Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage celebrates its 40th season this year as one of New York’s most beloved, broadly accessible, free outdoor performing arts festivals. SummerStage presents more than 60 free and benefit performances in Central Park and 12-15 neighborhood parks each year, reaching more than 227,000 fans. With diverse artists and performances in genres that represent the cultural fabric of New York City, ranging from jazz, hip-hop, Latin, and global to indie and contemporary dance, SummerStage has filled a vital niche in our City’s summer arts festival landscape for four decades, reaching more than seven million people from New York City and around the world.
New York is the quintessential global city, and the place we have been proud to call home for almost four decades. SummerStage brings renowned artists and rising stars from around the world to local neighborhood parks, presenting distinctly New York genres — salsa, jazz, and hip-hop — alongside indie, reggae, Afrobeat, soul, modern dance, and much more. We turn local parks into dynamic and accessible performance spaces. There truly is no better place to experience music than amongst the trees in this iconic spot. Come watch a legendary artist or discover the performer you’ll love next!
Sold-out benefit concerts: ticket required; free events: open to all but early arrival strongly advised as events can exceed field capacity; gates typically open 1 hour before showtime for ticketed events; re-entry not permitted for sold-out shows; no dedicated bag check; weather policy: events held rain or shine (cancellations only for lightning/severe weather, announced via website and social media); food and non-alcoholic beverages may be brought in (no glass); limited food/concession vendors on-site for larger events; alcohol is not sold at most events per NYC Parks policy
No dedicated parking at the venue (Central Park, Manhattan); metered street parking around Central Park periphery (5th Ave, Central Park West, 72nd St, 66th St) – fills up quickly on event nights; rideshare/taxi drop-off on 5th Ave or Central Park West recommended; limited garage parking available on E 67th St (Central Parking), E 61st St, and Lexington Ave
Multiple subway options: 6 train to 68th St-Hunter College; Q train to 72nd St; 1/2/3 trains to 72nd St (cross-park); N/R/W to 5th Ave-59th St, then walk north; B/C trains to 72nd St (Central Park West entrance). Numerous MTA bus routes also stop on 5th Ave and Central Park West near the entrances.
ADA-accessible viewing area available inside the venue (right side, near stage); accessible entrances on 5th Ave and Central Park West; accessible restrooms in the park; contact cityparksfoundation.org for advance accessibility accommodation requests
Food and non-alcoholic beverages (no glass containers); blankets and low-back/beach chairs for free events (some paid events restrict chairs – check specific show info); cameras (non-professional)
Glass containers; alcohol (not sold or permitted to bring in at most events); professional cameras/tripods/video equipment without media credentials; re-entry for sold-out ticketed shows
