Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance

Dates: July 17–20
Location: Trumansburg
A four-day festival featuring over 70 bands across various genres, including bluegrass, Cajun, zydeco, and more.

Great Blue Heron Music Festival

Dates: July 4–6
Location: Sherman
Celebrating its 33rd year with a mix of blues, folk, and Americana music in a family-friendly setting.

Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival

Dates: July 17–20
Location: Oak Hill
A premier bluegrass festival featuring top artists, workshops, and family activities.

Sterling Renaissance Festival

Dates: Weekends, July 5–August 17
Location: Sterling
Step back in time with themed weekends, jousting, and period entertainment.

Erie Canal Bicentennial Celebrations

Dates: July 2–6
Locations: Medina, Utica, Seneca Falls, Fort Plain, Schuylerville
Free concerts and events commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal.

Albany Symphony’s Water Music New York: More Voices Festival

Dates: July 2–6
Locations: Various canal towns
A series of free concerts celebrating the Erie Canal’s bicentennial.

New York State Fair

Dates: August 20–September 1
Location: Syracuse
A 13-day showcase of agriculture, entertainment, and technology.

Erie County Fair

Dates: August 6–17
Location: Hamburg
One of the largest county fairs in North America, featuring rides, concerts, and agricultural exhibits.

Pageant of Steam

Dates: August 6–9
Location: Canandaigua
An annual steam fair showcasing antique tractors, engines, and a large flea market.

CrossFit Games 2025

Dates: August 1–3
Location: Albany
The annual competition to crown the “Fittest on Earth,” held at MVP Arena.

Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) Summer Season

Dates: July–August
Location: Saratoga Springs
Featuring performances by the New York City Ballet, Philadelphia Orchestra, and popular artists.

Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival

Dates: July–August
Location: Garrison
Outdoor performances of classic and contemporary plays in a scenic setting.

Old Songs Festival

Dates: June 27–29
Location: Altamont
A festival of traditional music and dance with concerts, workshops, and family activities.

Caroga Lake Music Festival

Dates: July–August
Location: Caroga Lake
A series of classical and contemporary music performances in the Adirondacks.

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Summer Concerts

Dates: July–August
Location: Bethel
Concerts at the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock festival.

Lake George Music Festival

Dates: August 11–22
Location: Lake George
Classical music performances by emerging artists in various venues around Lake George.

Cooperstown Summer Music Festival

Dates: July–August
Location: Cooperstown
Chamber music concerts featuring world-class musicians.

The Glimmerglass Festival

Dates: July–August
Location: Cooperstown
An opera and musical theater festival with innovative productions.

Canal Fest of the Tonawandas

Dates: July 20–27
Location: Tonawanda and North Tonawanda
A week-long festival celebrating the Erie Canal with parades, concerts, and fireworks.

Jazz Festival at Chautauqua Institution

Dates: August 16–18
Location: Chautauqua
A weekend of jazz performances in a historic lakeside setting.

Jazzmobile Summerfest

Dates: July–August
Location: Various NYC Locations
Free outdoor jazz concerts featuring renowned and emerging artists.

Lincoln Center Out of Doors
Dates: July–August
Location: Lincoln Center, NYC
A free summer festival featuring music, dance, and spoken word performances.

Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival
Dates: July–August
Location: Lincoln Center, NYC
A celebration of Mozart’s music with performances by renowned artists.

Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series
Dates: July–August
Location: Various NYC Parks
Free outdoor recitals by Metropolitan Opera artists.

MoMA PS1 Warm Up
Dates: Saturdays, July–August
Location: Long Island City, NYC
An outdoor music series featuring experimental live music and DJ sets.

Queens International Night Market

Dates: Saturdays, July–August
Location: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, NYC
A night market featuring food, art, and performances from around the world.

Shakespeare in the Park: “Twelfth Night”

Dates: July–August
Location: Central Park, NYC
Free performances of Shakespeare’s classic comedy at the Delacorte Theater.

SummerStage Concert Series

Dates: July–August
Location: Various NYC Parks
A series of free concerts and performances across New York City’s parks.

Coney Island Mermaid Parade

Dates: July 13
Location: Coney Island, NYC
A whimsical parade celebrating the beginning of summer with creative costumes and floats.

NYC Restaurant Week

Dates: July 22–August 16
Location: Various NYC Restaurants
A chance to enjoy prix-fixe meals at some of New York City’s top restaurants.

Bronx SalsaFest

Dates: August
Location: Various Bronx Locations
A month-long celebration of salsa music and dance in the Bronx.

New York International Fringe Festival

Dates: August
Location: Various NYC Theaters
A festival showcasing innovative and experimental theater productions.

Summer HD Festival at Lincoln Center

Dates: August
Location: Lincoln Center Plaza, NYC
Free outdoor screenings of opera performances from the Met’s Live in HD series.

Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival

Dates: August 1–3
Location: Brooklyn, NYC
A celebration of hip-hop culture with performances, panels, and workshops.

Battery Dance Festival

Dates: August 11–17
Location: Battery Park, NYC
New York City’s longest-running free public dance festival.

Harlem Week

Dates: August 11–18
Location: Harlem, NYC
A celebration of Harlem’s rich cultural heritage with music, art, and community events.

Governors Island Jazz Age Lawn Party

Dates: August 16–17
Location: Governors Island, NYC
A 1920s-themed event with live jazz, dancing, and vintage fashion.