New – Friday General Admission is Free
20-plus acts, 30-plus whiskey distillers
In-person presale tickets on sale Thursday, April 9
ROCHESTER, N.Y.—April 7, 2026—Sean McCarthy and Tommy Brunett, organizers of Hoochenanny Festival, presented by IDE Family of Dealerships, announced today the 2026 music lineup and ticket details for the three-day event, including free general admission on Friday, Aug. 14.
The festival will feature 20 music acts, more than 30 whiskey distillers, an expanded footprint with two stages, six custom-built tented experiences, private hospitality spaces, food trucks and artisan vendors.
The festival takes place Friday, Aug. 14, through Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, at Center Park West in the Town of Perinton, Fairport, New York. Live music will be presented across two stages, alongside immersive whiskey experiences including tastings, craft cocktails, rare pours and fireside chats featuring industry experts and distillers.
Tickets go on sale at the lowest prices at an in-person presale Thursday, April 9, through Sunday, April 12, followed by early-bird online sales beginning Monday, April 13.
Festival grounds will be open Friday, Aug. 14, from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15, from 2 to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 16, from 2 to 10 p.m.
The 2026 festival marks a move to Perinton, which offers a larger setting for the growing event and the opportunity to forge ties with the Fairport and Perinton business communities. Organizers are working closely with town staff to prepare for a successful festival weekend.
More than 8,000 people from 30-plus U.S. states and Canada attended the 2025 festival.
Note to editors: The updated Hoochenanny Festival brand logo is available for download in the news section at hoochenanny.com.
Music Lineup
The 2026 festival will deliver a dynamic mix of alternative, rock, indie and genre-bending artists across three days.
- Friday, Aug. 14: Lit, Toadies, Cracker, Rudy Nuño & The Broadcasters
- Saturday, Aug. 15: My Morning Jacket, Guster, Tommy Brunett’s All-Star Cavalcade of Scoundrels, Grace Bowers
- Sunday, Aug. 16: Modest Mouse, Joywave, Amigo the Devil, Karina Rykman
Regional acts will be announced at a later date.
Festival Ticket Information
Tickets will be available at the lowest prices during a presale from April 9 through April 12, offered in person only at two locations. Presale hours at McCarthy Tents and Events, 80 Sovran Dr., Webster, are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 9 and 10. At Iron Smoke Distillery, 111 Parce Ave., Fairport, hours are 4 to 8 p.m. on April 9 and 10, noon to 8 p.m. on April 11 and 2 to 7 p.m. on April 12. Cash and credit are accepted, with no convenience fees.
Early-bird online sales run from April 13 through May 10 11:59 p.m. ET. Advance on-sale begins May 11 at midnight, with day-of-show tickets available Aug. 14 to 16. Hoochenanny Festival offers three ticket tiers: General Admission, GA+ and VIP.
Festivalgoers who purchase tickets during the presale and early-bird period can secure the lowest prices, with additional savings on fees available through in-person presale purchases.
Hoochenanny Festival offers three ticket tiers: General Admission, GA+ and VIP.
General admission (GA) – General admission tickets include access to live performances, food, drinks, shopping and more. Friday admission is free. Early bird one, two, or three-day passes, prices are $0 to $130 plus fees and taxes.
GA+ – Includes access to the World of Whiskey tasting experience, dedicated lounge area, upgraded restrooms and premium viewing area. Early bird one, two, or three-day passes, prices are $40 to $190 plus fees and taxes.
VIP – Includes access to access to the World of Whiskey tasting experience, a two-story hospitality space with lounge seating, dedicated food options, a full-service bar, exclusive whiskey tastings, complimentary parking, upgraded restrooms and premium viewing area. Early bird one, two, or three-day passes, prices are $125 to $405 plus fees and taxes.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit hoochenanny.com.
Whiskey Lineup
The World of Whiskey tasting experience will feature approximately 30 national, regional, and local distilleries inside a 13,500-square-foot tent, with sampling stations, educational sessions, and opportunities to meet the makers behind the brands. Access is available to GA+ and VIP ticket holders age 21 and older.
Participating distilleries include: Iron Smoke Distillery, Bubba’s Whiskey, Nashville Barrel Company, Nastucky Whiskey Co., Michter’s, Jefferson’s Bourbon, Battle Rattle, Birdseye Hollow Farm & Distillery, Do Good Spirits, Hudson House Distillery, Old Scotland Road Distillery, Saint Lawrence Spirits, Smokin’ Tails Distillery and Taconic Distillery. Many more distilleries will be announced soon.
Inside the World of Whiskey tent, the five tasting areas include Rickhouse Rendezvous, a New York State Distillers Guild experience highlighting Empire State distillers; American Whiskey Journey, showcasing whiskey-producing regions across the country; the Rarities Bar, featuring limited and specialty pours; the Libations Lounge, offering craft cocktails; and Bourbon Broadcast and Fireside Chats with industry experts, distillers and whiskey media personalities, with a schedule to be announced.
Expanded Festival Experiences
The 2026 festival will feature an expanded range of experiences, including two performance stages, premium hospitality spaces, beverage experiences, food vendors and artisan shopping.
The High Ball Stage presented by Premium Mortgage will feature national headliners, and the Fermenter Stage presented by Harv’s Harley-Davidson will showcase national, regional and local acts in an amphitheater setting.
Premium hospitality options include the VIP Loft Double Decker, a two-story tent with catering, lounge seating, a cigar bar, exclusive whiskey tastings and elevated views of the main stage, along with upgraded restroom amenities and access to a VIP viewing bridge.
Private hospitality spaces are available for groups, with packages that include event tickets and optional catering add-ons. For details, email info@hoochenanny.com.
The Concert Pavilion offers a covered space with seating, lounge areas and a large bar serving beer, wine and seltzer, along with festival and band merchandise.
The GA+ Stageview Lounge provides a dedicated viewing area with patio-style seating and a cash bar for GA+ ticket holders.
Additional experiences include Lager Land, featuring a selection of Northeast craft beers; the Barrel Bistro, a collection of food trucks and vendors with shaded seating; and the Artisans Bazaar, showcasing handcrafted goods from local makers. Applications for Artisans Bazaar vendors are now open.
Call for bands open
Hoochenanny Festival is inviting musicians from the Rochester region to apply for an opportunity to perform as part of the 2026 lineup. Applications are open through April 30 and can be submitted online by visiting hoochenanny.com.
Artisans Bazaar vendor applications open
Vendors wishing to participate in the Artisans Bazaar, which will feature handcrafted goods from local and regional makers, may apply now at hoochenanny.com.
Whiskey auction returns in 2026 to support community partnerships
Hoochenanny Festival is partnering with Make-A-Wish, Friends of Perinton Recreation and the Lou Gramm Foundation, and will host its second annual Hoochenanny Whiskey Auction beginning Friday, Aug. 14. The online auction will feature rare and collectible bottles, with a curated selection available for in-person viewing during the festival weekend. More than $30,000 was raised in 2025, with proceeds supporting the festival’s nonprofit partners. Auction items will be accepted now through August 7. Those interested in donating may contact info@hoochenanny.com.
Parking
Parking will be available on-site, with a limited number of spaces at the Perinton Community Center and Town Hall lots off Turk Hill Rd. for $15 per car. There will also be a free overflow lot within walking distance at Center Park East off Ayrault Rd., along with free shuttle service from Fairport High School and Martha Brown Middle School.
Quotables
“We’re thrilled to be back and to bring Hoochenanny to our new home in Perinton,” said Sean McCarthy, co-owner of Hoochenanny. “With the addition of free general admission on Friday and an incredible music and whiskey lineup, this year is all about elevating the overall experience for our guests. We’re especially grateful to our partners and sponsors whose continued support helps make Hoochenanny possible and allows us to deliver something truly special for the community.”
“We built Hoochenanny for people who live for cultivating the uncommon, those chasing something a little different,” said Tommy Brunett, co-founder and co-owner of Hoochenanny. “It is where great music, art, serious craftsmanship come together, and every year we push it further. Perinton gives us the space to do that, allowing Hoochenanny to be more than a weekend. It is a boost for local businesses, a spotlight on the region and a chance to bring thousands of people together in a positive and meaningful way. We are proud to partner with Perinton and Fairport to create something that brings real energy and lasting impact to the community.”
“We’re excited to welcome the Hoochenanny Festival to Center Park West for its first year here in the Town of Perinton,” said Perinton Town Supervisor Jenn Townsend. “It’s especially meaningful that this event was created by a Perinton resident and a Fairport business owner who care deeply about our community. The festival is expected to draw visitors from across the region, supporting local businesses while also giving back through donations to local Fairport charities. Residents and visitors are invited to experience the festival and all that Perinton has to offer.”
“IDE is proud to support an event that brings people together while highlighting local businesses and creating meaningful shared experiences. The festival reflects IDE’s commitment to celebrating craftsmanship, creativity and a distinctive spirit that closely aligns with our values,” said Rich Ide, vice president of IDE Family of Dealerships.
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About the Hoochenanny Festival
The Hoochenanny Festival is a high-energy celebration of American craftsmanship, blending world-class whiskey with a powerhouse music lineup. Celebrating its third year, the festival will be held from August 14 to 16, 2026 at the Town of Perinton’s Center Park West in Fairport, N.Y. The festival has expanded to bring together tastemakers, storytellers, and music lovers for three days of whiskey, live performances, and immersive experiences. Guests can enjoy whiskey tastings, craft cocktails and curated events in six custom-built tent structures. The music lineup will feature international, national and regional artists spanning Americana, rock, alternative, punk and rockabilly. This year’s whiskey programming will showcase top spirits from national and regional distilleries. The festival is owned by Tommy Brunett and Sean McCarthy.