National acts, regional favorites, meaningful fundraisers
- John Fitts
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Simsbury Meadows announces its 2026 season
By John Fitts
Editor
Despite the inherent risks, there’s nothing as magical as an open-air concert on a perfect summer or fall evening. In what is likely the ideal setting, The Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center (SMPAC) shows will be enhanced this year by ongoing facility upgrades, national acts like the Indigo Girls and Jason Blaine, and the return of community staples like the Hartford Symphony Orchestra’s Talcott Mountain Music Festival.
“I could not be more excited for what lies ahead in 2026 at Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center,” said SMPAC Executive Director Allie Young. “This season represents so much more than a lineup of incredible performances. It reflects the momentum, energy, and belief that our community has poured into this organization over the last year. As the Next Act expansion continues to take shape; you can truly feel the future of SMPAC coming alive around us. From beloved traditions like the Talcott Mountain Music Festival to exciting new artists and experiences, we are building a season that feels elevated, welcoming, and full of joy. The response from our audiences has already been extraordinary, with demand for shows like Indigo Girls reminding us just how meaningful live music and shared experiences are to our community. I am especially excited about the diversity of programming we’re able to bring to the stage this year — there is truly something for everyone. None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors, sponsors, volunteers, and patrons who continue to believe in what SMPAC can become. It is an honor to help lead this next chapter, and I cannot wait to welcome everyone back to the Meadows for what promises to be one of our most exciting seasons yet.”
SMPAC’s staff of three, its board members, town officials and some of the facility’s community partners recently gathered at Metro Bis in Simsbury for an official announcement of the venue’s 2026 season.
The Aug. 22 Indigo Girls show had previously been announced and had already sold 3,000 tickets by the time of the April 29 Metro Bis gathering.
“I’m just so thrilled that they’ll be joining us…. I’m hearing about The Indigo Girls everywhere,” said Young. “So, there is buzz, there is excitement and definitely get your tickets soon if you haven’t already.”
But the Indigo Girls aren’t the only nationally known headliners who will grace the SMPAC stage this year. On Aug. 14, the venue will feature the 502s, a “beach folk” band from Florida.
”They are well known, and they are up and coming,” Young said. “So, this is the time to see them because you can say you saw them when they were a little less well known.”
The next night will be a WARPED tour tribute with a nod to the pop punk era of the late ‘90s and early 2000s.
And on Oct. 3 Jason Blaine, a Nashville based, Canadian country star will perform. Also playing that evening will be Ben Henry and the Auto Club, a band fronted by Ben Henry Garson, a local resident known in the area for his musical talents and rescue efforts with Outrider Dogs. Simsbury’s own Kevin Rooney, a drummer and producer, will also be on stage that evening.
But as much excitement as the national acts have generated for the facility this year, the venue offers many other musical and non-musical events throughout the summer and fall. Many of the shows and events are done with community partners. One – the Hartford Symphony Orchestra – is celebrating the 30th year of its acclaimed summer series in Simsbury.
“Can you believe this is the 30th anniversary Talcott Mountain Music Festival?” Steve Collins, President and CEO of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, said at the event. “When everything hits just right at a Talcott Mountain Music Festival concert - when the weather is perfect and there’s a huge crowd and everyone’s having a great time, the orchestra’s playing so well, we have great guest artist. … I look out on that field full of people and it’s just heaven. It’s one of my favorite things that we do at the HSO, and it would not be possible without the incredible partnership that we enjoy with the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center.”
Those HSO performances are set over 5 Fridays (Rain dates generally the next day) in July. It begins July 3 (July 5 rain date) with the annual Celebrate America Show, a popular event with some special touches for America’s 250th. That includes the addition of the Hartford Chorale. Also, Simsbury’s own Lalitha Shivaswamy will narrate portions of “The New Colossus” by American poet Emma Lazarus.
Other HSO shows include the music of Journey, the Eagles, Chicago and the 1980s MTV experience – all with the addition of two large multi-media LED screens on each side of the stage. Collins feels the screens, exclusive to HSO shows, will enhance the viewer experience while allowing the symphony to thank its sponsors and make announcements.
The symphony shows, of course, are just a small portion of the Simsbury Meadows season.
Favarh – or the ARC of the Farmington Valley, an organization that supports folks with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, is also a long-time partner to SMPAC. On Sept. 12, the organization will once again present Mike DelGuidice, a member of Billy Joel’s band who performs music by Joel and other pop icons, as well as several originals.
Additionally, the Performing Arts Center is home to so many other events run by area organizations, such as Simsbury Junior Woman’s Club, Simsbury-Granby Rotary, Granby-Simsbury Chamber of Commerce, Honor Connor and many others. Some of the events offer family fun and business outreach, while others focus on areas such as social justice, suicide prevention and other poignant causes.
This year’s season is also coming on the heels of a mixed-funding source, $3.17 million improvement project that include new office space, classrooms, restrooms, a green room for the artists and more. At press time, work was ongoing.
“Exciting progress continues on the Next Act expansion project at Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center,” Young said. “Drywall is now going up, helping define the new artist green room, offices, storage, and accessible restrooms, while crews are actively installing electrical and sprinkler systems throughout the building. These behind-the-scenes improvements are laying the foundation for an even more vibrant future at SMPAC — one that will allow us to welcome more artists, elevate the audience experience, and expand programming opportunities for the community.”
Additionally, during her presentation, Young thanked SMPAC sponsors and those who volunteer at the facility, noting that it’s not too late to pitch in on either front.
Additionally, SMPAC is in the midst of a survey to gauge feedback and user preferences.
“We are working really hard to better understand how we can improve everyone’s experiences at the Meadows,” Young said.
Below is the initial schedule but please check the venue’s web site and social media pages for potential revisions. Information on sponsorships, volunteer opportunities and the survey can also be found at the site - https://www.simsburymeadows.org/
• Saturday, June 6, 2026 - UCONN Health Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K
• Sunday, June 7, 2026 - Walk MS
• Thursday, June 18, 2026 - Simsbury High School Graduation
• Saturday, June 20, 2026 - Juneteenth Celebration
• Friday, July 3, 2026 - Talcott Mountain Music Festival (Rain Date 7/5/26)
• Friday, July 10, 2026 - Talcott Mountain Music Festival
• Friday, July 17, 2026 - Talcott Mountain Music Festival
• Sunday, July 19, 2026 - Kinetic Ukes Free Community Concert
• Friday, July 24, 2026 - Talcott Mountain Music Festival
• Friday, July 31, 2026 - Talcott Mountain Music Festival (Rain Date 8/1/26)
• Sunday, August 2, 2026 - Farmington River Community Jam
• Friday, August 14, 2026 - The 502s
• Saturday, August 15, 2026 - Warped Tribute
• Saturday, August 22, 2026 - Indigo Girls
• Saturday, August 29, 2026 - Family programming by the Rock and Roll Playhouse
• Saturday, September 12, 2026 - Favarh presents Mike DelGuidice
• Saturday, September 19, 2026 - Simsbury Junior Woman’s Club Arts and Crafts Festival
• Sunday, September 20, 2026 - Simsbury Junior Woman’s Club Arts and Crafts Festival
• Saturday, September 26, 2026 - Simsbury-Granby Rotary River Run
• Sunday, September 27. 2026 - Kinetic Ukes Free Community Concert
• Saturday, October 3, 2026 - Jason Blaine
• Saturday, October 10, 2026 - Walk and Talk for Hope
• Saturday, October 17, 2026 - OAH Strides
• Saturday, October 24, 2026 - Spooktacular presented by the Granby-Simsbury Chamber of Commerce
• Sunday, October 25, 2026 - Donny’s Dash
• Saturday, November 7, 2026 - 5th Annual Nutmeg Ukulele Festival at Eno Hall
• Sunday, November 8, 2026 - Possible Songwriting workshop in SMPAC Community Room(s)VL
