Free Concerts & Music Events
NYC Summer 2025: 25+ free music events across all 5 boroughs
Free Music Events NYC Summer 2025
NYC offers 25+ free music events including SummerStage with 70+ concerts across 13 parks, Bryant Park weekly performances, Hudson Yards Wednesday concerts, DUMBO Thursday archway series, and jazz performances at Union Square and various waterfront locations.
Must-See Music Events
SummerStage Concert Series
Rumsey Playfield, Central Park
A massive series of free outdoor concerts across all five boroughs, featuring diverse genres from global superstars to local acts.
May - Oct 2025
Bryant Park Picnic Performances
Bryant Park Lawn, Manhattan
Free outdoor performances spanning music, dance, and theater. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and picnics.
Jun - Sep 2025
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!
Lena Horne Bandshell, Prospect Park, Brooklyn
This festival is one of NYC's longest-running, free outdoor performing arts festivals, held every summer at the Lena Horne Bandshell in Prospect Park.
Jun - Aug 2025
All Free Music Events
SummerStage Concert Series
Music
A massive series of free outdoor concerts across all five boroughs, featuring diverse genres from global superstars to local acts.
📍Rumsey Playfield, Central Park+ more
🗓May - Oct 2025
Schedule
05/17 7pm, James Arthur @ Central Park
06/01 7pm, Andra Day @ Central Park
06/08 7pm, KES @ Central Park
06/22 6pm, Yussef Dayes + more @ Central Park
06/23 6pm, T-Pain + more @ Central Park
06/24 7pm, The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital + more @ Jackie Robinson Park
06/26 7pm, The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital + more @ Williamsbridge Oval
06/26 7pm, Caifanes + more @ Central Park
06/27 7pm, Ethel Cain + more @ Central Park
06/28 7pm, The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital + more @ Socrates Sculpture Park
06/28 7pm, Above & Beyond + more @ Central Park
06/29 7pm, Trixie Mattel + more @ Central Park
06/30 7pm, Dreamland Pride @ Central Park
07/01 7pm, Madison Cunningham + more @ Central Park
07/07 7pm, Ezra Collective + more @ Central Park
07/07 6pm, Sister Nancy + more @ Coney Island Amphitheater
07/10 7pm, Fonseca + more @ Central Park
07/11 7pm, Counting Crows @ Central Park
07/11 7pm, Works & Process + more @ Herbert Von King Park
07/14 7pm, I AM + more @ Central Park
07/17 7pm, The Saw Doctors + more @ Central Park
07/20 6pm, DJ Rekha + more @ Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
07/21 7pm, Proyecto Uno + more @ Central Park
07/24 7pm, Arooj Aftab + more @ Central Park
07/27 6pm, Scorpion Kings + more @ Central Park
08/21 7pm, The Gaslight Anthem + more @ Central Park
08/22 7pm, Alcione + more @ Central Park
08/23 7pm, The Roots + more @ Central Park
08/23 7pm, Christian McBride Big Band + more @ Marcus Garvey Park
08/24 7pm, Carmen Lundy + more @ Marcus Garvey Park
Some shows are benefit concerts and require tickets, but many are free. Check the official SummerStage website for the full schedule and confirmed free events.
Bryant Park Picnic Performances
Music,
Free outdoor performances spanning music, dance, and theater. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and picnics.
📍Bryant Park Lawn, Manhattan
🗓Jun - Sep 2025
Schedule
05/30 7pm, The Sound of (Black) Music
06/05 7pm, Limón Dance Company + more
06/06 7pm, Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE + more
06/13 7pm, Doug Varone and Dancers + more
06/14 7pm, The Jimmy Heath Big Band
06/20 7pm, Why Bonnie + more
06/21 6pm, Disiniblud + more
06/26 7pm, Opera Goes to Hollywood (New York City Opera)
06/27 7pm, [Artist TBA]
07/05 7pm, Tania León and The Harlem Chamber Players
07/12 7pm, Thandiswa Mazwai
07/19 7pm, Louis Cato
07/26 7pm, Michael Olatuja & Lagos Pepper Soup
08/02 7pm, La Excelencia
08/09 7pm, Jaime Lozano and Florencia Cuenca
08/10 7pm, Ephrat Asherie + more
08/16 7pm, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley
08/23 7pm, Tosca (New York City Opera)
08/24 7pm, Tosca (New York City Opera)
08/30 7pm, Vijay Iyer Trio
08/31 7pm, Mark Morris Dance Group + more
09/05 7pm, Accordions Around the World
09/06 7pm, American Symphony Orchestra: Beyond the Hall
09/12 7pm, Harlem Stage: Uptown Nights
09/13 7pm, The Man with a Golden Horn (The Town Hall and Belongó)
A popular series, so arrive early for good spots.
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!
Music
This festival is one of NYC's longest-running, free outdoor performing arts festivals, held every summer at the Lena Horne Bandshell in Prospect Park.
📍Lena Horne Bandshell, Prospect Park, Brooklyn+ more
🗓Jun - Aug 2025
Schedule
06/07 7pm, Michaël Brun (BAYO in Brooklyn) @ BRIC House
07/19 4pm, Celebrate Brooklyn! at Brower Park @ Brower Park
Schedule @ Lena Horne Bandshell
06/09 7pm, Grace Jones + Janelle Monáe (Benefit Concert)
06/13 7pm, Mélissa Laveaux + more
06/14 4pm, The Klezmatics (Family Day: Pippi Longstocking’s 80th Birthday)
06/19 5pm, Juneteenth in the Park
06/20 6pm, Habibi Festival + more
06/26 6pm, Buscabulla + more
06/27 6pm, A Tribute to Quincy Jones: The Greatest Night in Pop
07/12 7:30pm, Still Woozy (Loveseat Tour) (Benefit Concert)
07/17 7pm, Dinosaur Jr. + Snail Mail + Easy Action (Benefit Concert)
07/18 7pm, Men I Trust + strongboi (Benefit Concert)
07/26 7pm, A Tribute to Quincy Jones: The Wiz
08/01 7pm, Mireya Ramos + more
08/02 7pm, Gogol Bordello + more
08/07 7pm, Emily Johnson / Catalyst
08/08 7pm, Adrian Quesada + Trish Toledo
08/09 7pm, LYRICIST LOUNGE Anniversary Show
08/15 7pm, William Parker + NIKARA presents Black Wall Street
08/16 7pm, Nick Hakim + Karriem Riggins (DJ set)
47th annual season. Most events are free and open to the public; some are ticketed benefit concerts.
TSQ LIVE
Music
Weekly DJ sets and live music performances in the heart of Times Square.
📍Broadway Plazas (43rd–46th Streets), Times Square
🗓May – Sep 2025
DJ Sets LiveCarnegie Hall CitywideJazz at Lincoln CenterMTA Music Under New YorkSummer Fridays
Schedule
05/06 5pm, Conrad Taylor @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
05/13 5pm, Discrete @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
05/20 5pm, Soul Summit @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
05/27 5pm, Sol System + Milky Way Sound @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
06/03 5pm, Turn The Tables NYC @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
06/05 5pm, Neurodivergent Tour + more @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
06/10 5pm, I AM CARIBBEING with Private Ryan @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
06/12 5pm, Carnegie Hall Citywide, Brass Queens @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
06/17 5pm, OutNBad @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
06/24 5pm, Luxx Noir London + more @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
07/01 5pm, Elsewhere with Dennis Free @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
07/03 5pm, Greg Banks @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
07/10 5pm, TBA @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
07/11 6pm, Bermuda Search Party @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
07/17 5pm, Gideon King & City Blog @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
07/31 5pm, Sam Greenfield @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
08/07 5pm, Jazz at Lincoln Center @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
08/14 5pm, Jazz at Lincoln Center @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
08/21 5pm, Jazz at Lincoln Center @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
08/28 5pm, Jazz at Lincoln Center @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
09/04 5pm, Jazz at Lincoln Center @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
09/11 5pm, Jazz at Lincoln Center @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
09/18 5pm, Jazz at Lincoln Center @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
09/25 5pm, Jazz at Lincoln Center @ Broadway Plaza (45-46th St)
Great for a vibrant, energetic atmosphere. Check website for specific artists and exact Wednesday/Friday dates.
Backyard at Hudson Yards
Music
Free concert series on the Wells Fargo Stage. Features a diverse array of music genres.
📍Hudson Yards, The Wells Fargo Stage, Manhattan
🗓May - Aug 2025
Summer ConcertsTheater & Arts
Schedule
06/25 6pm, Marc Scibilia
07/02 6pm, The Knocks
07/09 6pm, Cian Ducrot
07/16 6pm, Paul Russell
07/23 6pm, Alex Sampson
07/30 6pm, Brittney Spencer
08/06 6pm, mxmtoon
08/13 6pm, Grace Vanderwaal
Wells Fargo customers may receive exclusive access to a club with complimentary snacks and beverages. Also features family fun events.
Carnegie Hall Citywide
Music
Free concerts presented by Carnegie Hall at various community venues throughout the city, featuring a range of musical styles including classical, jazz, and world music.
📍Judson Memorial Church, Manhattan+ more
🗓Jun - Aug 2025
Free concerts in all five boroughs featuring classical, jazz, and more
Schedule
06/26 7pm, Endea Owens and The Cookout @ Wave Hill
07/09 7pm, Toomai String Quintet @ Madison Square Park
07/12 6:30pm, Son Del Monte @ Brooklyn Public Library (Central Library)
07/17 7pm, Miguel Zenón + Luis Perdomo @ Harlem Stage Gatehouse
07/19 5pm, Travon Walker + Michael Banwarth @ St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church
07/24 6pm, Nicholas Payton @ Louis Armstrong House Museum
07/30 4pm, Emiliano Messiez @ Brooklyn Public Library (Central Library)
Check Carnegie Hall's website for the full schedule and specific locations for each performance.
DUMBO's Live at the Archway Series
Music
Dynamic musical performances and interactive art installations under the iconic Manhattan Bridge Archway.
📍Manhattan Bridge Archway Plaza, DUMBO, Brooklyn
🗓Thursdays, Jun - Jul 2025
Live music: T Marie & Bayou Juju, Fogo Azul, Cleo Reed, Chanpan + moreInteractive art experiences with local artists on the Art Wall
Schedule
06/12 6pm, Marie & Bayou Juju + more
06/19 6pm, Cleo Reed + more
06/26 6pm, Chanpan + more
07/10 6pm, Os Clavelitos + more
07/17 6pm, Kaleta & Super Yamba Band + more
07/24 6pm, Sug Daniels + more
07/31 6pm, Chicha Libre + more
All-ages, free, rain or shine events with food and drink available for purchase from the Archway Bar.
Sounds at Sunset (Brooklyn Bridge Park)
Music
Enjoy free music concerts featuring local and international talent against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset.
📍Pier 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park
🗓Fridays, Jun - Aug 2025
Schedule
06/13 6pm, Freelance
07/11 6pm, Revive Big Band
07/25 6pm, Brooklyn Americana
08/08 6pm, Reinaldo DeJesus & Rhythmic Prophecies
Perfect for easing into the weekend with great views.
River & Blues Festival
Music
Features blues and roots artists.
📍Rockefeller Park, Manhattan
🗓Thursdays, Jul 2025
Schedule
07/10 8pm, Maggie Rose
07/17 8pm, Amythyst Kiah
07/24 8pm, Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra led by Arturo O’Farrill
07/31 8pm, Lady Blackbird
Hudson River sunset views and DJ sets by DJ Blessed.
Hudson River Park Music Series
Multiple
Multiple music series in Hudson River Park.
📍Pier 84 (Jazz at Pier 84)+ more
🗓May - Sep 2025
Schedule
05/17 time TBA, SUBMERGE Marine Science Festival (includes live music) @ Pier 84
06/22 2pm, Jazz in the Park @ Ralph Ellison Plaza
06/22 6pm, Summer on the Hudson @ Pier I, Riverside Park South
Weekly Wednesday jazz concerts @ Pier 84
Sunset on the Hudson (Fridays) @ Pier 45
Broadway By The Boardwalk @ Pier 76
Sunset Salsa @ Pier 76
Six nights, Boardwalk Blues: Sunset concerts @ Pier 97
Various dates, Science After Dark (with music) @ various piers
Little Island Summer Shows
Music/Performance
A variety of free performances and cultural programming on the unique pier park.
📍Pier 55, Little Island, Manhattan
🗓May - Sep 2025
Schedule
05/29-06/15 8:30pm, The Counterfeit Opera
06/21-22 8pm, Radiolab Live
06/26-27 8pm, Arthur Russell: The Platform on the Ocean
07/08-12 8pm, No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin
07/17-26 8pm, The Gospel at Colonus
09/06-28 8pm, Galas
Check Little Island's website for their full schedule, as programming is diverse and frequent.
Union Square Lunchtime Jazz
Music
Live jazz performances in Union Square Park.
📍Union Square Park, Center Lawn, Manhattan
🗓Thursdays, Jun - Aug 2025
Schedule
06/05 12pm, Lunchtime Jazz with The New School
06/12 12pm, Lunchtime Jazz with The New School
06/19 12pm, Lunchtime Jazz with The New School
06/26 12pm, Lunchtime Jazz with The New School
07/03 12pm, Lunchtime Jazz with The New School
07/10 12pm, Lunchtime Jazz with The New School
07/17 12pm, Lunchtime Jazz with The New School
07/24 12pm, Lunchtime Jazz with The New School
07/31 12pm, Lunchtime Jazz with The New School
08/07 12pm, Lunchtime Jazz with The New School
08/14 12pm, Lunchtime Jazz with The New School
08/21 12pm, Lunchtime Jazz with The New School
08/28 12pm, Lunchtime Jazz with The New School
Perfect for a relaxing lunchtime break.
Atlantic Terminal Summer Salsa Nights
Dance/Music
Live music and salsa dancing.
📍Atlantic Terminal, Brooklyn
🗓Thursdays, Jun - Aug 2025
Schedule
06/12 6-9pm, Summer Sunset Salsa Series
06/19 6-9pm, Summer Sunset Salsa Series
06/26 6-9pm, Summer Sunset Salsa Series
07/03 6-9pm, Summer Sunset Salsa Series
07/10 6-9pm, Summer Sunset Salsa Series
07/17 6-9pm, Summer Sunset Salsa Series
07/24 6-9pm, Summer Sunset Salsa Series
07/31 6-9pm, Summer Sunset Salsa Series
08/07 6-9pm, Summer Sunset Salsa Series
08/14 6-9pm, Summer Sunset Salsa Series
08/21 6-9pm, Summer Sunset Salsa Series
Check specific dates for the summer 2025 series.
Planning Your Music Adventure
🎒
Bring Essentials
Blankets, water, and snacks for outdoor concerts
⏰
Arrive Early
Popular venues fill up quickly, especially SummerStage
🚇
Take Transit
Most venues are easily accessible by subway
☔
Check Weather
Outdoor events may be cancelled due to rain