As the last rays of daylight slip behind the ridgelines of the Sullivan Catskills and warm days fade into cool summer nights, something subtle yet profound begins to stir and the region comes alive in an entirely new way. The air takes on a buzzing energy, filled with anticipation and the soft chorus of night sounds. Whether you’re marveling over a headliner at Bethel Woods, losing yourself in a story sung at the Forestburgh Playhouse, or stumbling upon one of our spirited small towns, the region after dark invites you to find your rhythm. Moonlight drapes across winding waterways, the scent of wildflowers lingers in the air, and there’s a quiet thrill that whispers: summer in the Sullivan Catskills is nothing short of special.
The Pulse of Catskills Summer Nights: Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Whether you’re getting comfortable in a seat to enjoy your experience or spreading a blanket across the lawn, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts feels like a surreal escape. In a region where rolling hills and winding rivers quietly lay, finding a stage that has been graced with legends and iconic performances to its caliber feels almost unexpected. Here, music and the past come together to create new magical memories, echoing the legendary events of the past. Tailgate parties fill the air with laughter, and as the first notes ring out, thousands of souls are lifted in song, echoing through the rolling hills of the sight of the 1969 Woodstock Festival. Each summer season, attendees can expect a catalog of artists spanning several genres. Whether your interest is rock, pop or even comedy, there’s a song for everyone to sing along to here. The 2025 season features performances from Avril Lavigne, Def Leppard, Dierks Bently, Bonnie Raitt and much more.
Beyond the stage, the Bethel Woods Museum stands even on nights when the music isn’t playing, offering a chance to honor the history of this space. This year, the museum unveiled a special exhibit: How Bazaar: Arts, Crafts and Camping at Woodstock, which showcases the iconic Bindy Bazaar marketplace, featuring firsthand oral accounts from those who were present for those three days of peace, love and music. For those who don’t want the magic to end when the music stops, camping at Bethel Woods offers a chance to stay a little longer. Whether you’re pitching a tent, glamping, or rolling into the Historic Campground with your RV, there are so many magical extensions to the experience at Bethel Woods.
Intimate Theater: The Forestburgh Playhouse
Down a tree lined path you’ll come across The Forestburgh Playhouse, an iconic theater that has livened quiet Catskills nights in the woods with Broadway caliber performances since 1947. Founded by John Grahame and Alexander Maissel, two visionaries who previously leased the legendary Provincetown Playhouse in Greenwich Village, the Playhouse began as a summer home for the Provincetown Repertory Company. Transformed from a farm on the property, this space quickly became a cherished spot for performers. For the first 25 years of its life, the Playhouse operated as a school and a theater, and in the following decades this sanctuary persevered through change and challenge fueled by one of the most significant attributes, a passionate leader. Since 2014, the Forestburgh Playhouse’s passionate leader is none other than current owner and Producing Artistic Director Franklin Trapp who was once a resident company member turned practicing attorney at the world’s largest law firm in Atlanta, Georgia. Franklin knew he couldn’t pass up returning to the Playhouse to preserve and elevate the historic charm it has carried for decades.
Tucked in the hollow belly of the theatre lies the stage; its intimate setting creating an unforgettable connection between the audience and cast members. From musicals like Newsies and Head Over Heels that make you want to sing along, to plays like Boeing Boeing and The Cottage that make you laugh long after the curtain closes; every performance carries that special theatre magic you would expect from a Broadway show, only in a more up-close and personal environment. Beyond the building, you can step into the peaceful garden to grab a quick drink, have a chat or simply soak in the special place you find yourself in. From Tuesday to Sunday, you can head to the Forestburgh Tavern next door to enjoy a Dinner Cabaret before your show, or as a solo endeavor. Enjoy delicious food and refreshing drinks before performances from cast members that include music by crowd favorites like Madonna, Billy Joel and The Bee Gees. Then in October, The Rocky Horror Picture Show arrives every Friday night at the Tavern. Rest assured, here you’ll find yourself in a theater where there is truly not one bad seat in the house.
All-Inclusive Evenings: Villa Roma Resort and Conference Center
As the stars twinkle over the hills of Callicoon, the Villa Roma Resort and Conference Center beams with a familiar glow, one that has welcomed generations of guests seeking relaxation, entertainment and comfort. What began nearly 60 years ago as a quaint boarding house of just 46 rooms, 10 cottages, and a modest pool has blossomed into a treasured Catskills destination. In 1969, Marty Passante and some friends saw true potential in the quiet charm of the property and set out to transform it into a year-round retreat. Their vision soon became reality as the Villa Roma has since added an 18-hole golf course, a catalog of family friendly entertainment and various athletic and entertainment facilities, cementing its place in the hearts of visitors and locals alike.
As of 2024, the Villa Roma is under the ownership of Faye Hospitality Catskills, LLC and is actively entering a new chapter that honors the past while evolving for the future. The resort continues to be a living, breathing embodiment of Catskills hospitality: resilient, radiant, and real. At night, the magic only deepens. The rhythm of live music, comedy, and dancing spills into the lounges and dining rooms. Dance floors pulse with laughter and movement. From delicious dinners to impromptu singalongs, nearly every evening at Villa Roma offers a chance to celebrate the moment, as well as one another.
Through seasons, generations, and the ever-changing pace of life, Villa Roma has remained a familiar heartbeat in the changing rhythms of the Catskills. This is a place where memories are born and then revisited over dinner, joy is continuous, and families return year after year. The Villa Roma is a direct reflection of the Catskills’ resilient spirit, a rooted place where guests can recharge, reconnect, and return to what’s real. And as it steps into a new chapter of revitalization with care, Villa Roma carries forward not only its legacy, but the enduring rhythm of the Sullivan Catskills itself.
Rhythms of the Night: Local Bars & Breweries
In the Sullivan Catskills, local bars and breweries offer more than just a drink; they offer a sense of community, a toast to local character and an invitation to unwind. At Catskill Brewery in Livingston Manor, sustainability is at the heart of every drink. They use locally sourced hops, grains and pure Catskills water to reflect the region’s robust agricultural heritage, all inside their Gold LEED certified building. Outside there is a lively beer garden where well-behaved dogs are welcome to join their owners, as well as a food truck parked outside for some delicious late-night bites. Just down the road, Upward Brewing Company blends flavor with gorgeous scenery. This microbrewery is attached to a public tasting room and food counter, boasting an additional 120 acres of ground for outdoor activities on those warm summer nights. Upward Brewing Company becomes a rallying spot for people looking to enjoy their night, bringing together locals and visitors alike. In Roscoe, Do Good Spirits is a must visit as a self-made distillery that has developed quite a name for itself. Sitting in an old firehouse, you’ll find yourself surrounded by unhurried energy and constant conversation buzzing. It’s the kind of place where neighbors toast to the weekend, travelers find unexpected community, and laughter carries easily through the open room. Of course, what fills your glass matters too. Do Good’s lineup of spirits, from their clean, crisp Bootlegger Vodka made from 100% corn to their barrel-aged gin rich with warm vanilla notes, are all crafted with Catskill water and undeniable care. You can’t leave without trying their delicious Bourbon Cream, made from all local ingredients; maple syrup, cream, and bourbon distilled with Catskills water. For those seeking something a bit more offbeat, The Dale in Mountaindale is a low-lit hideaway where creative cocktails, live music and delicious food blend to create a magical atmosphere. Conversations here are born under the glimmer of the lights strewn about the interior and seem inevitable amongst the air of familiarity here. These places remind you that nightlife in the Catskills is a journey worth lingering in—rooted in place, pulsing with life, and always just a little bit unexpected.
Nightfall in the Sullivan Catskills doesn’t signal an end to the good times; it signifies a transformation. As stars twinkle across the sky and music echoes through the trees, the region comes alive in a different way. Whether you’re stargazing, enjoying your favorite artist at Bethel Woods, applauding the final bows at the Forestburgh Playhouse, singing along to a band at the Dale or enjoying a good time out with friends, there’s an unmistakable rhythm to the night that is grounding and passionate. It hums to the tune of creativity, connection and pure joy; reminding you that even though the sun sets, there is still magic to be found in the Sullivan Catskills after dark.
