From Central Park to the Hudson waterfront, your guide to free outdoor concerts in New York City this summer starts here.
New York City has hundreds of concert venues across the five boroughs, from Radio City Music Hall’s soaring Art Deco theater to jazz clubs with just a handful of tables. But some of the best live music this summer won’t cost a thing.
A few shows require reservations or early arrival for a good lawn spot—worth planning for. Come prepared with water, sunscreen, and enthusiasm, and know that the crowds are part of the experience.
Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage
Where: Various locations throughout New York City
When: Through Oct. 1, 2026
City Parks Foundation SummerStage returns for its 40th season, celebrating arts, culture, and live music throughout New York City’s five boroughs. Originally launched in 1986 with avant-garde Afrofuturist Sun Ra Arkestra, the series has expanded to over 60 performances each season.
Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield remains the flagship location, with this year’s acts including Laurie Anderson (June 26), gospel and soul music legend Mavis Staples (July 16), and jazz artists Samara Joy and Christian McBride leading the 70th-anniversary celebration of Verve Records (Sept. 4).
In Brooklyn, genre-defying Bilal performs at Brooklyn’s Herbert Von King Park with a fresh take on soul music (July 12). And in the Bronx, beatboxer Doug E. Fresh and DJ Funk Flex head to Crotona Park for an old-school jam session (July 31).
For a full event roster, check out SummerStage’s online brochure.
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival
Where: Lena Horne Bandshell, Prospect Park, Brooklyn
When: Through Sept. 19, 2026
The BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival has welcomed artists and audiences in various iterations since 1979. This year’s festival includes 15 free outdoor concerts, with one of the most women-forward lineups in the festival’s history.
Cindy Blackman Santana Group headlines an all-female jazz concert, and she’ll be in good company. The drummer will be accompanied by Mexican vibraphonist and composer Patricia Brennan, and 2022 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition winner Lucía (July 24).
At age 22, R&B star Aaliyah had already achieved icon status before her untimely death. The Brooklyn-born artist’s legacy will be honored with performances that highlight her career, featuring tribute renditions of “One in a Million,” “Try Again,” and more (Aug. 8).
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 9 winner Sasha Velour brings her unique flair to the BRIC’s Lena Horne Bandshell in Prospect Park for her acclaimed variety show, “NightGowns.” Expect couture costumes, high-energy lip-syncs, and Velour’s unique brand of cultural commentary (Aug. 21).
Pro tip: Headed to New York City this June? Check out all the ways to celebrate NYC Pride.
Bryant Park Picnic Performances
Where: Bryant Park lawn, 42nd Street & Sixth Avenue
Dates: Through Sept. 11, 2026
Pack a blanket and snacks for a Bryant Park Picnic Performance. The range of artists is among the most unique free outdoor concerts in New York City, with a few particular highlights worth noting.
Aisha Jackson, who recently made her Carnegie Hall debut, takes to the stage with a song list encompassing Broadway, pop hits, and R&B favorites. Fingers crossed she’ll sing her “go-to karaoke song,” Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You” (July 10).
Opera, blues, and jazz converge with Grammy-winning soprano Latonia Moore singing the music of Ella Fitzgerald (Aug. 7).
And for those looking for a more immersive night out, an old-school dance party with Alfredo de la Fé All Star Band and George Gee Swing Orchestra will showcase an eclectic mix of dance music, from the Lindy hop and jitterbug to Latin jazz and salsa. (Sept. 10)
Citi Concert Series on TODAY
Where: TODAY Plaza, Rockefeller Center, 48th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues
Dates: Through Sept. 25, 2026
With a bit of planning and an alarm clock, music fans can secure unprecedented access to some of the biggest names in music. The Citi Concert Series on TODAY takes place at Rockefeller Center, which, even on non-concert days, teems with tourists.
Browse the full lineup, sign up for a Fan Pass, and say a prayer. Those lucky enough to score a pass (which typically includes up to three guests) are notified in advance, but even at a location near the stage, you’ll still need to arrive by 5 a.m. (Performances typically begin around 8 a.m.) A separate general admission line, space permitting, offers a last-resort backup. Also note that there are no seats or restrooms, so plan ahead! (Guests with disabilities should proceed to the front of the check-in line.)
If this sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, this summer’s musical artists run the gamut, from Mumford & Sons (July 29) to Brandi Carlile (Sept. 25).
Live at the Gantries
Where: Gantry Plaza State Park, Long Island City, Queens
Dates: Tuesdays at 7 p.m., July 7–Aug. 11, 2026
The East River and soaring Manhattan skyline serve as a backdrop for Live at the Gantries, a free outdoor concert series presented by the Kupferberg Center for the Arts, the largest multi-disciplinary arts complex in Queens.
Latin music lovers will love La Cumbiamba eNeYé, the first gaita music ensemble in the U.S., led by Martin Vejarano. The music draws inspiration from Afro-Indigenous Colombian culture, with soaring gaita flutes, pulsating Colombian drums, and a multicultural influence from the Iberian Peninsula (July 28).
Considered one of the greatest acoustic guitarists alive, Stéphane Wrembel takes to the stage to display performance styles from jazz manouche to gypsy swing. Cinephiles may recognize his work as a composer on films such as “Midnight in Paris” and “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.”
Wrembel continues to push boundaries with his Django Experiment album series. “I just play my own music,” says the guitarist. “I like to believe that it is beyond any one genre and that there is something in it for everyone. It’s not only for Django lovers or jazz lovers—it’s for the music lover.”
Hudson River Park
Where: Various locations throughout Hudson River Park
When: Dates vary
In recent decades, Manhattan’s industrial waterfront has transformed from an abandoned commercial hub to a 550-acre public park spanning over four miles along the Hudson River. A protected bikeway connects the grassy knolls, playgrounds, dog parks, and public spaces, perfect for hosting free outdoor concerts. Highlights include:
Jazz at Pier 84: Located west of Hell’s Kitchen and the Theater District, Pier 84 sits adjacent to the Intrepid Museum, which is located within a World War II aircraft carrier. The weekly series welcomes attendees to picnic in an intimate setting, sit back, and enjoy guest artists presented by the Jazz Foundation of America.
Notable artists in this year’s lineup include trombonist Clifton Anderson (July 1) and Mala Waldron (daughter of jazz legend Mal Waldron) with Soulful Sound (July 22). Wednesdays at 7 p.m. through Aug. 12.
Broadway by the Boardwalk at Clinton Cove: Theatergoers are still buzzing after this year’s Tony Awards, which awarded “Schmigadoon!” as Best Musical and “Ragtime” as Best Musical Revival. Hudson River Park offers a more budget-friendly way to experience Broadway with its five-week series featuring stars of the stage.
This year’s performers have yet to be announced, but if past participants are any indication (Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp from the original Broadway cast of “Rent,” Zachary Noah Piser, now appearing in “Maybe Happy Ending”), standing ovations are in order. Mondays, July 13 through Aug. 10.
Blues BBQ Festival at Pier 76: Nothing is as harmonious as barbecue and blues. Add the Hudson River as the backdrop, and it’s a recipe for the perfect day in New York City.
If last year’s lineup is any indication (C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Nikki Hill, Dawn Tyler Watson), this year’s festival will draw record crowds. Bring an appetite and budget for some barbecue. Some of the city’s best smokehouses, from Dinosaur Bar-B-Que to Kimchi Smoke, will be serving up ribs, brisket, housemade sausage, and other favorites (Aug. 15).
The Glade Series at Little Island
Where: Pier 55
Built on tulip-shaped concrete pilings that rise from the Hudson, Little Island has quickly become one of New York City’s most innovative cultural hubs. Winding paths, city views, and two performance venues make it attractive to locals and travelers alike.
The Glade, a 200-seat performance space nestled among shady trees and seasonal plantings, presents jazz, blues, song cycles, and more. Its sister site, The Amph, boasts a 700-seat thrust stage overlooking the Hudson River and presents concerts and theatrical works with standard tickets at $25.
This list only scratches the surface of free outdoor concerts in New York City. Check out the city’s tourism site for a comprehensive list of free and budget-friendly NYC activities all summer long.
