The thirteenth Winter Hoot was held January 30 – February 1, 2026, at the Ashokan Center in Olivebridge, NY. Adding to this year’s Hoot were over three feet of snow and temperatures ranging from -3 to 22 degrees Fahrenheit across the sprawling 385-acre grounds. But this is the Hudson Valley so no sweat, no worry.
The three days were filled with a variety of activities: from hikes and square dancing to exhibitions on the art of blacksmithing and ice sculpting along with the always entertaining instrument petting zoo.
At its core, the Hoot is about music. Friday night included a performance by Jay Unger and Molly Mason. Jay and Molly spearheaded the establishment of the Ashokan Center to save the land from development. Friday culminated with a jam session by many of the artists who were performing over the three days. Sunday’s happenings included a yoga session and a community singalong.
Saturday is the Winter Hoot’s big day. Entertainment starts at 10:45 am and heads past midnight. The Esopus Lodge performance hall acts as the main stage and is complemented by the Pewter Sessions, held in the Pewter Shop, offering stripped down, unamplified performances in a rustic intimate space.
Hudson Valley’s The Restless Age (Lee Falco, Brandon Morrison, Will Brynt) opened the main room’s Saturday afternoon session. The trio had just completed a backing role for Sam Smith’s residency in Brooklyn at the end of 2025. Sharing songs from the band’s latest release Losers Party, the euphonious vocals of The Restless Age lock in a melodic alignment that enfolds one’s ear.
Guthrie Family Singers (Sarah Lee Guthrie, daughter Robin, and niece Serena) made their journey from Texas to Olivebridge for this year’s Hoot. Sarah Lee is the daughter of Arlo Guthrie, who is the son of singer, songwriter and activist Woody Guthrie. This musical pedigree alone makes you want to stop and listen. Even without this lineage, Guthrie Family Singers held you in their hands with their angelic harmonies melding into one. Each member presented her own original penned songs while collectively throwing in some covers for good measure. Sprinkled in between were stories of experiences and influences garnered from life as a Guthrie folk singer.
When you are descendants of Arlo’s, “City of New Orleans” is a must for your set, and it rang true through the lodge. To bring their Esopus Lodge set to a close, Guthrie Family Singers reached deep into the family songbook. The set culminated with “My Peace,” a song developed from unpublished lyrics written by Woodie Guthrie, later found and set to music by Arlo Guthrie. Sarah Lee encouraged the house to sing along, evoking the spirit of Woodie Guthrie during these challenging times.
The duo Paper Wings, based in Nashville met as young women at a west coast fiddle camp. The fruits of their collaboration were evident during their performance. Their Pewter Session offered an opportunity to get to know them up close and personal and fully appreciate the product of their alliance. Their wings may be made of paper, but their performance had them flying high into the stratosphere.
Having a singing and writing style uniquely his own, Jim Lauderdale’s Esopus Lodge performance was one not to be forgotten. His time on stage included songs co-written with Grateful Dead contributor Robert Hunter and western NY’s Donna the Buffalo. With a long career in music supported by an extensive 31 album catalog, Lauderdale brought a smile to all from the old to the very young who could be seen standing at the stage’s edge captivated by his performance.
James Felice, of the Felice Brothers, performed solo at this year’s Hoot. Felice has backed many artists performing at previous Hoots and rose to the challenge of being on stage alone. Transitioning from tickling the ivories to strapping on his accordion, James shared songs reflecting on personal experiences encountered while living in the Hudson Valley.
The house band, The Mammals, are the glue that holds the Hoot together. Festival organizers and producers, Mike Meranda and Ruthy Unger, front this iconic Hudson Valley band who filled the Esopus Lodge for their set. Adding to the joy of the evening, the band jubilantly performed songs from their latest release Touch Grass Vol. 1 & 2.
Peter Cook, managing director of the Ashokan Center, spoke to all gathered Saturday evening and expressed what The Hoot and the Ashokan Center are about proclaiming “It is community”. It truly is a community that supports music, nature, tradition, and all are welcome.
It may have been extremely cold outside for Winter Hoot 2026. But once inside, you felt warm. You felt safe. You felt joyful. This is what a community can do for you.
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