New York State Hops & Harvest Festival
When and Where
Date and Time
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Address
Cost
About this event
Celebrate the best of the autumn season at the Hops & Harvest Festival, an energetic evening that pairs the vibrant spirit of upstate New York’s harvest with an incredible selection of bold, flavorful craft beers from the state’s most innovative breweries. Packed with live American roots music, giant lawn games, and festive competitions, it’s the ultimate way to welcome the fall season on the Plaza.
Here is everything you need to know for this year's festival:
Hops & Harvest Festival
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 | 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Cost: FREE Admission
- Location: Empire State Plaza
- The Highlights: A stellar lineup of New York craft brews, giant Jenga, competitive cornhole, and the fan-favorite Pie-Eating Contest hosted by Steve Barnes, the Times Union’s premier restaurant columnist and theater critic.
Event & Concert Lineup
The festival features a dynamic multi-stage setup bringing you some of the finest bluegrass, roots, and jam music in the country.
Schedule of Events
- 5:30 p.m. | Wyatt Ellis (Main Stage)
- 6:30 p.m. | Bronwyn (B Stage, East Patio)
- 7:30 p.m. | Pie-Eating Contest with Steve Barnes (West Patio)
- 7:45 p.m. | Leftover Salmon (Main Stage)
About the Artists
Headliner: Leftover Salmon
For 35 years, Leftover Salmon has been a massive force in American music, earning their stripes as true pioneers of the modern jamband scene. Emerging as a progressive bluegrass outfit fearless enough to add drums and mix in highly combustible styles, they bridge the gap between traditional music of the past and forward-thinking, genre-bending improvisation. They remain a massive influence on the festival circuit, bringing unmatched energy and fun to every stage they touch.
Featured Artist: Bronwyn
A celebrated instrumentalist, bandleader, and frontwoman, Bronwyn is a Grammy-winner and two-time IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year. When she isn't touring the country with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, she is fronting her own acclaimed solo work. Chart-topping singles like "Can't Live Without Love" and "Trip Around The Sun" showcase why she is one of the most respected fiddle players in bluegrass today.
Gather your friends, grab a local brew, and settle in for a fantastic night of incredible picking, soaring fiddle tunes, and harvest-time fun!
Other events you may like
Event times and information subject to change and not guaranteed.