Woodstock 1969

Woodstock 1969, officially the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, was a major music festival held on Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in Bethel, New York, from August 15 to 18, 1969.

Woodstock 1969, officially the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, was a major music festival held on Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in Bethel, New York, from August 15 to 18, 1969. It became one of the most famous events of the 1960s and a defining symbol of the counterculture era. The festival drew an estimated 400,000 to 500,000 attendees and featured 32 to 33 acts.

Background and planning

Woodstock was organized by four young promoters who formed Woodstock Ventures, Inc. and set out to stage a large music festival. The event name remained Woodstock even though the festival was ultimately held in Bethel, New York.

Festival and performers

The concert featured a large roster of rock and folk performers and became known for landmark sets by artists such as Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Janis Joplin, Santana, and Joe Cocker. Weather, crowd size, and logistical problems shaped the event’s history.

Attendance and conditions

The festival drew far more people than expected, creating shortages of food, water, medical support, and sanitation. Despite the scale of the crowd, the event is remembered for the absence of major violence.

Cultural legacy

Woodstock became one of the best-known festivals in popular culture and a symbol of the late-1960s counterculture. Its 1970 documentary and subsequent historical recognition helped cement its place in music history.