Photo: Anastasiia Krivenok / Moment / Getty Images
Art on Lark, a popular street festival in Albany, New York, is making a comeback after a two-year break. The festival will take place on Saturday, June 6, and will be led by the Lark Street Business Improvement District (BID) under new leadership. The event promises to bring live music, vendors, food, and community programming to downtown Albany, rain or shine.
The festival, which was last held in 2024, had been paused due to challenges faced by the BID. Now, with a partnership with Metroland, the event is set to transform Lark Street into a vibrant arts corridor. As noted by BID Chair Chris Burke, "This is more than just the return of a festival—it's a signal that Lark Street is back."
The festival will feature a diverse lineup of visual artists, craft vendors, and musicians, attracting thousands of visitors. Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs expressed excitement about the event, stating, "It's great to be able to take a pause from watching the news, and getting out of the house, and our kids taking a break from video games, to come and just be in awe of the great city that we have and all of our perks."
Lark Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from Madison Avenue to Washington Avenue during the festival, which will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those interested in being vendors can apply through the Art on Lark website.
The return of Art on Lark marks a significant moment for the community, as it aims to support local businesses and restore foot traffic to the area. As Metroland's Erin Harkes stated, "I’m sensing a good pattern" with the revival of beloved community events.