NEWSLETTER
Lake George, NY — Now in its 42nd year, Jazz at the Lake continues its legacy as one of the Northeast’s premier jazz festivals, bringing internationally acclaimed artists and unforgettable live performances to the shores of Lake George. Held in scenic Shepard Park, the festival remains one of the nation’s longest consecutively running jazz festivals and one of only two in the top twenty that is entirely free to attend.
Presented by the Lake George Arts Project, Jazz at the Lake has become a beloved annual tradition for thousands of music lovers who gather each year to experience world-class jazz in one of the most beautiful settings in the country.
“At Jazz at the Lake, everybody is a VIP,” said Tanya Tobias, Executive Director of the Lake George Arts Project. “The best seats are not reserved for the people who pay the most; anyone can sit in the front row and experience these incredible performances up close. That spirit of accessibility, discovery, and community is what has defined this festival for more than four decades.”
“This year’s Jazz at the Lake feels especially meaningful as we celebrate the incredible improvements made to Shepard Park and the new stage. For more than four decades, this festival has brought people together through music in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable, and these enhancements only strengthen that experience for artists, audiences, and the entire community.”
The 2026 festival lineup continues that tradition with a dynamic weekend of performances designed to celebrate both the music and the renewed Shepard Park experience. The weekend schedule of free performances includes:
Friday, September 18
On the stage in Shepard Park:
6pm: Confluence with Jody Redhage Ferber
7:30pm: Jazz Around Town
Rich Syracuse at The Caldwell-Lake George Library
Hot Club of Saratoga at The Barnsider
Chad McLoughlin Trio at The Lakeside Restaurant
Scott Hopkins Jazz Trio at the Lighthouse Restaurant
Keith Pray Trio’s – Listen! at the Inn of Lake George Lobby Bar
Saturday, September 19
9am: Behind-the-scenes tour of the new amphitheater with Tanya and Architects Andrew Alison and Chris Jones from AJA Architecture
10am: Coffee and Jazz at Hello Sunshine Bagel Bistro
with Dylan Perrillo & Brad Brose
Shows on the stage in Shepard Park:
1pm: Jerome Jennings & iLL Philosophy
3pm: Manuel Valera New Cuban Express
5pm: Shayna Steele
7pm: Kneebody
Sunday, September 20
Shows on the stage in Shepard Park:
1pm: Paul Winter Consort
3pm: Ekep Nkwelle
5pm: Miguel Zenon Quartet
Jazz at the Lake would not be possible without our sponsors and supporters. We are proud to offer a high-quality showcase of internationally acclaimed jazz artists at no charge thanks to Warren County Tourism, Gruskin Creative, The Town of Lake George, The Village of Lake George, The New York State Council on the Arts, Anonymous, The Charles R. Wood Foundation, Ben and Jerry’s (Lake George), The Adirondack Community Foundation, Arrow Bank, and our many Jazz at the Lake supporters.
For more information, visit: https://lakegeorgearts.org/
About the Lake George Arts Project
The Lake George Arts Project is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to providing quality arts programming for residents and visitors in the Lake George region through year-round exhibitions, public art initiatives, performances, and educational opportunities.