Final In-Person Pass Sale Set for Friday, May 8
Early-Bird Pricing Available Through Sunday, May 10
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — May 7, 2026 — Hoochenanny Festival is turning up the volume with ten regional bands joining this year’s expanded lineup, bringing fresh energy, hometown pride and unforgettable live performances to the stages at Center Park West in Fairport, New York.
The newly announced regional lineup includes:
- Friday, August 14: Losers Club, Prophets & Thieves
- Saturday, August 15: Smilo and the Ghost, The Isotopes, Ocular Panther, Candy
- Sunday, August 16: Drew Kiddoo and The Blackouts, Head to the Roots, Public Water Supply, The Beard and The Bird
“One of the things we’re most proud of at Hoochenanny is being able to showcase regional artists alongside national touring acts,” said Sean McCarthy, festival co-founder. “The response from Rochester and the surrounding region this year was incredible. We received more than 150 applications from bands wanting to be part of the festival, which made the selection process extremely difficult. There’s so much talent in this scene right now, and we’re excited to give these artists a stage at Center Park West and let festivalgoers discover some amazing bands this summer.”
“Hoochenanny was built for the bands that know how to shake the dust off the walls and stir the soul,” said Tommy Brunett, festival co-founder. ““The excitement around Hoochenanny this year damn near knocked us over. There’s a fire burning in Rochester’s music scene right now, and you can hear it in every one of these artists.”
Festival organizers also announced one final in-person ticket sale on Friday, May 8. Fans can purchase tickets in person without paying convenience fees from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at McCarthy Tents & Events, 80 Sovran Dr., Webster, and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Iron Smoke Distillery, 111 Parce Ave., Fairport.
Tickets are on sale now at hoochenanny.com/passes, with early-bird pricing available through Sunday, May 10.
Hoochenanny Festival takes place Friday, Aug. 14, through Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, at Center Park West in the Town of Perinton, Fairport, New York. It will feature 22 music acts, more than 30 whiskey distillers, two stages, six custom-built tented experiences, private hospitality spaces, food trucks and artisan vendors. More than 8,000 people from over 30 U.S. states and Canada attended the 2025 festival.
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, Losers Club, Prophets & Thieves
Saturday, Aug. 15: My Morning Jacket, Guster, Tommy Brunett’s All-Star Cavalcade of Scoundrels, Grace Bowers, Smilo and the Ghost, The Isotopes, Ocular Panther, Candy
Sunday, Aug. 16: Modest Mouse, Joywave, Amigo the Devil, Karina Rykman, Drew Kiddoo and The Blackouts, Head to the Roots, Public Water Supply, The Beard and The Bird
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.
Barrel Bistro food vendor applications open
Food trucks interested in serving at the Barrel Bistro, a central food destination featuring a curated lineup of local and regional vendors, may apply now at 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
Paid 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. 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.
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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 Sean McCarthy and Tommy Brunett.