News Article

The Incredible Live Music of the 76th Annual Albany Tulip Festival

May 1, 2024

Albany’s signature spring event is back for its 76th year! Since 1949, Albany has welcomed thousands of visitors to scenic Washington Park each Mother’s Day weekend to celebrate its rich Dutch heritage and the city’s vibrant culture and community, all with a beautiful backdrop featuring over 100,000 tulips. Since then, this annual celebration has grown to be one of the Northeast’s largest and most beloved outdoor festivals, featuring hundreds of arts and craft vendors, delicious local food, children’s activities, and multiple stages of sensational live music!

This year’s lineup features an amazing array of local favorites and international icons that offer something for everyone. Visitors can expect several stages of exhilarating live music throughout the park each day, with Saturday featuring the Price Chopper Kid Zone Stage, the WEXT 518 Stage, and the WEQX / ParkAlbany Main Stage. Day 2 on Sunday features both the WEXT 518 Stage and the iHeartRadio / ParkAlbany Main Stage.

There’s a lot to look forward to this weekend in Washington Park, and for those traveling to this legendary festival, ParkAlbany offers convenient off-street parking nearby at Central Avenue Lots 2, 3, and 4. To learn more about events happening throughout the city this weekend and beyond, be sure to check out our events calendar for more details!

Day 1 – May 11th, 2024

Price Chopper’s Kid Zone Stage:

• Andy “The Music Man”: 1:00pm & 4:00pm
  • A renowned local children’s musician who connects with his audience through his humorous original songs, sing-alongs, dancing, engaging storytelling, and play-acting

• Park Playhouse: 2:00pm
  • Local theatre collective regarded for their incredible free outdoor plays and musicals in Washington Park every summer since 1989, as well as their groundbreaking youth theatre academy

• Melvin the Magnificent: 2:45pm & 4:45pm
  • Professional Capitol Region-based magician with over 20 years of experience performing, teaching, and writing lectures about the world of magic

• Ruth Pelham: 3:30pm & 5:30pm
  • Family-friendly singer/songwriter known for her exuberant folk music, teaching children to build homemade instruments, and writing fun-filled songs with her audience members

WEXT’s 518 Stage:

• Side B: 1:45pm
  • Dynamic four-piece Albany-based alternative rock band known for their energetic live performances and eclectic blend of indie rock/folk/alternative folk music

• Sofia Corts: 2:15pm
  • Albany-based singer/songwriter who seamlessly fuses pop/R&B/jazz and enchants her audience with her impressive vocal range and self-taught guitar and keyboard skills

• Camtron 5000: 3:30pm
  • Rapper born and raised in Albany, regarded for his impressive lyrical prowess, masterful storytelling, and captivating live performances throughout the Capital Region

• The Insolent Willies: 4:45pm
  • Mohawk Valley-based acoustic roots-rock quartet noted for their quirky, dance-worthy original music as well as their unpredictable covers infusing their signature folk/blues/country sound

WEQX/ParkAlbany Main Stage:

• Of The Atlas: 1:30pm
  • Indie rock group from Catskill, NY led by singer/songwriter Jay Woodruff, who has led the band through a colorful range of incarnations and distinctive musical styles

• Prince Daddy & The Hyena: 3:00pm
  • Albany-native rock quartet known for their “slacker punk”, fusing rock/punk/power pop/emo elements into their energetic live shows

• The Front Bottoms: 4:30pm
  • Internationally known New Jersey rock band bringing a commanding stage presence to their live shows with their upbeat indie rock/pop/folk music and witty, surreal lyrical themes

Day 2 – May 12th, 2024

WEXT’s 518 Stage:

• Girl Love: 1:00pm
  • Fronted by Laura Beth Johnson, this folk artist from Albany is known for her poetic lyrics over haunting melodies that encompass elements of enchanting folk, rock, and jazz music

• The E-Block: 2:15pm
  • Renowned Upstate New York indie quintet regarded for fusing the acoustic warmth of singer/songwriter music and a punchy rhythm section heavily influenced by modern R&B

• Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band: 3:30pm
  • Led by Reese Fulmer, this Saratoga collective is lauded for their award-winning Americana music and fluid, constantly evolving group of top tier regional musicians and creatives

• Oobleck: 4:45pm
  • Capital Region-based analog funk band inspired by New Orleans street music, featuring a melee of horns, a heavy drum & bass section, plus dance-inspiring guitar riffage

WEQX/ParkAlbany Main Stage:

• Off The Record: 1:00pm
  • Energetic award-winning Capital Region lounge cover band trio incorporating traditional rock and roll/soft rock/jazz into their live shows, complete with distinctive 1960s attire

• Funk Evolution: 2:30pm
  • Notable Northeast club and party collective specializing in meshing classic funk, rock, soul, and R&B through powerful horn and rhythm sections that offer a lively spin on today’s biggest hits

• New York Players: 4:30pm
  • Albany-based dance music powerhouse adored for their extensive list of multi-genre upbeat cover songs and high-energy stage presence that aims to keep the dance floor full and lively

The Albany Tulip Festival is one of the city’s most attended events, so be sure to plan ahead and take advantage of the convenient parking at the nearby ParkAlbany Central Avenue Lots 2, 3, & 4, all located a short walk from all the action. Just remember to pack your sunglasses and your camera and get ready to enjoy two action-packed days in Albany’s 81 acre “Crown Jewel” park! To learn more about this and other events happening throughout the city during this action-packed weekend, be sure to visit our events calendar!

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