Borscht Belt Fest returns July 26-27, 2025
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
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TICKETS ON SALE NOW! ⋆
A celebration of comedy, culture and food in the Catskills
From sharp stand-up to unexpected stories, Borscht Belt Fest brings together an all-star lineup for a weekend of big laughs and thought-provoking conversations. The lineup features comics Josh Gondelman, Elon Gold, and Sarge, a night honoring legendary comedian Robert Klein, acclaimed author Gary Shteyngart, writers from SNL and The Tonight Show, and New Yorker cartoonists Asher Perlman, David Ostow, Liana Finck, and Avi Steinberg. And much more!
Keep in mind that this year, the street fair is on Sunday only.
Courtesy of Melody Gilbert / Frozen Feet Films
Borscht Belt Fest Street Fair — Sunday Only!
FREE
Sunday, July 27 · 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Canal Street, Ellenville
The streets of Ellenville will be buzzing with live music, mouthwatering food, nostalgic merch, local artisans, family activities, and more! Don't miss this vibrant celebration of Borscht Belt culture and community. Come for the fun, stay for the memories — and bring your appetite!
Free Events at the Hunt Memorial Building on Sunday:
AT THE GALLERY:
10:00 AM-4:00 PM: Capturing the Catskills: A Cross-Generational Playground. Photo exhibition featuring the work of Larry Racioppo. (Saturday & Sunday)
ON THE STAGE:
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Danny Lipsitz's High Anxiety Brass Band – High-energy music with retro flair
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM: Simon Sez Competition with Steve Max – Join the fun (all ages welcome!)
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Rugelach Bake-Off – contest closed
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Klezmer Berl’s Hotsie Totsie Orkester – Classic klezmer with a twist
3:30 PM-4:00 PM: Israeli-American rapper Kosha Dillz delivers distinctive and impactful rhymes in English Hebrew, Spanish and Yiddish.
Family Fun on the Hunt Lawn:
Stop by Mike’s Amazing Family Activities Tent for free games, crafts, and surprises for kids of all ages.
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM: The zany and talented ping-pong wizard Krazy Tyrone challenges all comers.
The Borscht Belt Tchotchke Road Show
FREE
Every 15 minutes on Saturday, July 26 from 3-4:15PM
& Sunday, July 27 from 10-12PM and 1-3PM
At the Barter Boat in the parking lot at 108 Canal Street
Got a Catskills keepsake? Bring it to the Borscht Belt Tchotchke Road Show — our donation event in partnership with the Barter Boat!
The Borscht Belt Museum is collecting Borscht Belt memorabilia — from hotel matchbooks and expired resort IDs to camp T-shirts, family recipe cards, postcards, viewfinders, old vacation photos and glamorous gowns from Catskills resort shows.
The whole process takes just 15 minutes: drop off your item, we'll record a video of you telling its Catskills story, and we’ll preserve your history.
The Jewish Dating Game
Saturday, July 26
6:00 - 9:00pm
The Common Good
119 Canal Street
“Not Your Motha's "Dating Game!" The Jewish Dating Game is a hilarious interactive game show with delicious prizes. Hosted by modern matchmaker Linnea Sage. Watch sparks fly or sign up to be a contestant! A night of joy, fun, and love for Jews and allies, singles and couples alike.
The show runs 6:00–7:30 PM, followed by a single mingle and raffle featuring more prizes from local Jewish vendors.
Want to be a contestant? Buy a ticket and fill out this form to apply.
All tickets include one cocktail. VIP tickets include front row seats and merch.
Volunteer – Because We Could Use a Few Good Mensches!
Don't miss your chance to be part of this celebration of the Borscht Belt era. Sign up to volunteer today.
Stay in Ellenville
Honor's Haven Retreat & Conference, the Borscht Belt Museum’s official lodging partner. Honor’s Haven is a five-minute drive from downtown Ellenville. This full-service resort offers comfortable accommodations, an indoor and outdoor pool, a fitness center, and a full-service spa. Guests can choose from a variety of room types and enjoy beautiful views of the Shawangunk Mountains. To reserve a room, call 844.469.7829 or email reservations@honorshaven.com and mention you're attending the Borscht Belt Fest to receive a discount.
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Borscht Belt Fest needs your support!
Please help us ensure Borscht Belt Fest is as vibrant, varied and successful as possible. Funds raised will support the artists, artisans, cooks and comedians who will be bringing their talents to Ellenville.
Consider it a mitzvah. And don’t forget: donations are tax-deductible!
Use the form to donate quickly and securely via Donorbox. Checks, to the Catskills Borscht Belt Museum, can be mailed to:
Borscht Belt Fest
90 Canal Street
Ellenville, N.Y. 12428
Or email us to arrange your donation.
Celebrating the Legacy
Borscht Belt Fest is a project of the Catskills Borscht Belt Museum, which is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Borscht Belt resort era, and celebrating its history as a refuge from bigotry, the cradle of stand-up comedy and a cultural catalyst that left deep imprints on America.
Come and enjoy our current exhibition, “And Such Small Portions: Food & Comedy in the Catskills Resort Era.”
The festival includes indoor and outdoor venues, anchored by the museum’s home, the former Home National Bank, a 1928 landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.
Architectural rendering of the Catskills Borscht Belt Museum by Architecture in Formation www.aifny.com.
Borscht Belt Fest employs local resources wherever possible and boosts Ellenville’s identity as a cultural magnet, tourist draw and diverse community welcoming to all.