New home for summer concerts at Bethel Woods

The sounds of outdoor music can certainly evoke “summertime,” especially when it’s a world-class orchestra tuned to Gershwin. On July 1, the New York Philharmonic will kick off the summer concert lineup at the brand new Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, New York. And if that sounds familiar, there’s a good reason: the center was built at the site of the original Woodstock Festival in 1969.

Whether it’s images of hippies in tie-dye or conductors in tails, summer isn’t complete without music. The opening night program will feature classics from Gershwin, Borodin, and Rachmaninoff, ending in true concert pavilion fashion with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, followed by fireworks. Events throughout the summer include sets by pop performers like Ashlee Simpson and the Goo Goo Dolls; a Jazz Festival Weekend featuring Dianne Reeves and Wynton Marsalis, and An Evening with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

Opening night tickets start at $20 for lawn seating, and $35 to $55 for regular seating. Other events range from $15 to $40.50 for lawn seating, and from $35 to $126 for regular seating.