Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) 2027. 2027 programme to follow.
Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) has not yet announced its 2027 programme. As soon as it does, dates, start times, prices and tickets will appear here.
Roofed with open sides means: The 5,200 amphitheater seats are under a roof; the lawn for 20,000 people is open to the sky.
- 2027 season
- 7 July to 14 August 2027 source
- Prices
- 2027 prices are not published yet. source
- Capacity
- Total capacity is 25,000: 5,200 sheltered seats in the amphitheater and a sloping lawn for another 20,000 people, according to SPAC. source
- Roof
- Roofed, open sides: The 5,200 amphitheater seats are under a roof; the lawn for 20,000 people is open to the sky.
- Doors
- For classical evening performances the gates open at 5:30pm, two hours before the show, and the amphitheater opens at 7pm. All bags are inspected and everyone passes a metal detector. Latecomers are seated at a suitable pause. Re-entry is allowed at SPAC events with a wristband from the gate staff. source
- If it rains
- All shows go on rain or shine and there are no refunds for rain. source
Last checked: 4 November 2026, against the organiser's own information.
A summer evening on Thursday, 15 July 2027
Sunset and darkness on 15 July 2027. Start times and dates will follow once the programme is out.
Calendar 2027
The 2027 programme has not been announced yet. As soon as Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) publishes its dates, they will appear here.
Only the dates for summer 2027 are out so far. New York City Ballet performs from 7 to 10 July 2027 and The Philadelphia Orchestra from 28 July to 14 August 2027. As of 4 November 2026 SPAC has not published the programmes. In the last two years the ballet season was announced in January or February and the orchestra season about a month later (23 February 2025, 15 March 2026), with member presales first and general sales eight to nine days later. In 2026 the orchestra played from 5 to 22 August, including Beethoven's Ninth with music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, two film nights with the score played live, and evenings with singers such as Josh Groban. No opera was on the 2026 amphitheater programme.
Prices
Where are the best seats at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)? Every area with seat, view and 2027 price.
Prices are for a regular evening. Opening nights, premieres and galas cost more.
| Area | Seat and view | 2027 price |
|---|---|---|
| Orchestra Pit (Section 40)Pit (Section 40) | With Section 40 and rows A–F on the ticket you have an assigned seat; at some concerts the pit is standing room, marked GAPIT.. The closest seats to the stage. | – |
| Sections 1, 4, 5Sections 1, 4 and 5 (front) | Assigned, numbered seat; SPAC does not describe the seat type.. Very close to the performers; SPAC recommends the lower sections for anyone who wants to see them clearly. | – |
| Sections 2, 3, 6, 7Sections 2, 3, 6 and 7 (middle) | Assigned, numbered seat; boxes line the rear edge of these sections (see Box Seating).. Still close to the stage under the roof; Sections 2 and 3 are central, 6 and 7 at the sides. | – |
| Box Seating | Box seating for a small group; SPAC does not say how many seats a box has. | – |
| Sections 8–14Sections 8–14 (rear lower level) | Assigned, numbered seat.. Further from the stage but still under the roof; the box-office chart marks a balcony overhang over the rear side seats without naming the rows. | – |
| Balcony, Sections 15–21Balcony Sections 15–21 (front balcony) | Assigned, numbered seat; most balcony seats are reached by stairs.. From the balcony you see the whole orchestra or ballet company at once, says SPAC. | – |
| Balcony, Sections 22–30Balcony Sections 22–30 (rear balcony) | Assigned, numbered seat reached by stairs.. The furthest covered seats from the stage. | – |
| Lawn | General admission: no assigned spots. Sit on a blanket or your own lawn chair (max 43 in/109 cm high, 26 in/66 cm on the centre lawn). No tents.. LED screens on the lawn show the stage, though artists occasionally ask for them to be switched off. | – |
| Accessible SeatingWheelchair seating | All lower-level seats (1–14) are step-free; in the balcony only the accessible seats behind 16–17. | –Entrance: Hall of Springs Gate (Rampe, Nordseite) |
Tickets
How much are tickets for Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)? Directly from the organiser, plus a bed nearby.
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2027 prices are not published yet. SPAC's ticketing system still shows the 2026 prices: amphitheater seats cost $39–169 for Philadelphia Orchestra classical nights, up to $245 for film and pop nights, and $51–234 for New York City Ballet. Lawn tickets for most classical nights were $19.66 in 2026, a one-off 60th-anniversary offer; film and pop nights cost $39–59 on the lawn. Online and phone orders add a $7–12 fee per ticket; buying in person at the box office avoids it. All figures are the state of the ticketing system after the 2026 season ended; prices during the sale may have differed.
SPAC sells tickets for The Philadelphia Orchestra and New York City Ballet itself, at spac.org or on +1 518 584 9330 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm), with a $7–12 fee per ticket. The box office on site opens from mid-May to the last concert of the season and charges no fee. Pop, rock and country concerts, billed as Albany Med Health System at SPAC, are sold by Live Nation on livenation.com and its app. SPAC warns against resellers because of counterfeit, overpriced tickets.
Organiser's box officeIt is late when the performance ends. A room nearby saves a night-time journey.
Is Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) worth it?
To see the players up close, sit in the lower sections 1–14 under the roof. The balcony is further away but shows the whole orchestra or ballet company at once. The lawn is the cheapest option and ideal for a picnic; families do best at Philadelphia Orchestra nights, where kids 12 and under are free on the lawn (16 and under for the ballet).
Before you go
What should I know before an evening in Saratoga Springs?
All shows go on rain or shine and there are no refunds for rain. For classical events, ask the box office about upgrading a lawn ticket to a seat under the roof. Umbrellas without pointed ends are allowed; only personal-sized ones on the lawn.
„All shows will go on rain or shine. No refunds will be given in the event of rain.“
In the organiser's words sourceFor classical evening performances the gates open at 5:30pm, two hours before the show, and the amphitheater opens at 7pm. All bags are inspected and everyone passes a metal detector. Latecomers are seated at a suitable pause. Re-entry is allowed at SPAC events with a wristband from the gate staff.
From the UK, one option is to fly to New York. Amtrak trains run from New York City to Saratoga Springs station, 2.5 miles (4 km) from SPAC, where taxis and Uber or Lyft cover the last stretch. The nearest airport is Albany International (ALB), 27 miles (43 km) away. By car from New York, take the NY State Thruway north to Exit 24 (Albany), then I-87 (the Northway) to Exit 13N; the main car park is at 398 Ballston Avenue. CDTA bus route 450 stops within walking distance at Route 50 and Geyser Road.
SPAC says most classical concerts and ballets last about one to two hours with one or two 20-minute intervals; some are 90 minutes without an interval. Taxis, Uber and Lyft use a designated pick-up point in the Route 50 East lot (turn right on entering and follow the signs). SPAC gives no information on late buses or trains, so check before you go. Cars left overnight are towed at the owner's expense.
Parking is free for all SPAC-produced events, including New York City Ballet and The Philadelphia Orchestra. The main lot is off Route 50 and open from dawn to the end of the event, with more parking in Saratoga Spa State Park. Some events offer a paid premier parking upgrade, priced on the event page. Live Nation concerts charge $10 per car, card only.
There is no dress code: jeans and a T-shirt are as welcome as a suit or cocktail dress.
Children aged two and under are free at all events but must sit on a lap under the roof unless you buy them a seat. For The Philadelphia Orchestra, kids 12 and under are free on the lawn and half price in the amphitheater with a paying adult; for New York City Ballet this applies up to age 16. Film nights and some special events charge children half price on the lawn too (2026 rules). Selected orchestra nights are Family Nights, with lawn games, crafts, face painting and free ice cream from 5:30pm for ticket holders.
At SPAC-produced events you may bring food, beverages and disposable utensils; SPAC does not say explicitly whether this includes wine or beer. Blankets and breathable ground covers are fine, plastic tarps are not. Lawn chairs may be up to 43 inches (109 cm) high when open, or 26 inches (66 cm) on the centre lawn. Tents, grills, metal utensils and pets are banned. Inside the amphitheater at classical events, drinks are allowed but food is not. Picnic tables and the Julie Bonacio Family Pavilion are available. Live Nation concerts are stricter: no outside alcohol, no coolers, no personal chairs.
Frequently asked questions about Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)
How much are lawn tickets at SPAC?
2027 prices are not out yet. In 2026 lawn tickets for most classical nights were $19.66, a one-off 60th-anniversary price; film and pop nights cost $39–59, and students paid $20.
Are kids free on the lawn at SPAC?
Yes. For The Philadelphia Orchestra, kids 12 and under are free on the lawn with a paying adult; for New York City Ballet, up to 16. Film nights are half price for kids, and under-twos are always free.
Can you bring food and drinks to SPAC?
Yes. At classical events you may bring food, beverages, blankets and lawn chairs up to 43 inches (109 cm); SPAC does not say explicitly whether wine counts. Under the roof only drinks are allowed at your seat, and Live Nation concerts ban outside alcohol.
What happens at SPAC if it rains?
The show goes on and there are no refunds. The 5,200 seats are under a roof but the lawn is not; for classical events, ask the box office about upgrading to a covered seat.
Can you bring chairs to the SPAC lawn?
Yes, at SPAC events chairs up to 43 inches (109 cm) high are allowed, 26 inches (66 cm) on the centre lawn. Live Nation concerts ban personal chairs but rent them out.
When is The Philadelphia Orchestra at SPAC in 2027?
The orchestra plays from 28 July to 14 August 2027, after New York City Ballet from 7 to 10 July 2027. The programme was not out in November 2026; in recent years it was announced in February or March.
How much is parking at SPAC?
Parking is free for Philadelphia Orchestra and New York City Ballet performances; Live Nation concerts charge $10 per car.
Is there a dress code at SPAC?
No. Jeans and a T-shirt are as welcome as a suit or cocktail dress.
Venues nearby
Tanglewood
Caramoor