It’s no secret that New York City is a global capital of arts and culture.
From our world-renowned museums and immersive exhibitions to the live concerts and celebrated artists available at our fingertips, creativity pulses through every corner of the city. And Beyond the iconic institutions and marquee performances, art in New York lives in the everyday. Murals transform brick walls into vibrant storytelling canvases. Dancers rehearse in open parks. Fashion, theater, music, and visual art collide in new waysevery day.
Something as simple as walking down the street will have spectators greeted with art and performance in one way or another. Whether you’re stepping into a historic gallery, discovering an experimental performance in a downtown warehouse, or hearing a saxophonist play on a subway platform, inspiration is never far away.
Case in point, artistry can be found even below the streets, right on the subway.
🎶 Introducing MTA Music
As part of the 40th anniversary of MTA Arts & Design, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has reintroduced its beloved Music Under New York program as MTA Music, according to a recent MTA press release. The program is set to expand live performances across the transit system throughout 2026 and beyond.
With more than 150 performers delivering over 8,500 shows annually, subway platforms and rail hubs double as concert venues, showcasing everything from jazz and classical to global rhythms and contemporary singer-songwriters.
🗽 What To Know: The Stations Series
At the heart of this expansion is the launch of the Stations Series, a new monthly themed performance program hosted at key transit hubs across all five boroughs. Each month celebrates a distinct musical or cultural heritage, bringing curated live performances directly to riders.
Stations Series locations include:
- Bronx: Parkchester Station or 161 St–Yankee Stadium
- Brooklyn: Atlantic Terminal / Atlantic Av–Barclays Ctr
- Manhattan: 34 St–Herald Sq
- Queens: Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Av/74 St
- Staten Island: Staten Island Ferry, St. George Terminal
The inaugural event, held on February 26, celebrated Black History Month with performances spanning gospel, jazz, R&B, percussion, and global traditions.
The series continues throughout the year with themed celebrations honoring March – Women’s History Month, April – Jazz Appreciation Month, May – Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, June – World Beats (in conjunction with FIFA World Cup NYC), and July – Great American Songbook (as part of America 250).
The series resumes in September – Classical Music Appreciation Month, followed by October 27th – Subway Day, November – Indigenous Peoples’ Heritage Month, and December – Holiday and New Year Celebration.
Additional performances will be announced throughout the year.
🚆 Music Across the System
In addition to the Stations Series, regular daily MTA Music performances continue across all boroughs at high-traffic locations including Times Square–42 St; 34 St–Penn Station; 14 St–Union Sq; Grand Central Terminal (East and West); Staten Island Ferry, Whitehall Terminal; Grand Central–42 St; and 42 St–Port Authority Bus Terminal.
These performances are sure to transform ordinary commutes into memorable cultural moments—making world-class music part of the rhythm of everyday life in New York.