62 Summer Music Festivals for 2024, across the US and Canada | EarRelevant

Classical, Opera & Jazz in North America

EarRelevant Staff | 24 MAY 2024

Summer is a great season for travel! Here at EarRelevant, we’ve compiled a list of 62 North American summer music festivals featuring classical music, opera, or jazz, occuring primarily between Memorial Day Weekend (May 25-29) and the Autumnal Equinox (September 22).

The list is curated and 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. ■

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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 Cockrell
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

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

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

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

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This entry was posted in Chamber & Recital, Education & Community, Jazz & World, Symphony & Opera and tagged Summer Festivals on May 24, 2024 by EarRelevant Staff.