FAQs

For many of our guests, overnight lodging is not only necessary, but an integral part of the Glimmerglass experience. Search the wide selection of accommodations available during the Festival.

You can wear whatever you like at Glimmerglass. Days can be warm; evenings can be cool. Please keep in mind that there is no heat or air conditioning in the theater, and dress for the weather. Casual wear is fine for all operas. At The Glimmerglass Festival, attire may range from khakis, jeans and sandals to a suit and tie.

Please refrain from wearing fragrances, as they may stimulate respiratory sensitivities with our singers and other patrons. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Audience members were not required to wear a mask inside the theater for 2023 Festival. However, we encourage patrons to protect their personal health and to mask if they wish to or need to.

The Festival encourages audience members who feel ill or show symptoms of illness to remain home. To facilitate this, we offer a flexible exchange policy. Call the Box Office (preferably 48 hours in advance of the performance) at (607) 547-2255 and explain your situation; we will exchange your tickets to another 2023 Festival performance based on availability.

The Alice Busch Opera Theater features unique sliding walls that open prior to performances and during intermissions. Our audience members are not directly exposed to the elements; however, aside from ceiling fans, our theater is not climate controlled. We recommend our audience members dress for comfort.

Parking at The Glimmerglass Festival is free. Audience members park across the street from the Alice Busch Opera Theater. Accessible parking is available next to the theater. Our friendly parkers will help direct you.

All mainstage operas and musicals are less than three hours, which includes one intermission. Run time estimates are included on individual show webpages.

Yes, English text is projected above the stage for every opera performance, even when the opera is sung in English. For musicals, lyrics are projected.

Please allow 45 minutes to park and be seated. If you have more time, a free preview is offered by a member of our music staff an hour prior to each performance.

The Glimmerglass Festival offers previews one hour prior to each show. Join a member of our expert music staff in the Preview Tent, between the Marketplace and Pavilion, for an insightful half-hour presentation. These sessions are free and open to all tickets holders.

Refreshments are available two hours before curtain and during intermission. Our Marketplace, located next to the theater, offers fine wines, specialty wraps, sandwiches, salads and desserts.

The Glimmerglass Festival Gift Shop opens two hours prior to curtain, and is located in our Marketplace, next to the theater. The Gift Shop features new mugs, T-shirts, note cards and more.

Glimmerglass staff members work to make sure all our patrons are satisfied. The first level of the theater is ADA compliant. Please let the Box Office know your needs in advance. Assisted listening devices are complimentary and may be picked up at the Audience Services Desk one hour prior to the performance. Please be aware that there is no elevator to the theater’s second level.

There are no refunds or cancellations. This applies to all ticket purchases.

Please consider donating your tickets to the company for resale. If we are able to resell them, you will receive a letter acknowledging your donation at the end of the summer.

Latecomers, and those who exit during the performance, are seated at the discretion of the House Manager.

There is no smoking, outside drink/food, photography, or recording devices in the theater.

Everyone must have a ticket to enter the theater and you must sit in the location specified on the front of your ticket, unless otherwise directed by a staff member. We welcome children and recommend age 6 as a minimum for opera attendance. No babies-in-arms or children sitting in laps. The Glimmerglass Festival offers youth discount tickets for ages 12 and younger, when they are accompanied by an adult. Call the Box Office at (607) 547-2255 to take part in the Youth Discount tickets.

If you are a doctor on call you may leave either your cell phone or pager at the Audience Services Desk along with your name and seat number and we will come and get you if you are needed. If you do not have a cell phone or pager, you may give out our kiosk phone number and we will get you in case of an emergency. The kiosk phone number is (607) 547-0700 ext. 251.

The company permits smoking in select areas, which are at least 100 feet from all rooflines. This policy covers both traditional, electronic and alternative smoking devices.

We know many people love to travel to Cooperstown with their pets. However, due to safety reasons, unattended animals are not permitted on Glimmerglass grounds, including our parking lots. Inside the theater, only service animals are allowed. Emotional Support Animals are not permitted to accompany you during performances.
Head to our Pet Care page under “Your Visit” to find a listing of nearby pet care facilities, ordered by distance from Glimmerglass.

We offer Military, Youth, and Student discounts of 10% off single ticket price. Call the Box Office at 607-547-2255 to utilize the Student and Youth discounts. Military Discounts may be applied when purchasing online.

Contact us! We’re happy to help.