518 Day

518 Day is free to attend and open to the public. To participate in Melba Madness or one of the races, guests must purchase a ticket. See below for details. Celebrate the 518! Get ready for a day full of family-friendly fun, from a first-of-its-kind road race and live local music to a 518-themed Vendor Village, Melba Madness Stroll, and more. This event brings the community together to celebrate everything that makes this region of New York special. Don’t miss out! 518 Day 5.18K I 8:30 AM-10:00 AM Broadway & Hudson Ave. Nothing says hometown pride quite like a road race. We’re taking it a step further with a 5.18K through downtown Albany—a nod to the Capital Region’s 518 roots (and area code). Join us on Saturday, May 16 (since May 18 falls on a Monday, and nobody wants that) and help us kick off a new community tradition celebrating everything that makes our region of New York State special, co-produced by the Downtown Albany BID, Cap City Runners, and Common Roots Brewing Company. Race Registration: go to Runners who register in advance will receive a commemorative T-shirt and a ticket for one free beer courtesy of Common Roots Brewing Company. (Must be 21+ with a valid ID. T-shirts are first-come, first-served.) Kids who are registered in advance will receive a commemorative T-shirt and a medal! (T-shirts are first-come, first-served.) • $25 Adults I $10 Kids Early Bird Registration: Register by Saturday, April 17 • $30 Adults I $12 Kids Regular Registration: Register by Wednesday, May 15 • $40 Adults I $15 Kids In-Person Registration: Register in person on May 16 Race Details An original 5.18K (just over 3.2 miles) honoring the Capital Region and our 518 zip code! The race will kick off in downtown Albany — stay tuned for racecourse details. This is a chip-timed race with awards for top finishers. After the race, celebrate with fellow racers and DJ Intell Hayesfield, with the official awards announced at 9:45 AM. 518 Vendor Village I 10:00 AM-3:00 PM 11 Clinton Ave, Clinton Market Collective Enjoy a market filled with vendors selling 518-themed gifts and goods at Clinton Market Collective and Quackenbush Square. We're seeking vendors of merchandise that celebrate Albany, NY, and the greater Capital Region. Apply today. Van Ostrande-Radliff House Tours I 10:00 AM-2:00 PM 48 Hudson Ave Visit this 18th-century home with tours by the Historic Albany Foundation, showcasing recent preservation updates that honor its history. Live Music Showcase by Metroland Now I 10:00 AM-4:00 PM 11 Clinton Ave, Clinton Market Collective Get ready to rock! The Local Music Showcase by Metroland Now will highlight a variety of regional talent at the Clinton Market Collective. The set starts at 10:00 AM with a live stream of Metroland's new radio station. Then enjoy performances by local artists. Local Music Showcase by Metroland Now: Caity Gallagher I 11:00 AM Ky McClinton Band I 12:00 PM Girl Blue I 1:00 PM Super 400 I 2:30 PM Melba Madness I 12:00 PM-4:00 PM Participating locations Sample small bites featuring Albany’s signature Melba sauce—a sweet, tangy raspberry staple often paired with mozzarella sticks across the Capital Region. This competition spans 10+ downtown restaurants, each serving a small plate with their own take on Melba sauce. At every location, collect a stamp or unique mark on your passport. Gather 10 or more to be entered into a random drawing to win a pair of tickets to the Hot Chocolate Stroll on Saturday, December 5, 2026 (a $50+ value). Five winners will be selected and contacted by Wednesday, May 27. Tickets: $30 in advance I $40 day of Check in at Clinton Market Collective (11 Clinton Ave.) Participating businesses: • A Slice Of That | 123 Madison Ave • Banh Mi 47 | 74 N Pearl St • Jack's Oyster House | 42 State St • Hilton Albany | 40 Lodge St • Loch & Quay | 414 Broadway • Ophelia's on Broadway | 388 Broadway • RiiLaxx Tavern | 4 Sheridan Ave • Stacks Espresso Bar | 488 Broadway • The City Beer Hall | 42 Howard St • The Excelsior Pub | 54 Philip St (Opens at 3:00 PM) • The Hollow Bar + Kitchen | 79 N Pearl St • The Yard: Sports Bar & Hatchet House | 16 Sheridan Ave • Viva Empanadas Latin Kitchen | 90 N Pearl St • Wellington's | 144 State St Paint the Night I 5:00 PM-9:00 PM 19 Quackenbush Square, Courtyard Celebrate 10 years of public art with ParkAlbany, Albany Barn, and Albany Center Gallery! After 518 Day wraps up, head to Quackenbush Square and experience an energetic and artistic evening in Downtown, filled with amazing art, artists, and featuring: Live Mural Painting: Downtown Albany’s newest murals will come to life during the event as muralists work their artistic magic on the walls of the Quackenbush Garage. Albany Barn Inc’s Artist Alley: Take a stroll through Quackenbush Square and explore a selection of local artists demonstrating and/or selling their art. Artist announcements coming soon! Unveiling of New Up-Cycled Parking Meters: A yearly project that began in 2023, in coordination with ParkAlbany and the Albany Barn, where local artists bring new life to decommissioned parking meters by transforming them into public art. Live Fire Dancing: The “Danger Dame of the Flame” Opal Raven will ignite the night with two high-octane performances. Roaming Circus Performances: The Chalk Gremlin Circus Company will bring their “mildly chaotic but always entertaining” energy to Quackenbush Square. Plus: Live music, photo ops, free popcorn and more! Sponsors The Downtown Albany BID thanks the City of Albany, Cap City Runners, Common Roots Brewing Company, CS Arch, Fort Orange General Store, Metroland Now, ParkAlbany, and Wainschaf Associates for their generous support of the 518 Day Celebration.