It’s still spring, but I already have Adirondack summer events on my mind. Looking ahead to the months of June, July and August, there are a number of great arts and theatre performances worthy of planning a trip around.

Pendragon Theatre. This little theatre in Saranac Lake won three Broadway World regional awards in 2022 for Favorite Professional Theatre, Best Lighting Design and Best Performer. Wow! Their 2023 lineup, running June through September, sounds so fun. I can’t wait to get tickets. Productions will include: “The Rocky Horror Show,” “The Muppet Cabaret,” “Sleeping Beauty, Sort of,” “Our Town,” and “Friends with Amenities.” Literally, something for everyone.

3rd Thursday Art Walks. Saranac Lake also hosts art walks the third Thursday in summer. This year the dates are June  15, July 20, August 17 and September 21. Artists of all genres—visual and performance artists—are stationed throughout downtown, displaying or demonstrating their creative products.

Songs at Mirror Lake. This free summer concert series is held Tuesday evenings at Mid’s Park in Lake Placid. The 2023 summer concert schedule kicks off June 27 and runs through August 8. I expect the line-up will be announced soon.

Lake Placid Sinfonietta. The Sinfonietta’s outdoor lakeside concerts in Mid's Park in Lake Placid are fun, casual and free! Definitely not to be missed. This year’s dates are July 6 (Thursday) and the following five Wednesday evenings, July 12, 19, 26 and August 2 & 9. If you prefer a concert hall, they also perform weekly in the wooden theater of the Lake Placid Center for the Arts.

Adirondack Plein Air Festival. Even if you’re not entering as a painter, you can enjoy watching artists paint outside the week of August 14 - 18, culminating in a show and sale of artworks on August 19 in Saranac Lake. Learn more or register as an artist for the 2023 festival.

Open Sky Music Festival. This year’s festival will be condensed down to a one-day event on August 19. It’ll be an outdoor day of fun, food and music featuring everything from bluegrass to rock, pop and blues. All on the lawn behind the Lake Placid Center for the Arts theatre building.