Niagara Falls NY
5-29-2025 9:12am

The complete Artpark schedule

Lewiston, NY – Artpark, Western New York’s premier summer destination for live performance, music, and interactive art announces its 51st season with an exciting lineup packed with music, art, festivals, family programs and much more.

Dave Wedekindt, President of Artpark & Company remarks, “Last year’s 50th anniversary season offered a natural occasion to look back, but also look ahead. This season moves Artpark forward, and offers an enticing blend of multi-generational performing and visual arts that celebrate what makes Artpark so special and an essential part of the summer for 100,000+ annual visitors.”

He continues, “Artpark is a beautiful place, but it’s our people who truly make it great. Artpark & Company’s dedicated Board of Directors and our event volunteers who give tirelessly of their time and support. The generous donors, members, foundations and sponsors who help us fulfill our non-profit mission. Our partners, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and elected officials. The seasonal employees who offer service or teaching with a smile. The Village and Town of Lewiston, and the many patrons who purchase tickets and concessions. And last but not least, our talented staff who inspire with their energy, knowledge, commitment and creativity every day.”

The center piece of Artpark’s season is always the popular concerts. This year will feature 25 concerts on the Mainstage, Amphitheater, and Emerald Grove stages representing an eclectic mix of classic and modern rock, pop, blues, jazz, reggae, hip hop, Latin, funk, classical, Americana, country, bluegrass and more.

This year, Artpark is excited to bring some new offerings for parents with younger families along with new twists to some Artpark events from years past. “Wonder Wednesdays” starting in July is a new free series for toddlers and their caregivers featuring active play in the outdoors created by Director of Education, Tanis Winslow. What better way to help younger children learn and explore than through art, play and nature at Artpark. And this Fall, Artpark welcomes the return of touring performances for children with the national tour of “CoComelon: Sing A-Long Live in the Mainstage Theater.

Patrons can experience Artpark’s first Red Horizons: Celebrating Indigenous Futures in Art + Fashion Show on Friday, June 20, the day prior to The Strawberry Moon Festival. This Indigenous-led runway show and gallery presentation is a powerful celebration of Indigenous excellence in fashion, beauty, and the arts—founded and produced by two visionary Tuscarora women, Kehala Greene-Smith, a fashion designer and the creative force behind Kreations By Kehala and produced by A’ngelee Clause, a model, makeup artist, and entrepreneur. This event is more than a fashion show—it’s a declaration of identity, a celebration of community, and a moment of Indigenous brilliance in motion. Together, they’ve built a platform that uplifts Indigenous voices and honors cultural storytelling through high fashion and contemporary art. This event will feature Live performances and showcase designs from Indigenous artists and designers from all across North America.

Comedy also returns to the Mainstage Theater after a long absence with Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood: Asking For Trouble. The improv comedy masters and beloved stars of television’s “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” bring their all-ages live show featuring audience participation to Artpark for the first time in August. The performance also caps a big day at the park with the return of the “Better Off Read” Summer Book Festival.

For musical film lovers, Artpark is bringing outdoor movie night back with a unique twist. The hit film “Wicked: The Sing A Long version” will be projected on a huge screen across the Amphitheater stage. Patrons can sing “Defying Gravity” and more as loud as they wish outside in the Amphitheater under the stars while the lyrics are shown on screen.

Additional performing arts premieres at Artpark this season will include the Cirque Festival featuring Montreal’s Flip Fabrique, plus a semi-staged production of Richard Wagner’s epic “The Flying Dutchman” featuring a cast of opera stars along with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Gil Rose.

Furthermore, a new collaboration with Niagara Theater Collective will mark the return of theater camp for youth ages 13-18 for a unique, site-specific outdoor production of “Hansel & Gretel.”

Artpark visitors this season will enjoy musicians who’ve led long, successful careers alongside newer faces on the scene. There are programs for both the young and young-at-heart to learn and create art, and art installations to both delight and inspire. Festivals celebrate unity and connections to our land. And Artpark Bridges brings together our neighbors of different abilities and backgrounds.

The current schedule of events are below. Tickets and registration for all events are now open. Free events are notated. Please visit artpark.net for more information.

Artpark Mainstage Theater

Artpark Amphitheater

New Music in the Park Series

New Music in the Park w/Moshe Shulman at the outdoor Emerald Grove Stage (Lower Park) This new, original composition from Buffalo-based composer, Moshe Shulman, features six musicians and seven dancers who will come together to showcase several international styles of music with their accompanying distinct styles of dance.

Comedy at Artpark

Opera at Artpark

  • September 13 - The Flying Dutchman will be performed in its original German, with English supertitles in the Mainstage Theater. Rather than traditional pre-constructed sets, this production will use striking projections and evocative imagery to bring the story to life. The costumed cast will appear onstage alongside the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, while Conductor Gil Rose leads the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra from the pit.

Movie NIght In The Amphitheater

Indigenous Programs

  • June 20 –Red Horizons: Celebrating Indigenous Future in Art & Fashion
  • June 21 –Strawberry Moon Festival featuring Smoke Dance Competitions and live performances. New this year The Circle: Indigenous Teachings and Storytelling—a dedicated space where visitors can gather to experience oral traditions, songs, and cultural teachings shared by respected Elders. An Indigenous Discovery Zone offering hands-on workshops, and cultural teachings plus the Indigenous Artisan Market showcasing the artistry and craftsmanship of Indigenous makers from across Turtle Island, featuring handcrafted beadwork, pottery, jewelry, textiles, fine art, and contemporary fashion. And The Mesmerizing Smoke Dance Competition —from tiny tots to adults will captivate audiences with their grace, agility, speed, and storytelling through dazzling footwork and vibrant regalia. This competition remains a festival highlight. This is a free event for all.
  • September 6 - Stories By The Fire just after dusk (see website for exact times)
  • October 11 - Stories By The Fire just after dusk (see website for exact times)

Special Events & Festivals:

  • July 8 - Artpark Gala: Enjoy a delicious dinner catered by Oliver’s, open bar, signature cocktails and exciting auctions under the big top. Then down to the Mainstage Theater to enjoy the legendary band Chicago. A post-party with desserts will follow. Contact Wendy Diina at wdiina@artpark.net or 716-754-9000, ext. 154 to purchase Gala table sponsorships and tickets.
  • July 12 – Artpark Fairy House Festival from 11am to 3pm in Artpark Lower Park. Celebrate the festival’s 15th year where fairies gather to play, laugh and frolic in the forest and along the river at Artpark. Tour the extraordinary fairy homes and houses in the woods, discover whimsical artisans and craftspeople who sell their creations and/or artwork throughout the artisan marketplace.
  • August 17 - Artpark Cirque Festival from 4pm to 8pm in Artpark Lower Park.

Featuring internationally acclaimed Québec, Canada cirque troupe, Flip Fabrique performing “Summer Break” performance atop their “Summer Break Bus” while showcasing a circus-styled acrobatic performance of what it was like being at summer camp for the very first time. Also performing will be solo swinging trapeze artist Violet Defiant and the music, puppetry and performances of Slyboots Circus. Advance tickets on sale now.

Free to attend. The festival features thousands of books available for $1 or less; vendor booths by local authors, artists, and merchants; complimentary attractions such as face-painting, balloon animals, and storytelling; food trucks and other concessions; a special celebrity-sponsored basket raffle; and much more.

Creations and Libations

Artpark has expanded its series of art-making for Adults 21+ with the following programs that include beverage options along with your custom created art masterpiece! Tickets are required and space is limited.

June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 24, 25, 30 July 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 23, 28 & 30.

See website for all times

June 4 & 6, June 12 & 17, July 9 & 11 & July 23 & 25

6pm-8pm

August 2 (3:30pm-5:30pm & 6pm-8pm) & August 23 (3:30pm-5:30pm & 6pm-8pm)

Two sessions per date

Education & Exploration at Artpark

  • Artcamps - 3 Sessions. July 14-18, 21-25 & 28-August 1 9am-4pm

Open to ages 9-14 and limited to 24 students per session.

Pre-register now for a week-long course of hands-on visual arts and crafts activities under the guidance of professional instructors. Activities include ceramics, cyanotypes, sculpting, drawing, painting, or felting.

July 2 - August 20 / 10am-12pm.

Each two hour workshop experience for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers is designed as a sensory experience to engage in guided artistic play and nature exploration nestled within the beautiful Artpark grounds. Limit of 20 children per session.

  • Artpark Field Trips - An exciting new field-trip program for Elementary, Middle and High School-aged children created to help young people explore, self-educate and invigorate ideas within nature. Included are workshops that focus on topics of social justice, equity, environmental sustainability, culture and freedom through the arts and will be led by a variety of local teaching artists including members of the Haudenosaunee, Niagara-Gorge hikes, geology talks, and history walks. Artpark is a site for Indigenous people, the first Railroad, British Troops, French Troops and a stop for Freedom Seekers on the Underground Railroad. This program is for organized groups and organizations with 15-150 participants. For more information please contact: twinslow@artpark.net
  • Artpark Theater Camp

July 21 - July 25 / 10am-4pm

$250 per person

Artpark, along with the Niagara Theater Collective, is thrilled to announce its Summer Theatre Camp production of Hansel and Gretel! The classic fairy tale will be brought to life by a cast and crew of youths ages 13-18 utilizing the unique space of the Emerald Grove. The camp runs Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM, and will culminate in free public performances on Friday and Saturday, July 25th and 26th, on the Emerald Grove Stage. The camp is directed by Anne DeFazio, a Lewiston resident who teaches music in the Niagara Wheatfield School District. Anne holds a BA degree from Wagner College with a concentration in music and theater, and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Roberts Wesleyan College, and has appeared in productions with Starring Buffalo, MusicalFare, Kavinoky Theatre, Second Generation, First Look Theatre, O'Connell & Company, Rocking Horse Productions, and more.

Artpark Bridges:

  • Artpark’s Memory Cafe: Sensing Here & Now - 3rd Wednesday of the Month We celebrate you, our guests, by sharing Artpark’s mission of “a transformative world of engagement”. Director of Artpark Bridges, Cynthia Pegado, wants everyone to experience a relaxed, interactive, sensory-rich activities accessible for all and restorative for care partners. Each gathering is centered in music, accessible art-making and fun movement games to awaken sensory enjoyment through our five senses. All attendees can choose to participate or simply observe. It is a valid choice to soak up the energy of the music and other people without actually “doing”. Any place in the spectrum of observing-participating is embraced and respected. This program is Free and is available to all. Please reserve your place at one of our future sessions here.
  • Artpark Bridges is a year-round community arts engagement program that connects participants with Artpark's legacy of innovation and possibility. Some programs like our Children of the Military, Empower and Medicine Wheel Workshops are not available directly to the public. For information on Artpark Bridges and its programs and opportunities please email cpegado@artpark.net

Artists in Residence

  • Anthony Hyatt; July 12-18, Artpark Bridges Residency

Violinist, singer and dancer, is a teaching artist and medical musician working in partnership with many Washington D.C. area hospitals and human service organizations through his own organization called Moving Beauty.

  • Elisa Gabbert and Christina Vega-Westhoff, Summer Literary Residency

Under the direction of Artpark Literary Director and Curator, Aidan Ryan, Gabbert and Vega-Westhoff will enjoy summer-long access to Artpark’s 150 acres of natural beauty, dramatic views of the Niagara River and Gorge, and packed schedule of arts programming, drawing on these experiences to inform new or ongoing writing projects.

Tickets for events are available online at ticketmaster.com, artpark.net & at the Artpark Box Office. In person box office hours are Tuesday-Friday 10AM-4PM, Saturday 10AM-2PM with extended hours on event days.

Please visit artpark.net for additional events and information.
The 2025 Artpark Season is sponsored and supported in part by: M & T Bank; Cullen Foundation; New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Parks & Trails New York; Modern Disposal Services; Town of Lewison; Niagara County Legislature; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, Labatt Blue Light; Bud Light; Southern Tier Brewing, Buffalocal and Northtown Automotive Companies.

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