Classical, Opera & Jazz in North America
EarRelevant Staff | 24 MAY 2024
Summer is a great season for travel! Here atEarRelevant, we’ve compiled a list of 62 North American summer music festivals featuring classical music, opera, or jazz,occuringprimarily between Memorial Day Weekend (May 25-29) and the Autumnal Equinox (September 22).
The list iscuratedand not intended to be comprehensive. It is limited to 62 (59 in the United States and 3 in Canada), and the information is deliberately minimal: name, location, dates, directors, genres, and website link.
Here are festivals large and small, urban and remote, with performers ranging from developing young talent to world-class seasoned professionals. We hope you find one or more that attract your 2024 summer travel interests.■
Jump directly to:
United States: Alaska · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Georgia · Iowa · Idaho · Illinois · Massachusetts· Maine· Minnesota· Missouri· Montana· Nevada· New Mexico · New York· North Carolina· Oregon· South Carolina· Texas· Virginia· Vermont· Washington· Wyoming • Canada: Ontario· Quebec
Note: Only the states and provinces named above have festivals appearing in this curated list.
United States
Alaska
SITKA MUSIC FESTIVAL
Sitka, AK
May 28 – June 23, 2024
Artistic Director: Zuill Bailey
Genres: Classical
Website: sitkamusicfestival.org
Arkansas
OPERA IN THE OZARKS
Eureka Springs, AR
June 21 – July 19, 2024
Artistic Director: Thomas co*ckrell
Genres: Classical, Opera
Website: opera.org
California
CABRILLO FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
Santa Cruz, CA
July 29 – August 11, 2024
Artistic Director: Cristian Măcelaru
Genres: Classical
Website: cabrillomusic.org
CARMEL BACH FESTIVAL
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
July 13 – 27, 2024
Artistic Directors: Andrew Megill, Peter Hanson, Andrew Arthur, Edwin Huizinga, Suzanne Mudge, Michael Beattie, Allen Whear
Genres: Classical
Website: bachfestival.org
FESTIVAL NAPA VALLEY
Napa Valley, CA
July 6-21, 2024
Exec. Producer: Charles Letourneau
Genres: Classical
Website: festivalnapavalley.org
LA JOLLA MUSIC SOCIETY SUMMERFEST
La Jolla, CA
July 26 – August 24, 2024
Music Director: Inon Barnatan
Genres: Classical, Jazz
Website: ljms.org
MAINLY MOZART ALL-STAR ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL
San Diego, CA
June 20-29, 2024
Artistic Director: Michael Francis
Genres: Classical
Website: mainlymozart.org
MUSIC IN THE VINEYARDS
Napa Valley, CA
August 2-25, 2024
Artistic Directors: Michael & Daria T. Adams
Genres: Classical, Chamber Music
Website: musicinthevineyards.org
MUSIC@MENLO
Atherton, CA
July 19 – August 10, 2024
Artistic Directors: David Finckel & Wu Han
Genres: Classical
Website: musicatmenlo.org
OJAI MUSIC FESTIVAL
Ojai, CA
June 4-22, 2024
Artistic Director: Ara Guzelimian
Genres: Classical
Website: ojaifestival.org
Colorado
ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL & SCHOOL
Aspen, CO
June 26 – August 18, 2024
Artistic Director: Robert Spano
Genres: Classical
Website: aspenmusicfestival.com
BRAVO! VAIL MUSIC FESTIVAL
Vail, CO
June 20 – August 1, 2024
Artistic Director: Anne-Marie McDermott
Genres: Classical
Website: bravovail.org
CENTRAL CITY OPERA FESTIVAL
Central City, CO
June 29 – August 4, 2024
General & Artistic Director: Pelham G. Pearce
Genres: Opera
Website: centralcityopera.org
COLORADO MUSIC FESTIVAL
Boulder, CO
July 5 – August 4, 2024
Artistic Director: Peter Oundjian
Genres: Classical, Chamber Music
Website: coloradomusicfestival.org
NATIONAL REPERTORY ORCHESTRA
Breckenridge, CO
June 22 – August 10, 2024
Artistic Director: Michael Stern
Genres: Classical
Website: nromusic.org
Connecticut
NORFOLK CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Norfolk, CT
June 28 – August 17, 2024
Artistic Director: Melvin Chen
Genres: Jazz
Website: music.yale.edu/norfolk
Back to Top
Georgia
ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL
Atlanta, GA
May 24 – 27, 2024
Artistic Director: [not listed]
Genres: Jazz
Website: atljazzfest.com
GEORGIA FESTIVAL OF MUSIC
Atlanta, GA
June 22, 2024
Artistic Director: Michael Palmer
Genres: Classical
Website: maestropalmer.com/gfm
Idaho
SUN VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Sun Valley, ID
July 29 – August 22, 2024
Music Director: Alasdair Neale
Genres: Classical
Website: svmusicfestival.org
Illinois
RAVINIA FESTIVAL
Highland Park, IL
June 7 – September 15, 2024
Artistic Director: Marin Alsop
Genres: Classical, Jazz, Other
Website: ravinia.org
Iowa
DES MOINES METRO OPERA
Indianola, IA
June 28 – July 21, 2024
Artistic Director: Michael Egel
Genres: Classical, Opera
Website: desmoinesmetroopera.org
ZENITH CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Des Moines, IA
June 4 – 8, 2024
Artistic Director: Ashley Sidon
Genres: Chamber Music
Website: zenith.wp.drake.edu
Maine
BOWDOIN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
Brunswick, ME
June 22 – August 3, 2024
Artistic Directors: David Ying & Phillip Ying
Genres: Classical
Website: bowdoinfestival.org
MONTEUX SCHOOL & MUSIC FESTIVAL
June 16 – July 28, 2024
Artistic Director: Tiffany Lu
Genres: Classical
Website: monteuxmusic.org
Massachusetts
ROCKPORT CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Rockport, MA
June 7 – July 7, 2024
Artistic Director: Barry Shiffman
Genres: Classical
Website: rcmf.org
TANGLEWOOD FESTIVAL
Lenox, MA
June 20 – September 1, 2024
Artistic Director: Andris Nelsons
Genres: Classical
Website: bso.org/tanglewood
Minnesota
NORTHERN LIGHTS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Gilbert, MN
July 1 – 21, 2024
Artistic Director: Veda Zuponcic
Genres: Classical
Website: northernlightsmusic.org/
MINNESOTA BEETHOVEN FESTIVAL
Winona, MN
June 30 – July 21, 2024
Artistic Director: Ned Kirk
Genres: Classical
Website: mnbeethovenfestival.org
Missouri
TANEYCOMO FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
Branson, MO
June 16 – 28, 2024
Executive & Artistic Director: Larkin Sanders
Genres: Classical
Website: taneycomofestivalorchestra.org
Montana
TIPPET RISE ART CENTER
Fishtail, MT
August 16 – September 15, 2024
Artistic Advisor: Pedja Mužijevic
Genres: Classical
Website: tippetrise.org/
Nevada
CLASSICAL TAHOE
Incline Village, NV
July 7 – August 4, 2024
Artistic Director: Laura Hamilton
Genres: Classical, Jazz
Website: classicaltahoe.org
New Mexico
SANTA FE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Santa Fe, NM
July 14 – August 19, 2024
Artistic Director: Marc Neikrug
Genres: Classical
Website: santafechambermusic.com
THE SANTA FE OPERA
Santa Fe, NM
June 28 – August 24, 2024
Directors: Robert K. Meya, general director; Harry Bicket, music director
Genres: Opera
Website: santafeopera.org
Back to Top
New York
BARD MUSIC FESTIVAL & SUMMERSCAPE
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
June 20 – August 18, 2024
Artistic Directors: Leon Botstein, Christopher H. Gibbs, Gideon Lester
Genres: Classical, Opera, Theater, Dance
Website: fishercenter.bard.edu
BRIDGEHAMPTON CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Bridgehampton & Water Mill, NY
July 14 – August 1, 2024
Artistic Director: Marya Martin
Genres: Classical
Website: bcmf.org
CARAMOOR CENTER FOR MUSIC & THE ARTS
Katonah, NY
June 9 – August 16, 2024
Artistic Director: Kathy Schuman
Genres: Classical, Opera, Jazz, Other
Website: caramoor.org
THE GLIMMERGLASS FESTIVAL
Cooperstown, NY
July 22 – August 20, 2024
Directors: Francesca Zambello, artistic & general director; Joseph Colaneri, music director
Genres: Classical
Website: glimmerglass.org
THE HAMPTONS FESTIVAL OF MUSIC
Wainscott, NY
September 6 – 14, 2024
Artistic Director: Michael Palmer
Genres: Classical
Website: thehamptonsfestivalofmusic.com
LAKE GEORGE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Lake George, NY
August 11-22, 2024
Artistic Directors: Barbora Kolárová & Roger Kalia
Genres: Classical
Website: lakegeorgemusicfestival.com
SEAGLE FESTIVAL
Schroon Lake, NY
June 22 – August 17, 2024
Music Director: Darren K. Woods
Genres: Classical
Website: seaglefestival.org
TIME:SPANS FESTIVAL 2024
New York, NY
August 10-24, 2024
Artistic Director: Thomas Fichter
Genres: Contemprary Classical, Avant-Garde
Website: timespans.org
North Carolina
BREVARD MUSIC CENTER SUMMER FESTIVAL
Brevard, NC
June 1 – August 17, 2024
Artistic Director: Keith Lockhart
Genres: Classical, Symphony, Opera, Chamber, Jazz
Website: brevardmusic.org
JOHN COLTRANE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL
High Point, NC
August 31 – September 1, 2024
Artistic Director: Joe Williams
Genres: Jazz
Website: coltranejazzfest.com
EASTERN MUSIC FESTIVAL
Greensboro, NC
June 22 – July 27, 2024
Artistic Director: Gerard Schwarz
Genres: Classical
Website: easternmusicfestival.org
HIGHLANDS-CASHIERS CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
HIghlands & Cashiers, NC
July 6 – August 11, 2024
Artistic Director: William Ransom
Genres: Classical
Website: h-cmusicfestival.org
Ohio
BLOSSOM MUSIC FESTIVAL
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
June 29 – September 1, 2024
Artistic Director: Franz Welser-Möst
Genres: Classical, Other
Website: clevelandorchestra.com/blossom24
CINCINNATI OPERA SUMMER FESTIVAL
Cincinnati, OH
June 13 – July 27, 2024
Artistic Director: Evans Mirageas
Genres: Opera
Website: cincinnatiopera.org
Oregon
CHAMBER MUSIC NORTHWEST SUMMER FESTIVAL
Portland & Beaverton, OR
June 27 – July 28, 2024
Artistic Directors: Gloria Chien & Soovin Kim
Genres: Classical
Website: cmnw.org
OREGON BACH FESTIVAL
Eugene, OR
June 28 – July 14, 2024
Genres: Classical
Website: oregonbachfestival.org
Back to Top
South Carolina
SPOLETO FESTIVAL USA
Charleston, SC
May 22 – June 9, 2024
General Director: Mena Mark Hanna
Genres: Classical, Opera, Jazz, Other
Website: spoletousa.org
Texas
TEXAS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Houston, TX
June 1 – 22, 2024
Artistic Director: Alan Austin
Genres: Classical, Jazz
Website: www.tmf.uh.edu
ROUND TOP MUSIC FESTIVAL
Round Top, TX
June 3 – July 13, 2024
Artistic Director: James Dick
Genres: Classical
Website: festivalhill.org
Vermont
GREEN MOUNTAIN CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Colchester, VT
June 25 – July 19, 2024
Artistic Director: Elizabeth Chang
Genres: Classical
Website: gmcmf.org
KILLINGTON MUSIC FESTIVAL
Killington, VT
June 22 – July 20, 2024
Artistic Directors: Daniel Andai
Genres: Classical
Website: killingtonmusicfestival.org
MANCHESTER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Manchester, VT
July 11 – August 8, 2024
Artistic Directors: Philip Setzer
Genres: Classical
Website: mmfvt.org
MARLBORO MUSIC FESTIVAL
Marlboro, VT
July 13 – August 11, 2024
Artistic Directors: Mitsuko Uchida & Jonathan Biss
Genres: Classical
Website: marlboromusic.org
WEST WINDSOR MUSIC FESTIVAL
West Windsor, VT
June 28 – 30, 2024
Artistic Director: Sakiko Ohashi
Genres: Classical
Website: westwindsorvtmusicfestival.com
Virginia
SHENANDOAH VALLEY BACH FESTIVAL
Harrisonburg, VA
June 9 – 16, 2024
Artistic Director: David berry
Genres: Classical
Website: svbachfestival.org
WINTERGREEN MUSIC FESTIVAL
Nellysford, VA
July 4 – 28, 2024
Artistic Director: Erin Freeman
Genres: Classical
Website: wintergreen-music.org
WOLF TRAP
Vienna, VA
June 1 – September 15, 2024
Prsident & CEO: Arvind Manocha
Genres: Classical, Jazz, Other
Website: wolftrap.org
Washington
BELLINGHAM FESTIVAL OF MUSIC
Bellingham, WA
June 30 – July 21, 2024
Artistic Director: Marcelo Lehninger
Genres: Classical
Website: bellinghamfestival.org
ORCAS ISLAND CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Orcas Island, WA
August 2-17, 2024
Artistic Director: Aloysia Friedmann
Genres: Classical
Website: oicmf.org
Wyoming
GRAND TETON MUSIC FESTIVAL
Jackson Hole, WY
June 27 – August 17, 2024
Artistic Director: Sir Donald Runnicles
Genres: Classical
Website: gtmf.org
CANADA
Ontario
FESTIVAL OF THE SOUND
Parry Sound, ON
July 19 – August 3, 2024
Artistic Director: James Campbell
Genres: Classical, Jazz
Website: festivalofthesound.ca
OTTAWA CHAMBERFEST
Ottawa, ON
July 25 – August 8, 2024
Artistic Director: Carissa Klopoushak
Genres: Classical
Website: chamberfest.com/
Quebec
MONTREAL CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Montréal, QC
June 13-23, 2024
Artistic Director: Denis Brott, C.M, C.Q..
Genres: Classical
Website: festivalmontreal.org
Back to Top
About the author:
Our EarRelevant Staff works mostly behind the scenes! Articles with the byline EarRelevant Staff are often comprised of content not easily attributable to a single author. Some portions of text may be drawn from press releases. Artificial intelligence may also be involved in some aspects of content.
Read more by EarRelevant Staff.
This entry was posted in , , , and tagged Summer Festivals on May 24, 2024 by EarRelevant Staff.
RECENT POSTS
Six young finalists vie for $12,000 prize in Atlanta’s Elizabeth B. Stephens International Organ Competition • 13 Jun 2024
Cincinnati Opera launches its 2024 Summer Festival, promises grandeur and innovation • 11 Jun 2024
Stutzmann and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra deliver a bold rendition of Maazel’s Wagnerian tribute: “The Ring Without Words” • 10 Jun 2024
Houston Symphony’s “Salome” delivers a tour-de-force in-concert experience • 08 Jun 2024
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra names Ruth Reinhardt its new music director • 07 Jun 2024