A highlight of every NYC summer is SummerStage, a series of free outdoor concerts held in Central Park every summer.
If you are on a budget, you'll appreciate that SummerStage is one of the best free things to do in the summer in New York City.
Below is everything you need to enjoy this concert series, including how to attend a show, the lineup, and where to find more free music throughout NYC.
- Attending SummerStage
- Concert Lineup
- More Free Music
- Explore Central Park
- A Guide to Summer in NYC
- Other Things to Do in NYC
If you are heading to a show, why not make time beforehand to explore Central Park?
You might want to join us on one of our Central Park guided walking tours or use our GPS-led Audio Tour of Central Park.
SUMMERSTAGE
Every summer since 1986, a series of free concerts called SummerStage is held in Central Park.
Though most of the shows are in Central Park, there are also concerts in Harlem at Marcus Garvey Park, Coney Island's Amphitheater, and other locations in NYC's five boroughs.
The SummerStage lineup is diverse and includes everything from afro-punk, Latin jazz, soul, hip-hop, avant-garde, and good old rock and roll.
They also have stand-up comedy, dance performances, and sometimes Broadway musical performances.
A few shows are benefit concerts, so you'll have to buy tickets, but those are benefit shows to raise money to keep the rest of the concerts free.
Where is SummerStage?
The stage is in Central Park at Rumsey Playfield near 5th Avenue and 72nd Street.
How To Get Here
The easiest way to get there is to take the subway.
Take the 6 train to “68th St-Hunter College” station and enter the park at Fifth Ave and 72nd St.
You can use this Google Maps link to get exact directions from your point of departure to Summerstage.
To learn more about using the subway, check out these posts:
Are Tickets Needed?
No tickets are necessary if it is a free show. You can donate cash at the show if you like, but there's no obligation.
Benefit shows require a ticket purchased through Ticketmaster.
Benefit shows cost anywhere from $50-125. For special shows with multiple performers, prices may go even higher.
When Should I Arrive?
For Central Park and Coney Island shows, doors open one hour prior to the performance time listed for each show.
In all other parks, shows start promptly at the times listed on the calendar.
Since admission into the designated concert area is on a first-come, first-served basis, you may not get in if you show up late, so go early.
I usually go early to the park to picnic with friends in the park. Here are my favorite spots to picnic in Central Park.
Food and Beverages
- You can bring food and beverages, but not alcohol
- Your drinks must be in a factory-sealed plastic bottle
- You can buy food and drink at the food concessionaire. Cash and credit cards are accepted.
- Wine and beer are sold as well.
*This is just the list for Central Park shows. Other locations, like Coney Island, have their own rules.
Items Not Allowed in Concerts
Your bags will be searched on entry. You cannot bring:
- Glass bottles, Cans, Ice coolers
- Pets
- Controlled Substances
- Weapons
- Folding Chairs
- Selfie Sticks
- Bikes, Scooters, Rollerblades, Skateboards
- Beach Umbrellas, Balloons, Laser Pointers
- Professional camera and video equipment
- Bags over 16” tall x 16” wide x 8” deep in size
TIP: If you have large bags, a bicycle, luggage, or anything else you can't bring to the concert, you can find inexpensive hourly storage in the area.
See our post about where to store luggage and more in NYC.
LINE-UP OF PERFORMERS IN 2026
The full 2026 lineup hasn't been announced yet but below are the dates that have been announced so far.
Nearly all shows are free, though there are a few benefit shows by top artists that require tickets. There's $ sign next to shows requiring a ticket purchase.
The highlights this year are Laurie Anderson, De La Soul, Mavis Staples, Spoon, and more. These are free!
The benefit shows include The Martinez Brothers (June 13), Blues Traveler with Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors (Aug. 15), Simple Plan with 3OH!3 and Bowling for Soup (Aug. 19), The Marcus King Band (Sept. 12), and Charley Crockett (Oct. 1). Plus, more to come!
For its 34th year, the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival will take place from Aug. 28-30 in neighborhoods where Parker worked and lived.
Concerts take place all over the 5 boroughs of NYC, and there are too many to list here, so the list is limited to the Central Park, Harlem, and Coney Island shows.
Shows in Central Park - To Be Announced
Harlem's Marcus Garvey Park - To Be Announced
Coney Island Amphitheater - To Be Announced
See the SummerStage website for other shows and any other details.
MORE FREE MUSIC
Look at our guide to Summer in NYC and our monthly posts:
Also, see our post on hundreds of free things to do in New York.
Don't forget that NYC Street & Subway Performers are always free!
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