NEWSLETTER
Get your sunscreen ready... it’s music festival season! Summer concerts in New York cover every genre of music you'll want to jam out to, from jazz to country to pop to folk. Read on to find the types of music and the artists you love who’ll be performing all around the state and have an unforgettable summer experience.
Updated 05/31/2022
SummerStage (New York City)
Photo Credit: Michael Seto
If a SummerStage show is not on your NYC summer bucket list— it’s time to fix that. This landmark festival, which is nearing its 40th year, makes the city come alive with music as it brings nearly 90 shows to its mainstage in Central Park, as well as 12 parks across all five boroughs. The festival spans four months of performances of all types of music, plus dance, theater, and more. Best of all, most of the shows are free, while many of the paid events, featuring headliners such as Modest Mouse, Fitz and the Tantrums, George Clinton, and more, are benefit concerts that help SummerStage continue its ambitious programming. Through September 26; New York; Prices vary
Jam at the Ridge (Greater Niagara)
The Ridge in Le Roy basically turns the entire summer into one long music festival, by holding different themed Jam Weekends throughout the season. June 9-12 the Ridge is celebrating Pride month with Glow Out!, a special festival event featuring a parade, Drag Bingo, and a suicide prevention benefit show. Real Country Weekend takes over June 23-26 with Jason Michael Carroll and Randy Houser. The Ridge will be rockin’ 4th of July weekend with Sinner Band and the jams continue July 14-17 with Southern Rock Then & Now, featuring The Steel Woods, Them Dirty Roses, Kentucky Headhunters and the Georgia Thunderbolts. Catch Kiss This and Jocelyn & Chris during Classic Rock Weekend from July 28-31 and then get ready for another Southern Rock Weekend from August 11-14 with Framing the Red and The Mudmen. Classic Country Weekend returns August 25-28 with Jerrod Niemann and Sawyer Brown Band before CODA ROC caps off the 2022 series with the final event during Labord Day Weekend. The Ridge itself is not only a concert venue but also a campground, so pick your weekend and bring your tent for this perfect combo of music and the outdoors. Don’t forget to bring your own chair if you buy a lawn ticket, and that a VIP or VIP-X ticket guarantees a seat in the VIP section. May 27–September 2; Le Roy; Prices vary by artist
Governors Ball (New York City)
Known for being one of New York City's most-anticipated music festivals of the year, Governors Ball will take over the New York Mets' stomping grounds at Citi Field as more than 60 artists perform across three stages over three days. Kid Cudi, Halsey, and J. Cole headline this year's festival, which will also feature performances by Migos, Jack Harlow, Flume, and Glass Animals. As you work up an appetite, you'll find plenty to eat along the festival grounds which will feature specially-curated food and drink vendors offering all types of dietary and beverage options. June 10-12, Queens, Prices vary
Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival (Capital-Saratoga)
Here’s something that will definitely jazz up your summer plans. Every year on the last weekend of June, jazz lovers flock to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Spa State Park. Performances take place over two stages. One is the amphitheater, where you can see headliners such as Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Booker T. Presents: A Stax Revue, Grammy-winning pianist Robert Glasper, and vocalist Ledisi, who is making her festival debut. Meanwhile the Charles R. Wood “Jazz Discovery” Stage hosts up-and-coming artists you’ll want to see before they blow up. This year, many of the jazz discovery stage performers are making their festival debuts, including Red Baraat, Craig Handy & 2nd Line Smith, Connie Han Trio, Emmaline, Dan Wilson Trio, Tiempo Libre, Carolyn Wonderland, Ryan Keberle & Catharsis, and Skidmore Jazz Institute Faculty All-Stars celebrate George Wein. June 25–26; Saratoga Springs; Tickets range from $68 to $130
American Roots Festival (Hudson Valley)
Listen to Americana, blues, folk, bluegrass, and more at the elegant Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts’ annual American Roots Festival. Award-winning guitarist Molly Tuttle and her band the Golden Highway headline this year's festival, which also features performances by Iowa Blue Hall of Fame member Kevin Burt and the New York-based Americana band Rebecca Haviland and Whiskey Heart. Daytime artist performances begin at 1 PM, while evening performers go on at 7:30 pm. Other performers include Black Opry Revue, Kittel & Co., The Suitcase Junket, and Sonia De Los Santos. June 25; Katonah; Day-only adult tickets are $45, full festival tickets range from $50-$179
CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival (Finger Lakes)
Photo Credit: Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival
The Rochester International Jazz Festival is one of the world’s most recognizable jazz festivals, and the festivities return in June following a two-year pandemic hiatus. The performances are held in 20 different locations in downtown Rochester, but each is walking distance from the next so you can explore on foot. The 2022 festival features a whopping 1,750 artists at 325 events, including a record 130 free shows. Rochester’s Main Street between Gibbs and Chestnut streets will be closed off to traffic and transformed into “Jazz Street,” with family-friendly free outdoor concerts, merchandise, food, beverages, and a two-story vending tent. June 17-25; Rochester; Ticket prices vary by artist and location, 3- and 9-day passes available
Ellicottville's Summer Music Festival (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
Photo Credit: Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce
Head to Ellicottville where the Holiday Valley resort turns one of its fairways into an enormous outdoor concert venue. This year, enjoy the voices of classic rock featuring the Tom Petty tribute band Practically Petty, followed by Asia featuring John Payne with special guests John Elefante, formerly of Kansas, and Lou Gramm, the voice of Foreigner. Shop from 50 artisan craft vendors and watch the cuteness of the annual pet parade. Later in the weekend, watch the Buffalo Philharmonic perform and end your Sunday with the stunning fireworks display. July 2-3; Ellicottville; Tickets are $45 in advance or $55 at the gate; children 12 and under free
Great Blue Heron Festival (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
Photo Credit: Great Blue Heron Festival
What’s wild about the Great Blue Heron Festival is the range of genres represented, including bluegrass, Cajun, zydeco, African, reggae, Americana, old-time music, Irish music, and folk. Wander around from the main stage to the smaller Tiger Maple Stage, and then to the “Dance Tent” before crashing in your tent at night beneath the stars. The festival has its own eatery, the Heron’s Cafe in the Woods, where you can refuel after dancing your heart out with coffee, pizza, baked goods, and more. Dance even more at the Drum and Fire Circle or take a dip in the beach to cool off after the fun summer day. Kiddos can make crafts at the Kids’ Tent or play games at the Teen Tent. Bonus: every camping area is allowed its own personal campfire. If hot, gooey s’mores aren’t the perfect ending to a full day of live music, we don’t know what is. July 1-3; Sherman; Weekend passes range from $79-$149 depending on length of stay, children under 12 free (not including camping fees)
Great South Bay Music Festival (Long Island)
The Great South Bay Music Festival is one of Long Island’s longest-running music, art, and cultural events. Nearly 60 big-name, up-and-coming, and local artists perform the gamut of American music, from classic rock to jazz to folk across four stages at Shorefront Park. Grouplove & Manchester Orchestra, Bayside, Rebelution, moe., and Tedeschi Tucks Band are among this year's headliners. Combine that with the Great South Bay Artisan Market and KIDZONE, with all-day children’s entertainment and you’ll see why large groups and families love to attend year after year. To top it all off, there’s a rich food court with gourmet and international options and multiple beer and wine gardens. July 7-10; Patchogue; Ticket prices vary
Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival (Catskills)
The Grey Fox brings more than 40 artists to perform across five stages, making it one of the biggest bluegrass festivals in the country. Come for lively, twangy music, the festive atmosphere, and morning yoga and meditation congregations. You can even see a bluegrass film or perform at the Annual Open Mic Night. On the Family Stage, you’ll find tie-dying, instrument-making, and nature crafts for kids. At the BGA Tent, your little prodigy can attend bluegrass classes for the entire four days with preregistration. July 13-17; Oak Hill; Single-day passes $85, full fest with camping $275, kids 12 and under free with a ticketed adult
Oswego Harborfest (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
The annual Oswego Harborfest is mainly a music festival, with more than 50 music artists performing in Breitbeck Park and East Park/Washington Square. We say “mainly” because this completely free four-day event also includes a children’s parade and musical, magic shows, make-your-own t-shirt and puppet stands, and numerous craft and food vendors. That’s not to mention the Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, and, on Saturday evening, a spectacular fireworks show over the harbor. One day is definitely not enough to see, do, and eat everything this festival has to offer. July 28-31; Oswego; Free
Harlem Week (New York City)
NYC’s Harlem Week is actually, thankfully, not just a week long. Now in its 48th year, it’s a series of more than 100 cultural events celebrating Harlem’s African, African-American, Caribbean, Hispanic, and European history that take place over several days in August. Think film festivals, fashion shows, auto shows, a 5K run, career fairs, street fairs, and so. much. delicious. food. And of course, great music. August 12-21; New York; Free
Lake George Music Festival (Adirondacks)
Photo Credit: David Warner
The stunning Lake George serves as picturesque backdrop for this week-long festival of orchestral and chamber music. Professionals and current students from world-class philharmonic orchestras perform at the Carriage House at Fort William Henry! Festival pass holders also get to enjoy some great perks including attending open rehearsals, public receptions, and informational talks. August 11–23; Lake George; Ticket prices vary
Bethel Woods Summer Concerts (Catskills)
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the site of the original Woodstock music festival, will feature major headliners in its picturesque outdoor pavilion all summer long, including The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, Train, Alanis Morissette, Dave Matthews Band, Backstreet Boys, Jimmy Buffett, and Darius Rucker. Ticket holders for these individual concerts will also have access to daytime events beginning at 3 pm each day with live music, food trucks, craft vendors, and more. Through Sept. 3; Bethel; Prices vary.
Catskill Mountain Jubilee (Catskills)
Enjoy the sounds of reggae, rock & roll, bluegrass, and funk as more than 30 musical acts descend on the Blackthorne Resort nestled in the northern Catskill Mountains for the second annual Catskill Mountain Jubilee. Headliners includes Dark Star Orchestra and The Disco Biscuits. The festival features an array of local and national vendors, foods, and crafts, and the resort's 100-acre property offers both RV and tent camping, onsite lodging, a pool, and more. August 11-14, East Durham; Prices vary
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