Mark it. Circle it. Tell the grandparents, the neighbors, and the group chat.
GlassFest 2026 runs May 22–24 in downtown Corning. It’s a free, three-day celebration of glass, live music, food, family activities, and fireworks in America’s Crystal City. It is one of the best events our region puts on every year, and this year’s lineup is stacked.
What’s Happening
Friday, May 22 kicks off with a Glass Ribbon Cutting at noon in Centerway Square, followed by live music across four stages on Market Street from noon to 6 p.m. Then the Rock the Park Concert Series at Riverfront Centennial Park takes over: Fall Creek Brass Band at 5:30 p.m., followed by John King at 6:30 p.m., and Drake White headlining at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 23 is the big day. Live music on Market Street runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the YMCA Kid Zone at Chestnut & Market runs 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with free face painting all day. Magic shows with Collin Ward, FLX Improv performances, hands-on glass mosaic making, and glassblowing demonstrations fill every corner of downtown. Then at Riverfront Park: Uptown Groove at 6 p.m., followed by Are You Ready For It: A Taylor Experience by Traci Bruccoleri at 8 p.m., and fireworks over the Chemung River at 9:45 p.m.
Sunday, May 24 wraps up with a Memorial Day Tribute at Riverfront Centennial Park, a meaningful close to a big weekend.
All weekend long: live glassblowing demonstrations at Centerway Square Stage with Corning Museum of Glass run noon to 8 p.m. with shows every hour on the hour. Vitrix Hot Glass Studio also runs ongoing demonstrations throughout the weekend. Flameworking demos from Laura Simone at West End Gallery, Magpie Glass Studio, and The Flowing Crystal round out the glass programming. Over 100 vendors line Market Street Friday through Sunday.
Oh, and Corning Historical Walking Tours run Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. which are free and a great way to learn the story behind this town if you haven’t done one before.
Tips and Tricks for a Great GlassFest
Get there for the glassblowing first. The hourly demonstrations at Centerway Square fill up fast as the day goes on. Plan to catch the noon or 1 p.m. show and work your way down Market Street from there. Kids who watch a glassblower for the first time never forget it.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket for Rock the Park. The concerts at Riverfront Centennial Park are standing-room-plus-whatever-you-brought. The good spots go early, especially Saturday night before the fireworks. Aim to be at the park by 5:30 p.m. if you want to settle in comfortably.
Saturday fireworks viewing tip: The Centerway Walking Bridge and the riverfront area offer some of the best sightlines for the fireworks show over the Chemung River. Scout your spot before the Taylor Experience ends because it fills up. Weather permitting.
Parking is easier than you think if you know where to go. The city parking garages on Centerway and Pine Street fill less quickly than the street spots. Get there before noon on Saturday and you’ll have no trouble. Weekdays and Sunday morning tend to be much easier all around.
The Hands-On Glass Mosaic sessions book up. The Make Your Own Glass Mosaic Tile sessions run Friday 3–5 p.m. and Saturday noon–2 p.m. and 3–5 p.m. These are popular with kids and adults alike so arrive a few minutes early to secure your spot in a session.
Wear comfortable shoes. Market Street is brick and beautiful, but a full day of GlassFest covers a lot of ground.
Dogs are welcome and there will be a lot of them. Leashed, friendly, and absolutely part of the GlassFest atmosphere.
Eat off the beaten path. The Market Street restaurants get slammed during GlassFest weekend. If you want a table, go early (before noon or after 2 p.m.) or explore vendors. The food vendor setups are genuinely solid and usually pretty fast.
GlassFest is one of those events that reminds you why Corning is special… it’s not just as a place to pass through, but as a community that knows how to celebrate what makes it unique. Come hungry, come curious, and come ready for fireworks.
Full schedule and updates at gafferdistrict.com. See you on Market Street!