Great Blue Heron Festival (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
If you’re searching for a laid-back, rootsy music festival that feels more like a big backyard gathering than a commercial mega-show, the Great Blue Heron Music Festival is your ticket. Tucked away on the rolling, wooded grounds of The Heron Farm & Event Center in Sherman, New York, this beloved festival has been bringing good music and great people together for over three decades.
When & Where
Mark your calendar: July 4–6, 2025. That’s when the Heron’s fields come alive with campers, dancers, drummers, and music fans of all ages. It’s about a 2.5-hour drive from Buffalo, nestled in New York’s Chautauqua-Allegheny region — known for its beautiful countryside and friendly small towns.
Three Stages, Dozens of Bands
One thing regulars love about the Heron is its eclectic lineup. Expect an upbeat mix of Americana, zydeco, funk, bluegrass, reggae, roots rock, folk, and even a bit of world music. For 2025, the festival will feature around 36 bands across three stages: the Main Stage (newly renamed David’s Stage in honour of co-founder David Tidquist), the Dance Tent, and the Tiger Maple Stage.
Fan favourites like Donna the Buffalo return alongside exciting newcomers such as Andy Frasco & the UN, Beats Antique, The Dustbowl Revival, and The Rumble featuring Big Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. Whether you’re up front dancing or lounging on a blanket, the good vibes never stop.
Camping & Creature Comforts
The Heron keeps things comfortable for campers. There are clean bathhouses, fresh water stations, a farm store for essentials, and camping spots for tents, RVs, and even quiet areas if you need a break from the all-night drum beats. Parking is well-organized with colour-coded lots, and friendly volunteers are always around to help.
A Festival with Heart
Sure, you’ll come for the bands, but you’ll stay for the community feel. Kids and teens have plenty to do — from nature workshops to drum circles. Adults can join yoga classes, instrument workshops, or simply hang out at the spring-fed pond. There’s also a lively craft market, tasty local food trucks, late-night jams, and the iconic drum circle that lights up the forest every night.
Since its first notes rang out in 1992, the Great Blue Heron Festival has stayed true to its roots. It is locally run, volunteer-driven, and deeply connected to its community. The festival is intentionally kept small enough to feel intimate but big enough to keep you dancing all weekend.
This summer, join the flock, make new friends, and celebrate music under the stars at one of Western New York’s most cherished summer traditions.
For tickets, camping passes, and this year’s full lineup, visit greatblueheron.com.
If you’d like, I can also help craft a short FAQ or packing list for festival-goers — just say the word!
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