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Adirondack Independence Music Festival | Lake George | September 4-6, 2026


  • Charles R. Wood Festival Commons 17 West Brook Road Lake George, New York, 12845 United States (map)

Adirondack Independence Music Festival Returns to Lake George for Labor Day Weekend

Crowd enjoying a live music festival over labor day weekend.

Enjoy three days of live music at the Adirondack Independence Music Festival in Lake George Village.

Labor Day Weekend in Lake George gets considerably louder when the 11th annual Adirondack Independence Music Festival returns September 4–6, 2026.

Set at the Charles R. Wood Festival Commons in the southern Adirondacks, this three-day live music festival brings nationally touring jam, rock, funk, Americana, brass and roots bands to the heart of Lake George Village.

The formula is refreshingly simple: two side-by-side stages, continuous live music, food and craft vendors, a full bar and three long days built around seeing bands rather than waiting for stages to reset. Music continues until 11 pm each night, giving the festival the kind of sustained energy that has made it a Labor Day tradition in Lake George.

Looking for more worth-the-drive Adirondack events? Subscribe to In Good, ADK Taste’s weekly guide to Adirondack food, stories and things to do.

Three days of live music in Lake George.

The 2026 Adirondack Independence Music Festival lineup is substantial, led by moe., who appears on two nights and plays two sets each night. Dogs in a Pile will also perform two sets.

The bill ranges well beyond the headliners. Deer Tick, The Floozies, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Eggy, Pink Talking Fish, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Tauk, Assembly of Dust and Grateful Dub are among the acts headed to Lake George.

Also scheduled are Balthvs, Jimkata, Hayley Jane Band, Night Zero, Funky Dawgz Brass Band, Hogslop String Band, Hunter Root, Hilltop, Chestnut Grove, Capital Zen and Gubbulidis.

ADK Taste pick.

The side-by-side stages may be the festival’s smartest feature. With music running continuously between them, attendees can settle into the festival grounds and move from one performance to the next without long breaks—a particularly good setup for discovering a band that wasn’t originally on the must-see list.

Watch moe. before the Adirondack Music Festival.

Headliner moe. has deep roots in the jam-band world, making the group a fitting anchor for a festival built around extended live performances and a multi-band weekend. Watch the video below for a preview before seeing moe. Live at the Adirondack Independence Music Festival in Lake George.

moe. performs live. The band headlines two nights of the 2026 Adirondack Independence Music Festival at the Charles R. Wood Festival Commons in Lake George, NY.

The Labor Day Weekend appearance brings moe. back to an Adirondack setting that has become a destination for fans of live jam and festival music.

A music festival in the southern Adirondacks.

The Charles R. Wood Festival Commons sits within Lake George Village, making this less of an isolated festival-field experience and more of a full Lake George weekend. Restaurants, shops and the Lake George waterfront are nearby, while Queensbury, Glens Falls, Bolton Landing and other southern Adirondack destinations are within easy reach.

Food and craft vendors will operate inside the festival, along with a full bar. The event takes place rain or shine.

ADK Taste recommendation.

Festivalgoers planning to spend most of the day on the grounds should bring a lawn or camping chair; chairs are permitted in the back half of the concert field. Arriving earlier also gives you time to get oriented, explore the vendors and catch some lesser-known acts before the evening headliners take over.

Re-entry is permitted with a festival wristband, an especially useful feature given the festival’s central Lake George location.

What to know before heading to the Charles R. Wood Festival Commons.

The Adirondack Independence Music Festival runs Friday, September 4 through Sunday, September 6, 2026, with music continuing until 11 pm each night. General Admission and a limited number of VIP tickets are available, while children ages 12 and younger receive free General Admission when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Pets, coolers, outside food and beverages, fireworks, weapons, EZ Ups and tents are prohibited. Each person may bring one unopened water or one empty plastic drinking bottle; special-needs food items are also permitted. All bags are subject to search.

For the latest schedule, ticket information and festival updates, visit the official Adirondack Independence Music Festival website.

For travelers looking for Labor Day events in the Adirondacks, this is one of the weekend’s biggest commitments to live music: three days, dozens of performances and Lake George as the backdrop.

Want more events worth adding to your calendar? Subscribe to In Good Taste for ADK Taste’s hand-picked weekly guide to Adirondack food, stories, events and experiences.

woman at an outdoor live music festival in the Adirondacks.

Lake George turns up the volume Labor Day Weekend.

Adirondack Independence Music Festival FAQ.

When is the 2026 Adirondack Independence Music Festival?‍ ‍

The festival takes place Friday, September 4 through Sunday, September 6, 2026, over Labor Day Weekend.

Where is the Adirondack Independence Music Festival?‍ ‍

It is held at the Charles R. Wood Festival Commons in Lake George, NY, in the southern Adirondacks.

Who is playing the Adirondack Independence Music Festival in 2026?‍ ‍

The lineup includes moe., Dogs in a Pile, Deer Tick, The Floozies, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Eggy, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Pink Talking Fish, Tauk and many more.

Is the Adirondack Independence Music Festival family-friendly?‍ ‍

Yes. The festival is open to all ages, and children 12 and younger receive free General Admission when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Can attendees leave and return to the festival?‍ ‍

Yes. Re-entry is permitted with a festival wristband.

Does the Adirondack Independence Music Festival happen if it rains?‍ ‍

Yes. The Lake George festival is a rain-or-shine event.


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