At a press conference on April 7, the Hoochenanny Festival 2026 music lineup was announced for Center Park West in Fairport, NY, from Friday, August 14, through Sunday, August 16.
Headliners at this year’s Hoochenanny include My Morning Jacket, Modest Mouse, Lit and Toadies.
This year, Hoochenanny plans to build on last year’s successful expansion and promises a bigger and better experience for people of all ages. More than 8,000 people attended the 2025 event, and the move to Center Park West in Perinton will accommodate a larger footprint for the amped up music lineup.
“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.”
“Hoochenanny 2025 was a true celebration of craftsmanship across music, art, food, and spirits, all rooted in our ethos of Cultivating the Uncommon,” said Tommy Brunett, co-founder of the festival and co-owner of Iron Smoke Distillery in the Village of Fairport.
The Hoochenanny Festival touts itself as a high-energy celebration of American craftsmanship, blending world-class whiskey with a powerhouse music lineup. Last year’s lineup was headlined by Charles Wesley Godwin, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, and Dark Star Orchestra.
Music Lineup
The 2026 festival will deliver a dynamic mix of alternative, rock, indie and genre-bending artists across three days.
Friday, August 14 is a 90s alternative, grunge, and punk rock night at the Hoochenanny with a trifecta of recognizable bands with radio hits. Lit headlines with their SoCal power-punk featuring the late-90s anthem, “My Own Worst Enemy.” In support, the well-known Toadies radio staple “Possum Kingdom” highlights their Southern-tinged grunge and alt-rock.
Hit songs like “Low” and “Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now” have lived on the airwaves ever since Cracker broke through to make their mark during the heyday of alternative rock radio. Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Rudy Nuño opens the night with the raw energy of punk and the heartfelt storytelling of Americana, folk, and country, backed by his breakout single “Serenity” in 2024.
My Morning Jacket headlines Hoochenanny on Saturday, August 15, with their experimental, psychedelic rock-and-country live show in support of their recent 10th studio album, Is. Guster will support with their 30-year catalog of alternative and adult-charting hits. 19-year-old Grace Bowers was an intentional choice by McCarthy to book “Women Who Rock.” Despite her youth, she has already appeared at the Grammys and on the late-night circuit, while collaborating with icons like Dolly Parton, Cher, Chris Martin of Coldplay, and Trey Anastasio of Phish.
Brunett, formerly of Modern English, slyly conceded that he still has a few tricks up his sleeve to make the experience more magical as festival weekend approaches. Brunett’s All-Star Calvalcade of Scoundrels added #1 hit songwriter Andy Kim, Dennis Casey of Flogging Molly, and Lou Gramm of Foreigner during the run-up to the 2025 event. More of the same energy is promised with special guests for the 2026 Hoochenanny.
Grammy Award-nominated and multi-platinum alternative, indie, and power punk band Modest Mouse grabs top billing on Sunday, August 16. Joywave returns to the Rochester area, where they call home, with their electropop indie rock. Amigo the Devil will perform his version of modern folk and alternative rock with all heart and reckless abandon. In her words, Karina Rykman “plays bass, sings, jumps around, and laughs a lot.” She straddles the worlds of jam rock and indie pop drenched in psychedelia.
Regional acts will be announced at a later date. Musicians will be chosen to perform alongside the previously announced acts. Applications for local artists are now open, with an April 30th submission deadline. Accepted acts will be determined by a thorough review of videos, music quality, and fit with the festival’s mission to “Cultivate the Uncommon.”
World of Whiskey
Under the 16,000-square-foot tent, around 30 national and regional distillers will be on hand to showcase their offerings. It’s the ultimate tasting experience, highlighting both national and New York State distillers.
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.
A rare and exclusive whiskey auction contributed over $30,000 to local charities last year. Hoochenanny Festival is partnering with Make-A-Wish, Friends of Perinton Recreation, and the Lou Gramm Foundation in 2026 and will host its second annual Hoochenanny Whiskey Auction beginning Friday, Aug. 14.
Entry to the World of Whiskey is included with a GA+ or VIP Pass and allows up to 20 tastings per guest. Additional tastings can be purchased on site. General Admission pass holders who wish to experience the World of Whiskey can upgrade their passes on-site, but will get the best price by purchasing in advance.
Expanded Festival Experiences
The move to an expanded footprint in Fairport enables a bigger, better festival experience. Holdovers from last year are the High Ball Stage, presented by Premium Mortgage, featuring national headliners, and the Fermenter Stage, presented by Harv’s Harley-Davidson, showcasing national, regional, and local acts in an amphitheater setting.
Also, premium hospitality options include the VIP Loft Double Decker, a two-story tent with catering, lounge seating, a cigar bar, exclusive whiskey tastings, elevated views of the main stage, upgraded restroom amenities, and access to a VIP viewing bridge. New in 2026 are private hospitality spaces available for groups, with packages that include event tickets and optional catering add-ons.
The Concert Pavilion offers a covered space with seating, lounge areas, and a large bar serving beer, wine, and seltzer, as well as 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.
Food and Artist Vendor Applications Available Now
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. In addition, vendors wishing to participate in the Artisans Bazaar, which will feature handcrafted goods from local and regional makers, are encouraged to submit an application promptly before spots fill up.
Co-owners Tommy Brunett and Sean McCarty have deep roots in the Fairport community. Brunett owns Iron Smoke Distillery, an award-winning bourbon and whiskey maker with a full music calendar. McCarthy is a Fairport High School graduate and current resident. Together, they form a powerhouse production and marketing duo with a passion for live music.
The village of Fairport, within the Town of Perinton and a suburb of Rochester, is a burgeoning hotbed of music and entertainment. A walkable canal town with a burgeoning entertainment district that includes Brunett’s Iron Smoke Distillery and a wide variety of restaurants and shops, Fairport is a stone’s throw from Rochester and the Finger Lakes, a gem awaiting this year’s festivalgoers.
Found within the Center Park grounds, the Perinton Amphitheater will host several shows for the 2026 outdoor concert season, such as Little Feat: The Last Farewell Tour, Tash Sultana, the moe.mentum tour with moe. and Umphrey’s McGee, and JJ Grey & Mofro with The Wood Brothers. The Fairport Music Festival has raised over $3.2 million for the Golisano Children’s Hospital. Jimmy Fallon has been known to drop by Mulconry’s to tend bar and lead the crowd in sing-alongs.
Parking and Accommodations
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.
While this is not a traditional camping-style music festival, several campgrounds for RV and tent camping are nearby, with reservations. In addition, several hotels are located within a 15-mile radius of the festival grounds. Center Park West is also served by Regional Transit Service Route 50 (Fairport-Penfield suburban) for safe public bus transportation.
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.
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 range from $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 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 a premium viewing area. Early-bird one-, two-, or three-day passes are $125 to $405, plus fees and taxes.
Friday at Hoochenanny will be free for guests of all ages! Advance registration is required, and space is limited. Entry will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis once you are registered.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit hoochenanny.com
Hoochenanny 2026 Music Lineup
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
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