Top 40 Upstate NY Concerts to Attend This Summer
Summer is the season for outdoor concerts in Upstate New York, and 2025 promises to bring some of the biggest names in music to cities like Buffalo, Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, and everywhere in between. From country to rock, pop to hip-hop, there is something for everyone this summer. Major events, including the New York State Fair, Syracuse Jazz Fest, and farewell tours by legends like Rod Stewart and Cyndi Lauper, are on the schedule. Some shows are already selling out fast, so be sure to check with resellers like StubHub and Vivid Seats for tickets.
Dave Matthews Band is kicking off the season with performances at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater in Syracuse, and Broadview Stage at SPAC in Saratoga Springs. This marks their first tour since being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Coheed and Cambria, known for their alternative/progressive rock sound, will be joined by Grammy-winning metal group Mastodon for shows in Saratoga Springs and Syracuse. Avril Lavigne is hitting the road with Simple Plan and We the Kings for a “Greatest Hits” tour at various venues, including Emower FCU Amphitheater in Syracuse and Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.
Luke Bryan, country music superstar, will be performing at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Empower FCU Amphitheater in Syracuse, and Darien Lake Amphitheater. Benson Boone, known for hits like “Beautiful Things” and “Sorry I’m Here for Someone Else,” will be showcasing his talents at CMAC in Canandaigua.
Glass Animals, fresh off the success of their alternative rock hit “Heat Waves,” will be performing at Broadview Stage at SPAC and Darien Lake Amphitheater. Thomas Rhett, another country favorite, will be making stops at venues in Saratoga Springs and Syracuse, featuring songs like “Die a Happy Man” and “Make Me Wanna.”
For jazz enthusiasts, the Syracuse International Jazz Festival will be held at multiple venues and will feature headliners like The Spinners and Steve Smith’s Vital Information, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, and Todd Rundgren. Wiz Khalifa & Sean Paul will bring their “Good Vibes Only” tour to Darien Lake Amphitheater, while Creed will be joined by Daughtry for a rock-filled evening at Empower FCU Amphitheater in Syracuse.
Maroon 5, one of the most popular bands of the past two decades, will be performing at Dick’s Open at En-Joie Golf Course in Endicott. Do not miss the chance to see “Weird Al” Yankovic on his “Bigger and Weirder 2025 Tour” at various venues.
Classic rock fans will enjoy watching Styx & Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon perform alongside Don Felder. Rod Stewart’s farewell tour with Cheap Trick promises to be a memorable experience, with hits ranging from classic rock to American standards. Shania Twain, the queen of country, will be gracing venues in Darien Lake and Saratoga Springs with hits like “That Don’t Impress Me Much” and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman.”
The Offspring, Jimmy Eat World, and New Found Glory will unite for a nostalgic pop-punk evening at Empower FCU Amphitheater in Syracuse and Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Finally, Barenaked Ladies, Sugar Ray, and Fastball will be spreading their infectious energy across venues in Syracuse, Buffalo, and Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.
This summer is packed with an incredible lineup of concerts in Upstate New York, so get your tickets now before they’re gone!