COVID-19 Policies + FAQ
The Glimmerglass Festival remains committed to the safety and comfort of our guests and company members. Our policies and procedures are based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and regulations from state and local governments, as well as the best practices in the performing arts industry, and the recommendations of leading epidemiologists and our Health & Safety Task Force, which works in collaboration with medical advisors and local public health officials. All policies and procedures regarding the health and safety of our audience members are kept up to date here.
Last updated: September 12, 2022
If the Festival must cancel performances, audience members will have the option of a receiving a full refund or donating the value of your tickets to the Festival.
Audience members were required to wear a mask inside the theater for 2022 Festival. While we are hopeful masks will not be needed inside Festival buildings for the 2023 Festival, the company will not be able to make a determination until much closer to opening night.
If you have purchased tickets to the 2023 Festival, you will receive e-mails in advance of your visit with additional information. Please understand that masks may be required to enter the theater.
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 Glimmerglass Festival encourages those who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination per the CDC’s recommendations.
The Glimmerglass Festival will not require proof of vaccination to access 2023 Festival performances.
The below information may not apply when in a pandemic. If you have purchased tickets to the Festival, you will receive the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 policies & procedures via e-mail prior to your visit.
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.
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 tickets for $10-25 for ages 12 and younger, when they are accompanied by an adult.
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.
Contact us! We’re happy to help.