Free Summer Music and Dance
Musicians and dancers from around the world are coming to New York's parks to perform. Rock, folk, jazz, classical, world—no matter what your style is, there's a performance for you. Be sure to read a brief history of concerts in parks before hitting the lawn, and, if you're looking for even more drama, come watch some of the free theater and films playing in parks this summer.
Featured Concert Series
New York Philharmonic's Concerts in the Parks
- Richmond County Bank Ballpark, Staten Island
Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 8:00 p.m. - Cunningham Park, Queens
Thursday, July 10, 2008, 8:00 p.m. - Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx
Friday, July 11, 2008, 8:00 p.m. - Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Monday, July 14, 2008, 8:00 p.m. - Central Park, Manhattan
Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
For more information, please visit the New York Philharmonic's Concerts in the Parks page.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Aug20
Bryant Park's Piano in the Park: Roy Eaton
12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.Some of the city's best pianists play the music of Scott Joplin, the Gerswhins, James P.…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Aug20
Bryant Park Wednesdays at 5: Concerts and Songwriting Workshops
5:00 p.m.Wednesdays at 5 is a showcase of exceptional talent discovered by NewSong , an…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Aug20
Lincoln Center Out of Doors: Extra Golden & Mahmoud Ahmed and Alemayehu Eshete
6:00 p.m.Extra Golden’s songs combine propulsive Kenyan benga music with American rock. Mahmoud…
Location: Damrosch Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free
Aug20
Town Square Summer Starz: American Indian Night
6:00 p.m.6:00 p.m. Children’s Hour 7:30 p.m. Live Music Movie at Sunset This Week:…
Location: McCarren Park, Brooklyn
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events, Kids
Aug20
River To River: La Excelencia
7:00 p.m.Jose Vasquez-Cofresi & Julian Silva formed an orchestra performs salsa that has been…
Location: Public Place(Battery Park City), Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Aug20
10th Annual Festival of International Film, Music, Dance and Food
7:00 p.m.An annual outdoor festival of international film, music, dance and food presented by…
Location: Socrates Sculpture Park, Queens
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free
Aug20
Jazzmobile!
7:00 p.m.Come enjoy free jazz in the beauty of Riverside Park. Hear music by artists such as…
Location: Riverside Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free
Aug20
Hope and Harmony
8:00 p.m.Join New York Restoration Project (NYRP) for an evening of live music in the garden. Band…
Location: Garden of Hope (392 Hancock Street)
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Aug21
Bryant Park's Piano in the Park: Roy Eaton
12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.Some of the city's best pianists play the music of Scott Joplin, the Gerswhins, James P.…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Aug21
Bryant Park Thursdays at 5 Concert: Frank Owens
5:00 p.m.Legendary jazz composer and pianist Frank Owens will play piano as it's meant to be played.
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Aug21
Free Outdoor Concerts
6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.This sounds of the summer event is fun for the whole family. This is an outdoor…
Location: Blood Root Valley, Staten Island
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events, Kids
Aug21
New York Botanical Garden: Waterlily Concert
7:00 p.m.Glorious sounds and beautiful sights, plus more time to enjoy the Garden equals the perfect…
Location: Bronx River Parkway (Exit 7W) and Fordham Road
Category: The Arts, Cultural, General Events
Aug21
Lincoln Center Out of Doors: Toshi Reagon and Big Lively
7:00 p.m.Toshi Reagon and her band BIGLovely, known for its soul- and gospel-infused, blues-tinged…
Location: Damrosch Park, Manhattan
Category: Accessibility, The Arts, Cultural, Free
Aug21
Central Astoria's Waterfront Concert Series: Gary U.S. Bonds
7:30 p.m.Come see the Central Astoria's Waterfront Concert Series. This evening features Gary U.S. Bonds.
Location: Astoria Park, Queens
Category: The Arts, Free
Friday, August 22, 2008
Aug22
Bryant Park Good Morning America Summer Concert Series: Kid Rock & Lynyrd Skynyrd
7:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.Live from the Good Morning America stage, some of the best acts in the world perform in the…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Aug22
Bryant Park's Piano in the Park: Roy Eaton
12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.Some of the city's best pianists play the music of Scott Joplin, the Gerswhins, James P.…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Aug22
Sunset On The Hudson: Guitar Man David Ippolito
7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.Enjoy sweet and mellow guitar as the sun sets on one of New York's most picturesque piers.…
Location: Hudson River Park's Pier 45 (Christopher and West streets)
Category: Accessibility, The Arts, Free, General Events, Kids
Aug22
Lincoln Center Out of Doors: Still Black, Still Proud An African Tribute to James Brown
7:00 p.m.Led by turn-tablist DJ Le Spam, Miami’s Spam Allstars create an electronic descarga,…
Location: Damrosch Park, Manhattan
Category: Accessibility, The Arts, Cultural, Free
Aug22
Jazzmobile: Larry Ridley & The Jazz Legacy Ensemble
7:00 p.m.Jazzmobile provides arts education program of the highest quality via workshops, master…
Location: Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Aug23
Downtown Dance Festival
1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.Battery Dance Company announces its 27th annual Downtown Dance Festival. This free roving…
Location: Battery Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free
Aug23
Jazz at the Mansion
2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.Join us for one of the Mansion's most popular events, our annual jazz festival! …
Location: Roger Morris Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free
Aug23
Lincoln Center Out of Doors: 25th Annual Roots of American Music - Battle of the Brass
4:00 p.m.Funky New Orleans upstarts the Hot 8 Brass Band and NOLA’s only all-women’s brass band…
Location: Damrosch Park, Manhattan
Category: Accessibility, The Arts, Cultural, Free
Aug23
Lincoln Center Out of Doors: 25th Annual Roots of American Music - Salute to the Heart & Soul of New Orleans
5:00 p.m.A soulful showcase of New Orleans’ deep funk, R&B, jazz and gospel traditions, featuring…
Location: Damrosch Park, Manhattan
Category: Accessibility, The Arts, Cultural, Free
Aug23
Stomping at the Savoy
6:00 p.m.City of New York/Parks & Recreation in conjunction with Harlem Week Presents “Stomping…
Location: Jackie Robinson Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Aug24
2008 New York Turkish Festival
10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.This festival displays the Turkic cultures with all its aspects, to inform and entertain the…
Location: Central Park, Manhattan
Category: Cultural, Free, General Events, Kids, Must See Events
Aug24
Lincoln Center Out of Doors: 25th Annual Roots of American Music - Family Concert
11:00 a.m.Pete Seeger performs with special guests Tao Rodriguez-Seeger and Guy Davis. NYC has been…
Location: Damrosch Park, Manhattan
Category: Accessibility, The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events, Kids
Aug24
Downtown Dance Festival
1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.Battery Dance Company announces its 27th annual Downtown Dance Festival. This free roving…
Location: Battery Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free
Aug24
Harlem Meer Performance Festival
2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.Join the Central Park Conservancy for the 2008 season of this popular concert series that…
Location: Central Park, Frawleys' Run, Manhattan
Category: Accessibility, The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Aug24
Blues BBQ Festival
2:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.Now a NYC institution, this year’s 9th Annual Blues and BBQ Festival, presented by Lincoln,…
Location: Pier 54 at West 14th Street and West Street
Category: Accessibility, The Arts, Cultural, Free, Kids, Must See Events
Aug24
Lincoln Center Out of Doors: 25th Annual Roots of American Music
4:00 p.m.Close out the summer with a day of indigenous American sounds bridging the blues to…
Location: Damrosch Park, Manhattan
Category: Accessibility, The Arts, Cultural, Free
Aug24
Bayside Historical Society Annual Lawn Concert
6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.Enjoy a free outdoor concert overlooking the beautiful Long Island Sound featuring the rock…
Location: Fort Totten Park, Queens
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, Must See Events
Aug24
Summer on the Hudson: Acoustic Sundays - Los Soneros de Oriente
7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.Acoustic Sundays Enjoy spectacular sunsets over the Hudson as you listen to some of New…
Location: South Waterfront East Side, South Waterfront West Side, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Monday, August 25, 2008
Aug25
Bryant Park's Piano in the Park: Victor Lin
12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.Some of the city's best pianists play the music of Scott Joplin, the Gerswhins, James P.…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Aug25
Clinton Concert Series: Time's Tide
6:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.Monday is Music Night at the Hudson! Enjoy a variety of FREE live music performance while…
Location: Clinton Cove at 5th Street
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Aug25
Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series: Patti LaBelle
7:30 p.m.–11:00 p.m.Celebrate summer by joining us for these free Monday…
Location: Wingate Park, Brooklyn
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Aug26
Bryant Park's Piano in the Park: Victor Lin
12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.Some of the city's best pianists play the music of Scott Joplin, the Gerswhins, James P.…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Aug26
Harlem Hop: DJ Mean Gene, DJ Kidragon, GrandMaster Caz, PopMaster Fabel
4:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.DJs who dance, dancers who DJ, A-list producers, turntablists, and more unearth their…
Location: Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free
Aug26
CityParks Concerts: Tulile
7:00 p.m.Dominican-born Tulile blends the intensity of Latin mambo and salsa with the frivolity of…
Location: Highbridge Park - Zone 3, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Aug27
Bryant Park's Piano in the Park: Victor Lin
12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.Some of the city's best pianists play the music of Scott Joplin, the Gerswhins, James P.…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Aug27
Town Square Summer Starz: Oldies Night
6:00 p.m.6:00 p.m. Children’s Hour 7:30 p.m. Live Music Movie at Sunset This Week: Children’s…
Location: McCarren Park, Brooklyn
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events, Kids
Aug27
River To River: Ray Martinez Sabor Criollo
7:00 p.m.Known for his melodic and percussive style, Ray Martinez has been considered one of the…
Location: Public Place(Battery Park City), Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Aug27
Jazzmobile!
7:00 p.m.Come enjoy free jazz in the beauty of Riverside Park. Hear music by artists such as…
Location: Riverside Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Aug28
Bryant Park's Piano in the Park: Victor Lin
12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.Some of the city's best pianists play the music of Scott Joplin, the Gerswhins, James P.…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Aug28
Free Outdoor Concerts
6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.This sounds of the summer event is fun for the whole family. This is an outdoor…
Location: Blood Root Valley, Staten Island
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events, Kids
Friday, August 29, 2008
Aug29
Bryant Park's Piano in the Park: Victor Lin
12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.Some of the city's best pianists play the music of Scott Joplin, the Gerswhins, James P.…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Aug29
Jazzmobile: Ms. Ghanniyya Green
7:00 p.m.Jazzmobile provides arts education program of the highest quality via workshops, master…
Location: Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free
Aug29
Drummer Alex Alexander Performs
8:30 p.m.Master drummer/percussionist Alexander returns to play a live soundtrack to a beautiful…
Location: 6th St & Ave B Comm. Garden, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Aug31
Harlem Meer Performance Festival
2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.Join the Central Park Conservancy for the 2008 season of this popular concert series that…
Location: Central Park, Frawleys' Run, Manhattan
Category: Accessibility, The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Monday, September 1, 2008
Sep 1
Bryant Park's Piano in the Park: Frank Owens
12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.Some of the city's best pianists play the music of Scott Joplin, the Gerswhins, James P.…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Sep 2
Bryant Park's Piano in the Park: Frank Owens
12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.Some of the city's best pianists play the music of Scott Joplin, the Gerswhins, James P.…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Sep 3
Bryant Park's Piano in the Park: Frank Owens
12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.Some of the city's best pianists play the music of Scott Joplin, the Gerswhins, James P.…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Sep 3
Town Square Summer Starz: American Night
6:00 p.m.6:00 p.m. Children’s Hour 7:30 p.m. Live Music Movie at Sunset This Week: Children’s…
Location: McCarren Park, Brooklyn
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events, Kids, Must See Events
Sep 3
River To River: The Latin Giants of Jazz
7:00 p.m.These world renowned musicians have toured for over 30 years with Tito Puente. All of the…
Location: Public Place(Battery Park City), Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events, Must See Events
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Sep 4
Bryant Park's Piano in the Park: Frank Owens
12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.Some of the city's best pianists play the music of Scott Joplin, the Gerswhins, James P.…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Sep 4
NFL Kickoff Concert Featuring Keith Urban and Usher
3:30 p.m.New York City is hosting the NFL Opening Kickoff 2008, a free concert and special pre-game…
Location: Central Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Free
Friday, September 5, 2008
Sep 5
Bryant Park's Piano in the Park: Frank Owens
12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.Some of the city's best pianists play the music of Scott Joplin, the Gerswhins, James P.…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Sep14
Big Band Concert
4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.Join us for an afternoon of live Big Band music. Band to be announced. Please…
Location: Golden Pond in Crocheron Park, Queens
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free
Monday, September 15, 2008
Sep15
Bryant Park's Piano in the Park: Larry Ham
12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.Some of the city's best pianists play the music of Scott Joplin, the Gerswhins, James P.…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Sep16
Bryant Park's Piano in the Park: Larry Ham
12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.Some of the city's best pianists play the music of Scott Joplin, the Gerswhins, James P.…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Sep17
Bryant Park's Piano in the Park: Larry Ham
12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.Some of the city's best pianists play the music of Scott Joplin, the Gerswhins, James P.…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Sep18
Bryant Park's Piano in the Park: Larry Ham
12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.Some of the city's best pianists play the music of Scott Joplin, the Gerswhins, James P.…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Friday, September 19, 2008
Sep19
Bryant Park's Piano in the Park: Larry Ham
12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.Some of the city's best pianists play the music of Scott Joplin, the Gerswhins, James P.…
Location: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Cultural, Free, General Events
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Oct19
Free Concert - Guitarist Huntington Majors
3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.Come hear the Stone Soul Picnic of Electric Rock, the Shogun of Sonics, the Beast of Blammo,…
Location: Naumburg Bandshell and Mall Concert Ground, Manhattan
Category: The Arts, Free, General Events