Great South Bay Music Festival

Shorefront
The Great South Bay Music Festival has become a highlight of Long Island’s summer cultural calendar. Local businesses, restaurants, and hotels see a strong boost from the thousands of visitors it draws each year. Proceeds benefit local charities and nonprofit groups. File photo: Artie Medvedev, licensed.

The Great South Bay Music Festival is one of Long Island’s largest and most anticipated annual music events, bringing together national recording artists, regional bands, and local talent for a multi-day celebration of live music on the South Shore. The festival takes place each summer at Shorefront Park in Patchogue, New York, overlooking the scenic waters of the Great South Bay.

Festival Overview

  • Location: Shorefront Park, Patchogue, NY
  • Founded: 2007
  • Timing: Typically held in July, spanning four days
  • Music Styles: A diverse mix of classic rock, jam bands, reggae, alternative, folk, funk, blues, and jazz

Since its launch, the Great South Bay Music Festival has grown into a major cultural event for Suffolk County, attracting tens of thousands of music fans from across Long Island and beyond.

Music & Entertainment

The festival is known for its wide-ranging lineup, featuring both legendary headliners and up-and-coming acts:

  • Past performers include:
    • The Allman Betts Band
    • Tedeschi Trucks Band
    • Taking Back Sunday
    • Govt. Mule
    • Umphrey’s McGee
    • Phil Lesh & Friends

Multiple stages are set up throughout Shorefront Park, ensuring continuous entertainment from afternoon into the night.

Food, Drink & Vendors

Beyond the music, attendees enjoy:

  • Craft beer and wine tents featuring local breweries and vineyards
  • Food trucks and vendors offering a wide variety of cuisines
  • Artisan marketplace showcasing local crafts, art, and festival gear

The laid-back bayside setting makes it a perfect atmosphere for summer fun.

Family-Friendly Fun

The festival also embraces a family-friendly spirit, offering:

  • A “Kidzone” with activities for children
  • Interactive arts & crafts
  • Kid-friendly food options

This makes the Great South Bay Music Festival a rare multi-day music event that appeals to audiences of all ages.

Community & Impact

The festival is deeply connected to the Patchogue community:

  • Proceeds benefit local charities and nonprofit groups.
  • Local businesses, restaurants, and hotels see a strong boost from the thousands of visitors it draws each year.
  • The event has become a highlight of Long Island’s summer cultural calendar.

Snapshot Box

CategoryDetails
Event TypeAnnual multi-day music festival
LocationShorefront Park, Patchogue, NY
First Held2007
Attendance20,000–30,000+ per year
Music GenresRock, Jam, Reggae, Funk, Folk, Jazz, Blues
Family-FriendlyYes – Kidzone and activities for children
Websitehttps://greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com

Q&A: Great South Bay Music Festival

Q: When is the festival usually held?
A: It typically takes place in mid-July over four days.

Q: Where does it happen?
A: At Shorefront Park in Patchogue, with a stage area right by the bay.

Q: What kinds of music are featured?
A: Everything from classic rock and jam bands to folk, reggae, funk, and blues.

Q: Is it family-friendly?
A: Yes, the festival has a Kidzone with games, crafts, and activities for kids.

Q: Are food and drinks available?
A: Yes – with local food vendors, craft beer tents, and wine from Long Island vineyards.

Q: How many people attend?
A: Around 20,000–30,000 music fans each year.