NYC's Central Park SummerStage Announces 2026 Concert Schedule to Celebrate 40th Anniversary

SummerStage, New York's iconic outdoor concert series thrown by the Capital One City Parks Foundation, turns 40 this year.

The 2026 season comprises over 70 free and benefit performances held in Central Park and over a dozen other city parks across all five boroughs.

Notable artists from the diverse schedule include Spoon, Yellowcard, Sum 41, De La Soul, Andrew Bird, Mavis Staples, Angélique Kidjo, Horsegirl, and Black Country, New Road.

Reflecting on the major milestone, Joe Killian, SummerStage Founder & Executive Producer (1986-1993) said: “Forty years ago, I had a simple idea: that world-class music and performing arts belonged to everyone, not just those who could afford a ticket. Four decades later, I’m genuinely moved by what SummerStage has meant to our city and what we helped build together with our fans."

He added, “SummerStage has been the cultural backbone of NYC since 1986, bringing artists from across the globe to share their sounds and stories with our neighbors in their local parks. We’ve curated bold commissions, unexpected collaborations, and showcased rising stars, and New York has shown up every single time.  The tremendous loyalty and support from SummerStage’s fans is the fuel that keeps us going. As we step into this 40th season, I’m not just proud of where we’ve been, but I’m also excited for the moments still to come.”

SUMMERSTAGE 2026 LINEUP

Sat. May 30 Dance Gavin Dance / The Fall of Troy / Wolf and the Bear – Central Park – TICKETED BENEFIT
Sat. Jun 6 Of The Trees / Jade Cicada / Chmura / Snuffy – Central Park – TICKETED BENEFIT
Mon. Jun 8 The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital: Tessa McQueen / Lonwabo Mose / Alex McKissick / Mariam Bombrun – Williamsbridge Oval – FREE
Wed. Jun 10 The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital: Tessa McQueen / Lonwabo Mose / Alex McKissick / Mariam Bombrun – Socrates Sculpture Park – FREE
Wed. Jun 10 Ledisi for Dinah / Spilata / DJ Kultured Child – Central Park – FREE
Thu. Jun 11 Yellowcard / New Found Glory / Plain White Ts – Central Park – TICKETED BENEFIT
Fri. Jun 12 The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital: Tessa McQueen / Lonwabo Mose / Alex McKissick / Mariam Bombrun – Jackie Robinson Park – FREE
Sat. Jun 13 The Martinez Brothers / Wakyin / Luna Mar – Central Park – TICKETED BENEFIT
Mon. Jun 15 The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital: Emily Pogorelc / Joshua Blue / Edward Nelson / Dmitri Dover – Central Park – FREE
Wed. Jun 17 The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital: Emily Pogorelc / Joshua Blue / Edward Nelson / Dmitri Dover – Brooklyn Bridge Park – FREE
Sat. Jun 20 Elderbrook / Tobiahs – Central Park – TICKETED BENEFIT
Mon. Jun 22 New York Sings Yiddish: Passing the Torch to a New Generation: The Shvesters / Yidlife Crisis / Yair Keydar / Riki Rose, more – Central Park – FREE
Wed. Jun 24 Black Country, New Road / Horsegirl / Sharp Pins – Central Park – FREE
Fri. Jun 26 Laurie Anderson: Republic of Love w/ Sexmob – Central Park – FREE
Sun. Jun 28 Dreamland Pride: Purple Disco Machine / Kungs / Dani Brasil – Central Park – TICKETED BENEFIT
Wed, Jul 1 SHABAKA / Kokoroko / Omar / Lovie – Central Park – FREE
Fri. Jul 3 Odd Mob – Central Park – TICKETED BENEFIT
Wed. Jul 8 – Spoon / Ratboys / Bodega – Central Park – FREE
Thu. Jul 9 Heltah Skeltah & O.G.C. of Boot Camp Clik (Nocturnal and Da Storm 30th Anniversary) – Herbert Von King Park – FREE
Thu. Jul 9 Shaggy The Yaad – Central Park – FREE
Fri. Jul 10 Mereba / Mack Keane / Arima Ederra / Halfmoon BK – Herbert Von King Park – FREE
Fri. Jul 10 Nora en Pure Presents Purified: andhim / Kidnap / Corren Cavini / Jack Emery – Central Park – TICKETED BENEFIT
Sat. Jul 11 MIKE’s Young World: Max B / MIKE with The Band of the Century – Herbert Von King Park – FREE
Sun. Jul 12 Bilal / GENA / DJ Tara – Herbert Von King Park – FREE
Sun, Jul 12 Bastille Day: Black M / Laurent Voulzy / Legends of the 80’s / Michel Polnareff – Central Park – FREE
Wed. Jul 15 Morocco: From Dakhla to Casablanca: Hoba Hoba Spirit / Hamid El Kasri Dakhla / Casa Xpress / Mr ID – Central Park – FREE
Thur. Jul 16 Mavis Staples / Brother Wallace – Central Park – FREE
Fri. Jul 17 De La Soul / Pete Rock – Flushing Meadows-Corona Park – FREE
Sat. Jul 18 DJ Rekha’s Basement Bhangra Beyond: Jaz Dhami / Mitika Kanwar / Babbulicious / DJ Rekha + special guests – Flushing Meadows-Corona Park – FREE
Sat. Jul 18 Anjunadeep: Open Air New York City: Because of Art / Durante / Ezequiel Arias / James Grant & Jody Wisternoff / Marsh / Romain Garcia / SunrYse – Central Park – TICKETED BENEFIT
Wed. Jul 22 Complexions Contemporary Ballet / Paul Taylor Dance Company / Latasha Barnes’ The Jazz Continuum – Central Park – FREE
Thur. July 23 Yeat / Slayr / BNYX – Central Park – TICKETED BENEFIT
Sat. Jul 25 Maccabi House: Adam Ten and Mita Gami / Darco / Malive / Monobase – Central Park – TICKETED BENEFIT
Sun. Jul 26 Afro-Latinas: Luedji Luna ft. Liniker / Susana Baca / Lady G / Mai-Elka Prado ft. Lush Song Collective / DJ Agent DM – Central Park – FREE
Wed. Jul 29 Julieta Venegas / Lasso / DJ Anamaria Sayre – Central Park – FREE
Thu. Jul 30 UBB 40th Anniversary Celebration: BreakBeat Lou / Lord Finesse / Diamond D / Grand Puba / Sadat X / Nice & Smooth / Peter Gunz / DJ Boogie Blind – Central Park – FREE
Thu. Jul 30 Lineup to be announced – Crotona Park – FREE
Fri. Jul 31 Doug E. Fresh and Funk Flex Hip-Hop Appreciation Park Jam – Crotona Park – FREE
Sat. Aug 1 Trueno / Milo J / J Noa / DJ Albina Cabrera – Central Park – FREE
Sat. Aug 1 Ghanafest-NY: Edem / Andy Dosty – Crotona Park – FREE
Sun. Aug 2 WayV / The Either / Chopstix – Central Park – FREE
Thu. Aug 6 Andrew Bird w/ Wordless Music Orchestra (The Mysterious Production of Eggs 20th anniversary) – Central Park – FREE
Fri. Aug 7 Funk Flex Birthday R&B Picnic: Jon B / Fonda Rae / Taana Gardner / Strafe / Dres from Blacksheep / DJ M U / Music by Funk Flex – Central Park – FREE
Sat. Aug 15 Blues Traveler / Gin Blossoms / Spin Doctors – Central Park – TICKETED BENEFIT
Sun. Aug 16 Taiwanese Waves 10th Anniversary: 9m88 + ØZI + YELLOW / Chance Emerson / Mong Tong / Chinatown Records – Central Park – FREE
Wed. Aug 19 Simple Plan / 30H!3 / Bowling For Soup – Central Park – TICKETED BENEFIT
Thu. Aug 20 lineup TBA – Marcus Garvey Park – FREE
Fri. Aug 21 The Voice of Miles Davis: A Symphonic Centennial – Marcus Garvey Park – FREE
Sat. Aug 22 Run It Back: The Art of the Sample Vol. II – Marcus Garvey Park – FREE
Sun. Aug 23 Angélique Kidjo / DJ Freshy K – Central Park – FREE
Tue. Aug 25 Myles Smith / Michael Marcagi – Central Park – TICKETED BENEFIT
Fri. Aug 28 The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Marquis Hill & Ekep Nkwelle / Sherman Irby, music director – Marcus Garvey Park – FREE
Sat. Aug 29 The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: Joshua Redman / Nat Adderley Jr. – Marcus Garvey Park – FREE
Sun. Aug 30 The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: Ravi Coltrane / Kassa Overall / Vanisha Gould – Tompkins Square Park – FREE
Wed. Sept 2 Verve 70th Anniversary: Christian McBride / Mei Semones & Friends Play the Music of Getz/Gilberto – Central Park – FREE
Sat. Sept 12 Marcus King Band / Penelope Road – Central Park – TICKETED BENEFIT
Thu. Oct 1 Charley Crockett / Durand Jones and the Indications – Central Park – TICKETED BENEFIT

For more info, head to the SummerStage site.