Step Inside: Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Music history is infused in the grounds of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. In the summer of 1969, nearly half a million music lovers descended on Max Yasgur’s farm in Bethel, NY to experience four days of iconic performances by Jimi Hendrix; The Band; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; Creedence Clearwater Revival; Jefferson Airplane; Sly and the Family Stone; Joan Baez and more at the inaugural Woodstock Music and Art Fair.

More than half a century later, the site is now part of the sprawling performing arts center, which includes an amphitheater, museum, outdoor stage, event spaces and much more.

Below, dive into the historic site of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts and everything the venue has to offer — from information on parking and admission to the best seating in the venue, food and beverage offerings and nearby hotels.

 

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What Events Are Coming Up at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts?

See upcoming events and buy tickets for Bethel Woods Center for the Arts right here on Ticketmaster.

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts History

Located in the Catskills in upstate New York, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is situated on the site of the original Woodstock, which took place in August 1969 at Max Yasgur’s farm in Bethel, NY.

The 800-acre site was brought back to life in the 1990s thanks to billionaire Alan Gerry, whose Gerry Foundation produced the A Day in the Garden festival in 1998.

In 2006, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts officially opened for its inaugural season, which included a special opening performance by the New York Philharmonic. Two years later, The Museum at Bethel Woods also opened its doors to keep the history of Woodstock alive.

Since then, major artists like Elton John, Sting, Bonnie Raitt, Van Halen, Lady Gaga, Pitbull, Jimmy Buffet, Dave Matthews Band, the Jonas Brothers, Dierks Bentley and many more have all performed on the stages of Bethel Woods.

Parking and Admission at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

The address of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is 200 Hurd Rd, Bethel, NY 12720.

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts offers general parking free of charge at the Healey Brothers parking lots. Premium parking is available in Lot D, and can be reserved in advance when patrons purchase their tickets.

RV, bus, limousine and oversize vehicle parking is located in Lot F. No overnight parking is permitted — all vehicles must be removed by lot closure after each show. For a complete list of lots and parking policies, consult the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts official parking map.

Attendees should allow 20 minutes of travel time from your vehicle to the Pavilion seating area. A free ADA shuttle is available to transport guests with disabilities from the parking lot to the amphitheater’s entrance near the Bethel Woods box office.

Items prohibited inside Bethel Woods Center for the Arts include unsealed plastic water bottles of any size; metal/aluminum/non-plastic and glass reusable water or non-alcoholic bottles and cans (e.g. Thermos, HydroFlask, canned sodas, etc.); lawn chairs; sporting equipment (including rollerblades, skateboards, bikes, hoverboards and segway scooters); beach-style umbrellas; including bug spray and sunscreen; fireworks, knives and firearms; glass of any kind (including bottles); laser pointers; hula hoops; selfie sticks; audio and video recording equipment; drones or unmanned aerial vehicles; tablets (including but not limited to iPads and Kindles – they are a distraction to other guests and artists).

Additionally, the use of charcoal grills are not permitted in the venue’s parking lots. Some concerts have additional restrictions – be sure to check individual event pages for specific restrictions.

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Bag Policy

Bags permitted at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts include clear tote bags (12” x 6” x 12” or smaller) and small clutch purses no larger than 5.5” x 8.5” (palm size or smaller).

Bags restricted at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts include, but are not limited to, purses larger than a clutch bag, briefcases, backpacks, luggage of any kind, computer bags, camera bags, hard or soft coolers, and any bag larger than the permissible size.

How to Dress for Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

There is no dress code at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, but it can get chilly once the sun goes down even in peak summer — this is Upstate New York, after all — so be sure to bring a sweater or jacket. Blankets are also welcome on the lawn.

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Capacity and Seating Options

Bethel Woods can accommodate 15,000 fans, with 4,800 covered pavilion seats and 10,200 lawn seats. The best seats at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts vary depending on the event and personal preferences.

Accessible seating is available at the back of sections 6-11 and 100, and can be purchased directly via Ticketmaster.

The Bethel Woods Center for the Arts seating chart can be viewed on Ticketmaster.

Food and Beverage Options at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts offers a variety of dining options, all designed to showcase the bounty and diversity of Sullivan County and the Catskills. During the daytime, patrons can dine at Yasgur’s Farm Café (open at The Museum from April to December).

Pre-concert dining is available at on-site lounge The Green Room, which is located just inside the main gates of The Market Shed and offers comfortable seating, pub-style games and a private full-service bar starting 90 minutes before general admission.

Meanwhile, concessions available for purchase during concerts at the Pavilion include pretzels, popcorn, chicken tenders, burgers and fries, street tacos, Eddie’s Pickles, fresh seafood from Nikki C’s, zeppoles, calzones and other Italian treats from Luigi’s, Lemon Love lemonade, What’s Poppin hand-popped kettle corn, desserts by Whipped Cupcakes and more.

Where to Stay Near Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Located in the Catskills, Bethel Woods Center of the Arts is the perfect place to head for a much-needed musical getaway. Below, check out options for hotels a short drive from the venue as well as onsite camping.

Hotels Near Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

• Kenoza Hall, 5762 NY-52, Kenoza Lake, NY 12750
• Rest Co, 142 Swiss Hill Rd N, Jeffersonville, NY 12748
• Kenoza Lake View Manor, 56 Swiss Hill Rd N, Kenoza Lake, NY 12750
• UNIFY Retreat Motel, 1166 Co Rd 114, Cochecton, NY 12726
• Villa Roma Resort – Sullivan Catskills Vacations, 356 Villa Roma Rd, Callicoon, NY 12723
• The North Branch Inn, 869 N Branch Rd, North Branch, NY 12766
• Bethel Pastures Farm Bed & Breakfast, 181 Remenschneider Rd, Jeffersonville, NY 12748
• Samba Inn, 4893 NY-52, Jeffersonville, NY 12748

Camping at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

The Campground at Bethel Woods offers two separate locations: Pavilion Camping and Historic Camping, with a variety of options for pitching your own tent, upgrading to a glamping experience or RV camping (available only in the Historic Campground).