It finally feels like summer in New York City this week—and if these warm, golden days are any indication, the season we’ve been waiting for is just around the corner. Naturally, our calendars are already itching for a preview of what’s to come.
One of the best things about life in our favorite city is how much there is to experience for free, and few traditions capture that spirit better than NYC’s iconic free concerts.
Year after year, these series’ transform our beloved parks into vibrant open-air stages, bringing together music lovers from all over the city for unforgettable performances under the skyline.
Of course, spring in New York likes to keep us on our toes—this week’s sunshine is no guarantee of consistency just yet. So while we wait for summer to settle in for good, there’s no better time to start mapping out those long, music-filled evenings ahead.
🎵 NYC Parks: Free Summer Concert Series 2026
April: The Spring Prelude
- Apr 26: Charlotte Mayerson’s Overlook Concerts – 116th Street Overlook (Riverside Park). Student musicians kick off the season with a mix of traditional and contemporary brass arrangements (2:00 PM – 3:30 PM).
May: Jazz & Family Fun
- May 3: Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison – Berta Indeed presents “Let the Music Play,” featuring local vocalists and musicians.
- May 7: Locomotive Lawn Live – Best for kids! Moosiki Kids Musical Storytime at Riverside Park South.
- May 10: Mother’s Day Performances – Special sets at both the 116th St Overlook (French Cookin’ Blues) and Ralph Ellison Plaza.
- May 14: Locomotive Lawn Live (Kids) – Riverside Park South (10:30 AM).
- May 17: Jazz in the Park – Latin Jazz with the Bloomingdale School of Music faculty ensemble.
- May 21: Locomotive Lawn Live (Kids) – Riverside Park South.
- May 24: Jazz in the Park – Community jazz series at Ralph Ellison Plaza.
- May 28: Locomotive Lawn Live (Kids) – Riverside Park South.
- May 29: Friday Night Jams – 125th St & Marginal St (West Harlem Piers). Original songwriting and fingerstyle guitar.
- May 31: Jazz in the Park – Ralph Ellison Plaza (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM).
June: Sunset Jams & Summer Solstice
- Weekly (Thursdays): Locomotive Lawn Live (Kids) – Continues June 4, 11, 18, and 25.
- Weekly (Sundays): Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison – Continues June 7, 14, 21, and 28.
- June 20: RTA Summer Sunset Concert Series – Ron McClure & Friends at the 96th Street Tennis Courts (Riverside Park).
- June 26: Friday Night Jams – Ramiro Marziani at West Harlem Piers. Improvisational jazz and rhythmic grooves.
- Saturday, June 20 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Summer on the Hudson: Speak Up! Festival – Opera on Tap hosts a family-friendly Pride celebration featuring vibrant performances and participatory activities at Pier I (Riverside Park South).
- June 27 | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: RTA Summer Sunset Concert Series – Morrisania Band Project at the 96th Street Tennis Courts.
July & August: Summer Series
- Sundays (July 5–Aug 30): Jazz in the Park – Every Sunday at Ralph Ellison Plaza (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM).
- Sundays (July 5–July 26) | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM: Summer on the Hudson: Amplified Sundays – Pier I (Riverside Park South). Live music and spectacular sunsets featuring Wayne Tucker & The Bad Mothas (July 5), Gentleman Brawlers (July 12), Dawn Drake & ZapOte (July 19), and Chispa (July 26).
- July 11 | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM: RTA Summer Sunset Concert Series – The Afro-Latineers at the 96th Street Tennis Courts (Riverside Park).
- Thursdays (July 2–July 23) | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Summer on the Hudson: Children’s Performance Series – Pier I (Riverside Park South). Music, storytelling, and theater for ages 7 and under. Featuring Arm of the Sea Theatre (July 2), Musiquita (July 9), Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats (July 16), and Joanie Leeds (July 23).
- July 16 | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM: Summer on the Hudson: Mycelium – A solar-powered orchestral avant-pop concert by Sirintip Phasuk at Pier I.
- July 18 | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: RTA Summer Sunset Concert Series – The Slim Kings at the 96th Street Tennis Courts (Riverside Park).
- Wednesdays (July 22–Aug 26) | 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Hippo Playground Summer Concerts – Annual series at Hippo Playground (Riverside Park). Featuring Michael Napolitano (July 22), Esther Crow (July 29), Suzi Shelton (Aug 5), Flor Bromley (Aug 12), Matt Heaton (Aug 19), and Hopalong Andrew (Aug 26).
- July 25 | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: RTA Summer Sunset Concert Series – Richard Baratta at the 96th Street Tennis Courts.
- July 31: Friday Night Jams – Christina Chanel (Indie-soul) at West Harlem Piers.
- August 8 | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: RTA Summer Sunset Concert Series – Durieux at the 96th Street Tennis Courts.
- Wednesday, Aug 12 | 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Hippo Playground Summer Concerts – Featuring Flor Bromley (Kids) at Hippo Playground (Riverside Park).
- Saturday, Aug 15 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Summer on the Hudson: Fly NYC – Kite festival with live music at Pier I (Riverside Park South).
- Sunday, Aug 16 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison – Community jazz concert at Ralph Ellison Plaza.
- Wednesday, Aug 19 | 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Hippo Playground Summer Concerts – Featuring Matt Heaton (Kids) at Hippo Playground (Riverside Park).
- Sunday, Aug 23 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison – Community jazz concert at Ralph Ellison Plaza.
- Wednesday, Aug 26 | 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Hippo Playground Summer Concerts – Featuring Hopalong Andrew (Kids) at Hippo Playground (Riverside Park).
- Friday, Aug 28 | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Summer on the Hudson: Friday Night Jams – Featuring Ilana Morris at West Harlem Piers (125th St & Marginal St).
September & October: The Fall Encore
- Sunday, Sept 6 | 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Summer on the Hudson: West Side County Fair – Live bands, carnival amusements, and local vendors at Pier I (Riverside Park South).
- Sundays (Sept 6, 13, 20, 27) | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison – Weekly community jazz series at Ralph Ellison Plaza.
- Sundays (Oct 4, 11, 18, 25) | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison – Final fall sessions of the season at Ralph Ellison Plaza.
💡 Pro-Tips for Your Park Outing
- Weather: Concerts are weather permitting. Check @NYCParks social media or call 212-870-3089 for cancellation updates.
- Hydration: Riverside Park South has nearby cafes, but for the 116th Street Overlook, it’s best to pack your own water.
- Seating: Most locations have limited built-in seating. Bringing a lightweight folding chair or a picnic blanket is highly recommended.
