Know Before You Go
General Information
Festival Dates & Locations:
Mayor’s Reception
Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 5:30 p.m.
New York State Museum
Grand Tastings & Seminars
Friday, January 23, 2026 | 4:00–8:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 24, 2026 | 12:00–4:00 p.m.
Albany Capital Center
Slider Slam!
Friday, January 23, 2026 | 8:00–11:00 p.m.
Albany Capital Center
Grand Gala Reception & 5-Course Dinner
Saturday, January 24, 2026 | 6 p.m.
Albany Capital Center
Bag Policy
The Albany Capital Center allows:
- Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags up to 12” x 6” x 12”
- Small clutch bags up to 4.5” x 6.5”
- Diaper bags (subject to search)
Larger bags and backpacks are not permitted.
Dress Code
Mayor’s Reception: Business casual
Grand Tastings & Seminars & Slider Slam!: Casual
Grand Gala Reception: Formal attire (black tie suggested). Festival Theme: 70s/Disco. Retro-inspired looks are welcome!
Accessibility (ADA)
Both venues are fully ADA compliant:
For venue-specific accessibility details, please visit their official websites.
Animals & Service Animals
Pets and animals are not permitted at the Albany Capital Center.
Certified service animals are welcome.
Tickets
Ticket prices vary by event. Please visit the Tickets page and select “More Info” under each event for details.
General Admission: Available for the Mayor’s Opening Reception
General Admission & VIP: Available for all other events
Each ticket level includes different benefits. Details are listed on the Tickets page.
Refund Policy
All ticket sales are final. This is a charity event and refunds are not available.
Food & Beverage
Bar offerings vary by event. Please refer to each event’s description for details on what is included with your ticket.
Age Requirement
All events are 21+ only. No minors are permitted.
Lodging
Stay at the Renaissance Albany Hotel with our exclusive group rate of $149 per night.
Parking & Transportation
The Park Albany mobile application lets you pay quickly and securely through your phone. You’ll enjoy stress-free parking, get alerts when your parking session is about to end and add time to your session directly from your phone. Visit https://app.parkalbany.com/ and download the Park Albany app today.
