In the heart of historic resort town Saratoga Springs (and just a short drive away from the Hudson Valley), Saratoga Performing Arts Center is one of America’s most prestigious outdoor amphitheaters. Completed in 1966 as the summer home of both the New York City Ballet, and the Philadelphia Orchestra, the performing arts center, affectionately known at SPAC, hosts a wide variety of performances high and low. Here are our picks of can’t-miss events this season.
Hootie & The Blowfish
June 15, 7 p.m.
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A popular ’80s American rock band, Hootie & The Blowfish is known for top singles like “Hold My Hand,” “Let Her Cry,” and “Only Wanna Be With You.” Special guests Collective Soul and Edwin McCain will open for the band on its Summer Camp With Trucks tour.
Lainey Wilson
June 20, 7 p.m.
American country music singer and songwriter Lainey Wilson has been performing from an early age before moving to Nashville to pursue her music career full-time. Popular for her songs “Heart Like a Truck” and “Wildflowers and Wild Horses,” Wilson also appeared in the fifth season of Yellowstone.
Niall Horan
June 21, 7:30 p.m.
Once a member of well-known boy band One Direction, Niall Horan performs in his biggest solo tour yet this summer. A meditation on everything from mental health to the infinite complexity and uncertainty of love, Horan’s latest album The Show is a spellbinding statement on following one’s heart.
Tyler Childers
July 3, 7:30 p.m.
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Breakout country star Tyler Childers is popular for his songs “All Your’n,” “Feathered Indians,” and “Lady May.” His music is a mix of neotraditional country, bluegrass, and folk, with impressive vocals and range.
Dave Matthews Band
July 5 & 6, 7:30 p.m.
Calling all Dave Matthews fans! The band lights up the stage for not one, but two days of concerts at Saratoga Center for Performing Arts. Since 1991, the rock band has had somewhat of a cult following because of its infectious tunes.
Third Eye Blind
July 16, 6:30 p.m.
If you’re into California punk rock, this Third Eye Blind concert is a must-see performance this summer. The band behind “Semi-Charmed Life,” Third Eye Blind is the soundtrack to so many summer adventures and is sure to bring the good vibes this July.
Train & REO Speedwagon
July 23, 6:25 p.m.
Get ready to rock out with REO Speedwagon and Train this July, with special guest Yacht Rock Revue. Enjoy songs like “Drops of Jupiter” and “Hey, Soul Sister” from Train, while REO Speedwagon gets rowdy with “Can’t Fight This Feeling” and “Take It on the Run.”
Earth, Wind, and Fire & Chicago
July 24, 7:30 p.m.
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Earth, Wind, and Fire is a music institution, with funky hits like “September” and “Let’s Groove.” The band continues to inspire new audiences and surprise and thrill those who have been there since the beginning. For the other half of the concert, enjoy Chicago, a band that has sold over 100 million records in its 56 years of existence.
An Evening With John Legend
August 7, 7:15 p.m.
This special performance will feature songs and stories with Grammy winner John Legend and The Philadelphia Orchestra. The performance includes intimate renditions of Legend’s greatest hits, like “All of Me” and “Ordinary People.”
Cage the Elephant
August 18, 6:30 p.m.
Since 2006, Cage the Elephant has been on the forefront of the alternative rock scene thanks to songs like “Cigarette Daydreams” and “Trouble.” Special guests Young The Giant and Bakar will join the band on the Neon Pill tour.
All Summer Concerts at Saratoga Performing Arts Center
June
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HARDY, June 7
John Fogerty, June 12
Hootie & The Blowfish, June 15
Romantic Masterpieces, June 16
Lainey Wilson, June 20
Niall Horan, June 21
Musical Mosaics, June 23
Brooks & Dunn, June 27
Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival, June 29 & 30
July
Tyler Childers, July 3
Dave Matthews Band, July 5 & 6
Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Brahms, July 14
Third Eye Blind, July 16
RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles, July 17
Dierks Bentley, July 18
Enchanting Winds, July 21
Brit Floyd, July 21
Sammy Hagar, July 22
Train & REO Speedwagon, July 23
Earth, Wind, and Fire & Chicago, July 24
Kidz Bop, July 26
Foreigner & Styx, July 30
Tchaikovsky Spectacular, July 31
August
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Rhapsody in Blue Celebrates 100, August 1
Angélique Kidjo with The Philadelphia Orchestra, August 2
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Concert, August 3
An Evening With John Legend, August 7
Yannick Conducts An Alpine Symphony, August 8
An Evening of Brahms with Fabio Luisi, August 9
Carmina Burana, August 10
Beethoven, Ravel, and Schumann, August 11
New Kids on the Block, August 11
Primus & Coheed and Cambria, August 12
The Doobie Brothers, August 13
Gil Shaham Performs Bates, August 14
Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony, August 15
Yo-Yo Ma Plays Dvořák, August 16
Disney’s The Lion King in Concert, August 17
The Carnival of the Animals, August 18
Cage the Elephant, August 18
Hank Williams Jr., August 23
Creed, August 24
Tedeschi Trucks Band, August 30 & 31
Related: Bookmark These Spring Concerts in the Hudson Valley
