Page 30 - 2025 Cortland Travel Guide

LIVE MUSIC

Beats

Backyard

Long before written language, songs held the history of humanity. From drum circles to ballads, music brought
people together, often uniting cultures and ideas across generations. Cortland County has kept this tradition alive
with homegrown annual music festivals. Created to help carve out a space to cultivate community in an ever-more
disconnected world, Cortland County invites you to share in these grassroots festivals.

PORCHFEST CORTLAND SEEDSTOCK MUSIC FESTIVAL
Ain’t no party like a Porchfest party! In 2015, thanks to musically Nestled in the hills above downtown Cortland, within a century-
minded local artist Molly Reagan, porches became stages, lawns old working farm, lies a picturesque natural amphitheater. Since
became venues and strangers became friends at the first-ever 2008, this has been the home of Seedstock—once a house party
Cortland Porchfest. What began as a small gathering of friends and featuring a handful of local bands and a couple hundred friends,
neighbors grew into an annual event attracting over 5000 visitors, now a unique, family-friendly overnight festival. Seedstock keeps the
with a parade, crafts and games, delicious eats and lots of live music. tunes going non-stop across two stages, featuring over a dozen local,
Featuring more than 30 live performances spanning folk to rock and regional and nationally touring bands spanning acoustic, bluegrass,
bagpipes to banjos, the diverse lineup captivates everyone throughout rock, folk and funk. The Main Stage rests at the foot of the historic
the day. The merch booth, staffed by incredible volunteers from the farmhouse, while the Forest Stage, reached through a wooded trail, is
Cortland High School Student Council, boasts a line the length of Van nestled between looming art sculptures and illuminated by a
Hoesen Street, as Molly’s cheerful merch has gathered a bit of a cult kaleidoscopic light show. Festival-goers stake out spots with hammocks,
following. August 17, 2025, marks the 10th Annual Cortland Porchfest, blankets and coolers on the lawn, while camping atop a knoll offers a
rain or shine. So, strap on your dancing shoes and get ready for some night of dancing under the stars. Don’t miss the quintessential
front porch pickin’—it’s going to be a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Cortland County festival on the farm!

THREE TO TRY:
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Discover the sounds of summer at these
annual outdoor concert series around
Cortland County—all free!

1. Courthouse Park Summer Concert Series
2. Homer’s Music on the Green

3. Virgil C.O.V.E Concert Series

30 Photo Credit: Allison Marie Photography