Classical, Opera & Jazz in North America
EarRelevant Staff | 12 MAY 2022
Summer is a great season for travel to attractive destinations, especially if your trip can include some great music!
We’ve put together a list of 72 North American summer music festivals featuring classical music, opera, or jazz, with events occurring primarily between Memorial Day Weekend (May 27-30) and the Autumnal Equinox (September 22).
The list is long, so the information deliberately minimal: name, location, dates, directors, genres, and website link. So we also offer a map above the list, so you can see what might be in the area you expect to be traveling, or even pick a destination based on what you find.
Here are festivals large and small, urban and remote, with performers ranging from developing young musicians to world-class seasoned professionals. We hope you will find one or more that attracts your summer travel interests.■
Locations are limited to nearest city, not exact address. Festival may present events in multiple locations.
United States
Alaska
SITKA MUSIC FESTIVAL
Sitka, AK
June 3 – 26, 2022
Artistic Director: Zuill Bailey
Genres: Classical
Website: sitkamusicfestival.org
Arkansas
OPERA IN THE OZARKS
Eureka Springs, AR
June 24 – July 23, 2022
Artistic Director: Thomas Cockrell
Genres: Classical, Opera
Website: opera.org
California
CABRILLO FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
Santa Cruz, CA
July 24 – August 7, 2022
Artistic Director: Cristian Măcelaru
Genres: Classical
Website: cabrillomusic.org
CARMEL BACH FESTIVAL
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
July 14 – 30, 2022
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 15 – 24, 2022
Exec. Producer: Charles Letourneau
Genres: Classical
Website: festivalnapavalley.org
HOLLYWOOD BOWL: 2022 SEASON
Los Angeles, CA
June 11 – September 29, 2022
Artistic Director: Gustavo Dudamel
Genres: Classical, Jazz, Other
Website: hollywoodbowl.com
LA JOLLA MUSIC SOCIETY SUMMERFEST
La Jolla, CA
July 29 – August 26, 2022
Music Director: Inon Barnatan
Genres: Classical
Website: ljms.org
MAINLY MOZART ALL-STAR ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL
Del Mar, CA
June 10 – 18, 2022
Artistic Director: Michael Francis
Genres: Classical
Website: mainlymozart.org
MUSIC ACADEMY OF THE WEST SUMMER SCHOOL & FESTIVAL
Santa Barbara, CA
June 13 – August 6, 2022
Artistic Director: Jamie Broumas
Genres: Classical
Website: musicacademy.org
MUSIC IN THE VINEYARDS
Napa Valley, CA
August 3 – 21, 2022
Artistic Directors:
Michael & Daria T. Adams
Genres: Classical, Chamber Music
Website: musicinthevineyards.org
MUSIC@MENLO
Atherton, CA
July 14 – August 6, 2022
Artistic Directors: David Finckel & Wu Han
Genres: Classical
Website: musicatmenlo.org
OJAI MUSIC FESTIVAL
Ojai, CA
June 9 – 12, 2022
Artistic Director: Ara Guzelimian
Genres: Classical
Website: ojaifestival.org
Colorado
ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL & SCHOOL
Aspen, CO
June 30 – August 21, 2022
Artistic Director: Robert Spano
Genres: Classical
Website: aspenmusicfestival.com
BRAVO!VAIL MUSIC FESTIVAL
Vail, CO
June 23 – August 4, 2022
Artistic Director: Anne-Marie McDermott
Genres: Classical
Website: bravovail.org
CENTRAL CITY OPERA FESTIVAL
Central City, CO
July 2 – 31, 2022
General & Artistic Director: Pelham G. Pearce
Genres: Opera
Website: centralcityopera.org
COLORADO MUSIC FESTIVAL
Boulder, CO
June 30 – August 7, 2022
Artistic Director: Peter Oundjian
Genres: Classical, Chamber Music
Website: coloradomusicfestival.org
CRESTED BUTTE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Crested Butte & Gunnison, CO
July 8 – September 10, 2022
Artistic Directors: Emily & Erik Peterson
Genres: Classical, Jazz, Other
Website: crestedbuttemusicfestival.org
NATIONAL REPERTORY ORCHESTRA
Breckenridge, CO
June 25 – August 13, 2022
Artistic Director: Michael Stern
Genres: Classical
Website: nromusic.org
Connecticut
NORFOLK CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Norfolk, CT
June 23 – August 20, 2022
Artistic Director: Melvin Chen
Genres: Classical
Website: music.yale.edu/norfolk
Florida
MIAMI BEACH CLASSICAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
Miami Beach, FL
July 7 – 24, 2022
Artistic Director: Michael Rossi
Genres: Classical, Opera
Georgia
ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL
Atlanta, GA
May 28 – 30, 2022
Artistic Director:
Genres: Jazz
Website: atljazzfest.com
THE ATLANTA OPERA: COMES AS YOU ARE FESTIVAL
Atlanta, GA
June 2 – 19, 2022
General & Artistic Director: Tomer Zvulun
Genres: Opera, Musical
Website: atlantaopera.org
Idaho
SUN VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Sun Valley, ID
July 24 – August 18, 2022
MUSIC DIRECTOR Alasdair Neale
Genres: Classical
Website: svmusicfestival.org
Illinois
RAVINIA FESTIVAL
Highland Park, IL
June 15 – September 18, 2022
Artistic Director: Marin Alsop
Genres: Classical, Jazz, Other
Website: ravinia.org
Iowa
DES MOINES METRO OPERA
Indianola, IA
July 1 – 24, 2022
Artistic Director: Michael Egel
Genres: Classical, Opera
Website: desmoinesmetroopera.org
Maine
BAY CHAMBER CONCERTS: SCREEN DOOR FESTIVAL
Camden, ME
August 17 – 21, 2022
Artistic Director: Manuel Bagorro
Genres: Classical, Jazz, Other
Website: baychamber.org
BOWDOIN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
Brunswick, ME
June 25 – August 6, 2022
Artistic Directors: David Ying & Phillip Ying
Genres: Classical
Website: bowdoinfestival.org
MONTEUX SCHOOL & MUSIC FESTIVAL
Hancock, ME
June 19 – July 31, 2022
Artistic Director: Michael Jinbo
Genres: Classical
Website: monteuxmusic.org
Massachusetts
ROCKPORT CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Rockport, MA
June 11 – August 14, 2022
Artistic Director: Barry Shiffman
Genres: Classical
Website: rcmf.org
TANGLEWOOD FESTIVAL
Lenox, MA
June 17 – September 4, 2022
Artistic Director: Andris Nelsons
Genres: Classical
Website: bso.org/tanglewood
Michigan
THE GILMORE PIANO FESTIVAL
Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, and Lansing, MI
April 24 – May 15, 2022
Director: Pierre van der Westhuizen
Genres: Classical, Jazz, Other
Website: thegilmore.org
Minnesota
NORTHERN LIGHTS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Gilbert, MN
July 1 – 23, 2022
Artistic Director: Veda Zuponcic
Genres: Classical
Website: northernlightsmusic.org/
Missouri
TANEYCOMO FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
Branson, MO
June 12 – 25, 2022
Executive & Artistic Director: Larkin Sanders
Genres: Classical
Website: taneycomofestivalorchestra.org
Montana
TIPPET RISE ART CENTER
Fishtail, MT
August 26 – September 25, 2022
Artistic Advisor: Pedja Mužijevic
Genres: Classical
Website: tippetrise.org/
Nevada
CLASSICAL TAHOE
Incline Village, NV
July 14 – August 18, 2022
Artistic Director: Laura Hamilton
Genres: Classical, Jazz
Website: classicaltahoe.org
New Mexico
SANTA FE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Santa Fe, NM
July 17 – August 22, 2022
Artistic Director: Marc Neikrug
Genres: Classical
Website: santafechambermusic.com
THE SANTA FE OPERA
Santa Fe, NM
July 1 – August 28, 2022
Directors: Robert K. Meya, general director; Harry Bicket, music director
Genres: Opera
Website: santafeopera.org
New York
BARD MUSIC FESTIVAL & SUMMERSCAPE
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
June 23 – August 14, 2022
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 24 – August 21, 2022
Artistic Director: Marya Martin
Genres: Classical
Website: bcmf.org
CARAMOOR CENTER FOR MUSIC & THE ARTS
Katonah, NY
June 18 – August 19, 2022
Artistic Director: Kathy Schuman
Genres: Classical, Opera, Jazz, Other
Website: caramoor.org
THE GLIMMERGLASS FESTIVAL
Cooperstown, NY
July 15 – August 17, 2022
Directors: Francesca Zambello, artistic & general director; Joseph Colaneri, music director
Genres: Classical
Website: glimmerglass.org
THE HAMPTONS FESTIVAL OF MUSIC
Wainscott, NY
September 9 – 11, 2022
Artistic Director: Michael Palmer
Genres: Classical
Website: thehamptonsfestivalofmusic.com
LAKE GEORGE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Lake George, NY
August 10 – 18, 2022
Artistic Directors:
Barbora Kolárová & Roger Kalia
Genres: Classical
Website: lakegeorgemusicfestival.com
MAVERICK CONCERTS
Hurley, NY
July 2 –September 11, 2022
Music Director: Alexander Platt
Genres: Classical, Jazz, Other
Website: maverickconcerts.org
SARATOGA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Saratoga Springs, NY
June 12 – August 21, 2022
Directors: Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Jonathan Stafford, Wendy Whelan, David Finckel, Wu Han & Elizabeth Sobol
Genres: Classical, Jazz, Other
Website: spac.org
TIME:SPANS FESTIVAL 2022
New York, NY
August 13 – 27, 2022
Artistic Director: Thomas Fichter
Genres: Contemprary Classical, Avant-Garde
Website: timespans.org
North Carolina
JOHN COLTRANE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL
High Point, NC
September 3 – 4, 2022
Artistic Director: Joe Williams
Genres: Jazz
Website: coltranejazzfest.com
EASTERN MUSIC FESTIVAL
Greensboro, NC
June 25 – July 30, 2022
Artistic Director: Gerard Schwarz
Genres: Classical
Website: easternmusicfestival.org
HIGHLANDS-CASHIERS CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
HIghlands & Cashiers, NC
July 1 – August 7, 2022
Artistic Director: William Ransom
Genres: Classical
Website: h-cmusicfestival.org
Ohio
BLOSSOM MUSIC FESTIVAL
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
July 2 – September 4, 2022
Artistic Director: Franz Welser-Möst
Genres: Classical, Other
Website: blossommusicfest.com
CINCINNATI OPERA SUMMER FESTIVAL
Cincinnati, OH
June 18 – July 31, 2022
Artistic Director: Evans Mirageas
Genres: Opera
Website: cincinnatiopera.org
Oregon
BRITT MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL
Jacksonville, OR
June 10 – September 18, 2022
Artistic Director: Teddy Abrams
Genres: Classical, Jazz, Other
Website: brittfest.org
CHAMBER MUSIC NORTHWEST SUMMER FESTIVAL
Portland & Beaverton, OR
June 25 – July 31, 2022
Artistic Directors: Gloria Chien & Soovin Kim
Genres: Classical
Website: cmnw.org
OREGON BACH FESTIVAL
Eugene, OR
June 17 – July 5, 2022
Genres: Classical
Website: oregonbachfestival.org
Pennsylvania
BETHLEHEM BACH FESTIVAL
Bethlehem, PA
May 13 – 21, 2022
Artistic Director: Greg Funfgeld
Genres: Classical
Website: bach.org
MANN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Philadelphia, PA
April 13 – October 15, 2022
Artistic Director: Toby Blumenthal
Genres: Classical, Jazz, Other
Website: manncenter.org
South Carolina
SPOLETO FESTIVAL USA
Charleston, SC
May 27 – June 12, 2022
Directors: John Kennedy, Geoff Nuttall, Joe Miller, Mena Mark Hanna
Genres: Classical, Opera, Jazz, Other
Website: spoletousa.org
Texas
OLSHAN TEXAS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Houston, TX
June 7 – 27, 2022
Artistic Director: Alan Austin
Genres: Classical, Jazz
Website: tmf.uh.edu
ROUND TOP MUSIC FESTIVAL
Round Top, TX
June 6 – July 17, 2022
Artistic Director: James Dick
Genres: Classical
Website: festivalhill.org
Utah
DEER VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Park City, UT
July 1 – August 6, 2022
Artistic Director: Robert Neu
Genres: Classical, Jazz, Other
Website: deervalleymusicfestival.org
Vermont
MARLBORO MUSIC FESTIVAL
Marlboro, VT
July 16 – August 14, 2022
Artistic Directors:
Mitsuko Uchida & Jonathan Biss
Genres: Classical
Website: marlboromusic.org
Virginia
SHENANDOAH VALLEY BACH FESTIVAL
Harrisonburg, VA
June 12 – 19, 2022
Artistic Director: Kenneth Nafziger
Genres: Classical
Website: svbachfestival.org
WINTERGREEN MUSIC FESTIVAL
Nellysford, VA
July 6 – 31, 2022
Artistic Director: Erin Freeman
Genres: Classical
Website: wintergreen-music.org
WOLF TRAP
Vienna, VA
May 28 – September 18, 2022
Prsident & CEO: Arvind Manocha
Genres: Classical, Jazz, Other
Website: wolftrap.org
Washington
BELLINGHAM FESTIVAL OF MUSIC
Bellingham, WA
July 1 – 24, 2022
Artistic Director: Michael Palmer
Genres: Classical
Website: bellinghamfestival.org
ORCAS ISLAND CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Orcas Island, WA
August 4 – 20, 2022
Artistic Director: Aloysia Friedmann
Genres: Classical
Website: oicmf.org
Wyoming
GRAND TETON MUSIC FESTIVAL
Jackson Hole, WY
July 3 – August 27, 2022
Artistic Director: Sir Donald Runnicles
Genres: Classical
Website: gtmf.org
CANADA
Alberta
HONENS FESTIVAL
Calgary, AB
September 8 – 11, 2022
Artistic Director: Jon Kimura Parker
Genres: Classical
Website: honens.com
Ontario
FESTIVAL OF THE SOUND
Parry Sound, ON
July 17 – 31, 2022
Artistic Director: James Campbell
Genres: Classical, Jazz
Website: festivalofthesound.ca
OTTAWA CHAMBERFEST
Ottawa, ON
July 21 – August 4, 2022
Artistic Director: Carissa Klopoushak
Genres: Classical
Website: chamberfest.com/
Quebec
DOMAINE FORGET DE CHARLEVOIX
Saint-Irénée, QC
June 25 – August 20, 2022
Artistic Director: Paul Fortin
Genres: Classical, Jazz
Website: domaineforget.com
MONTREAL CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Montréal, QC
June 12 – 19, 2022
Artistic Director: Denis Brott, C.M.
Genres: Classical
Website: festivalmontreal.org
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