Free Thursday Concerts Return to Downtown Ithaca All Summer

The Beginnings Summer Concert Series returns to the Ithaca Commons this Thursday — and continues every Thursday through Labor Day weekend. Free, outdoor, and open to everyone, this is the heartbeat of Ithaca's summer social life. Local and regional musicians perform on the Commons while the city fills with a cross-section of students, families, visitors, and longtime Ithacans who know the season truly starts here.

Date: Every Thursday, June 18 – September 3, 2026 Time: Evening (check visitithaca.com for start time) Location: Downtown Ithaca Commons, Ithaca NY Cost: Free

Just show up — no tickets, no registration. Grab dinner at one of the Commons restaurants and claim a spot. Ithaca is about 90 minutes from Rochester and makes an excellent full-day trip.