Paul Simon plays Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on Friday, July 3, 2026 at 8:00 PM. Let that sink in for a moment. One of the greatest songwriters in American history, performing on the grounds where the 1969 Woodstock festival defined a generation. This is one of the most significant concert bookings in Upstate New York this year — possibly this decade.
About Paul Simon
Paul Simon’s career spans more than sixty years and encompasses some of the most important music ever recorded. From Simon & Garfunkel — “The Sound of Silence,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Mrs. Robinson,” “The Boxer” — to a solo career that produced Graceland, one of the most celebrated albums of the 20th century, Simon has consistently redefined what popular music can be. He’s a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (once with Garfunkel, once solo), a Kennedy Center honoree, and the recipient of more Grammys than most artists could dream of.
His live shows in recent years have been selective and meaningful. After his farewell tour in 2018, every Paul Simon performance carries added weight — this is not an artist playing shows out of obligation. When he steps onto the Bethel Woods stage, it will mean something to him, and the audience will feel it.
If you need to spend the week before this show immersed in the catalog — and you should — Paul Simon’s discography on Amazon is essential listening. Start with Graceland if you somehow haven’t. Then work your way through everything else.
The Venue
There is no more fitting venue for Paul Simon than Bethel Woods. The original Woodstock festival happened here in 1969 — the same cultural moment that Simon & Garfunkel were soundtracking with “The Sound of Silence” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” The pavilion and lawn overlook the historic field, and the on-site museum tells the story of that weekend. Arriving early to walk the grounds before a show like this isn’t optional — it’s part of the experience. The drive through the Hudson Valley only adds to it. Full Bethel Woods venue guide here.
Tickets & Details
- Date: Friday, July 3, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM
- Venue: Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY
This is not just a concert. Paul Simon on the Woodstock grounds on the eve of the Fourth of July — it’s a moment in the cultural life of Upstate New York. If you can get tickets, get tickets.