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53rd season features robust schedule of music, festivals, dance, art, family & educational programs
Artpark & Company press release & photos
Artpark, Western New York’s premier summer destination for performing and visual arts, boasts a 53rd season with an exciting lineup packed with music, art, festivals, family programs and much more.
Artpark & Company President Dave Wedekindt said, “Artpark is enjoyed by multiple generations every year and is part of the cultural fabric of the entire Western New York region. Our schedule of performances, events and activities this season truly runs the gamut from intimate gatherings all the way to performances for thousands of people. And all set in our beautiful 150-acre park with world-class views of the stunning Niagara River gorge. The Artpark experience is truly without par.”
Artpark’s season opens on May 28 with a family-friendly favorite Elmo from “Sesame Street” in “Elmo’s Got The Moves.” The all-new “Sesame Street Live” show for children will energize the Mainstage Theater as it fills with excited children and families.
Continuing with a family focus this season, the 16th annual “Fairy House Festival” returns Saturday, June 20. This year’s theme – “Under The Sea” – takes its inspiration from the waters of the stunning Niagara River. Also new this year is a pre-festival “Fairy Tea Party.” Attendance for the “Fairy Tea Party” is limited and proceeds benefit Artpark’s educational programs.
“Artcamps” for children ages 8-13 include two sessions this July where young artists enjoy day-long sessions of creativity and exploring Artpark – all led by professional staff and teaching artists.
“Wonder Wednesdays” a free series of eight different-themed days featuring active art-making and play in the outdoors returns in July and August. Reservations are required as sessions fill up fast.
Then, in early September, another favorite free event for the young and young-at-heart returns with the fifth annual “Better Off Read Summer Book Festival.”
Image provided by Artpark & Company.
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Live music also continues as a centerpiece of Artpark’s season, with 22 concerts set for the amphitheater and Mainstage Theater. The diverse lineup includes rock, pop, country, jazz and classical music performed by artists ranging from hot new talents to legends.
Dance also returns to the Mainstage in a once-in-a-century collaboration with Jon Lehrer Dance Company (JLDC) and John Bacon and Star People. The program, “Legacy in Motion: Celebrating Miles Davis at 100,” features music from throughout Davis’ career performed live by some of the region’s finest jazz artists accompanied by original dance by JLDC. It also marks the anniversary of the jazz legend’s birth on the very stage where he performed during Artpark’s inaugural 1974 season.
The current schedule of events are below. Tickets and registration for all events are now open unless noted. Free events are notated. Visit artpark.net for more information.
Artpark Mainstage Theater
Artpark Amphitheater
Image provided by Artpark & Company.
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Special events & festivals:
•June 20 – Artpark Fairy House Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Artpark’s lower park (South Fourth Street entrance). Celebrate the festival’s 16th year, themed “Under The Sea,” where water-fairies gather to play, laugh and frolic in the forest and along the river at Artpark. Tour the extraordinary fairy homes and houses in the woods, discover whimsical artisans and craftspeople who sell their creations and/or artwork throughout the artisan marketplace. New this year is the limited-attendance “Fairy Tea Party” from 10-11 a.m., offering a more intimate Fairy experience including treats, refreshments, photos and fun. Supported in part by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Wegmans.
•July 19 – “Candlelight Concert” featuring musicians from the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra on the Mainstage Theater. Start out with a wine and cheese reception and then prepare to be fully immersed in the glow of candles when you sit with the BPO string musicians onstage as they perform an up-close-and-personal concert. Enjoy dessert with the musicians immediately following the concert. The repertoire is curated by the BPO's Associate Principal Bassist Brett Shurtliffe. Funds raised for this special event support both Artpark and the BPO’s education programs. A portion is tax-deductible.
•Aug. 22 – “Analog Rewind Concert” outdoors on the Mainstage Theater Terrace. Rewind time and rock out to your favorite alt-rock Buffalo bands from the 1980s and ’90s. This special reunion concert brings four iconic local bands back together for a fundraiser supporting Artpark’s Memory Café, a free, art, movement and music program for individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s or memory loss, along with their caregivers. Curated by Jeff Miers, sponsored by Iroquois Bar Corp. and produced by Artpark, this concert features the following bands: Ansley Court, Girlpope, Marvelous Sauce, The Ramrods and The Tails.
•Sept. 5 – fifth annual Better Off Read Summer Book Festival is returning to Artpark’s Lower Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Join in for a free-to-attend, all-ages literary festival meant to encourage reading, promote writing, and celebrate storytelling. Explore thousands of books available for $1 or less; check out exciting booths by over 100 local vendors; indulge in treats from food trucks and other concessionists; enjoy complimentary face-painting, balloon animals, storytelling and much more.
•Sept. 18 – “Indigenous Stories by the Fire” and corn husk doll making (free)
‘Creations and Libations’
Artpark’s series of art-making for adults ages 21-plus returns by popular demand with the following programs that include beverage options along with a custom created art masterpiece! Tickets are required and space is limited.
•“Wine & Wheels”: June 1-24 (sold-out); June 28 to July 15 (see website for available dates and times)
“Mojitos and Mosaics”: July 25 (3:30-5:30 and 6-8 p.m.) nearly sold-out; Aug. 15 (3:30-5:30 and 6-8 p.m.) limited availability (see website for available dates and times)
Education & exploration at Artpark
•Artcamps: Two sessions: July 13-17, 20-24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., open to ages 8-13 and limited to 24 students per session. Limited availability remains, so register now for a week-long course of hands-on visual arts and crafts activities under the guidance of professional instructors. Activities include ceramics, cyanotypes, sculpting, drawing, painting or felting.
•“Wonder Wednesdays”: Eight sessions (July 1 to Aug. 19, 10 a.m. to noon). Each two-hour workshop experience for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers is designed as a sensory experience to engage in guided artistic play and nature exploration nestled within the beautiful Artpark grounds. Limit of 20 children per session. Registration is required. Supported in part by Buffalo Sabres Foundation and in memory of Judy Leardini.
Artpark Bridges
•Artpark’s Memory Café, “Sensing Here & Now”: Third Wednesday of the month. Experience a relaxed, interactive, sensory-rich activities accessible for all and restorative for care partners. Each gathering is centered in music, accessible art-making and fun movement games to awaken sensory enjoyment through one’s five senses. All attendees can choose to participate or simply observe. It is a valid choice to soak up the energy of the music and other people without actually “doing.” This program is free and is available to all. Reserve your place at a future session.
•Guided sunset listening walks: Two free sessions: June 16, 17 at 6:45 p.m. rain or shine. Gather in the upper park at fisherman's lot (near the amphitheater). Open to ages 12 and up. Participants under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Must be able to safely navigate uneven terrain of a hiking trail. Advanced registration is requested. See website for details. Enjoy a special technique of slow-walking together through communal immersions into mindful listening. Discover new ways to engage with self and nature through concepts and practices of acoustic ecologist R Murray Schafer and pioneering composer Pauline Oliveros as participants create uniquely interactive "Listening Happenings" each evening. Guided by Cynthia Pegado and Anthony Hyatt.
•”Mindfulness Mondays”: morning sessions (10 a.m.) July 13, 27, Aug. 10, 24; evening sessions (7 p.m.) July 20, Aug. 17 at Artpark Emerald Grove (lower park, South Fourth Street entrance). Rain or shine. Open to ages 12 and up. Participants under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Advanced registration requested. See website for details.
Each of these new, free workshops offer a different experience with mindfulness practices and art-making using the arts of contemplative movement, drawing, breath and soft voicings, and participatory music-making with meditation instruments. Elements of nature will become partners and inspiration in these arts and well-being practices. Guided by Pegado, Artpark Bridges director and facilitator in somatic arts, mindfulness, well-being and expressive arts.
•Artpark Bridges is a year-round community arts engagement program that connects participants with Artpark's legacy of innovation and possibility. Some programs, like the “Children of the Military,” “Empower” and “Medicine Wheel Workshops” are not available directly to the public. For information on Artpark Bridges and its programs and opportunities, email cpegado@artpark.net.
Tickets are available for purchase online at ticketmaster.com and artpark.net; by phone from the Artpark box office at 716-754-4375; and in-person at the Artpark box office, 450 S. Fourth St., Lewiston, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, and extended hours on event days.
Stay tuned for more 2026 events and programs. Visit artpark.net for up-to-date information.
The 2026 Artpark season is sponsored and supported in part by: M&T Bank; Charles D. and Mary A. Bauer Foundation; Cullen Foundation; New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Modern Disposal Services; Town of Lewiston; Niagara County Legislature; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; and Northtown Automotive Companies.
1859 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY 14072
Phone: 716-773-7676
Fax: 716-773-7190
