Free New York City Summertime Concerts

Written by
Heather Cross
Heather Cross is a longtime New York resident who has written about the city since 2002. She is also a travel agent and NYC & Company-certified New York City specialist.
Tripsavvy's Editorial Guidelines
Heather Cross

Updated 06/26/19

2017 The Governors Ball Music Festival

 Noam Galai/Getty Images

Summer in New York City is the time to enjoy the great outdoors, And, with so many free events happening almost daily, you don't have to break the bank to enjoy some summer fun! Click through for a full listing of the best free outdoor concerts.

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Good Morning America's Summer Concerts

On Friday mornings in May-August, be a part of Good Morning America's audience in Central Park.

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Naumburg Orchestral Concerts

The oldest free outdoor concert series in the US, the Naumburg features symphonic and semi-classical music on select Mondays and Tuesdays in Central Park's Naumburg Bandshell.

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Charlie Parker Jazz Festival

Experience the famous Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in the two Manhattan parks where Parker lived and worked.

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Jazzmobile

Throughout July and August, enjoy a wide array of free jazz concerts in Manhattan and Queens.

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​​Central Park Summerstage

Central Park Summerstage, located at Rumsey Playfield, offers frequent summer concerts. Some concerts are benefits, but many are free.

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Harlem Meer Performance Festival

Enjoy jazz, blues, gospel, and Latin music every Sunday afternoon in the summer at the Harlem Meer in Central Park.

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NBC's Today Show Summer Concerts

On Friday mornings from May-August, catch some great performers at Rockefeller Center and a chance to be seen on TV!

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Washington Square Music Festival

Enjoy this free outdoor concert series on select Tuesdays in July.

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BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!

Celebrate Brooklyn has a wide variety of musical performances at the Prospect Park Bandshell.

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Summer in the Square

On Thursdays, from mid-June to mid-August Union Square hosts lunchtime concerts, afternoon yoga classes and evening performances.

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Broadway in Bryant Park

See performances from popular Broadway shows live in Bryant Park on Thursdays each summer.

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Rythmn & Blues Festival at Metrotech

See great R&B performances in Brooklyn on Thursdays every summer.

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Summergarden

Concerts are presented in the MoMA Sculpture Garden on Sunday evenings in July.

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Cityparks Summer Showcase

In June, July and August, free concerts are held at many of New York City's neighborhood parks throughout the five boroughs.

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After Work Music

Check out this series of free Wednesday evening summer concerts in Bryant Park featuring New York area jazz musicians and singer-songwriters.

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Sunset on the Hudson

On Friday evenings, hear great music from local NYC artists on Pier 45 in Hudson River Park.

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River to River Festival

The NYC River to River Festival features a variety of musical performances, as well as movies, readings and more.

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New York Philharmonic in the Parks

Every June, the New York Philharmonic performs in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx.​

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Metropolitan Opera in the Parks

The Metropolitan Opera performs concerts in various parks in the five boroughs in June.

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Madison Square Music Oval Lawn Series

Enjoy free concerts on Wednesday nights in Madison Square Park.

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