We’re certainly not unaware of the fact that it takes a lot to convince a New Yorker to step foot into Times Square, but we have some news that may make you rethink that: Times Square Alliance recently announced the return of TSQ Live, a time filled with FREE open-air programming for all, and this season is set to be its most dynamic and inclusive yet!
TSQ LIVE is one of New York’s largest free outdoor event series, featuring an eclectic array of performances and workshops right in the heart of Times Square. Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and visitors alike check out the events each summer, which highlight both established institutions and emerging talents.
From May through September, Times Square will transform into a platform for DJ sets, live music, dance workshops, summer Friday concerts, and more to be projected to the district’s hundreds of thousands of daily visitors. Of the 80+ free, open-air performances set to take place, visitors can expect programs from renowned organizations, including:
- Ailey Extension
- Carnegie Hall Citywide
- Elsewhere
- Jazz at Lincoln Center
- MTA Music Under New York, among others.
The popular Summer Friday concert series will also return this year, kicking off the season with Adam Melchor, SUM SUN, Kids That Fly, and Bermuda Search Party, and the series’ Open Call will also return, giving us the rare opportunity to apply to perform on the TSQ LIVE stages–those interested can submit an application.
New to TSQ LIVE this season, will be music with a social cause from Turn The Tables, an award-winning non-profit dedicated to combating homelessness and launching community DJ programs to support young people in dire situations. The 2025 Neurodivergent Tour will also join the lineup this season for a show that features a variety of talented artists, all of whom are on the Autism spectrum, and Luxx Noir London of RuPaul’s Drag Race will also return in June to DJ a dance party for Pride.
The best part–all events are free, open to the public, and suitable for all ages!
2025 TSQ Live lineup:
Mondays – Crossroads Concerts
TASTE of Times Square, one of NYC’s longest-running outdoor food festivals highlighting the global cuisine available in the district, will welcome Crossroads Concerts as the musical entertainment this season. Attendees will get to experience “tasting” both the food and live music options.
The Taste of Times Square Food & Music Festival will also take place on Monday, September 8, from 5 – 9 pm at the Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 45th and 46th Streets.
Tuesdays – DJ Sets
🗓️ Tuesdays, May 6 – September 23
⏰ 5 pm
📍 Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 45th and 46th Streets
- May 6 – Conrad Taylor
- May 13 – Discrete
- May 20 – Soul Summit
- May 27 – Sol System / Milky Way Sound
- June 3 – Turn The Tables NYC
- June 10 – I AM CARIBBEING with Private Ryan
- June 17 – OutNBad
- June 24 – Luxx Noir London (RuPaul’s Drag Race) with Drag Performances from NYC Legends, Marti Cummings, Venus Mystique (2025 Miss Paradise), Lana Ja’Rae (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Mo’Riah, and Beaujangles
- July 1 – Elsewhere with Dennis Free
- July 8 – September 23 – TBA
Wednesdays – Live Music with MTA Music Under New York
Music Under New York is one of the visual and performing arts programs presented by MTA Arts & Design to enhance the transit system for riders. 350 individuals+ and ensembles are responsible for 12,000 performances annually, featuring a wide range of instruments such as the Gambian kora, Korean drum, West Indian steel drums, Andean pipes, Cajun cello, Celtic and Baroque harps, and encompassing classical strings, jazz ensembles, world music bands, folk, a cappella groups, and more.
🗓️ Wednesdays, May 7 – September 24
⏰ 5 pm
📍 Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 43rd and 44th streets
Thursdays – Dance Workshops & Live Music
🗓️ Thursdays, May 8 – September 25
⏰ 5 pm
📍 Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 45th and 46th Streets
- May 8 – DANCE with Ailey Extension, West African instructed by Maguette Camara
- May 15 – DANCE with Ailey Extension, Mambo Workout instructed by Katherine Jimenez
- May 22 – DANCE with Ailey Extension, Hip Hop instructed by TweetBoogie
- May 29 – DANCE with Ailey Extension, Afro-Dance instructed by Judith McCarty
- June 5 – LIVE MUSIC with the 2025 Neurodivergent Tour
- June 12 – LIVE MUSIC with Carnegie Hall Citywide, Brass Queens
- July 3 – LIVE MUSIC with Greg Banks
- July 10 – LIVE MUSIC – TBA
- July 17 – LIVE MUSIC with Gideon King & City Blog
- July 31 – LIVE MUSIC with Sam Greenfield
- August 7 – LIVE MUSIC with Jazz at Lincoln Center
- August 14 – LIVE MUSIC with Jazz at Lincoln Center
- August 21 – LIVE MUSIC with Jazz at Lincoln Center
- August 28 – LIVE MUSIC with Jazz at Lincoln Center
- September 4 – LIVE MUSIC with Jazz at Lincoln Center
- September 11 – LIVE MUSIC with Jazz at Lincoln Center
- September 18 – LIVE MUSIC with Jazz at Lincoln Center
- September 25 – LIVE MUSIC with Jazz at Lincoln Center
Fridays – Summer Fridays Concerts
From pop-up shows with today’s top charting artists, to the trendiest up-and-coming artists, this series will showcase a wide range of talent across all genres with a strong focus on showcasing independent artists of the NYC music scene.
🗓️ Fridays, May 9 – September 26
⏰ 6 pm
📍 Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 45th and 46th Streets
- May 9 – Adam Melchor
- May 16 – SUM SUN
- May 30 – Kids That Fly, also featuring Belle Blue
- June 6 – TBA
- June 13 – TBA
- July 11 – Bermuda Search Party
- July 23 – September 26 – TBA
Joe Papa, Director of Events and Programming at the Times Square Alliance, stated:
Times Square is the world’s stage, described by many as a bucket list venue to perform at and thrilling for fans and commuter audiences who enjoy these unique, collective experiences that make the plazas of Times Square feel like they belong to everyone. TSQ LIVE is raising the bar once again this year.