The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) is a large, outdoor amphitheater located in Saratoga Springs, NY, on the grounds of the Saratoga Spa State Park. It presents summertime performances of classical music, jazz, pop and rock, country, comedy, dance and opera as well as a Wine & Food Festival.
Home of the New York City Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra, SPAC hosts the summer concert series put on by Live Nation and also serves as the venue for local high school graduations, and Skidmore College commencement.
The classical arts presentations are supported by the income generated from the Live Nation rock and pop concerts.
Tickets can be purchased for most events for both inside the amphitheater, as well as “lawn tickets” outside the amphitheater.
Screens set up on the outside of the amphitheater allow all lawn ticket holders to see the show despite not being inside the venue. The sound on the lawn is just as spectacular as if you were sitting inside enjoying the show.
If you have lawn tickets, you can bring your own chair, rent one onsite, bring a blanket to spread out to sit on or simply stand anywhere on the lawn.
There are numerous concessions at SPAC during the shows, including food, beer, and some liquor.
Upcoming Summertime SPAC Events:
- The Philadelphia Orchestra
- The NYC Ballet
- LIVE Nation Concert Series
- Local high school and college graduations
- Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival
- Opera Saratoga
SPAC is known for being one of the best outdoor venues in the world and also has a rich history of famous performers.
On July 9, 1966, SPAC’s opening performance was a presentation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by the New York City Ballet.
In 1967, Harry Belafonte was the first non classical performer to perform in SPAC.
On September 1, 1968 The Doors gave a performance at SPAC, which began a trend, that continues to this day, of bringing top pop and rock acts to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Whitney Houston recorded her televised performance of “I wanna dance with somebody” as well as the official music video for “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” on stage in 1987.
In 1985, 40,233 people showed up to see The Grateful Dead perform at SPAC which was the largest attendance in its history.
Dave Matthews Band has performed a total of 39 shows at the venue to date, and has recorded the live album Live Trax 11 at the venue in 2000. They are also the band that has sold out more concerts than any other artist at the venue, with eleven.
Popular local rock band, Phish has played the venue 20 times beginning in 1992.
SPAC 2022 Summer Concert Series Schedule:
- June 2 – Zac Brown Band
- June 11 – Train
- June 19 – Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
- June 21 – Steely Dan
- June 25-26 – Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival
- June 29-30 – Opera Saratoga, Sweeny Todd
- July 2 – Josh Groban
- July 3 – Tedeschi Trucks Band
- July 6 – Dead & Company
- July 7 – Morgan Wallen with special guest Hardy
- July 8-9 – Dave Matthews Band
- July 10 – Chamber Musical Society of Lincoln Center
- July 11 – A Choreographer’s Feast
- July 12-16 – New York City Ballet
- July 17 – Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
- July 17 – Chicago and Brian Wilson
- July 19 – Foo Fighters (cancelled due to death of drummer, Taylor Hawkins)
- July 20 – The Black Keys
- July 22 – Rod Stewart
- July 23 – Backstreet Boys
- July 24 – Steve Miller Band
- July 27-31 – The Philadelphia Orchestra
- August 1 – Norah Jones
- August 2 – Kidz Bop Live
- August 3-6 – The Philadelphia Orchestra
- August 7 – Brit Floyd
- August 10-13 – The Philadelphia Orchestra
- August 14 – Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
- August 14 – Luke Bryan
- August 17 – REO Speedwagon & Styx
- August 18 – The Beach Boys
- August 19 – The Goo Goo Dolls
- August 20 – Bill Burr
- August 21 – Dispatch & O.A.R.
- August 23 – Wiz Khalifa & Logic
- August 25 – Joe Russo’s Almost Dead
- August 26 – Chris Stapleton
- September 7 – Sting
- September 14 – Shinedown
- September 16 – Jason Aldean
- September 18 – Outlaw Music Festival (Willie Nelson, The Avett Bros, Billy Strings, Larkin Poe, Brittney Spencer)