The Hudson River Music Festival returned to Croton Point Park on June 21 for a day packed full of music, community, and environmental awareness, all set against the beautiful scenic backdrop of the Hudson River. This year’s headliners included Jesse Welles, Warren Haynes, Grahame Lesh, Daniel Donato, Margo Price, and many others.

The festival’s roots can be traced back to the mid-1960s, when Pete and Toshi Seeger organized folk gatherings along the Hudson River to raise awareness about pollution and the need to protect the region’s most iconic waterway. Those events eventually evolved into the Great Hudson River Revival, and today the Hudson River Music Festival continues that mission while embracing the scale and energy of a modern multi-stage music festival.

Now in its second consecutive year under the Hudson River Music Festival name, the event offered attendees three stages of programming. The Hudson Stage served as the festival’s main stage, while the Rainbow Stage focused primarily on folk and roots-oriented artists. A new addition for 2026, the North Star Stage provided family-friendly entertainment and activities throughout the day, further expanding the festival’s appeal.

Beyond the music, festivalgoers could explore a diverse collection of vendors offering everything from handmade goods to information from environmental and community organizations. Food options were equally varied, ranging from the classic festival favorites to vegetarian and vegan-friendly options, ensuring there was something for everyone.

While the vendors and activities created a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere throughout the grounds, the music remained the centerpiece of the day. With performances taking place across all three stages, attendees had no shortage of choices. Among the many standout sets, the collaborative performance by Warren Haynes, Grahame Lesh, and Daniel Donato, along with Jesse Welles’ festival-closing set, proved especially memorable.

Taking the Hudson Stage shortly after 6 p.m., Warren Haynes, Grahame Lesh, and Daniel Donato delivered one of the day’s most captivating performances. Opening with a powerful version of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Ohio,” that seamlessly transitioned into the Grateful Dead’s “Terrapin Station”, the trio immediately showcased their chemistry through the impeccable harmonies and effortless musical interplay. Haynes then stepped into the spotlight for a moving rendition of the Allman Brothers Band classic “Melissa.” The set continued with other beloved Grateful Dead favorites including “Peggy-O” and “I Know You Rider” before closing their set with a performance of “Casey Jones,” which featured a guest appearance from Margo Price.

To close out the festival, Jesse Welles delivered a little over an hour of music that showcased both his songwriting and ability to command a festival audience. Welles began the set alone on solo acoustic guitar, performing several songs in the stripped-down style that first introduced many listeners to his work online. During his fourth song, “Whirlwind,” his band joined him onstage, transforming the intimate atmosphere into a full-band performance.

Welles also treated the audience to a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” a song particularly well-suited to his distinctive vocal delivery. For the finale, Welles welcomed several fellow performers from the festival to the stage, including members of the Guthrie Family Singers, Margo Price, Grahame Lesh, and Daniel Donato. Together, they performed Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land,” bringing the event to a fitting conclusion.