Poughkeepsie Arts & Culture
The Summer of 2026 in Poughkeepsie
The City of Poughkeepsie will be active throughout the summer of 2026 with arts, music, festivals, cultural events, and more. Here are some highlights... not everything, just what we know of at this point in time. This page will be updated as additional information becomes available, so stay tuned!
JUNE
Friday, June 5, 6:00-9:00pm, Main Street
POUGHKEEPSIE FIRST FRIDAYS ARE BACK!
"Soft Launch" to let everyone know what is going on while plans for the summer unfold.
For more information, visit DTPK.org
Sunday June 7, First race at 6:45am, Hudson River Rowing
MILES OF HOPE POUGHKEEPSIE REGATTA
Rowing competition to benefit Hudson Valley breast cancer services
For more information, visit Miles of Hope Regatta
Saturday, June 13, 12:00-4:00pm, Waryas Park
POUGHKEEPSIE PRIDE PARADE & FESTIVAL
Parade step off from Main & Market streets at 12:00pm
For more information, visit Poughkeepsie Pride
Sunday, June 14, 2:00-6:00pm, Cannon Street between Academy and Market
SECOND SUNDAY SUMMER BLOCK PARTIES
Food, local craft beer, wine, live music, vendors, and activities
For more information, visit Summer Sundays
Saturday, June 20, 1:00-5:00pm, Waryas Park
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
Parade step off 12:30pm from Main & Market streets to Waryas Park.
For more information, watch for cityofpoughkeepsie.com news flashes.
JULY
Friday, July 3, 6:00-9:00pm, SAVE THE DATE!
POUGHKEEPSIE FIRST FRIDAY
Planning is underway, bigger and better!
For more information, visit DTPK.org
Saturday, July 4, around 9:30pm, on the Poughkeepsie waterfront
FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS
Free viewing from the waterfront in Waryas Park, or purchase a ticket to view from the Walkway Over the Hudson.​
For more information, watch cityofpoughkeepsie.com news flashes.
Sunday, July 12, 2:00-6:00pm, Cannon Street between Academy and Market
SECOND SUNDAY SUMMER BLOCK PARTIES
Food, local craft beer, wine, live music, vendors, and activities
For more information, visit Summer Sundays
Sunday, July 19, 2:00pm, Cunneen-Hackett Art Center VBI Theater
LIVE CHOREOGRAPHY SHOWCASE
presented by Willow Dance Center featuring acclaimed choreographer and BalletCollective founder Troy Schumacher as he creates a short piece live with two New York City Ballet dancers
Details coming soon...
AUGUST
Saturday, August 1, 12:00-2:00pm, Dudley Memorial Shelter in College Hill Park
FREDERICK DOUGLASS DAY
Commemorate the 1858 speech given in College Hill and celebrate freedom, culture, and community with music, food, history, and more
For more information, visit celebratingtheafricanspirit.org/frederick-douglass-day
Saturday, August 1, 12:00-8:00pm, Waryas Park
HUDSON VALLEY CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL
Food, live music, local art, jerk chicken contest
For more information, email to hvcaribbeanfestival@gmail.com
Sunday, August 2, 12:00-8:00pm, Waryas Park
LA GUELAGUETZA
Celebrating the arts and culture from Oaxaca, Mexico
For more information, visit facebook.com/pokguelaguetza
Friday, August 7, 6:00-9:00pm, SAVE THE DATE!
POUGHKEEPSIE FIRST FRIDAY
Planning is underway, bigger and better!
For more information, visit DTPK.org
Saturday, August 8, 8:00am-noon, Waryas Park
POUGHKEEPSIE SPRINTS REGATTA
Crew races along the Hudson River
For more information, visit hudsonriverrowing.org/poughkeepsie-regatta/
Sunday, August 9, 2:00-6:00pm, Cannon Street between Academy and Market
SECOND SUNDAY SUMMER BLOCK PARTIES
Food, local craft beer, wine, live music, vendors, and activities
For more information, visit Summer Sundays
Sunday, August 9, 2:00-6:00pm, Cannon Street between Academy and Market
PK ART MILE
PK Art Mile is a vibrant, open-air gallery on U-Haul trucks to invite the public to experience a dynamic celebration of local creativity.
Follow us on Instagram: @pkartmile
Sunday, August 16, gates open at 11:00am, music at 12:00pm, Waryas Park
JAZZ IN THE VALLEY
An annual festival, showcasing music performed by world-class musicians, fittingly complemented by breathtaking views of the Hudson River Valley as backdrop. Ticketed Event
For more information, visit jazzinthevalleyny.org
SEPTEMBER
Friday, September 4, 6:00-9:00pm, SAVE THE DATE!
POUGHKEEPSIE FIRST FRIDAY
Planning is underway, bigger and better!
For more information, visit DTPK.org
Saturday, September 12, 4:00-6:30pm in Kaal Rock Park
KAAL ROCK PARK CONCERT SERIES
Three free concert along the riverfront to complete the summer
For more information, visit kaalrockparkconcerts
Saturday, September 12, 10:00am-5:00pm and Sunday, September 13, 12:00-4:00pm
POUGHKEEPSIE OPEN STUDIOS
Self guided tour of artist studios, galleries, arts organizations, and pop-up locations around the city.
For more information, visit poughkeepsieopenstudios.org
Saturday, September 12, 12:00-5:00pm and Sunday, September 13, 12:00pm-4:00pm
POLLINATOR FESTIVAL AT SCENIC HUDSON
Free performances, art demos, and hands-on mini-workshops
For more information, email to polinatorpk@gmail.com
Sunday, September 12 2:00-6:00pm, September 13 2:00-6:00pm
PK ART MILE on Cannon Street between Academy and Market Streets
PK Art Mile is a vibrant, open-air gallery on U-Haul trucks to invite the public to experience a dynamic celebration of local creativity.
Follow us on Instagram: @pkartmile
Sunday, September 13, 2:00-6:00pm, Cannon Street between Academy and Market
SECOND SUNDAY SUMMER BLOCK PARTIES
Food, local craft beer, wine, live music, vendors, and activities
For more information, visit Summer Sundays
Saturday, September 19, 4:00-6:30pm in Kaal Rock Park
KAAL ROCK PARK CONCERT SERIES
Three free concert along the riverfront to complete the summer
For more information, visit kaalrockparkconcerts
Saturday, September 26, 4:00-6:30pm in Kaal Rock Park
KAAL ROCK PARK CONCERT SERIES
Three free concert along the riverfront to complete the summer
For more information, visit kaalrockparkconcerts
OCTOBER & BEYOND
Friday, October 2, 6:00-9:00pm, SAVE THE DATE!
POUGHKEEPSIE FIRST FRIDAY
Planning is underway, bigger and better!
For more information, visit DTPK.org
Friday, November 6, 6:00-9:00pm, SAVE THE DATE!
POUGHKEEPSIE FIRST FRIDAY
Planning is underway, bigger and better!
For more information, visit DTPK.org