake Civic Center

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

• Make-and-take art projects at ADK ArtRise

• Dance lessons at the Dance Sanctuary

• Rides on the Adirondack Carousel

• Breathtaking fire dancing by Smoke Show Fire Co.

• A spectacular Fireworks Display

Download and Print the full schedule here!

Stay tuned for updates as we announce this year’s performances and activities. Let’s make 2025 the most unforgettable North Country New Year yet!

Admission:

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

Admission Rates:

• $20 per person
• $15 for seniors
• Free for children under 18

Missed the online window? Don’t worry—remaining buttons will be available all day tomorrow at the Saranac Lake Welcome Center, located at 39 Main Street in the Harrietstown Town Hall, or at event venues during the celebration. Please note, all remaining sales are cash only.
 

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 2025 Essex County Fair, happening August 13-17, 2025, 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.

In 2025, the fair is teaming up with Smokey's Greater Shows from Maine, bringing their impressive collection of carnival rides and games. Originally known for their traveling Belgium horse shows, Smokey’s now operates over fifty rides, promising thrills, fun, and unforgettable memories for all.

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 2025 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 5th-8th, 2025!

This four-day Adirondack Birding Festival features birding hikes, walks, safaris, outings, and seminars throughout Hamilton County. All field trips are free and registration is required for each outdoor event. 

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

Register for the 2025 Birding Festival clink on the link Below:

• Birding Festival Registration Request Form
• Registration begins Monday, March 31 at 9 am

2025 Schedule

2025 Adirondack Boreal Birding Festival Schedule of Events

Special Presentation - An Evening with Matthew Young: Exploring the World of Finches

• Matthew will be our guest speaker this year and will also be doing a book sale and signing!
• Pre-registration for the lecture and/or reception must be done by June 4 - Pre-Register Here!

Looking for accommodation?

Check out these listings - 2025 Adirondack Boreal Birding Festival Packages

While our festival is free to attend, maintaining our trails requires significant time, energy, and funding. If you would like to support the Hamilton County Trail Improvement Fund, please consider donating here!