The Glimmerglass Festival 2026: Opera and Musical Theater Near Cooperstown

One of Central New York’s cultural crown jewels is back: the Glimmerglass Festival returns to the shores of Otsego Lake near Cooperstown for its 2026 season, and this year marks a milestone, the company’s 50th anniversary. Rehearsals are in full swing, the full company has arrived, and opening night is just around the corner.

Here is a look at the 2026 season, plus where to stay when you come for a performance.

The 2026 season

This summer’s mainstage lineup blends beloved musical theater with grand opera:

• Oklahoma! (July 10 to August 15): A brand-new production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, directed by Artistic Director Francesca Zambello.
• Madame Butterfly (July 11 to August 17): Puccini’s timeless masterpiece in an elegant, visually stunning new staging, with Eri Nakamura as Cio-Cio-San.
• Cosi (July 17 to August 14): Mozart’s sparkling comedy of love and loyalty, reimagined on an American college campus.
• Fellow Travelers (July 18 to August 16): A moving contemporary opera set during the 1950s lavender scare.

The season also features the youth opera Robin Hood (August 2 to 7) and a full calendar of special events, from festival dinners and preview brunches to the lively Glimmerglass After Hours party on August 14 and a Summer Sendoff Picnic on August 15.

Opening Night: Friday, July 10

The season kicks off in style. Opening Night begins with an elegant Festival Dinner catered by The Horned Dorset, where Artistic and General Director Rob Ainsley welcomes back director Francesca Zambello for a conversation about Oklahoma! and Madame Butterfly. The evening includes a free preview talk, a brass fanfare from the theater’s exterior balcony, and a champagne toast unveiling the 50th Anniversary Campaign donor wall, before the curtain rises on Zambello’s new production of Oklahoma!

Getting there: the Cooperstown Trolley

The Cooperstown Trolley returns this season. You can board in downtown Cooperstown in front of KeyBank (103 Main Street) and ride straight to the Festival campus before and after performances of Oklahoma!, Madame Butterfly, Cosi, and Fellow Travelers. It is an easy, scenic way to reach the theater without worrying about parking.

Tickets and box office

Tickets and packages are available anytime at the Glimmerglass Festival website. Starting July 1, the box office at 18 1/2 Chestnut Street in downtown Cooperstown is open Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Wednesdays. You can also reach the box office at (607) 547-2255.

Want a preview before the season opens? The Springfield Appreciation Concert on June 28 at 4 p.m. offers a lively taste of the 2026 season while supporting the Springfield Center Fourth of July Committee. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Where to stay near the Glimmerglass Festival

Make a weekend of your visit to the opera and stay at Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast in historic Herkimer, NY, about a 30-minute drive from the Festival campus. Our welcoming inn pairs comfortable, individually appointed rooms with a homemade breakfast each morning, so you can enjoy a late performance and still wake up rested and well fed.

A few reasons Glimmerglass guests choose Grand Colonial:

• A made-from-scratch breakfast featuring local ingredients
• All four guest rooms are pet-friendly
• A $10-per-night discount for returning guests
• An easy drive to Cooperstown, the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Herkimer Diamond Mines, and more

Ready to plan your visit? Learn more about staying with us for the festival on our Glimmerglass Festival lodging page, browse our guest rooms, and book direct for our best rates. Questions? Call us at (315) 982-5004.