News

Electric City SummerFest 2026 to Debut in Downtown Schenectady in May

Electric City SummerFest 2026, presented by Bosch, will debut this summer as a free weekly outdoor concert series bringing national and regional acts to Downtown Schenectady. Hosted by the City of Schenectady, and in partnership with Discover Schenectady and the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp. (DSIC), the inaugural series will take place every Thursday evening from May 28 through July 30, with no event scheduled for July 2.

“Electric City SummerFest is exactly the kind of event that brings our community together and showcases the best of Schenectady,” said Mayor Gary McCarthy. “It creates a vibrant, welcoming space for families and visitors while supporting our local businesses and nonprofit organizations. We’re proud to see this new tradition take shape in our downtown.”

 The series will transform the parking lot at the corner of Broadway & Liberty Street into a vibrant community gathering space featuring live music, local vendors, family-friendly activities, and support for area nonprofits.

Each Thursday night begins at 5:30 p.m. and will feature a curated vendor market, a kid’s zone, and food and drink specials from local downtown restaurants and bars. The event also supports five local charity beneficiaries, with $1 from every drink purchased donated to rotating nonprofits, facilitated by Centre Street Pub, Vice & Virtue, and 20 North Broadway.

“This concert series reflects the continued growth of events and entertainment across Schenectady County,” said Gary Hughes, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature. “It will create opportunities for connection, support local businesses and vendors, and help grow the County’s reputation as a destination for arts and culture in the Capital Region and beyond.”

A Summer of Live Music

The Electric City SummerFest 2026 lineup features a mix of tribute acts, regional favorites, and high-energy performances, including:

May 28 – The Wheel (Grateful Dead Tribute) SCAP
June 4 – The Seven Wonders (Fleetwood Mac Tribute) Umbrella
June 11 – Big Sky Country (Country) Schenectady City Mission
June 18 – Ten Most Wanted (Rock × Funk) Umbrella
June 25 – Prince Bowie (Prince × David Bowie Tribute) SCAP
July 9 – Chris Sanders (Blues & Country) Schenectady Firefighters Cancer Foundation

More to be announced soon!