The Beat

Over 20,000 historic manuscripts, rare books, and artifacts are made free to the public, marking the organization’s 75th anniversary and the nation’s semiquincentennial.

Pocantico Hills, NY – Historic Hudson Valley is proud to announce the launch of its digital library and collections portal. The extensive collections management platform contains over 20,000 items and is completely free to use, making centuries of regional history accessible to researchers, students, educators, genealogists, and history enthusiasts worldwide.

July 18 & 19, 2026

Panama, N.Y. - Get ready for the WILDEST weekend of the summer! Panama Rocks is set to come alive with the sounds of animals, the sights of vibrant art, and the aromas of delicious food as the Wild America Nature Festival returns on July 18 & 19, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM each day.

Midsummer Swing!

Hudson, NY — Hudson Hall at the historic Hudson Opera House is clearing the floor for a summer night of live music, dancing, and full-body joy. In a nod to its past as a home to cotillions, balls, and social dances, Hudson Hall partners with Got2Lindy Dance Studios to present Midsummer Swing!, an evening of swing dancing and live music in its historic 1855 theater.

Auburn, NY (July 8, 2026) – The Schweinfurth Art Center is announcing its 2026 summer hours, which run from Sunday, July 19, through Sunday, Aug. 16. The art center will be open regular hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and closed on Sundays.

Farmingdale, NY (July 8, 2026) – American Airpower Museum is proud to co-host with Honor Flight Long Island, the August 1, 2026 reunion of 46 veterans who took a free Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. on May 2, 2026.  These Long Island heroes visited their military memorials, commiserated with fellow veterans and exchanged stories.  Honor Flight’s mission is to honor fellow Long Islanders who served in the Armed Forces of the United States, by providing these free one-day trips to D.C.

Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (July 8, 2026) – Saratoga Casino Hotel, in partnership with the Saratoga Harness Horseperson's Association, will host a special fundraising event on Saturday, July 11 to benefit those impacted by the recent barn fire. The fundraiser will take place during the opening night of Sunset Saturdays, Saratoga Casino Hotel's weekly summer celebration featuring live harness racing, local food trucks, and family-friendly entertainment.

Beacon, NY -  Thursday, August 6, 2026 – The Bannerman Castle Trust (BCT) presents Modern Silent Shorts (MSS) on historic Bannerman Island.  Experience a unique cinematic summer evening that bridges the gap between classic history and modern creativity, showcasing the medium of modern silent films. Modern Silent Shorts and the Bannerman Castle Trust present a special screening that is part film festival and part live concert at the legendary ruins of Bannerman Island.

Albany, NY — The New York State Museum and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) have launched a new partnership that uses advanced digital fabrication technology to help preserve, study, and share some of the state’s most fragile historical artifacts. Through this collaboration, RPI’s state-of-the-art 3D Scanning and Printing Lab has already produced replications of two artifacts recovered from a Revolutionary War-era gunboat discovered beneath the site of the World Trade Center.

All-Mozart program with conductor Brad Lubman features mezzo-soprano Erin Wagner, winner of 2021 Walter W. Naumburg International Competition

New York, N.Y. - On Tuesday, July 21 at 7:30 pm, Naumburg Orchestral Concerts presents Orchestra of St. Luke's, led by conductor Brad Lubman, and guest mezzo-soprano Erin Wagner at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park (mid-park at 72nd St.). The concert is free and will be broadcast live and streamed on WQXR.

Katonah, NY – Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts – a vibrant cultural destination nestled on 81 acres of historic gardens and woodlands in Katonah, NY – presents Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 7:30pm in the iconic Venetian Theater, as part of Caramoor’s 2026 Summer Season of over thirty performances between June 20 and August 2, 2026. Caramoor, once the estate of music and art lovers Walter and Lucie Rosen, is one of the region’s most distinctive destinations for live performance, cultural engagement, and exploration.