35th Annual Hudson Valley Beltane Festival at Stone Mountain Farm
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The Beltane Pageant
The highlight of the day is the Beltane Pageant, a theatrical performance of myth, magic, aerial flight, and giant puppetry that marks the height of spring and the welcoming of summer. Dancers from The Vanaver Caravan Dance Institute weave a wondrous tale as fairies, gnomes, elemental spirits, and magical creatures.
Expect a rainbow of giant puppets, talking birds, dancing dragons, prancing horses, and a menagerie of mythical beings large, small, mischievous, and kind. So don your fairy wings, pack a picnic blanket, gather your friends and family, and join us as we welcome the blooming season together.
Help us keep the Earth as beautiful as Beltane itself by traveling together. Carpooling, biking, walking, or hiking into the festival helps reduce our environmental footprint and makes the journey even more fun.
What is Beltane?
Beltane is an ancient seasonal festival traditionally celebrated on May 1, marking the height of spring and the welcoming of summer.
Rooted in Celtic traditions of Ireland and Scotland, Beltane honored the fertility of the land and the return of warmth after winter. Communities gathered to light great bonfires, dance, feast, and celebrate the abundance of the coming season.
Many traditions we associate with spring celebrations today (including maypoles, flower crowns, music, dancing, and revelry) echo these ancient festivities.
The Hudson Valley Beltane Festival carries this spirit forward in a modern way, bringing our community together through music, dance, storytelling, imagination, and celebration of the natural world.
Who produces the Hudson Valley Beltane Festival?
The Hudson Valley Beltane Festival is a collaborative celebration produced through the partnership of Stone Mountain Farm and The Vanaver Caravan.
Stone Mountain Farm and the Center at Stone Mountain host the festival on their beautiful land, stewarding the space where the community gathers each spring.
The Vanaver Caravan contributes the Beltane Pageant, an original theatrical production featuring dancers from the Vanaver Caravan Dance Institute, along with giant puppetry, music, storytelling, and magical creatures.
Together, these organizations bring the land, the artists, and the community together to celebrate the turning of the season.
Proceeds from the festival support both the stewardship of Stone Mountain Farm and the year-round arts programs of The Vanaver Caravan.
When do the gates open?
Festival gates open at 12:00 PM.
Come early to wander the grounds, explore the activities, and settle in before the Pageant.
What time should I arrive?
The Beltane Pageant begins at 4:00 PM, but we strongly encourage guests to arrive earlier in the afternoon to enjoy the festival activities and allow plenty of time for parking and settling in.
Arriving between 12:00–3:00 PM will give you time to explore the grounds, visit vendors, enjoy music and activities, and find a comfortable spot on the lawn before the Pageant begins. NO ADMISSION AFTER 3PM.
When does the Beltane Pageant begin?
The Beltane Pageant begins at 4:00 PM and runs approximately 90 minutes. This magical performance of myth, giant puppetry, dance, and aerial flight is the culminating event of the day.
When does the festival end?
The Beltane celebration winds down in the early evening. Gates close by 7:00 PM. This is a daytime festival with no late-night festivities.
Do I need a ticket?
Yes. All attendees must have a ticket to enter. Please purchase your ticket(s) in advance. Tickets are tiered with a sliding scale option:
TICKET TIERS:
Sapling Ticket $25
Standard admission to the Beltane Festival. Your ticket helps support the artists, musicians, and many hands who bring this joyful community celebration to life.
Circle of Support Ticket $45
By choosing this ticket, you help make the festival accessible to others while nurturing the creative community that gathers each spring at Stone Mountain Farm.
Little Sprout Child's Ticket $15
For our youngest revelers (Ages 2-12). Children are invited to wander the meadow, dance beneath the maypole, and experience the wonder of Beltane.
Seedling Ticket Pay what you can
Our pay-what-you-can option. Choose a price that works for you and join the celebration. Every person gathered around the Beltane fire helps bring the festival to life.
Annual SMF Membership (Individual) $125
This is a group ticket, it includes 2 tickets
Annual SMF Membership (Family) $175
This is a group ticket, it includes 4 tickets
What activities will there be?
The festival grounds will be full of adventures and delights throughout the afternoon, including:
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Flying Trapeze with Wild Arts Collective
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Swords in the Field with Wayfinder Experience
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Live Music • Storytelling • Roaming Performers
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Vendors and artisan booths
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Scavenger hunts and LARP adventures (Live Action Role Play)
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Flying lessons and interactive activities
*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.