DURATIONS Festival 2026 Brings Experimental Music and Cultural Experiences to Brooklyn

DURATIONS Festival 2026, a 7-day festival of experimental music, audiovisual performances, artist talks, and cultural events in New York, will take place in Brooklyn, NY, 9-15 November 2026. The present announced artists at four venues, providing an additional reason for visitors to immerse themselves in New York City’s bustling independent arts scene.

Curated by Brooklyn cultural space Public Records, the festival will be staged in all the venues’ locations, including its flagship base in Gowanus, and at Gowanus arts venues Pioneer Works, Roulette and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

For overseas visitors arriving in New York in November this festival is quick and easy to incorporate with visits to the local neighbourhood restaurants, galleries, museums and sights of Brooklyn. The open programme is flexible so ideal for a short city break.

Four New York Cultural Venues Will Host Seven Days of Performances

The festival will extend beyond a conventional concert setting by bringing together four established arts spaces. Each location will contribute to a programme that explores sound, performance and artistic collaboration.

Public Records, at 233 Butler Street in Gowanus, will serve as the festival’s central venue. Its Sound Room will host several headline performances, while its Upstairs space will welcome additional electronic music programming.

Pioneer Works, in Red Hook, will provide another cultural setting for festival activities. The organisation supports artistic experimentation across music, visual arts and interdisciplinary projects.

Roulette, in Downtown Brooklyn, will add a performance-focused venue to the programme. The Whitney Museum of American Art in Manhattan will extend the festival’s reach beyond Brooklyn and connect its music programme with a major New York arts institution.

The four-venue format gives travellers opportunities to explore different neighbourhoods rather than spending their entire visit at one location.

William Basinski and Suzanne Ciani Lead a Diverse International Line-up

The festival’s announced programme includes prominent figures from experimental composition, electronic music and contemporary performance. William Basinski will perform across three nights in the Public Records Sound Room, creating one of the event’s central attractions.

Electronic music pioneer Suzanne Ciani will join a line-up featuring Kara-Lis Coverdale, Klein, Matana Roberts, Dasha Rush, DJ Sprinkles, Yu Su and Eiko Ishibashi.

The programme will also feature Buttechno, Emily A. Sprague, LEYA, Molina, Claudio PRC and Francis Harris. Terre Thaemlitz will present a debut live piano performance, while Fred Moten and Brandon Lopez will collaborate on a reading.

Afrikan Sciences will take over the Upstairs space at Public Records. Breadtree Farms will contribute a dining experience, adding a social element to the cultural schedule.

These performances will appeal particularly to visitors interested in ambient music, experimental electronics, improvisation and unconventional live experiences.

Music Talks, Artist Readings and Dining Experiences Expand the Festival

DURATIONS Festival will offer more than concerts. Its cultural programme will include discussions, readings, shared dining and events that explore connections between contemporary art and society.

Triple Canopy will present a discussion on 9 November featuring Chloë Bass, Jeremy Toussaint-Baptiste and Hal Foster. Breadtree Farms will host a dinner on 11 November, while Meredith Graves will participate in a conversation on 13 November.

The weekend programme will include gong meditation, brunch gatherings and further artist discussions. These activities give cultural travellers additional opportunities to experience Brooklyn’s creative community.

DURATIONS Festival 2026 Tickets, Entry Rules and Booking Information

Visitors will find tickets on the Public Records event calendar. Fans of the festival can select from single events or festival passes to suit their travel itineraries.

All passes include the following festival events, but the Whitney Museum program is not included in the passes and will require free tickets. Please refer to the festival information provided for more details. Participants must check availability, entry conditions and booking conditions prior to booking.

Must be 21+ to attend Festival. ID is required for all international visitors, as well as individual venues.

Essential Brooklyn Travel Guide for International Festival Visitors

Brooklyn offers several accommodation options for visitors attending DURATIONS Festival. Travellers can consider Gowanus, Downtown Brooklyn, Boerum Hill and Park Slope for convenient access to Public Records and surrounding attractions.

John F. Kennedy International Airport provides a major international gateway to New York City. Travellers can use public transport or licensed ground transportation to reach their accommodation.

New York City’s subway network provides a practical way to travel between festival venues. The city’s OMNY system supports contactless payments, allowing visitors to use compatible bank cards or mobile devices.

Visitors should also consider these travel arrangements:

• Festival dates: 9–15 November 2026.
• Main venue: Public Records, 233 Butler Street, Brooklyn.
• Nearby subway access: Bergen Street and Union Street stations.
• Accommodation: Book early and compare refundable hotel rates.
• Travel documents: Check US entry and visa requirements before departure.

Brooklyn Attractions Add Value to a November Music Holiday

Combine festival showings with days in Brooklyn’s independent galleries and dining districts and on the waterfront.

Red Hook is a unique waterfront neighborhood that awaits your discovery and Downtown Brooklyn has great shopping, dining and cultural venues nearby. The Brooklyn Bridge area and other surrounding open spaces are also worth a look.

November is colder in New York, so expect travel between locations to take place outdoors. Pack comfortable shoes, dress in layers, and plan your transportation to be prepared for a festival stretch of multiple days. Official event information: Public Records festival calendar, https://ra.co/events/

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