If you’re planning a summer escape to the Catskills, there’s one cultural gem nearby that absolutely deserves a spot on your itinerary: the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival. Just a short drive from our lakefront cabins, this remarkable festival brings world-class live music to one of Upstate New York’s most charming and storied small towns. Whether you’re a classical music devotee, a jazz lover, or simply someone who appreciates great art in a beautiful setting, this is a summer event worth building your trip around.
What Is the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival?
The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival is an annual celebration of live music held in Cooperstown, New York. Founded in 1999 by artistic director and flutist Linda Chesis, the festival began modestly with just three events. Over the past two-plus decades, it has grown into one of the region’s most beloved cultural institutions, presenting more than 150 performances spanning classical, contemporary, jazz, bluegrass, cabaret, and even kid-specific concerts.
The Times Union has described the festival as “increasingly eclectic and adventuresome,” and that spirit of artistic range is exactly what makes it so special. This isn’t a stuffy, formal affair. It’s accessible, intimate, and genuinely exciting.
As a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, the festival is deeply woven into the fabric of the community it serves. It is a proud member of Chamber Music America, the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce, and Cooperstown/Otsego County Tourism.
A Legacy of World-Class Artists
Over the years, the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival has attracted some of the most celebrated names in music.
Festival concerts have even been featured on Performance Today, America’s most popular classical music radio program, with more than 1.3 million weekly listeners. Highlights have also been broadcast on WCNY, WMHT, and WSKG radio.
For nearly two decades, legendary graphic designer Milton Glaser, the creator of the iconic “I ♥ NY” logo, designed the festival’s annual posters, making each season’s artwork a collector’s item in its own right.
2026 Season: Who’s Performing?
The 2026 season lineup has been announced, and it’s shaping up to be another extraordinary summer. This year’s artists include:
- WindSync – Houston-based wind quintet known for theatrical, genre-crossing performances
- Eddie Barbash – alto saxophonist and star of the New York jazz scene
- KASA Quartet – rising string quartet making waves in the chamber music world
- The Sebastians – New York-based period instrument ensemble
- The Westerlies – innovative brass quartet blending jazz and new music
- Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper – multiple Grammy-winning bluegrass fiddle master
- Ying Quartet – acclaimed quartet known for adventurous programming
- Linda Chesis, flute – the festival’s own artistic director, performing live
This is a lineup that truly offers something for everyone, from baroque to bluegrass, with plenty of surprises in between.
Where Does the Festival Take Place?
Cooperstown is part of the experience. The historic village sits along the southern shore of Otsego Lake (called “Glimmerglass” by author James Fenimore Cooper), nestled between the Catskill and Adirondack mountain ranges. It’s a town that manages to be simultaneously famous — home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame — and wonderfully serene.
Concert venues in and around Cooperstown provide the kind of intimate, atmospheric settings that major city concert halls simply can’t replicate. The festival’s own website describes Cooperstown as “a place brimming with surprises for visitors and residents alike.”
Beyond the music, Cooperstown offers:
- National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum – a must for sports fans
- Fenimore Art Museum – American art and folk art in a stunning lakeside setting
- The Farmers’ Museum – a living history museum of rural 19th-century life
- Brewery Ommegang – world-renowned Belgian-style craft brewery
- Red Shed Brewery – a beloved local taproom
- Hyde Hall – a breathtaking National Historic Landmark estate
- The Smithy Gallery & Cooperstown Art Association – thriving local arts scene
How to Get Tickets
Tickets for the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival can be purchased directly through Purplepass (online or by phone at 800-316-8559, Option 1). Season passes are also available, offering excellent value if you plan to attend multiple events. Note that phone orders carry a small $2 service fee.
Check the festival’s official website (cooperstownmusicfest.org) for the most up-to-date event schedule, artist bios, and ticketing details. Signing up for their email newsletter is a great way to stay informed about new announcements.
Stay in the Catskills, Day-Trip to Cooperstown
Here’s the thing that makes this combination so perfect: Cooperstown is just 30–45 minutes from the Catskills. That means you can spend your days doing what you came to the mountains for…kayaking on a private lake, hiking through old-growth forests, fishing, unwinding by a crackling fire…and then in the evening, head into Cooperstown for an unforgettable live performance.
At Catskills Cabin Rentals, our luxury log cabin on Lake Albanese puts you in the ideal position to experience the best of both worlds. Wake up to bald eagles over the water. Paddle out on a kayak in the morning. Enjoy dinner in Cooperstown and catch a world-class concert that night. Return to the cabin under a star-filled sky.
That’s a summer evening worth remembering.
Plan Your Trip
Festival website: cooperstownmusicfest.org
Tickets: purplepass.com/organizer/54777 or call 800-316-8559
Cooperstown tourism info: thisiscooperstown.com
Book your Catskills cabin: catskillscabinrentals.com
