Eight Free, Fun Outdoor Concert Series in NYC – Summer 2026

Enjoy summer in New York City with some of the best outdoor events the city has to offer. This vibrant collection of events feature a multitude of genres of music spread across all five boroughs – and most of them are free.

Carnegie Hall Citywide

May 2 through July 31

Carnegie Hall Citywide is a free concert series that partners Carnegie Hall with local community organizations to bring renowned artists and exciting rising stars to neighborhoods across New York City. Whether it’s salsa music or classical string quartets, jazz or beloved Broadway tunes, these concerts unite locals with visitors from across the city to share in the magic of live music.

This year it kicks off on May 2 with the Lion King on screen at Hudson Yards and includes everything from opera, jazz and ska to Broadway star Aisha Jackson (Great Gatsby). View the full lineup here.

Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City

June 10 through August 8

Lincoln Center's fifth annual Summer for the City offers hundreds of free and Choose-What-You-Pay performances and cultural activities for all ages. This free concert series on the Upper West Side features a vibrant and diverse lineup. They just revealed their 2026 lineup including Chinese Arts Week (Jul 22-29); Ruidosa Fest (Jul 12); globalFEST (Aug 1); K-Pop Dance Night (Jul 1); Brazil Day (Jul 9); Jamaica Day (Aug 8); and more.

This festival includes plenty of family-friendly fare AND events geared towards people and children with different abilities. You can filter events on their website by accommodations including ASL interpretation, audio descriptions, captioning, and relaxed performances for those with sensory sensitivities.

Check out their full lineup of events here.

Free Summer Concerts at NYC Parks

April 26 through October 25

Musicians from around the world are coming to New York’s parks to perform. Rock, folk, jazz, hip hop, classical, world—no matter what your style is, there’s a performance for you. There are events scattered throughout all five boroughs – you can filter by borough, neighborhood, date, park, and more. There are plenty of events geared specifically to families with young children as well as world-class music that people of any age can enjoy. Browse the whole lineup here.

Moliere in the Park

May 14 through September 27

This group revitalizes Molière’s plays, written in France 350 years ago, with modern translations, alongside work by contemporary playwrights. They’re dedicated to providing free, accessible world-class performances in Brooklyn’s backyard at the LeFrak Center. Their full production this year is Don Juan, one of Moliere’s most controversial works. MIP said in a statement that the playwright’s work “may seem like unlikely vehicles to look at the social and political issues of our times, but surprisingly, they always question, confront, provoke and demand that we pay attention. Rather than preach, they hold up a mirror and ask us to look, and laugh. Brooklyn is a microcosm of The United States and of the global world, it is home to every type of person, from every culture and every background. MIP’s goal is to break through the silos and foster community across all of our micro groups. What does a theater space where everyone feels welcome and at home look like? We believe it looks like Molière in the Park - where people from all walks of life are sitting together shoulder to shoulder, breathing the same air, laughing and reflecting, together.”

 RSVP for free and learn more details here.

BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! 2026

Begins July 18

BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Always features a vibrant array of music honoring Brooklyn’s rich tapestry of culture. They haven’t yet announced their 2026 season but check back soon – visit their website to check back for their programming in a few weeks, or to join their mailing list to be the first to be notified when they announce it. In the meantime, tickets for their July 18 benefit concert are currently on sale.

CityParks SummerStage 2026

Begins May 30

With shows across all five boroughs, SummerStage celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. In the 40 years since it began, they’ve presented thousands of global artists to audiences numbering over seven million, bringing thousands of free live performances to neighborhood parks across the city. Many of their shows are free, and they have artists who represent the best of their respective genres.

Click here for the 2026 shows posted so far. Check back soon for the full season here (filter the program with “SummerStage”)

Bryant Park Picnic Performances

May 28 through September 11

Bryant Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America is a free outdoor festival that welcomes all New Yorkers to experience the city’s vibrant arts and culture. This summer, enjoy extraordinary artists and events in collaboration with a wide array of New York's cultural institutions. Highlights include a New York City Opera: Celebration of Ella Fitzgerald (August 7), Sunset Circus (August 28), Grace Kelly and Ashni presented by the Asian American Arts Alliance (September 3). As a bonus: many of the offerings are livestreamed for those not able to make it in person.

View the full 2026 lineup here.

Downtown Brooklyn Summer Events

Begins June 2

If you live or work near the downtown Brooklyn area, you can see fun, vibrant concerts (plus, some dance parties, fitness workshops and other events) in the area, including summer lunchtime music concerts with celebrated local musicians.

View the 2026 lineup so far here