Syracuse & Central New York Concerts & Live Music
From Syracuse’s lakeside amphitheater to Turning Stone’s year-round stage
The Sound of Central New York
Central New York draws fans to two powerhouses: the Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater in Syracuse and Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona. But it’s the people who make this region’s scene worth knowing — the Turning Stone crowd who travel from across the state for an intimate night with a legacy artist, the families spreading out on the Empower lawn on a July evening, and the regulars at Beak & Skiff who’d rather hear great music surrounded by apple trees than in any arena in the country.
The Empower FCU Amphitheater’s lakeside setting on Onondaga Lake makes it one of the most scenic outdoor venues in the Northeast — a natural bowl that sounds as good as it looks. Turning Stone’s Event Center offers a more intimate, climate-controlled experience with top-tier production across rock, country, comedy, and more. And then there’s Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards in LaFayette: a working farm that has quietly become one of Central NY’s most beloved live music destinations, hosting summer concerts in a setting that feels genuinely unlike anywhere else.
Central NY is where big tours meet an audience that genuinely shows up — and the combination of lakeside amphitheater, resort entertainment, and farm-country charm makes it one of the most distinct regional music scenes in Upstate New York.
Venues
Lakeside sunsets and sold-out summer nights
Upcoming Shows in the Central NY
- Thu, Oct 29, 2026 The Black Dahlia Murder at The Song & Dance
- Thu, Oct 29, 2026 Noon Fifteen + Rising Ghosts at Funk ‘n Waffles
- Thu, Oct 29, 2026 Hocus Pocus at Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater
- Fri, Oct 30, 2026 Sophistafunk at Funk ‘n Waffles
- Sat, Oct 31, 2026 Dominion: Halloween Night at The Song & Dance
- Wed, Nov 4, 2026 Dev Lemons at Funk ‘n Waffles
- Fri, Nov 6, 2026 Outlaw State of Mind at Sharkey’s Event Center
- Sat, Nov 7, 2026 Night Fever at The Showroom at Turning Stone Resort Casino
- Sun, Nov 8, 2026 Dead & Friends at Beak & Skiff
- Wed, Nov 11, 2026 Fury In Few at Funk ‘n Waffles
- Fri, Nov 13, 2026 Seven Teller + Glass Pony at Funk ‘n Waffles
- Sat, Nov 14, 2026 Samantha Fish at The Showroom at Turning Stone Resort Casino
- Sun, Nov 15, 2026 smush at The Song & Dance
- Thu, Nov 19, 2026 Houses of the Holy — Led Zeppelin Tribute at Sharkey’s Event Center
- Thu, Nov 19, 2026 Big Something w/ Big Blitz at Middle Ages Beer Hall
- Fri, Nov 20, 2026 Jeff Dunham at The Stanley
- Sat, Nov 21, 2026 The New York Bee Gees at Stanley Theatre
- Sat, Nov 21, 2026 First To Eleven at The Haven of the Wild
- Mon, Nov 30, 2026 Lindsey Stirling at Landmark Theatre
- Tue, Dec 1, 2026 Straight No Chaser at Landmark Theatre
- Thu, Dec 3, 2026 Mihali presents: Mihalidaze w/ Stone Throwers at Middle Ages Beer Hall
- Fri, Dec 4, 2026 Thunderstruck: America’s AC/DC Tribute at The Showroom at Turning Stone
- Wed, Dec 9, 2026 Christmas with the Beatles at The Stanley
- Wed, Dec 9, 2026 Fireside Collective w/s/g The Rollin’ Rust at Middle Ages Beer Hall
- Thu, Dec 10, 2026 The Rock Orchestra By Candlelight at Stanley Theatre
- Thu, Dec 10, 2026 Hayley Jane Band + Organ Fairchild at Funk ‘n Waffles
- Fri, Dec 11, 2026 King Tuff at The Song & Dance
- Fri, Dec 11, 2026 Wizards of Winter at The Showroom at Turning Stone Resort Casino
- Fri, Dec 11, 2026 Lez Zeppelin at Center for the Arts of Homer
- Sat, Dec 12, 2026 Eli Young Band at The Showroom at Turning Stone Resort Casino
- Sun, Dec 13, 2026 Sal Valentinetti at Stanley Theatre
- Sun, Dec 13, 2026 Possessed By Paul James at Funk ‘n Waffles
- Sat, Dec 19, 2026 Aaron Lewis at Turning Stone Event Center
- Sat, Dec 19, 2026 Hard Promises Presents “Another Petty Christmas” at Middle Ages Beer Hall
- Sat, Dec 26, 2026 Ky McClinton at Funk ‘n Waffles
- Fri, Jan 8, 2027 Free Fallin at The Showroom at Turning Stone Resort Casino
- Thu, Jan 14, 2027 Jon Spencer at Funk ‘n Waffles
- Sat, Jan 16, 2027 A Man Named Cash at The Showroom at Turning Stone Resort Casino
- Wed, Feb 24, 2027 The Magical Music of Harry Potter – Live in Concert at Stanley Theatre
- Fri, Feb 26, 2027 Joe Bonamassa at Landmark Theatre
- Fri, Mar 5, 2027 Sonic Live in Concert at Landmark Theatre
- Sun, Mar 7, 2027 Adrian Vandenberg – My Whitesnake Years Tour at Sharkey’s Event Center
- Tue, Mar 16, 2027 Brit Floyd at Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater
- Tue, Mar 23, 2027 The Rock Orchestra By Candlelight at Landmark Theatre
- Sat, Apr 24, 2027 Home Free at The Showroom at Turning Stone Resort Casino
- Thu, Apr 29, 2027 Roger Waters Presents LEGACY – A Pink Floyd Show at The Stanley
- Sat, Jun 19, 2027 Dolly Parton Tribute at Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater
- Thu, Jul 15, 2027 Riley Green at Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview
- Sat, Jul 31, 2027 Mitchell Tenpenny: Speed of Light Tour 2026 at The Haven of the Wild
- Sat, Aug 7, 2027 Montgomery Gentry at The Haven of the Wild
Exploring the Central NY
Before & After the Show
Syracuse’s Armory Square is the go-to for pre-show dining and drinks — a walkable district with breweries, farm-to-table restaurants, and cocktail bars. For Turning Stone, the resort itself has multiple restaurants, a spa, and a golf course if you’re making a weekend of it.
Getting Around
I-90 (Thruway) and I-81 cross in Syracuse, making it one of the most accessible cities in the state. Empower FCU Amphitheater is on the Inner Harbor, minutes from downtown. Turning Stone is 30 miles east on Route 365 near Verona. Beak & Skiff is 20 minutes south of Syracuse in Lafayette.
Best Time to Visit
The amphitheater season runs June through September. Turning Stone books shows year-round. Beak & Skiff peaks in fall when the apple harvest and live music collide — but their concert series starts in summer. Syracuse itself is a college town, so the vibe picks up when SU is in session.
Plan Your Visit
Getting Here
By car: I-90 (Thruway) east-west and I-81 north-south converge in Syracuse. All three venues are within 30 minutes of downtown.
By air: Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) is 10 minutes from the amphitheater.
Parking: Free at Empower FCU Amphitheater. Turning Stone has massive free lots. Beak & Skiff has on-site parking (arrive early for fall events).
Insider Tips
- Empower FCU: Lawn seats have great sightlines — bring a blanket
- Turning Stone: Stay at the resort and avoid the drive back
- Beak & Skiff: Try the 1911 hard cider while you’re there
Dining & Nightlife
Syracuse — Armory Square: The city’s best dining district, walking distance from downtown venues. Breweries, wine bars, and global cuisine.
Turning Stone: On-site options from steakhouses to casual dining — no need to leave the resort.
Lafayette / Tully: Farm country restaurants near Beak & Skiff for a true Central NY experience.
Explore Other Regions
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