Celebrate the 55th anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock festival!
Visit the site of one of the most iconic music festivals that defined a generation and became a symbol of peace, love and so much more.
Reflect on the unforgettable summer of 1969, when half a million people gathered on a dairy farm in Bethel, New York, for a weekend of legendary performances by Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and The Who, among others. As we mark this milestone, we honor the spirit of unity and counterculture that Woodstock represents and remember its lasting impact on music, culture, and the quest for social change.
Join us throughout the next few days in revisiting the magic of Woodstock and celebrating its enduring legacy!
What's Happening: Wednesday, August 14
2 PM: Opening Reception: “The Folks Who Made the Festival” – Crossroads Gallery
Join The Museum at Bethel Woods for a wine reception as we unveil the new Crossroads Gallery exhibit, “The Folks Who Made the Festival,” featuring life-sized photo representations of the people who made Woodstock happen – or at least the people who Henry Diltz took pictures of. Some of these icons might be with us, so don’t miss this opportunity to meet them. The opening reception will be followed by an interview with Henry Diltz on how he became the official Woodstock photographer and his experiences with the people who worked to create the festival.
3 PM: Free Stage Interview with Henry Diltz – Special Exhibit Gallery
Following the opening reception for the new exhibit, “The Folks Who Made the Festival,” please join our host Rona Elliot for an intimate interview with Henry Diltz on how he came to become the official Woodstock photographer and his experiences with the people who worked to create the festival. Following the interview, there will be a Q&A where you can become the interviewer and ask Henry your questions!
4:30 PM: Happy Hour Meet and Greet with Henry Diltz – Special Exhibit Gallery
Join us for a brief meet and greet with Henry Diltz where you can purchase an original signed Henry Diltz photo. Have a drink. Meet with several iconic Woodstock figures. And begin a magical night of song and dance.
5 PM: Horizon Happy Hour with Juma Sultan and the Aboriginal Music Society – Market Shed 1
It’s the second Wednesday of the month, and it’s Horizon Happy Hour! Come to Market Shed 2 and experience the amazing eclectic jazz rhythms of Juma Sultan and the Aboriginal Music Society. Juma performed with Jimi Hendrix at the original 1969 Woodstock festival and is returning to the Horizon Happy Hour as one of our favorite performances from last year. In addition to Juma, enjoy the sounds of Laszlo Lang. And it’s Happy Hour, so have a drink; have some food. Admission is free!
What's Happening: Thursday, August 15
5:07 PM: 5:07 Moment of Silence Memorial – Peace Overlook
At 5:07pm, we will strike the gong and once again remember those we have lost in 2024. This year will hold the memories of several iconic individuals, including our own Wade Lawrence, who was the founding director of The Museum at Bethel Woods. There will be a 5:07 reception in Market Shed 1 following the ceremony.
6:30 PM: Henry Diltz: The Official Woodstock Photographer – Event Gallery
Join your friends and fellow Woodstock alumni as Henry Diltz shares the photographs and stories of his Woodstock memories and other iconic photographs he shot in the 1960s.. Henry began his career as a photographer shooting pictures of 1960s folk-rock stars. He was also a chief photographer of many of the most iconic rock music festivals including Woodstock, the Monterey Pop Festival, and the Miami Pop Festival.
What's Happening: Friday, August 16
11 AM - 3 PM: John Kane: Pilgrims of Woodstock – Museum Lobby
Meet John Kane, the author of Pilgrims of Woodstock. Buy a book and have the author sign it. The book details the intimate photos by photojournalist Richard F. Bellak of the Woodstock festival’s attendees celebrating peace, love, and rock and roll.
What's Happening: Saturday, August 17
10 PM - 3 PM: Oral History Pop-Up at Kauneonga Lake Farmers Market
In partnership with the Borscht Belt Marker Project, the Museum at Bethel Woods’ oral history team will host a program to collect local stories. Did you grow up in the area? Visit one of the nearby resorts or bungalow colonies? Do you remember Woodstock? Join us at the Kauneonga Lake Farmer’s market to enjoy the reveal of a new Borscht Belt marker and sit down with Museum curators to share your stories of life in the Catskills during the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s.
11 AM - 3 PM: Bill Hanley and John Kane: The Last Seat in the House: The Story of Hanley Sound – Museum Lobby.
Meet Bill Hanley, the creator of the Woodstock sound system that made the festival a success. Buy a copy of the book and have it signed by both Bill Hanley and the author, John Kane.
11 AM - 4 PM: Main Gate Tours; 60-minute Golf Cart Tour of grounds; $10 – Meet in the Museum Lobby
Take a golf cart tour of the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock festival. Discover where the art fair took place and where the original Main Gate was located. Travel down the Gentle Path, which is the newest historic preservation project on the site. Hear about new research and see never-before-seen photos of the Bindy Bazaar. Today only, this tour is specially priced and is being offered all day.
4 PM - 5 PM: Scott Parker live podcast – Special Exhibit Gallery.
Scott Parker, host of the Woodstock-themed podcast “Keep the Dream Flowing” will be on-site – and he wants to talk to you! Join Scott and curators from the Museum at Bethel Woods as they discuss the coolest parts of keeping Woodstock alive and why we need to keep the dream flowing. Then, let us know what you think! The recording will be featured as an episode of “Keep the Dream Flowing.”
What's Happening: Sunday, August 18
3 PM: Our House: The Music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – Event Gallery (First show)
An unparalleled musical experience as "OUR HOUSE: The Music of CSNY" assembles to perform the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young repertoire with an extraordinary ensemble of FAMILY & FRIENDS. What sets this apart is the stellar, historic lineup, featuring legendary CSNY photographer Henry Diltz with CSNY recording engineer Stephen Barncard spinning 'Tall Tales' that can be heard nowhere else except on this tour!
8 PM: Our House: The Music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – Event Gallery (First show)
An unparalleled musical experience as "OUR HOUSE: The Music of CSNY" assembles to perform the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young repertoire with an extraordinary ensemble of FAMILY & FRIENDS. What sets this apart is the stellar, historic lineup, featuring legendary CSNY photographer Henry Diltz with CSNY recording engineer Stephen Barncard spinning 'Tall Tales' that can be heard nowhere else except on this tour!