Laurie Anderson, Angélique Kidjo, Mavis Staples, De La Soul, Spoon, Julieta Venegas, Black Country, New Road and Horsegirl are among the artists who will grace the stage of the 2026 season of Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage, New York City’s iconic outdoor performing arts festival bringing more than 60 free and benefit shows to Central Park and 12 neighborhood parks across the five boroughs, City Parks Foundation announced on Tuesday.
The 2026 season will mark the festival’s milestone 40th anniversary, with special celebratory concerts and events highlighting four remarkable decades of performances across New York City’s parks.
The full schedule appears below.
“Forty years ago, I had a simple idea: that world-class music and performing arts belonged to everyone, not just those who could afford a ticket. Four decades later, I’m genuinely moved by what SummerStage has meant to our city and what we helped build together with our fans,” said Joe Killian, SummerStage Founder & Executive Producer (1986-1993) and City Parks Foundation Board Member. “SummerStage has been the cultural backbone of NYC since 1986, bringing artists from across the globe to share their sounds and stories with our neighbors in their local parks. We’ve curated bold commissions, unexpected collaborations, and showcased rising stars, and New York has shown up every single time. The tremendous loyalty and support from SummerStage’s fans is the fuel that keeps us going. As we step into this 40th season, I’m not just proud of where we’ve been, but I’m also excited for the moments still to come.”
This year’s annual gala, on Thursday, September 10th, will commemorate the festival’s 40th anniversary. To celebrate this milestone, City Parks Foundation will honor Killian with the SummerStage Icon Award for his vision that resulted in the creation of SummerStage and for his dedication to the organization for four decades. The benefit will also honor Alex Blavatnik, Vice Chairman of Access Industries and Director of the Blavatnik Archive, with the City Parks Foundation Icon Award, for his transformative investments that have preserved cultural history and made it freely accessible to the public. This preeminent benefit raises more than $1 million in support of SummerStage concerts, as well as City Parks Foundation’s free environmental education, youth sports, and community engagement programs, all serving New York’s under-resourced communities.
“I am thrilled to announce our 2026 SummerStage lineup and mark our momentous 40th anniversary,” said Heather Lubov, Executive Director of City Parks Foundation. “This season’s exceptional mix of artists truly embodies why Summerstage has become such a beloved music destination for the past four decades, and reflects our city’s rich cultural diversity. We are excited to continue the tradition of bringing memorable live performances to NYC’s parks and celebrating our communities.”
SummerStage 2026 Schedule
Sat, May 30
5:30 PM
Dance Gavin Dance / The Fall of Troy / Wolf and the Bear
Central Park
Benefit
Sat. Jun 6
4:00 PM
Of The Trees / Jade Cicada / Chmura / Snuffy
Central Park
Benefit
Mon. Jun 8
6:00 PM
The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital featuring Tessa McQueen, Lonwabo Mose, Alex McKissick, and Mariam Bombrun: This event forms part of Carnegie Hall’s United in Sound: America at 250 festival.
Williamsbridge Oval
Free
Wed. Jun 10
5:00 PM
The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital featuring Tessa McQueen, Lonwabo Mose, Alex McKissick, and Mariam Bombrun: This event forms part of Carnegie Hall’s United in Sound: America at 250 festival.
Socrates Sculpture Park
Free
Wed. Jun 10
5:00 PM
OPENING Night: Ledisi for Dinah / Spilata / DJ Kultured Child in association with Blue Note Jazz Festival presented as part of the Subaru Music Series
Central Park
Free
Thur. Jun 11
5:00 PM
Yellowcard / New Found Glory / Plain
White Ts presented as part of the Subaru Music Series
Central Park
Benefit
Fri. Jun 12
6:00 PM
The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital featuring Tessa McQueen, Lonwabo Mose, Alex McKissick, and Mariam Bombrun: This event forms part of Carnegie Hall’s United in Sound: America at 250 festival.
Jackie Robinson Park
Free
Sat. Jun 13
6:00 PM
The Martinez Brothers / Wakyin / Luna Mar
Central Park
Benefit
Date TBA
6:00 PM
The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital featuring Tessa McQueen, Lonwabo Mose, Alex McKissick, and Mariam Bombrun: This event forms part of Carnegie Hall’s United in Sound: America at 250 festival.
Park TBA, Staten Island
Free
Mon. Jun 15
7:00 PM
The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital featuring Emily Pogorelc, Joshua Blue, Edward Nelson, and Dmitri Dover: This event forms part of Carnegie Hall’s United in Sound: America at 250 festival.
Central Park
Free
Wed. Jun 17
6:00 PM
The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital featuring Emily Pogorelc, Joshua Blue, Edward Nelson, and Dmitri Dover: This event forms part of Carnegie Hall’s United in Sound: America at 250 festival.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Free
Sat. Jun 20
7:00 PM
Elderbrook / Tobiahs
Central Park
Benefit
Mon. Jun 22
6:00 PM
New York Sings Yiddish: Passing the Torch to a New Generation: The Shvesters / Yidlife Crisis / Yair Keydar / Riki Rose and more in association with the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene
Central Park
Free
Wed. Jun 24
5:00 PM
Black Country, New Road / Horsegirl / Sharp Pins
Central Park
Free
Fri. Jun 26
7:00 PM
Laurie Anderson: Republic of Love with Sexmob
Central Park
Free
Sun. Jun 28
3:00 PM
Dreamland Pride with Purple Disco Machine / Kungs / Dani Brasil
Central Park
Benefit
Wed, Jul 1
5:00 PM
SHABAKA / Kokoroko / Omar / Lovie in association with Giant Step and Blue Note Jazz Festival
Central Park
Free
Fri. Jul 3
5:00 PM
Odd Mob
Central Park
Benefit
Wed. Jul 8
5:00 PM
Spoon / Ratboys / Bodega presented as part of the Subaru Music Series
Central Park
Free
Thu. Jul 9
6:00 PM
Duck Down Music Presents Heltah Skeltah and O.G.C. of Boot Camp Clik ‘Nocturnal and Da Storm’ 30 Year Anniversary in association with Mass Appeal
Herbert Von King Park
Free
Thu. Jul 9
6:00 PM
Shaggy The Yaad in association with VP Records and Boombastic Radio
Central Park
Free
Fri. Jul 10
5:00 PM
Mereba / Mack Keane / Arima Ederra / Halfmoon BK in association with COLORSXSTUDIO
Herbert Von King Park
Free
Fri. Jul 10
4:00 PM
Nora en Pure Presents Purified: andhim / Kidnap / Corren Cavini / Jack Emery
Central Park
Benefit
Sat. Jul 11
4:30 PM
MIKE’s Young World: Max B / MIKE with The Band of the Century
Herbert Von King Park
Free
Sun. Jul 12
5:00 PM
Bilal / GENA / DJ Tara in association with The Apollo Theater
Herbert Von King Park
Free
Sun, Jul 12
5:00 PM
Bastille Day: Black M / Laurent Voulzy / Legends of the 80’s / Michel Polnareff in association with the Consulate General of France in New York
Central Park
Free
Wed. Jul 15
5:00 PM
Morocco: From Dakhla to Casablanca: Hoba Hoba Spirit / Hamid El Kasri Dakhla / Casa Xpress / Mr ID in association with Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication and Maroc Festivals
Central Park
Free
Thur. Jul 16
5:00 PM
Mavis Staples / Brother Wallace in association with The Apollo Theater
Central Park
Free
Fri. Jul 17
6:00 PM
De La Soul / Pete Rock in association with Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Mass Appeal
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
Free
Sat. Jul 18
5:00 PM
DJ Rekha’s Basement Bhangra Beyond: Jaz Dhami / Mitika Kanwar / Babbulicious / DJ Rekha + special guests in association with Queens Borough President Donovan Richards
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
Free
Sat. Jul 18
3:00 PM
Anjunadeep: Open Air New York City: Because of Art / Durante / Ezequiel Arias / James Grant & Jody Wisternoff / Marsh / Romain Garcia / SunrYse
Central Park
Benefit
Wed. Jul 22
7:00 PM
Complexions Contemporary Ballet / Paul Taylor Dance Company / Latasha Barnes’ The Jazz Continuum in association with the Joyce Theater
Central Park
Free
Thur. July 23
5:00 PM
Yeat: The LOVE/LYFE Tour / Slayr / BNYX
Central Park
Sold Out
Sat. Jul 25
3:00 PM
Maccabi House: Adam Ten and Mita Gami / Darco / Malive / Monobase
Central Park
Benefit
Sun. Jul 26
5:00 PM
Afro-Latinas: Luedji Luna feat. Liniker / Susana Baca / Lady G / Mai-Elka Prado feat. Lush Song Collective / DJ Agent DMZ in association with the Festival Latinidades and Afro-Latino Festival NYC
Central Park
Free
Wed. Jul 29
5:00 PM
Julieta Venegas / Lasso / DJ Anamaria Sayre in association with LAMC and The Latin Recording Academy
Central Park
Free
Thu. Jul 30
6:00 PM
UBB 40th Anniversary Celebration: BreakBeat Lou / Lord Finesse / Diamond D / Grand Puba / Sadat X / Nice & Smooth / Peter Gunz / DJ Boogie Blind in association with Mass Appeal
Central Park
Free
Thu. Jul 30
6:00 PM
Lineup to be announced
Crotona Park
Free
Fri. Jul 31
6:00 PM
Doug E. Fresh and Funk Flex Hip-Hop Appreciation Park Jam in association with Mass Appeal
Crotona Park
Free
Sat. Aug 1
5:00 PM
Trueno / Milo J / J Noa / DJ Albina Cabrera in association with LAMC and The Latin Recording Academy
Central Park
Free
Sat. Aug 1
6:00 PM
Ghanafest-NY: Edem / Andy Dosty
Crotona Park
Free
Sun. Aug 2
6:00 PM
WayV / The Either / Chopstix in association with the China Institute of America
Central Park
Free
Thu. Aug 6
7:00 PM
Andrew Bird with the Wordless Music Orchestra Perform 20th Anniversary of “The Mysterious Production of Eggs” presented by the Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment
Central Park
Free
Fri. Aug 7
6:00 PM
Funk Flex Birthday R&B Picnic: Jon B / Fonda Rae / Taana Gardner / Strafe / Dres from Blacksheep / DJ M U / Music by Funk Flex
Central Park
Free
Date TBA
6:00 PM
Funk Flex Birthday Fest: Crystal Waters / Cynthia / Frankie Cutlass / Force MDs / Sunshine Anderson / Greg Nice/ CL Smooth in association with Mass Appeal
Park TBA, Staten Island
Free
Date TBA
5:00 PM
Charlie Aponte / Judy Santos / DJ Connie / DJ Medina
Park TBA, Staten Island
Free
Sat. Aug 15
5:00 PM
Blues Traveler / Gin Blossoms / Spin Doctors presented as part of the Subaru Music Series
Central Park
Benefit
Sun. Aug 16
5:00 PM
Taiwanese Waves 10th Anniversary: 9m88 + ØZI + YELLOW / Chance Emerson / Mong Tong / Chinatown Records
Central Park
Free
Wed. Aug 19
6:00 PM
Simple Plan / 30H!3 / Bowling For Soup
Central Park
Benefit
Thu. Aug 20
6:00 PM
Lineup to be announced
Marcus Garvey Park
Free
Fri. Aug 21
7:00 PM
The Voice of Miles Davis: A Symphonic Centennial Celebration in Partnership with Jazzmobile SUMMERFEST and Park Avenue Artists
Marcus Garvey Park
Free
Sat. Aug 22
6:00 PM
The Soapbox Presents: Run It Back: The Art of the Sample Vol. II
Marcus Garvey Park
Free
Sun. Aug 23
6:00 PM
Angélique Kidjo / DJ Freshy K in association with World Music Institute
Central Park
Free
Tue. Aug 25
6:00 PM
Myles Smith: My Mess, My Heart, My Life Tour with special guest Michael Marcagi
Central Park
Benefit
Fri. Aug 28
7:00 PM
The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with special guests Marquis Hill and Ekep Nkwelle
Sherman Irby, music director
Marcus Garvey Park
Free
Sat. Aug 29
2:00 PM
The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: Joshua Redman / Nat Adderley Jr.
Marcus Garvey Park
Free
Sun. Aug 30
3:00 PM
The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: Ravi Coltrane / Kassa Overall / Vanisha Gould
Tompkins Square Park
Free
Wed. Sept 2
6:00 PM
Verve 70th Anniversary: Christian McBride / Mei Semones & Friends Play the Music of Getz/Gilberto presented by the Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment
Central Park
Free
Sat. Sept 12
6:00 PM
Darling Blue PT2 Tour: Marcus King Band / Penelope Road
Central Park
Benefit
Thu. Oct 1
6:00 PM
The Age of the Ram Tour: Charley Crockett / Durand Jones and the Indications
Central Park
Benefit
*All show times and artists are subject to change
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