From our four annual festivals to monthly art gallery nights, to free live music & public performances, thereβs always something going on Downtown!
Performer Inquiry Form
Interested in performing at a downtown event? Artist selection is determined by a jury process. If you have been booked in the past, you will still need to submit a sound bite or link to your website along with your application. Music submitted must directly reflect the performance and style you would perform.
Event Equipment Rental Requests or Event Technical Assistance
Are you planning an event yourself and looking for local resources from speaking with expert event planners in Ithaca to borrowing equipment from the Tompkins Festivals Equipment lending program? Downtown Ithaca can help advise and program support to help make your event a success. Click on the link to submit your request.
Have an event coming up that you want featured on our site? Simply click the button below and follow the steps for submitting. Once you have submitted your event, it will then be listed on our calendar below (pending review).
The State of the Art Gallery is pleased to announce six artists who are participating in the galleryβs β2026 Invitational Show.β Artists Ann Reichlin, Lindsey Glover, Karen Gilman, Dara Engler, Bradley Butler, and Minna Resnick will display paintings, sculpture, and mixed media work.
Book Title: Your Royal Nature Book Subtitle: Spiritual Essays to Find Your Way Home Author Name: Alice McDowell, PhD Synopsis: This new collection of essays serves readers who want to grow spiritually and experience the oneness and liberation that is their true royal nature. Those who lead busy and complicated lives will find the short chapters offer a meditative reading ... Read More
Old Greeny Fringe Fest is a week-long, fringe festival in celebration of the weird, wacky, and whimsical, rooted in the legend of Old Greenyβthe cryptid of Cayuga Lake. The festival activates traditional and non-traditional venues through performances, installations, community activities, and storytelling, with a strong commitment to sustainability, accessibility, and local culture. The festival runs from April 27th to May ... Read More
K-HOUSE Karaoke & Arts Hub invites oldies lovers to spend an evening with Elvis. One Night With You is a dinner show featuring the comedy and vocal stylings of The King himself, a three-course meal and guest performances, all in the intimate setting of Room K (formerly The Downstairs). Elvis, who has been touring small-town venues since his supposed death ... Read More
K-HOUSE Karaoke & Arts Hub invites oldies lovers to spend an evening with Elvis. One Night With You is a dinner show featuring the comedy and vocal stylings of The King himself, a three-course meal and guest performances, all in the intimate setting of Room K (formerly The Downstairs). Elvis, who has been touring small-town venues since his supposed death ... Read More
Lifelong Volunteer Fair: April 28th 2pm - 4pm FREE and open to the public Looking to give back and make a difference in your community? Join us for an inspiring afternoon with 20 local nonprofit organizations and discover meaningful volunteer opportunities that match your interests and skills. Bonus perks! Visit every vendor and youβll be eligible to receive a 6-pack ... Read More
Soil scientist Johannes Lehmann (member of the National Academy of Science) and cartoonist Pedro X. Molina (recipient of the Vaclav Havel Award for Creative Dissent) discuss their recent creative collaboration on a graphic novel titled HUMUS. This is the first event in a series, "Imagine! Dialogues on the Power of Imagination as a Public Good," celebrating the 25th anniversary of ... Read More
join us at Riverwood gifts for a night of fun and board games! Celebrating our LGBTQ community Riverwood is a safe and inclusive place to come hang out and play! Pizza provided by SAL's pizzeria
In their show, Black and White andβ¦, painter Ileen Kaplan and Photographer David Watkins explore the use of black and white and touches of color to create abstract, graphic and representational pieces. β¨The show will run from April 30 through May 24, 2026. Opening reception Friday, May 1 from 5β8pm.
GALLERY HOURS 2-6PM ποΈ Thursday, April 30th | β° 6β7 PM π 115 S Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY ποΈ Sliding scale $10-$20 | π€ 14+ | Beginner Friendly π¨ This April, Orozco Gallery opens its doors for a month-long pop-up filled with arts & culture in Downtown Ithaca. Featuring artist talks, live music, dance, storytelling, and hands-on workshops, this welcoming ... Read More
Join Autumn Leaves Books for a night of poetry with celebrated local poets Mary Gilliland and Peter Fortunato. Both writers will read from their latest books. Mary Gilliland's collection Within the Shop of the Divine (Arc Publication, 2025) includes poems about grief and recovery, poems "abundant in flora and fauna, rich in life and matter and earthed in the spaces ... Read More
Friday Pop-In Permanent Jewelry Happy Hour β¨ Join us every Friday (all day!) at Fall Creek Atelier for a relaxed, drop-in experience. Get custom-fit, clasp-free permanent jewelry designed for effortless, everyday wear. No appointment neededβjust stop by whenever it works for you, bring a friend, and make it a moment. Perfect for: β’ Friendship bracelets β’ Couple bracelets β’ Motherβdaughter ... Read More
Gallery Night Ithaca is a walkable tour of art openings and other special cultural events in and around downtown Ithaca, New York from 5:00-8:00 PM on the first Friday of every month.
GALLERY HOURS 2-7PM ποΈ Saturday, May 2nd | β° 8 PMβ12 AM π 115 S Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY ποΈ Sliding scale | π€ 18+ π¨ This April, Orozco Gallery opens its doors for a month-long pop-up filled with arts & culture in Downtown Ithaca. Featuring artist talks, live music, dance, storytelling, and hands-on workshops, this welcoming sober space invites ... Read More
Join us at Buffalo Street Books, to celebrate the launch of Mr. Chow's Night Market written by Emily Sun Li and illustrated by Yu Ting Cheng! There will be crafts, goodies, story time & the opportunity to meet the author!
Join us at Fall Creek Atelier for Sip & Sparkle: Spring bloom Edition β¨ Shop handmade jewelry, enjoy complimentary mimosas and desserts, take home a goody bag, and receive 15% off your purchase. π Press Bay Alley, Ithaca π May 2 | 12β7 PM
Join authorsΒ Susan Michele Coronel & Dawn Leas at Buffalo Street Books for a poetry reading, followed by a conversation about their writing process and the opportunity to participate in a Q&A.Β
Join us for a discussion about Kin by Tayari Jones, a novel about two best friends from rural Louisiana, who take starkly different paths through life in the Jim Crow South, exploring themes of sisterhood, belonging, and the complexities of being a Black woman in the mid-20th century America.
Opus Ithaca School of Music invites you to an evening of community fun at the Ithaca Beer Co. May 3rd! This family-friendly fundraising event will include karaoke, games, light bites, and both silent and live auctions. All proceeds will go to support Odyssey Choir, specifically to support their journey to perform in a national festival choir at Carnegie Hall this ... Read More
Once upon a time, Cinderella pines to make a cameo at the ball, Jack (of beanstalk fame) tends to his pet cow, Little Red Riding Hood sets off toward grandmotherβs house and a baker and his wife discover they are barren, thanks to a curse from the neighboring witch. They all head into the woods and embark on remarkable journeys ... Read More
Description written by host, Ashley Cake: I've been threatening to do a community read of Abolition of White Democracy for some years now, and the time is finally nigh. Georgia at Ithaca Writing Studio is gonna host, and I'm asking $30 for six meetups, $20 for the Writing Studio and $10 for me. I'm capping it at 10 participants for ... Read More
ComedyHOF Open Mic at K-HOUSE A focused room for the craft of comedy. Comedy HOF presents a monthly stand-up open mic in Room K @ K-HOUSE Karaoke & Arts Hub, hosted by Ben Mumford-Zisk This is a high-energy night for comedians and audiences who care about timing, material, and the work of stand-up. Each comic gets five minutes in an ... Read More
The Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County (CAP) is proud to announce our 18th annual Spring Writes Literary Festival with over 40 literary events: reading s, panels, multi - genre performances, workshops, a Book & Zine Fair, and a Survivor style literary showdown. Thereβs something for everyone! From seasoned authors, to the loving public. Check out the amazing slate of ... Read More
Friday Pop-In Permanent Jewelry Happy Hour β¨ Join us every Friday (all day!) at Fall Creek Atelier for a relaxed, drop-in experience. Get custom-fit, clasp-free permanent jewelry designed for effortless, everyday wear. No appointment neededβjust stop by whenever it works for you, bring a friend, and make it a moment. Perfect for: β’ Friendship bracelets β’ Couple bracelets β’ Motherβdaughter ... Read More
Join us to discuss Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg! A book club hosted by the Ithaca Trans Center. All book club attendees will receive a 10% coupon for one in-store purchase. Mention the Ithaca Trans Center gift card to get your copy for free!
Book launch for βRed Pill Politics: Demystifying Today's Far Right, From Fascism to Right-Wing Populism.β By David Ost, to be published by The New Press in May 2026. The book offers an original way of thinking of arguably the biggest political issue of our times: the turn to right-wing authoritarianism. Instead of asking βis this fascism?β, the book argues that ... Read More
join us at Riverwood gifts for a night of fun and board games! Celebrating our LGBTQ community Riverwood is a safe and inclusive place to come hang out and play! Pizza provided by SAL's pizzeria
We are kicking off the Beginnings Credit Union Summer Concert Series with a celebration in the heart of Downtown Ithaca. Join us for an afternoon of music, local flavor, and good vibes as we announce this season's lineup.
Step into Sherwood Forest for the legend of Robin Hood like never before! In The Probably Improbable Adventures of Robin Hood, Robin and Marian form an unlikely partnership that shouldnβt work but somehow does, as clever ideas, daring antics, and an occasional sock puppet send the story careening through comic chaos. Expect quick wit, fast-paced fun, and a story that ... Read More
Youβve never been to a dinner party like this. A reimagining of Beowulf from a female perspective, FEAST. serves up a visceral, tour-de-force solo performance that grapples with grief, power, and justice. Come curious and hungry for change; leave galvanized and satisfied. After the final bow, Lifelong will join the artistic crew for a private talkback session to discuss the ... Read More
Step into Sherwood Forest for the legend of Robin Hood like never before! In The Probably Improbable Adventures of Robin Hood, Robin and Marian form an unlikely partnership that shouldnβt work but somehow does, as clever ideas, daring antics, and an occasional sock puppet send the story careening through comic chaos. Expect quick wit, fast-paced fun, and a story that ... Read More
Friday Pop-In Permanent Jewelry Happy Hour β¨ Join us every Friday (all day!) at Fall Creek Atelier for a relaxed, drop-in experience. Get custom-fit, clasp-free permanent jewelry designed for effortless, everyday wear. No appointment neededβjust stop by whenever it works for you, bring a friend, and make it a moment. Perfect for: β’ Friendship bracelets β’ Couple bracelets β’ Motherβdaughter ... Read More
Step into Sherwood Forest for the legend of Robin Hood like never before! In The Probably Improbable Adventures of Robin Hood, Robin and Marian form an unlikely partnership that shouldnβt work but somehow does, as clever ideas, daring antics, and an occasional sock puppet send the story careening through comic chaos. Expect quick wit, fast-paced fun, and a story that ... Read More
Step into Sherwood Forest for the legend of Robin Hood like never before! In The Probably Improbable Adventures of Robin Hood, Robin and Marian form an unlikely partnership that shouldnβt work but somehow does, as clever ideas, daring antics, and an occasional sock puppet send the story careening through comic chaos. Expect quick wit, fast-paced fun, and a story that ... Read More
These free, hands-on workshops will help you get set up for the launch of eRide Ithaca. We'll help you download the app and create your account so you're ready to ride when the service launches. Go Ithaca will be at every workshop so residents can sign up to receive discounts on eRide Ithaca rides. Questions? Call or text the IETA ... Read More
Rootstock is the premier youth music festival in the Finger Lakes. It is sponsored and organized by New Roots Charter School and GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance. Rootstock features solo acts, bands, and dance troupes with styles ranging from hiphop to punk to jazz. The event will also feature young entrepreneurs offering their handmade products at the Youth Entrepreneurship ... Read More
Step into Sherwood Forest for the legend of Robin Hood like never before! In The Probably Improbable Adventures of Robin Hood, Robin and Marian form an unlikely partnership that shouldnβt work but somehow does, as clever ideas, daring antics, and an occasional sock puppet send the story careening through comic chaos. Expect quick wit, fast-paced fun, and a story that ... Read More
Description written by host, Ashley Cake: I've been threatening to do a community read of Abolition of White Democracy for some years now, and the time is finally nigh. Georgia at Ithaca Writing Studio is gonna host, and I'm asking $30 for six meetups, $20 for the Writing Studio and $10 for me. I'm capping it at 10 participants for ... Read More
Greetings professional partners, Brookdale Senior Living would like to invite you to our next CE Course. Our course topic will be Alzheimerβs Disease: The Latest in Diagnostic Testing The course is free and the CE Credit is obtainable after the completion and duration of the course over Zoom. If youβd like to RSVP or would like more information on the ... Read More
BYOB: Bring Your Own Book! Join friends and neighbors for So What? Studio's first Silent Bookclub event. Come and chat with others about books and then sink into your own pages for an hour of quiet reading. All readers welcome!
Friday Pop-In Permanent Jewelry Happy Hour β¨ Join us every Friday (all day!) at Fall Creek Atelier for a relaxed, drop-in experience. Get custom-fit, clasp-free permanent jewelry designed for effortless, everyday wear. No appointment neededβjust stop by whenever it works for you, bring a friend, and make it a moment. Perfect for: β’ Friendship bracelets β’ Couple bracelets β’ Motherβdaughter ... Read More
This information is included in my original event request. This event will include a reading by the author, a Q&A hosted by Nancy Holzner, and a book signing.
Are you lonesome tonight and looking for a hunk o' love? Well, Elvis isn't dead and he's crooning over dinner at K-HOUSE in the K-Room, and no that is not a joke about his substance use in the later years. Enjoy a 3-course meal, while you watch a 2-act show and by golly you might even decide you feel loose ... Read More
K-HOUSE Karaoke & Arts Hub invites oldies lovers to spend an evening with Elvis. One Night With You is a dinner show featuring the comedy and vocal stylings of The King himself, a three-course meal and guest performances, all in the intimate setting of Room K (formerly The Downstairs). Elvis, who has been touring small-town venues since his supposed death ... Read More
Welcome back to YAPPY HOUR at The Strand Cafe! Join us every 4th Wednesday from MarchβOctober | 4β7PM for drinks, dog-friendly vibes, and pup social time! Bring your furry friends to mix, mingle, and make new besties π Even better? 50% of proceeds benefit Stay Wild Rescue β every sip supports animals in need. Drinks for you. Social hour for ... Read More
Sip, socialize, get to know some adoptable pets from Stay Wild Resue. We will have drink specials, pet games, treats and more. All well-behaved pets are welcome to join. Help us support Stay Wild Resue with 50% of all Strands proceeds go to Stay Wild Rescue.
join us at Riverwood gifts for a night of fun and board games! Celebrating our LGBTQ community Riverwood is a safe and inclusive place to come hang out and play! Pizza provided by SAL's pizzeria
Get ready for four days of art, music, community, and celebration at the 49th Annual Ithaca Festival, May 28β31, 2026! Our theme this year is Downtown Disco and we couldnβt be more excited! The Ithaca Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to celebrating the artist in everyone and the incredible community that makes this event possible. Each year, we bring ... Read More
Friday Pop-In Permanent Jewelry Happy Hour β¨ Join us every Friday (all day!) at Fall Creek Atelier for a relaxed, drop-in experience. Get custom-fit, clasp-free permanent jewelry designed for effortless, everyday wear. No appointment neededβjust stop by whenever it works for you, bring a friend, and make it a moment. Perfect for: β’ Friendship bracelets β’ Couple bracelets β’ Motherβdaughter ... Read More
Hangar Theatreβs In Flight Entertainment Series Presents EUROPA: Celebrating the Music of Carlos Santana. EUROPA is a high-energy 7-piece group celebrating the iconic music and spirit of Carlos Santana. With powerful Latin percussion, soaring guitar melodies and dynamic improvisation the group brings Santanaβs greatest hits to life. With songs spanning Carlosβ career from βOye Como Vaβ, βBlack Magic Womanβ, and ... Read More
Love Viaβs Cookiesβ¦ and want them freshly baked and warm? Guess what, for the first time ever, weβre making that a reality. Come out on select Saturdays, starting May 30th, to get our cookies fresh at Nowhere Special Libations Parlor in Downtown Ithaca. The cookies come unpackaged, meaning we charge less, weβll be doing custom flavors, and weβre open for ... Read More
On Sunday, May 31, 2026, the fifth annual Ithaca Book and Zine Fair will be held at Buffalo Street Books as a part of the Community Arts Partnershipβs Spring Writes Literary Festival and Ithaca Festival! This event celebrates publishing as an art, craft, and DIY activity. 40+ local and regional independent publishers, zine-makers, artists, DIYers, and writers will show and ... Read More
Description written by host, Ashley Cake: I've been threatening to do a community read of Abolition of White Democracy for some years now, and the time is finally nigh. Georgia at Ithaca Writing Studio is gonna host, and I'm asking $30 for six meetups, $20 for the Writing Studio and $10 for me. I'm capping it at 10 participants for ... Read More
ComedyHOF Open Mic at K-HOUSE A focused room for the craft of comedy. Comedy HOF presents a monthly stand-up open mic in Room K @ K-HOUSE Karaoke & Arts Hub, hosted by Ben Mumford-Zisk This is a high-energy night for comedians and audiences who care about timing, material, and the work of stand-up. Each comic gets five minutes in an ... Read More
Ever spotted a bird in your backyard and wondered, βWhat is that?β π¦ Join us for Backyard Birds, a fun and informative class designed to help you identify the common birds right outside your window! Through an engaging presentation and discussion, youβll go from beginner to confident bird watcher in no time. πΏ Perfect for nature lovers of all levels ... Read More
These free, hands-on workshops will help you get set for the launch of eRide Ithaca. WE'll help you download the app and create your account so you're ready to ride when the service launches. Go Ithaca will be at every workshop so residents can sign up to receive discounts on eRide Ithaca rides. Questions? Call or Text IETA staff at ... Read More
Friday Pop-In Permanent Jewelry Happy Hour β¨ Join us every Friday (all day!) at Fall Creek Atelier for a relaxed, drop-in experience. Get custom-fit, clasp-free permanent jewelry designed for effortless, everyday wear. No appointment neededβjust stop by whenever it works for you, bring a friend, and make it a moment. Perfect for: β’ Friendship bracelets β’ Couple bracelets β’ Motherβdaughter ... Read More
Gallery Night Ithaca is a walkable tour of art openings and other special cultural events in and around downtown Ithaca, New York from 5:00-8:00 PM on the first Friday of every month.