The Woodstock Music & Art Fair opens in Bethel, New York, featuring some of the top rock musicians of the era.

The Woodstock Music & Art Fair, held from August 15–18, 1969, in Bethel, New York, was one of the most iconic events in music history and a defining symbol of the 1960s counterculture. Initially promoted as “An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music,” the festival was expected to attract about 50,000 attendees but instead drew an estimated 400,000 people. Despite the massive crowd, inadequate facilities, and unexpected rainstorms, Woodstock became remembered for its peaceful atmosphere, communal spirit, and the way it brought together an entire generation under the shared ideals of music, love, and anti-war sentiment.

The lineup featured an extraordinary roster of artists who would go on to define rock and folk music for decades. Legendary performances came from Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, Santana, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Jefferson Airplane, among many others. Hendrix’s rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” became one of the most famous musical statements of the era, blending virtuosity with political resonance during a time of deep societal division over the Vietnam War. Woodstock also introduced several emerging acts to a wider audience, cementing its role as both a cultural milestone and a career springboard.

Beyond the music, Woodstock’s legacy lies in its embodiment of the 1960s counterculture ethos. It was a spontaneous social experiment in community and cooperation, where strangers shared food, shelter, and experiences in the face of challenging conditions. The event’s enduring mythos has been fueled by documentaries, photographs, and music recordings that captured not just the performances, but the spirit of unity and hope. Over time, Woodstock has come to represent an idealized vision of peace and artistic freedom, even as later attempts to recreate it have struggled to capture the same magic.