Where history, music and art converge
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is rooted in the rich soil where the legendary Woodstock Music & Arts Festival took place in 1969. Its lush 1,000-acre campus includes an amphitheater, event gallery, campground and conservatory and studios for arts education. At the heart of the center is the award-winning Museum of Bethel Woods where the history, spirit and soul of the 1960s continues to inspire those born every year after.
Whether you’ve ever worn tie-dye or listened to Hendrix, Bethel Woods is more than the story of a temporary concert venue erected on a graceful green hillside where a generation of hippies danced together in the rain. It’s about understanding the feeling of those things. It’s about feeling that energy, learning from one another through music and art, discovering your own sense of self and being fully present in the moment.
Go back to Yasgur’s Farm
A visit to the museum takes you through the stories of those who were actually at Woodstock with films, artifacts, photos and even a hippie bus. But to truly get a sense of it, take a tour of the property. The Main Gate Tour, for example, passes through the Bindy Bazaar, the site of the intended main entrance, and lets you stand in the exact spots where never-before-seen photos of Woodstock were taken.
For the ultimate experience, spend a night camping on the historic Woodstock grounds. Whether you pitch a tent, upgrade to glamping or arrive in a camper or RV, sleeping under the notes of history is something unforgettable.
Peace, love & holiday festivals
Bethel Woods also hosts several family-friendly festivals that showcase the Catskills’ seasonal charm. In October, Peace Love & Pumpkins fills the garden trails with thousands of hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns in funky, and sometimes spooky, themes. From late November through December, Peace Love & Lights transforms the venue into a magical wonderland, with a 1.7-mile light show enjoyed from the comfort of your vehicle. Earlier in the fall, the annual Harvest Festival celebrates local farms, artisans and live music—an authentic taste of Catskills culture and community spirit.
No matter how or when you visit Bethel Woods, the music, art and history are sure to stay with you, echoing long after you leave and calling you back to share the experience with friends.
