Bluegrass Legends Leftover Salmon to Headline New York State's An...

New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy today announced the return of the 2026 Hops and Harvest Festival, a vibrant evening featuring local food, craft beverages, and world-class live music, headlined by Leftover Salmon, at the Empire State Plaza on Wednesday, September 9, from 5 to 9 p.m. 

"The Hops and Harvest Festival is a true celebration of what makes Albany so special — our people," Commissioner Moy said. "When we gather at the Empire State Plaza, we do more than enjoy a free night of incredible bluegrass music; we come together as a community to uplift the local brewers, farmers, and artisanal makers who pour their hearts into their craft. This festival is about connection. It's a chance to share a locally crafted brew, savor the fall harvest, and support the hardworking local vendors who bring this season to life." 

First held in 2018, the Hops and Harvest Festival celebrates the best of upstate New York’s harvest season, pairing local flavors with craft beers from some of the state's most innovative breweries. The evening will feature a lineup of activities, including cornhole and a pie-eating contest, hosted by Steve Barnes, Times Union's restaurant columnist and theater critic. 

This year’s festival features a stellar lineup of live music, with acclaimed jamgrass performances by headliner Leftover Salmon alongside special guests Wyatt Ellis and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes.   

For more than three decades, Leftover Salmon has been a pioneering force in the bluegrass, Americana, and the modern jam-band scene. The band blends traditional bluegrass with rock, funk, and other influences to create its high-energy sound. Founding members Drew Emmitt and Vince Herman lead the band’s longest-running and strongest lineup to date, joined by banjo virtuoso Andy Thorn, bassist Greg Garrison, drummer Alwyn Robinson, and dobro and keyboard player Jay Starling. With a reputation for electrifying live performances, Leftover Salmon continues to evolve, bringing the unmistakable energy of Americana to audiences across the country. 

Tentative Performance Schedule  
5:30 p.m.     Wyatt Ellis 
6:30 p.m.     Bronwyn Keith-Hynes 
7:45 p.m.     Leftover Salmon  

Sponsors of the Hops and Harvest Festival include 102.7 WEQX.  

Free parking is available in the East Garage and Madison Avenue and Grand Street parking lots. Paid parking is available in the visitor lot underneath the Empire State Plaza. Motorists driving to the event are advised that, due to an ongoing construction project, westbound traffic on the Empire State Plaza arterial roadway is reduced to one lane, and a temporary bypass lane is available for through traffic.  

For event updates and additional information, visit empirestateplaza.ny.gov, @EmpireStatePlaza on Facebook, and @plazaevents on Instagram, or call (518) 474-4759.  

OGS implemented a new emergency text alert system that the public can use at Summer at the Plaza events to receive event-specific emergency notifications. For the Hops and Harvest Festival, the public can text ESP26 to 888777 to opt in and receive emergency messages.  

About the New York State Office of General Services 

For 65 years, the New York State Office of General Services (OGS) has proudly served as the operational engine of New York State. The agency provides the essential foundation for government to function seamlessly — managing and leasing real property, designing modern facilities, streamlining procurement, and stewarding world-class cultural assets. Through its commitment to efficiency, innovation, and environmental sustainability, OGS handles the complex logistics of government so that its partners can dedicate their full focus to what matters most: advancing their missions to serve the people of New York.