Still looking for some out-of-the-box Fourth of July weekend plans? Well, your search is over.
The Ellicottville Summer Music Festival returns in 2026 with performances each evening slopeside at Holiday Valley Ski Resort from July 3-5.
The event has a history going back more than 30 years and is one of the many reasons why a visit during the so-called summer “off-season” is worth the hour-long drive from Buffalo, says Barb Pump, Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce executive director.
“There’s just so much going on during the green season,” she says. “We’ve actually seen an uptick in visitors over the years; ski season is number one, but our green season is attracting so many more people.”
The bands this year trend heavily toward covers of all kinds, from ’80s hair rock and new wave (Hair Nation and Nerds Gone Wild) to The Beatles (The Fab Four) and The Killers (Mr. Brightside). Sunday will highlight local talent, including singer-songwriter and “The Voice” finalist Cami Clune and SUNY University at Buffalo alum and alt-rocker Max Muscato. The weekend ends with a fireworks show.
The goal? Deliver a fun, family-friendly and affordable special occasion that appeals to any and all Western New Yorkers. Parking at the ski resort is free, as are tickets for kids 12 and under. There will be food and drink vendors available, but concertgoers are welcome to bring their own snacks, packed coolers and chairs, if desired.
“You don’t see too many venues offering that nowadays,” Barb says.
Most attendees make a weekend of it, though there are individual Friday, Saturday or Sunday tickets available. The local lodging options cater to all types of stays, whether you want to stay at a bed and breakfast or hotel room in the village or onsite at a Holiday Valley room, chalet or condo.
With the concerts in the evenings, that leaves the long summer days open to exploring everything else Ellicottville has to offer, from shopping to eating to strolling Main Street. Everything is in a four-block radius, and there’s something for every budget, from pub favorites to fine dining, window shopping to one-of-a-kind boutique splurges.
And don’t forget the warm weather offerings of Holiday Valley (golf, swimming, Sky High Adventure Park, scenic lift rides) and HoliMont (hiking and mountain biking), just 5 minutes down the road.
“There’s so much diversity in everything that happens in Ellicottville,” Barb says. “That’s something that we’re trying to showcase even more.”
