For over 40 years, the Skaneateles Festival has brought world-class musicians to the shores of Skaneateles Lake each summer. It runs for four weeks in late July and August. And it does something that most music festivals don’t — it makes genuinely extraordinary music feel intimate, accessible, and deeply connected to its community.
The programming spans a remarkable range. Classical chamber music sits alongside jazz, bluegrass, folk-Baroque, and contemporary composition. In a typical season, you might find a 19-time Grammy-winning banjo virtuoso one night. Then a Grammy-winning tenor performing Schubert the next. And a string quartet interpreting Beethoven the night after that. The curatorial vision is adventurous and consistently surprising. Furthermore, the artists here are among the finest in the world. The small, personal venues give audiences access to that talent in a way that larger concert halls simply can’t match..
Where the Music Happens
Concerts alternate between two beautiful settings. The First Presbyterian Church in the village offers an intimate, acoustically superb space for chamber performances. Anyela’s Vineyards on the western shore provides a spectacular outdoor setting for the larger orchestral events. Audiences arrive early and spread out on the lawn with picnic dinners. Then they watch the sun set over the water before the music begins. Wine and beer are available for purchase at the vineyard. Additionally, pre-ordering dinner from the Sherwood Inn or charcuterie boards from Good Eats is also an option.
Beyond the main concerts, the festival offers plenty more. Free weekly Skan Fest U lectures from a Juilliard professor run throughout the season. KidsFest performances bring families in. And community outreach concerts extend the music beyond the main venues. Tickets for main concerts range from $35 to $70 for adults. Students with a valid ID pay just $10. Furthermore, youth under 18 attend Section B lawn seating entirely free of charge.
The 2026 season runs from July 30 to August 22. Check skanfest.org for the full lineup and tickets.