The 2026 season marks Genesee Country Village & Museum’s 50th Anniversary. This milestone brings tons of exciting family-friendly events to enjoy! Here are just a few that you should have on your radar this summer.
Vintage Baseball Games
Throughout summer
Baseball games are included with the cost of general Museum admission. Don’t forget, admission is always FREE for Museum Members!
Extended Hours
June 26 & July 17
A dozen buildings in the Historic Village will be open until 8pm, along with the Flint Hill Store, John L. Wehle Gallery, and the Genesee Country Nature Center and trails. Learn from costumed interpreters and tour spaces and buildings representing home, civic, social, economic, farm, and religious life throughout the 1800s.
Firefly Fridays
June 26
Bring your family for a guided evening hike across from our main campus in our Oatka Creek meadow, a place visitors don’t normally get to see. Tours are led by naturalists with deep knowledge of these creatures. Before or after your tour, enjoy a campfire and s’mores (weather permitting) and complete a firefly craft.
National Youth Takeover Day
June 27
GCV&M, along with organizations across the country, will hand over the mic, the space, and the storytelling to the next generation. Highlighting their voices, ideas, and leadership as we commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary and imagine new ways to build a stronger, more connected future.
Corsets & Crowns: An Ode to 19th Century Drag
June 27
An ode to drag performances and female impersonation in 19th-Century Western New York, enjoy drinks and a delicious buffet dinner, discover the historic roots of drag, and be dazzled and delighted by modern queens. Join Mrs. Kasha Davis, Darienne Lake, and Carmen Adore for an evening of music, comedy, cheer, laughter, and history-inspired fun.
Independence Day
July 4
Join Genesee Country Village & Museum’s beloved Independence Day Celebration—where history comes to life and community takes center stage. Enjoy a full day of patriotic fun, immersive experiences, and good old-fashioned revelry!
Freedom Day
July 5
As we commemorate 250 years of independence, we reflect on the many meanings of ‘freedom’ and how it has been practiced. Through stories, conversation, and shared exploration, consider how liberty was experienced differently across communities, and how its meaning has been debated, expanded, and reimagined over time.
Forbidden Fruit After-Hours Tour
July 10, 17, & 18
Embark on an enchanting guided, interactive tour where you’ll encounter three couples, each intimately tied to 19th-century Genesee Country through their heartfelt love letters and private correspondence.
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Concert
July 11
Join the RPO for a summer evening performance on the Great Meadow featuring a variety of pieces recognizing the 250th anniversary of the United States. This concert is sponsored by Tom and Nan Hildebrandt.
Pavilion Garden Brunch
July 12, 19, 26, & August 9
Join us for a fan favorite, summer brunch in our indoor / outdoor Pavilion Garden Restaurant! The cost of your ticket includes day-long access to all GCV&M has to offer: our 19th-century Historic Village, exhibits in the John L. Wehle Gallery, and Nature Trails.
Landmarks & Lunch Trolley Tour
July16
This tour is enjoyed by visitors of all ages! An interpreter will accompany you on the ride, highlighting favorite points of interest as you explore the village. After the tour, you’re invited to unwind at the Freight House pub and enjoy a light lunch.
Camp Hard Hat
July 20 – 24
Join us for the return of Camp Hard Hat! Learn the fundamentals of construction, design, project safety, and proper use of tools from certified instructors. Camp Hard Hat is open to kids ages 12 to 15.
Centennial Expo
July 25 & 26
An expo for the ages! Explore what was brand new, cutting edge, and mind-blowing in America’s first hundred years, who came and went through the Genesee Valley, the shift from craft to commerce, and innovation’s impact on everyday life.
Summer Tea
July 31, August 1 & 2
Enjoy a delightful tea service of sweets, savories, and hot or iced teas in the open-air Pavilion. Afterward, listen to Village Interpreter Judy Johnson discuss the history of quilting during the 19th century.
National Silver Ball Tournament
July 31 – August 2
Watch as teams from the Midwest to the Northeast unpack their woolen uniforms, brown balls, and double-knobbed bats to play in Silver Base Ball Park, on the Great Meadow, and this year, a THIRD field on Upper Meadow
Kids Free Days
August 6, 13, 20, & 27
All kids 12 and under will receive free admission to the Museum on Thursdays in August. We’ll offer a wide array of activities in the Historic Village for kids to enjoy, including historic games on the Village Square, ice cream making, new farm animal-themed treats in the D.B. Munger Confectionery, and more.
Summer Flower Arranging & Conditioning Workshop
August 9
While blooms are plentiful mid to late summer, cutting and conditioning stems and arrangements carefully will ensure they last a long time indoors on your table for enjoyment. Learn the tricks of the trade from seasoned historic gardener, Emily Conable. Ticket includes Museum Admission, so come early to enjoy the Village, Nature Center, and Gallery!
Fiddle & Folk Festival
August 15 & 16
Fiddle & Folk Festival will bring together musicians on different stages around the Museum grounds for a weekend of non-stop entertainment!
Family Fun Day Camp
August 26 – 28
Bring the family and join us for a fun-filled day of family-friendly activities! Whether your little one isn’t quite ready to attend camp by themselves or you are just looking for a chance for the whole family to join in the camp fun, we have you covered.
Taste of History
August 28, 29, & 30
Embark on an enchanting journey through the diverse culinary landscape of the 19th-century. Uncover fascinating food fads, view unique cooking equipment, explore innovative culinary technologies, and delve into the intriguing world of ingredients that shaped this vibrant era.
Blooms & Bites
August 29 & 30
Embark on a guided tour of our heirloom gardens, followed by a box lunch in the blooming Pavilion Garden Restaurant.
Vines & Virtues After-Hours Tours
September 4, 5, 11, & 12
Join us on this engaging journey through time, where each sip of wine tells a tale of tradition, struggle, and resilience.
Hop Harvest Festival
September 5
Tour of one of the only working 19th-century breweries in the United States. Hear our costumed interpreters talk about harvesting and processing hops. Stop by our historic kitchens to taste 19th-century food with recipes that include ale and learn how families might have used hops medicinally.
Heirloom Vegetable: Walk & Talk
September 13
Explore what’s growing in the Museum vegetable gardens with expert gardener, Emily Conable. Learn the history of heirloom vegetables, growing conditions required, and how to store properly (i.e., root cellaring). Ticket includes Museum Admission, so come early to enjoy the Village, Nature Center, and Gallery!
Be sure to share all your GCV&M summertime adventures with us using #VisitROC and check out event more events here.
