The nearby Tanglewood estate brings in more than 350,000 people each year to enjoy an incredible lineup of musical performances covering a huge variety of genres, styles and musical forms. It is also the summer home for the fabulous Boston Symphony Orchestra. Of course, all year long you can enjoy a vibrant assortment of music or picnic on the landscaped lawn.
About Tanglewood
Originally the Tappan family estate, Tanglewood encompasses over 210 acres of lawns and meadows. The outdoor music pavilion is its main attraction, but Tanglewood is also home to Seiji Ozawa Hall and three distinct music schools: the Tanglewood Music Center, the Boston University Tanglewood Institute and Days in the Arts.
Tanglewood Tours
From July through August, tours of the Tanglewood grounds are offered, encompassing the Koussevitzky Music Shed, Seiji Ozawa Hall, Visitors Center history rooms, the gorgeous grounds and more. Starting from the Tanglewood Manor House, these walking tours are free and open to the public.
Koussevitzky Music Shed
First opened in 1938 and refurbished extensively to improve acoustics in 1959, this outdoor music pavilion is where you can hear the strains of the Boston Symphony Orchestra all summer long. It also plays host to various popular concerts every year. Lawn seats allow you to bring your own food and beverages (including wine!), bring or rent chairs, and enjoy amplification and state of the art LED screens to see and hear everything that happens onstage.
Popular Concerts
Favorite national and international musical performers of rock, pop, and jazz frequently perform at Tanglewood. This year will bring Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Train, Goo Goo Dolls, Squeeze, and many more. It’s the perfect reason to plan a picnic on the lovely grounds before sitting back to listen to an outdoor concert at the Koussevitzky Music Shed.
Seiji Ozawa Hall
Open since 1994, this 1200-seat concert hall is the home of most Tanglewood chamber concerts, as well as Tanglewood Music Center orchestra performances and musical recitals. An impressive music hall offering incredible acoustics, the building is ranked among the top four concert halls ever built in the United States and 13th in the world.
Boston Symphony Orchestra
One of the Big Five major American symphony orchestras, the Boston Symphony Orchestra has astounded audiences since 1881. While the BSO primarily plays its concerts at Boston’s Symphony Hall, in the summer performances are held right across town at Tanglewood.
Tanglewood offers a host of additional annual events, including the popular Tanglewood Family Fun Fest in July, yoga on the lawn on Saturdays, and Summer Sundays. For those planning to visit or attend an event at Tanglewood, Seven Hills Inn is the perfect place to stay in The Berkshires.
*Images courtesy Boston Symphony Orchestra.