Between the sweltering subway stations and the above-ground heat and humidity, New York can be brutal during the dog days of summer. But for those who choose to stick it out in the city instead of escaping to the Hamptons or the Jersey Shore, there are rewards to be had.
New York’s SummerStage season opens June 1 with performances from Emily King, Durand Jones and the Indications, and Madison McFerrin. Image by Michael Seto
Each year, from early June to late September, an array of artists take to the stage in al fresco venues across the five boroughs –and you can catch most of them for free. Spanning diverse genres (think: everything from opera to afrobeat) and drawing capacity crowds, the city’s outdoor program is one of the summer’s highlights. Mark your calendars: these are the shows you won’t want to miss.
With almost a hundred performances in 18 parks around town, the City Parks Foundation’s SummerStage is perhaps the best-known fest, and thanks to a newly renovated stage and sound system for 2019, its flagship Central Park venue is ready to rock. For the first time ever, this year’s slate of performers is evenly split along gender lines, kicking off with pop-soul singer Emily King on June 1 and continuing through September 24, when the B-52s close out the season with a ticketed benefit show. In between, New Orleans rapper Big Freedia gets her bounce on, New York post-punk rockers Parquet Courts bring the noise, and the Met Opera recital series packs the house. (The opera has dates in each borough, though, so if you miss it in Manhattan, there are plenty of additional options.)
Corinne Bailey Rae plays Central Park in August. Image by Gus Stewart/Redferns
Other Central Park highlights include jazz singer Corinne Bailey Rae and indie favorites Alvvays, the Courtneys, Japanese Breakfast, and Hatchie, but you can also see the Mountain Goats at East River Park and the Wailers with Junior Julian Marvin at Marcus Garvey Park. And cool cats take note: The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival takes over Marcus Garvey and Tompkins Square in late August.
At Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Sheila E. headlines the Only in Queens Festival (also part of SummerStage), while flamenco dance company A Palo Seco performs at Queensbridge Park and calypso legend Mighty Sparrow plays Springfield Park. Up in the Bronx, Slick Rick hits Soundview Park and salsa star Ray de la Paz takes over Crotona Park. Over in Staten Island, Lisa Lisa and Jody Watley steal the spotlight at Corporal Thompson Park. In Brooklyn, Fela! The Concert travels to Coney Island’s Ford Amphitheater, Black Moon and Smif-n-Wessun host the Duck Down BBQ at Betsy Head Park, and funk collective Everyday People storms the stage at Herbert von King Park.
Celebrate Brooklyn welcomes artists of all stripes to the Prospect Park Bandshell. Image courtesy of David Andrako
The jewel in Brooklyn’s park system is Prospect Park—just like Central Park, it was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, and it has the summer schedule to match its rival across the river. Like SummerStage, BRIC Arts Media’s Celebrate Brooklyn offers a mix of paid and free shows, with the one and only Patti LaBelle opening the season, gratis, on June 4. NPR Tiny Desk Concert winners Tank and the Bangas play a few weeks later, followed by a Calexico/Iron & Wine joint ticket; Nilüfer Yanya opens for Broken Social Scene, and Liz Phair headlines with some help from Ted Leo & the Pharmacists. World music star Salif Keita hits the bandshell in July, and for the Latin Alternative Music Conference, a selection of talented artists command the stage: Guatemalan singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno, rock en español stalwarts Enjambre, and Latin indie folkster El David Aguilar.
Bomba Estéreo close out the season for Prospect Park’s Celebrate Brooklyn. Image by Angel Manzano/Redferns
Rounding out the bill are Americana trio I’m With Her, a dance performance choreographed by French-Algerian maestro Hervé Koubi, a screening of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon as part of the first-ever Lou Reed Tai Chi Day, and classical outfit Alloy Orchestra providing the soundtrack to a 1925 German silent film called Varieté. (Come early to catch Lava, the “feminist acrobatic modern dance troupe” providing the opening entertainment.) And finally, Bogotá-based cumbia stars Bomba Estéreo see out the season in style, bringing the party to wrap things up at summer’s end.
For complete lineups for both festivals, keep scrolling.
Saturday, June 1, 6:00pm
Central Park
Emily King, Durand Jones and the Indications, Madison McFerrin, DJ Reborn
Tuesday, June 4, 6:00pm
Central Park
One Nation Under A Groove – Farewell Tour 2019: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Galactic, Fishbone, Dumpstaphunk, Miss Velvet (ticketed)
Tuesday, June 4, 8:00pm
Prospect Park
Patti LaBelle
Saturday, June 8, 7:00pm
Central Park
Parquet Courts, Sachiko Kanenobu, ARP, Prince of Queens (DJ set)
Saturday, June 8, 7:00pm
Prospect Park
Ibeyi, Sudan Archives, Orion Sun
Monday, June 10, 8:00pm
Central Park
Met Opera Summer Recital Series featuring Ying Fang, Ben Bliss, Nathan Gunn, and Dan Saunders
Tuesday, 11 June, 7:00pm
Amphitheater at Coney Island
SummerStage on the Rocks: Kes the Band, Shenseea, Sounds for Life, Max Glazer Ford
Wednesday, June 12, 7:00pm
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Met Opera Summer Recital Series featuring Met Opera stars Ying Fang, Ben Bliss, Nathan Gunn, and Dan Saunders
Wednesday, June 12, 7:00pm
Central Park
The New York Cantors with special guests Shulem and Frank London, conducted by Zalmen Mlotek
Wednesday, June 12, 7:00pm
Prospect Park
The National and Courtney Barnett (ticketed)
Thursday, June 13, 7:00pm
Central Park
Big Freedia, MikeQ, BATEKOO, hosted by Gina Yashere
Thursday, June 13, 7:00pm
Jackie Robinson Park
Met Opera Summer Recital Series featuring Leah Hawkins, Mario Bahg, Joseph Lim, and Dimitri Dover
Thursday, June 13, 7:00pm
Prospect Park
The National and Courtney Barnett (ticketed)
Saturday, June 15, 7:00pm
Central Park
Jack DeJohnette, Ravi Coltrane and Matt Garrison Trio, Brandee Younger
Saturday, June 15, 3:00pm
Prospect Park
Family Show: Rich Medina, Shareef Keyes and the Groove
Saturday, June 15, 4:00pm
Williamsbridge Oval
Met Opera Summer Recital Series featuring Leah Hawkins, Mario Bahg, Joseph Lim, and Dimitri Dover
Monday, June 17, 7:00pm
Socrates Sculpture Park
Met Opera Summer Recital Series featuring Leah Hawkins, Mario Bahg, Joseph Lim, and Dimitri Dover
Wednesday, June 19, 8:00pm
Central Park
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
Wednesday, June 19, 7:00pm
Clove Lakes Park
Met Opera Summer Recital Series featuring Leah Hawkins, Mario Bahg, Joseph Lim, and Dimitri Dover
Wednesday, June 19, 6:30pm
Prospect Park
Father John Misty, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Jade Bird (ticketed)
Thursday, June 20, 6:00pm
Central Park
Khruangbin, Connan Mockasin and Kikagaku Moyo (ticketed)
Thursday, June 20, 7:00pm
Herbert Von King Park
20th Anniversary of Internal Affairs: Pharoahe Monch and Friends, Miss Mocha Sunflower The Rhythm Goddess
Thursday, June 20, 7:30pm
Prospect Park
Tank and the Bangas, Cory Henry & the Funk Apostles
Friday, June 21, 7:00pm
Herbert Von King Park
Ronald K. Brown, EVIDENCE, A Dance Company
Friday, June 21, 7:30pm
Prospect Park
Calexico and Iron & Wine, Adia Victoria
Saturday, June 22, 2:00pm
Central Park
The Aussie BBQ: A.B. Original, Hermitude, San Cisco, The Teskey Brothers, Tkay Maidza, WAAX
Saturday, June 22, 6:00pm
Herbert Von King Park
Everyday People and Special Guests
Saturday, June 22, 7:30pm
Prospect Park
Tortoise: TNT, Emily Wells with Metropolis Ensemble
Sunday, June 23, 6:00pm
Central Park
Fete de la Musique: Zdar from Cassius, Les Negresses Vertes
Sunday, June 23, 6:00pm
Herbert Von King Park
Jesse Royal, Kabaka Pyramid, Max Glazer
Sunday, June 23, 5:00pm
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Only In Queens Festival: Sheila E., Musiq Soulchild, Kranium
Monday, June 24, 7:00pm
Central Park
Japanese Breakfast, Hatchie, House of Nod (DJ set)
Wednesday, June 26, 7:00pm
Central Park
Alvvays, The Courtneys, Ellis
Wednesday, June 26, 7:30pm
Prospect Park
Chucho Valdés – Jazz Batá, Dafnis Prieto Si o Si Quartet
Thursday, June 27, 7:00pm
Betsy Head Park
Duck Down BBQ: Black Moon, Smif-n-Wessun, DJ set by Statik Selektah & surprise guests
Thursday, June 27, 7:30pm
Prospect Park
Protoje, Jah9, Yoga On Dub, DJ Top Notch & Micro Don
Friday, June 28, 7:00pm
Betsy Head Park
Young M.A, Funk Flex
Friday, June 28, 7:30pm
Prospect Park
Celso Piña, Dos Santos, Riobamba
Saturday, June 29, 7:00pm
Betsy Head Park
Jonathan McReynolds
Saturday, June 29, 7:00pm
Prospect Park
Liz Phair, Ted Leo And The Pharmacists, Caroline Rose
Sunday, June 30, 6:00pm
Central Park
Buika, A-WA, Blick Bassy, DJ Tara
Friday, July 5, 7:30pm
Prospect Park
Mick Jenkins, Leikeli47, Leven Kali, Joy Postell
Friday, July 5, 7:00pm
Springfield Park
Mighty Sparrow, CASYM Steel Orchestra
Saturday, July 6, 7:00pm
Prospect Park
Oddisee, 47Soul, Narcy
Saturday, July 6, 6:00pm
Springfield Park
Ralph McDaniels & Friends Soul Jam ft. Blue Magic and DJ Hollywood
Sunday, July 7, 6:00pm
Central Park
Mr Eazi, Efya, Blinky Bill, DJ Mohogany
Sunday, July 7, 6:00pm
Springfield Park
Tabou Combo, Lakou Mizik/ DJ Sabine Blaizin I
Wednesday, July 10, 6:00pm
Central Park
Ximena Sarinana, iLe, Nathy Peluso
Thursday, July 11, 7:00pm
Queensbridge Park
Aterciopelados, Diamante Electrico, DJ Dayansita
Friday, July 12, 7:00pm
Prospect Park
Gaby Moreno & Friends, Enjambre, El David Aguilar
Friday, July 12, 7:00pm
Queensbridge Park
A Palo Seco
Saturday, July 13, 3:00pm
Central Park
20th Anniversary Latin Grammys Celebration
Saturday, July 13, 7:30pm
Prospect Park
Salif Keita, Courtnee Roze
Saturday, July 13, 5:00pm
Queensbridge Park
Leon Gieco, Kevin Johansen, El Mato, Silvina Moreno, Juan Ingaramo
Sunday, July 14, 3:30pm
Central Park
Family Day: Railroad Earth, Ranky Tanky
Sunday, July 14, 6:00pm
Queensbridge Park
Avery*Sunshine, DJ P.U.D.G.E
Wednesday, July 17, 8:00pm
Central Park
Merce Cunningham: SummerCool feat. Stephen Petronio Company, Melissa Toogood, Calvin Royal III, A-Y/dancers
Thursday, July 18, 7:00pm
Corporal Thompson Park
Lisa Lisa & Cover Girls, DJ Lucy Euclid, hosted by Vinnie Medugno
Thursday, July 18, 7:30pm
Prospect Park
I’m With Her, Darlingside
Friday, July 19, 7:00pm
Corporal Thompson Park
Jody Watley, Mobile Mondays!, Princess Lockerooo, DJ Joey Carvello
Friday, July 19, 7:30pm
Prospect Park
Burna Boy, Sampa the Great, DJ Tunez
Saturday, July 20, 4:00pm
Corporal Thompson Park
Ana Tijoux, L’Unicorns, DJ Shame hosted by Jen and Magie
Saturday, July 20, 8:00pm
Prospect Park
Alloy Orchestra: Varieté, Lava
Sunday, July 21, 4:00pm
Corporal Thompson Park
Force MDs and U.M.C’s with Red Alert, DJ Xcel & DJ Thrilla hosted by Tariq
Thursday, July 25, 6:00pm
Central Park
Kurt Vile and the Violators, Dinosaur Jr., Cate Le Bon (ticketed)
Thursday, July 25, 7:30pm
Prospect Park
Broken Social Scene, Nilüfer Yanya
Thursday, July 25, 6:00pm
Soundview Park
Grand Wizzard Theodore & Uptown Vinyl Supreme w/ DJ Perly, The B.O.O.M. (Bronx Organic Orchestra Melinated) and The Boogie Down All-Stars
Friday, July 26, 7:30pm
Prospect Park
Jidenna, Anik Khan, DJ Moma
Friday, July 26, 7:00pm
Soundview Park
Lalo Rodriguez, Los Hermanos Moreno, DJ Lucho
Friday, July 26, 8:00pm
Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island
Fela! The Concert
Saturday, July 27, 6:00pm
Central Park
Alceu Valença, Cordel do Fogo Encantado, LaBaq, DJ Grace Kelly
Saturday, July 27, 8:00pm
Prospect Park
Compagnie Hervé Koubi
Saturday, July 27, 6:00pm
Soundview Park
Slick Rick, DJ Chuck Chillout
Sunday, July 28, 3:00pm
Central Park
Magic System, Smarty, Selma Uamusse, DJ Birane
Sunday, July 28, 6:00pm
Soundview Park
The Tedsmooth Oldschool Jam: Freestyle Edition with Cynthia, Lissette Melendez, George Lamond, DJs Eddie B Swift, G-Bo the Pro, Breakbeat Lou & Tedsmooth, hosted by Master Z
Wednesday, July 31, 11:00am
Central Park
Fela! The Concert youth matinee
Wednesday, July 31, 8:00pm
Central Park
Fela! The Concert
Wednesday, July 31, 7:00pm
Crotona Park
Ray de la Paz, Edgar Joel and Anthony Colon, DJ Kamala, DJ Lucho
Thursday, August 1, 7:00pm
Crotona Park
Samini, Efya
Friday, August 2, 6:00pm
Crotona Park
Garifuna Collective, Wabafu Garifuna Dance Theater
Friday, August 2, 7:00pm
Prospect Park
Nosaj Thing Dj Set, Kimbra, Bells Atlas
Saturday, August 3, 6:00pm
Central Park
Taiwanese Waves: Wan Fang, Tizzy Bac, A Bao, 9m88
Saturday, August 3, 6:00pm
Crotona Park
EPMD 30th Anniversary Unfinished Business, Funk Flex B-Day Celebration
Saturday, August 3t, 7:00pm
Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island
The 70’s Soul Jam: The Stylistics, The Manhattans, and Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes
Saturday, August 3, 7:30pm
Prospect Park
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Lou Reed Tai Chi Day
Sunday, August 4, 7:00pm
Central Park
Corinne Bailey Rae, Jose James, DJ Natasha Diggs from Soul in the Horn C
Tuesday, August 6, 7:30pm
Prospect Park
Mac DeMarco (ticketed)
Thursday, August 8, 6:00pm
Central Park
Guster, Rubblebucket (ticketed)
Thursday, August 8, 7:00pm
East River Park
Crumb, Phony Ppl, Purr
Thursday, August 8, 8:00pm
Prospect Park
Ailey II (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s second company)
Friday, August 9, 7:00pm
East River Park
Elisa Monte Dance
Friday, August 9, 7:30pm
Prospect Park
What’s Going On, featuring Felicia Collins, Toshi Reagon, Siedah Garrett, Kecia Lewis, and others
Saturday, August 10, 6:00pm
Central Park
VP Records 40th Anniversary: Elephant Man, Junior Reid, Estelle, Raging Fyah
Saturday, August 10, 6:00pm
East River Park
Mountain Goats
Saturday, August 10, 7:30pm
Prospect Park
Bomba Estéreo, Delsonido
Sunday, August 11, 7:00pm
Central Park
Lila Downs, Lido Pimienta, DJ Ripley
Sunday, August 11, 6:00pm
East River Park
Eddie Palmieri, Baby Power, DJ Sonni, DJ Lucho, DJ Eddie Batiz
Wednesday, August 14, 7:00pm
Marcus Garvey Park
OMAR, Nakhane, DJ Wildcat
Thursday, August 15, 7:00pm
Marcus Garvey Park
The Clark Center 60th Anniversary Tribute: George Faison Universal Dance Experience, 5Plus Ensemble, Dyane Harvey-Salaam, Juel D. Lane, Amy Hall Garner Dances, HSA Dance Ensemble
Saturday, August 17, 6:00pm
Marcus Garvey Park
Black Woodstock 50th Anniversary: Igmar Thomas, Talib Kweli, Keyon Harrold & Special Guests
Sunday, August 18, 6:00pm
Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island
La Sonora Ponceña, Jose “El Canario” Alberto, DJ C. DeVone, DJ Lucho
Sunday, August 18, 8:00pm
Central Park
Selena for Sanctuary: Cuco, Ambar Lucid, DJ Svani, Santuario House Band with music direction by Adrian Quesada
Sunday, August 18, 6:00pm
Marcus Garvey Park
The Wailers featuring Julian Junior Marvin and DJ Queen Majesty
Wednesday, August 21, 8:00pm
Central Park
Carnival of the Animals (Work-in-Progress excerpt) with Wendy Whelan and Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Film: Restless Creature: Wendy Whelan
Friday, August 23, 7:00pm
Marcus Garvey Park
Charlie Parker Jazz Festival 2019
Harlem 100: Mwenso & the Shakes, Brianna Thomas, Vuyo Sotashe, Fred Wesley / Jazzmobile presents: Winard Harper & Jeli Posse
Saturday, August 24, 3:00pm
Marcus Garvey Park
Charlie Parker Jazz Festival 2019
Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ravi Coltrane, Quiana Lynell, Reclamation: Camille Thurman, Nikara Warren and Brandee Younger
Sunday, August 25, 3:00pm
Tompkins Square Park
Charlie Parker Jazz Festival 2019
Carl Allen’s Art Blakey Tribute, George Coleman Trio, Fred Hersch, Lakecia Benjamin
Sunday, August 25, 7:00pm
Central Park
La India, Cimafunk, DJ Sonni, DJ Lucho
Tuesday, August 27, 7:00pm
Central Park
The Originals
Wednesday, August 28, 7:00pm
Central Park
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (ticketed)
Wednesday, September 4, 6:00pm
Central Park
Tash Sultana (ticketed)
Saturday, September 14, 6:00pm
Central Park
The Growlers (ticketed)
Monday, September 16, 7:00pm
Central Park
MARINA – Love + Fear Tour (ticketed)
Thursday, September 19, 7:00pm
Central Park
Tycho (ticketed)
Friday, September 20, 8:00pm
Central Park
Bloc Party performing Silent Alarm (ticketed)
Tuesday, September 24, 6:00pm
Central Park
The B-52s, OMD, Berlin (ticketed)
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