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Jazz at the Lake | Lake George | September 18-20, 2026


  • Shepard Park Canada Street Lake George, New York, 12845 United States (map)

Jazz at the Lake Brings a Weekend of Free Jazz to Lake George

Lake George Jazz festival in Shepard Park.

Jazz in Shepard Park in Lake George Village.

For three September days, the soundtrack along the southern shore of Lake George gets considerably more sophisticated.

Jazz at the Lake: Lake George Jazz Weekend returns September 18–20, 2026, bringing nationally recognized jazz musicians to the Shepard Park Amphitheater in Lake George Village for one of the Adirondacks’ longest-running — and entirely free — music festivals.

Now in its 42nd year, Jazz at the Lake pairs serious music with an unusually relaxed setting: an open-air stage facing Lake George, stone terraces and grassy slopes filled with blankets and lawn chairs. Add barbecue, wood-fired pizza, pierogi, and Thai specialties, and you have one Adirondack picnic that comes with a rather exceptional house band.

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Lake George Jazz Weekend opens Friday evening.

The weekend begins Friday at 6 pm in Shepard Park with Confluence featuring Jody Redhage Ferber.

At 7:30 pm, Jazz Around Town spreads the music through Lake George Village. Rich Syracuse, a mainstay on the New York area jazz scene for more than four decades, performs at the Caldwell-Lake George Library.

Hot Club of Saratoga Quartet, upstate New York’s premier gypsy swing ensemble, specializes in the timeless sounds of Django Reinhardt and the vibrant atmosphere of 1930s Paris, and heads to The Barnsider.

The Chad McLoughlin Trio plays The Lakeside Restaurant, and the Scott Hopkins Jazz Trio performs at the Lighthouse Restaurant.

Jazz trumpeter at the Jazz Festival in Lake George Village.

Saturday brings jazz — and lunch — to Shepard Park.

Saturday starts at 9 am with a behind-the-scenes tour of the new amphitheater, followed by Coffee and Jazz with Dylan Perrillo and Brad Brose at 10 am.

The main-stage lineup begins at 1 pm with Jerome Jennings & iLL Philosophy, followed by Manuel Valera New Cuban Express at 3 pm, vocalist Shayna Steele at 5 pm, and Grammy-nominated band Kneebody at 7 pm.

Come hungry. Weekend food vendors include The Barnsider’s barbecue, Polish Korner’s pierogi and kielbasa, Bab-a-dew’s wood-fired pizza and Dokpeep’s Thai specialties. Vashti’s Kitchen Delights adds Caribbean-American flavors on Saturday, while Ben & Jerry’s serves ice cream Saturday and Sunday, with proceeds supporting Jazz at the Lake and the Lake George Arts Project.

Sunday closes the Adirondack jazz festival.

Sunday offers another strong afternoon on the lakefront. The world-renowned Paul Winter Consort takes the stage at 1 pm, followed by Ekep Nkwelle at 3 pm and Grammy Winner, Doris Duke Artist and Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow Miguel Zenón Quartet at 5 pm.

That range is part of the festival’s appeal. Jazz at the Lake doesn't treat jazz as a single sound, bringing different generations, traditions and approaches together over one weekend.

ADK Taste insight.

2026 Jazz at the Lake poster for the Lake George Jazz Festival.

2026 Jazz at the Lake.

Jazz at the Lake ranks among the 20 longest consecutively running jazz festivals in the country, according to the Lake George Arts Project. Even more unusual: it remains free.

No premium sections separate the biggest donors from everyone else. A visitor with a folding chair can settle close to the stage, hear nationally known musicians against the backdrop of Lake George and potentially meet the artists afterward.

Donations help preserve that accessibility, and a 2026 matching challenge will double contributions to the festival.

ADK Taste recommendation.

For Saturday or Sunday, arrive well before the first main-stage performance and make an afternoon of it. Bring a chair or blanket for the grassy areas, grab lunch from the vendors and leave time to wander the Lake George waterfront between sets.

If rain threatens, check with the Lake George Arts Project before leaving home. The Lake George High School auditorium serves as the festival's rain location when weather makes the outdoor program impractical.

Jazz at the Lake 2026 details.

Dates: Friday, September 18 – Sunday, September 20, 2026

Location: Shepard Park Amphitheater, Lake George Village, NY

Admission: Free; donations welcome

Friday: Music begins at 6 pm; Jazz Around Town at 7:30 pm

Saturday: Activities begin at 9 am; main-stage performances 1–7 pm

Sunday: Main-stage performances 1–5 pm

Visit the official Lake George Arts Project website for schedule changes, weather updates and additional festival information.

instruments on the stage at Jazz at the Lake in Lake George.

Jazz at the Lake FAQ.

Is Jazz at the Lake free?‍ ‍

Yes. All Jazz at the Lake performances are free, although donations help support the festival.

Where is Lake George Jazz Weekend held?‍ ‍

The main performances take place at Shepard Park Amphitheater in Lake George Village, in the southern Adirondacks.

Should visitors bring chairs?‍ ‍

Yes. Shepard Park has tiered stone seating, but many festivalgoers bring lawn chairs or blankets for the grassy areas surrounding the amphitheater.

Is food available at Jazz at the Lake?‍ ‍

Yes. Food vendors are scheduled Saturday and Sunday, and restaurants throughout Lake George Village are within walking distance.

What happens if it rains?‍ ‍

In the event of significant rain, performances may move to the Lake George High School theater/auditorium. Visitors should check the Lake George Arts Project for updates.

Is Jazz at the Lake family-friendly?‍ ‍

Yes. The free outdoor format makes the festival easy to enjoy for a single set or an entire afternoon.

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