About this venue
Fort Hill Performing Arts Center is a historic theatre in Canandaigua, housed in a restored section of the former Canandaigua Academy dating from 1928. Its main auditorium, the Sands Family Foundation Theatre, accommodates approximately 427 guests and combines the preserved character of the original proscenium with modern stage, lighting and sound equipment. The intimate scale makes the venue well suited to concerts, theatre productions, dance, comedy and other performing arts events.
The auditorium features upholstered orchestra seating and a mezzanine with box seating, providing clear views toward the stage. The restored interior retains the atmosphere of a 1920s theatre while incorporating contemporary production facilities. The venue also includes a gallery area, bar and concessions, while the mezzanine can be reached by elevator.
The theatre is located at 20 Fort Hill Ave, Canandaigua, United States. On-site parking is limited, with additional free parking available along Fort Hill Avenue and Main Street; the entrance to the venue parking lot is the second entrance on the left along Fort Hill Avenue. For broader information on getting around Canandaigua and connections with surrounding transport hubs, see the city guide below.
About the city
Canandaigua, a picturesque city in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, is an excellent choice for visitors who want to combine concerts, sporting events, and a relaxed lakeside stay. The city is known for its pleasant atmosphere, attractive location at the northern end of Canandaigua Lake, and an offering that works well for short city breaks, weekend trips, and visits to major events. Because of its size, Canandaigua keeps a calmer character, while still offering enough attractions, restaurants, and accommodation for audiences arriving for events.
For getting to events, Constellation Brands – Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center, known as CMAC, the road connections with the Rochester-Finger Lakes area, and local Regional Transit Service transport through RTS Ontario are especially important. Travelers arriving by plane most often use Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC), while for rail arrivals the practical option is Rochester Louise M. Slaughter Station, the main Amtrak station in Rochester. Within the city and surrounding area, connections through the RTS Ontario Transit Hub on West Avenue are also important, making it easier to move toward the center, accommodation, and main gathering places, while for reaching halls and stadiums in the region the most practical combination is a car, taxi, rideshare services, and local bus.
Before or after a concert, it is worth walking around the area by Canandaigua Lake, visiting the historic core and Main Street, or setting aside time for Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park. The city offers a relaxed combination of lakeside paths, shops, restaurants, and green spaces, so a visit to an event can easily become a fulfilling stay in one of the most recognizable places in the Finger Lakes region. A special impression comes from the combination of a small American city, nature, and cultural attractions, which makes Canandaigua work well as a destination for audiences who want more than just entry to a stadium or concert venue.
