Rochester & Finger Lakes Concerts & Live Music

Wine country meets world-class music under open skies

The Sound of the Finger Lakes

The Finger Lakes region pairs stunning natural beauty with an outdoor concert experience unlike anywhere else in New York. CMAC — the Constellation Brands–Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center — is the anchor, hosting major touring acts and summer concerts in a lakeside setting in Canandaigua. From June through September, CMAC’s calendar is one of the most anticipated summer concert schedules in the state.

Highland Bowl in Rochester brings intimate amphitheater shows to the Finger Lakes’ largest city, while del Lago Resort & Casino offers year-round entertainment in the heart of wine country. Kodak Center rounds out the region with a mid-size theater perfect for touring comedians, tribute bands, and rising acts.

Plan a weekend around a show: catch outdoor concerts at CMAC, tour the Seneca Lake wine trail, and wake up to lake views. This is where music and travel collide.

Venues

CMAC

15,000-seat Finger Lakes amphitheater overlooking Canandaigua Lake. Beautiful setting, great sound.

del Lago Resort and Casino — Waterloo, NY

del Lago Resort & Casino

1,400-seat casino showroom in the Finger Lakes — intimate scale right off the Thruway.

Highland Bowl Amphitheater

2,000-seat outdoor amphitheater in Highland Park — Rochester's free summer concert gem.

Kodak Center

2,400-seat mid-century theater — Rochester's sweet spot for touring acts too big for clubs.

Rochester Auditorium Theatre — Rochester, NY

West Herr Auditorium Theatre

2,464-seat restored 1928 theater — Rochester's go-to for seated touring concerts.

Main Street Armory

5,000-cap armory venue with massive floor space — Rochester's mid-size show warehouse.

Anthology

500-cap Rochester club with table seating, a balcony, and a full dinner-and-show setup.

Photo City Music Hall

400-cap club in a converted photo lab — Rochester indie and alternative's home base.

Montage Music Hall

400-cap Rochester rock club with a loyal following and a stage built for volume.

Water Street Music Hall

1,000-cap standing-room club — Rochester's big club room for national touring acts.

Blue Cross Arena

13,000-seat downtown arena — Rochester's connection to major touring headliners.

Eastman Theatre

2,326-seat concert hall at the Eastman School of Music — world-class classical acoustics.

Flour City Station

1,200-cap multi-level venue in a converted Rochester warehouse. Bar, stage, rooftop.

The Bug Jar

120-cap punk and indie dive — Rochester's smallest, weirdest, most beloved rock bar.

Abilene Bar & Lounge

200-cap Rochester bar with roots, Americana, and blues seven nights a week.

Lovin' Cup

250-cap bar-restaurant-venue hybrid — casual vibes, local acts, and craft drinks.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que Rochester

BBQ joint with a 200-cap bar stage — live blues, roots, and the best ribs in Rochester.

Where the wine trails lead to live music

Upcoming Shows in the Finger Lakes

Exploring the Finger Lakes

Before & After the Show

The Finger Lakes wine trail is the obvious pairing. Hit Seneca or Keuka Lake wineries before a CMAC show, or explore Rochester’s East End restaurant district near Highland Bowl. del Lago has on-site dining and a full casino floor for post-show entertainment.

Getting Around

I-90 (Thruway) is the main east-west corridor. CMAC is off Route 332 near Canandaigua — about 30 minutes southeast of Rochester. Highland Bowl is in the city of Rochester itself. del Lago sits on Route 414 between Geneva and Waterloo, right on the wine trail.

Best Time to Visit

CMAC’s season runs June through September, peaking in July and August. Highland Bowl does a concentrated summer series. del Lago and Kodak Center operate year-round. Fall is gorgeous in the Finger Lakes — combine a late-season show with foliage and harvest festivals.

Plan Your Visit

Getting Here

By car: I-90 (Thruway) to exits 43 (CMAC/Canandaigua) or 44 (Rochester). The wine trail runs along Routes 14 and 414.

By air: Rochester Greater International Airport (ROC) is 20 minutes from Highland Bowl and 45 minutes from CMAC.

Parking: Free at CMAC (arrive early for close spots). Highland Bowl has limited street parking — rideshare recommended. Free lot at del Lago.

Insider Tips

CMAC: Lawn seats are the move — bring a blanket and arrive early
Highland Bowl: Bring a picnic and enjoy the park before the show
del Lago: Book a room and make a weekend of it
Kodak Center: Street parking is plentiful on evenings and weekends

Dining & Nightlife

Canandaigua: Main Street has great pre-show options — from lakeside dining to craft breweries, all 10 minutes from CMAC.

Rochester — East End: The city’s restaurant row with everything from ramen to rooftop cocktails near Highland Bowl.

Geneva / Seneca Lake: Farm-to-table dining alongside the wine trail, perfect for a del Lago weekend.

Explore Other Regions

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