Central Park Just Unveiled Its Lineup For It’s 40th Anniversary Benefit Concerts — Here Are All Of The Shows Under The Stars That You Can Experience This Summer
NYC’s most iconic open-air concert series is headed back for summer 2026. Here's what to know about it's benefit concerts for it's 40th anniversary.
Summer in New York City means music drifting through the air no matter where you wander—from outdoor concerts and jam sessions in the park to performances on fire escapes and in subway stations. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
One of the city’s most iconic spectacles is home to an equally legendary music series: Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage. This year, the beloved open-air tradition is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a lineup of benefit and free concerts that absolutely lives up to its generational run.
What started in 1986 with a boundary-pushing performance by the Sun Ra Arkestra at the Naumburg Bandshell has since grown into a cornerstone of New York culture, bringing thousands of performances to the heart of Manhattan.
Four decades later, it has hosted everyone from global legends to your next favorite artist—all while maintaining the feel of a “best-kept secret” hiding in plain sight.
While the full lineup of free shows is headed our way tomorrow,, April 28th, an exciting lineup of benefit concerts for the stage’s anniversary was just revealed. Here’s what to look out for on this year’s lineup.
