ROCHESTER, N.Y.–Central New York’s biggest food and music festival, The Summit Federal Credit Union Taste of Syracuse, will return on Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 in and around Clinton Square from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm both days. Admission is free.
Taste of Syracuse is sponsored by The Summit Federal Credit Union and presented by Tops Friendly Markets.
According to the organizations, festivalgoers will have the chance to sample delicious items from local eateries for only $2. Several new restaurants and vendors will be joining the 2025 festival, and many fan favorites will be returning.
The Taste of Syracuse will have non-stop music for two days featuring over 30 bands from all over Central New York and over 100 musicians. Steven Page, musician, singer, songwriter and founding member of the Barenaked Ladies, will headline the festival on Saturday night on the Main Stage. Additionally, The Arcade will perform on the Erie Stage later in the evening on Saturday, bringing the sight and sounds of the 1980s to life in an unforgettably immersive experience.
Sophistafunk will entertain audiences on Friday, mashing up funk, rap, and their own distinct brand of positive vibes. The popular Youth Talent Showcase returns Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., highlighting the region’s rising stars.
New for 2025, the festival will introduce a visual art showcase, transforming Perseverance Park (corner of Washington and Salina Streets) into a vibrant space to highlight the work of local artists. The area will also include an interactive chalk art station for families to get creative and join in the fun.
The Taste of Syracuse will collect donations for two charitable organizations, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central New York, and David’s Refuge. The Summit, Tops, along with other sponsors and vendors will be working with the festival to raise money for these great charities all weekend long. All proceeds from activities at The Summit’s tent and the Tops tent will be donated to these charities.
“As your local credit union committed to supporting Syracuse and Central New York, we love to sponsor events such as this that make our region so special and unique, which is why The Summit has been the title sponsor of the Taste of Syracuse since 2017,” said Twanda Christensen, Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement for The Summit Federal Credit Union. “If you stop by our tent, you not only have the chance to meet the people that serve you in our branches, but you can also enjoy fun activities and contests. All money raised goes directly to support caregiving families in Central New York.”