Tanglewood

View on map
MusicLenox
DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsTanglewood grew from experimental 1934
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Tanglewood in Lenox

Tanglewood is the summer concert venue and festival in Lenox and Stockbridge, Massachusetts, that has served as the Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer home since 1937. Set in the Berkshire Hills, it centers on the open-air Koussevitzky Music Shed, opened in 1938, and the smaller Seiji Ozawa Hall, hosting Boston Symphony and Boston Pops concerts, the Tanglewood Music Center training program, and appearances by artists like James Taylor and John Williams.

Tanglewood's story begins not with the Boston Symphony Orchestra but with a smaller, independent experiment.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Tanglewood grew from experimental 1934 concerts at a private Berkshires estate into the Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer identity, a shift driven by conductor Serge Koussevitzky after the orchestra's first Berkshires performance in 1936

02

The mystery stays covered

When a 1937 thunderstorm interrupted a concert, co-founder Gertrude Robinson Smith raised thirty thousand dollars from the rain-soaked crowd to fund a permanent structure, leading to the 1938 completion of the fan-shaped Koussevitzky Music Shed

03

The city starts moving

The grounds carry musical history: Aaron Copland's ashes were scattered over the Tanglewood Music Center after his 1990 death, Leonard Bernstein conducted his final concert here that same August, and a fourteen-year-old Midori snapped two violin strings mid-performance in 1986

04

The water draws everyone in

The estate took its name from Nathaniel Hawthorne's Tanglewood Tales, written while he lived in a cottage on the property

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The Boston Symphony Orchestra has performed at Tanglewood every summer since 1938

Water and renewal

Living ritual

apart from the World War II years and the 2020 pandemic season

The sacred route

Living ritual

making it one of the longest-running summer residencies of any American orchestra

The local code

Living ritual

Long-running traditions include lawn picnicking during Shed performances

Tradition 5

Living ritual

the annual Tanglewood Music Center training program for young musicians

Tradition 6

Living ritual

the Festival of Contemporary Music

Tradition 7

Living ritual

and a memorial garden with a bust of Aaron Copland

Tradition 8

Living ritual

whose ashes were scattered on the grounds after his death

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

For Tanglewood, plan transport around the exact Lenox venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Summer concert casual works well: light layers for warm days that cool off by evening, comfortable shoes for walking the grounds, and a light jacket or sweater for open-air Shed seating...

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

For Tanglewood, stay near the part of Lenox you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map42.36 N, 73.28 WOpen in Google Maps

Lenox, MA

Nearest airportALB — Albany
TransportFor Tanglewood, plan transport around the exact Lenox venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Tanglewood, stay near the part of Lenox you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Lenox via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Lenox, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare faresFestival gearSummer concert casual works well: light layers for warm days that cool off by evening, comfortable shoes for walking the grounds, and a light jacket or sweater for open-air Shed seating after dark, since Berkshire evenings can turn cool even in July and August.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Tanglewood?

Tanglewood is listed for June · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Tanglewood take place?

The festival is listed in Lenox, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Lenox, MA

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLbso.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June
Source statusOfficial source linked
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