Central Park SummerStage is a program of the City Parks Foundation and presents performances of outstanding artistic quality. Every year the artists chosen reflect a range of genres and cultures and perform in an outdoor setting accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. In this way SummerStage strives to develop a deepening appreciation for contemporary, traditional, and emerging artists as well as the communities in which these artists originate.

Recognizing the importance and vitality of dance, SummerStage has in recent seasons significantly expanded the role of its dance series within the overall program. It has done this by awarding commissions to important emerging and established choreographers and companies, and by increasing the number of works and companies presented.

The spoken word series at SummerStage provides a highly respected open forum for a variety of esteemed novelists, playwrights, performers, poets, memoirists, and lyricists. In addition to readings, the series also presents one-person theatrical productions. As SummerStage events are extremely well publicized, the spoken word series garners a larger and more diverse audience than is usually found at book and poetry readings, or even at many theaters.

SummerStage’s American and World music program has earned an international reputation for its consistent excellence and a diversity of styles and influences found at no other performing arts festival or venue. Over the years, SummerStage has hosted music legends as well as emerging artists whose SummerStage performance provided significant exposure. The festival’s evening “cabaret series” spotlights artists (such as singer/songwriters and jazz vocalists) in a more intimate setting than large-scale afternoon concerts.

In 1994, SummerStage became a program of the City Parks Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving and maintaining parks throughout New York City. A public/private partnership, SummerStage is presented in cooperation with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
Recent performers at SummerStage have included The Finn Brothers, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Ben Folds, David Murray, Toni Morrisson, Rufus Wainwright, Randy Brecker and Peter Washington.

SummerStage

This year, SummerStage will bring New Yorkers nearly 80 free and benefit shows to Central Park and 12 neighborhood parks across the five boroughs, including at Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, Tompkins Square Park in the East Village, Von King Park and The Coney Island Amphitheater in Brooklyn, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, Crotona Park in the Bronx, Stapleton Waterfront Park in Staten Island, and its “flagship” venue at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park.

“SummerStage is back for another exceptional year of free programming,” Heather Lubov, City Parks Foundation’s executive director, said in a statement. “It’s an honor to bring to parks artists that are reflective of each neighborhood’s rich cultural fabric, whether these performers are familiar or completely new discoveries. Feeling the joy and wonder of live music with other New Yorkers is an experience that is unmatched and should not be underestimated. At a time when we are increasingly isolated, SummerStage uses our city’s parks—vital resources in every neighborhood—to connect audiences with each other in a very emotional and magical way and, ultimately, to create community.”

All shows are free except the benefit concerts, which are noted below.

The full SummerStage line-up for 2023:

June

• June 3: Hippo Campus, Gus Dapperton at Central Park (benefit)
• June 4: Indigo Girls, Larkin Poe for the Subaru Music Series at Central Park (benefit)
• June 10: Opening Night with St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Say She She, Mwenso and the Shakes, DJ Alisa Ali for the Subaru Music Series at Central Park
• June 14: New York Sings Yiddish! The Klezmatics and Special Guests in partnership with the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, Museum of Jewish Heritage — A Living Memorial to the Holocaust at Central Park
• June 15: Sammy Rae & The Friends, Rubblebucket at Central Park (benefit)
• June 17: THE AUSSIE BBQ: Amy Shark, Budjerah, L FRESH the LION, Peach PRC, Spiderbait at Central Park
• June 18: Buddy Guy’s Damn Right Farewell Tour with Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Samantha Fish, Bobby Rush, Jesse Dayton at Central Park
• June 19: Park Jams: A Juneteenth Celebration of Hip-Hop with DJ Premier, Grandmaster Flash, Kid Capri, and more at Central Park (benefit)
• June 20: The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Gabriella Reyes, René Barbera, Will Liverman and Dimitri Dover at Central Park
• June 23: The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Gabriella Reyes, René Barbera, Will Liverman, Dimitri Dover at Brooklyn Bridge Park
• June 24: The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Erika Baikoff, Thomas Glass, Cierra Byrd, Juan José Lázaro at Jackie Robinson Park
• June 24: Stanley Clarke N 4ever, Kenny Garrett, Brandee Younger, DJ Logic in Association with Blue Note Jazz Festival at Central Park
• June 25: Dreamland: Pride in Central Park with Purple Disco Machine at Central Park (benefit)
• June 26: The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Erika Baikoff, Thomas Glass, Cierra Byrd, Juan José Lázaro at Williamsbridge Oval
• June 28: The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Erika Baikoff, Thomas Glass, Cierra Byrd, Juan José Lázaro at Socrates Sculpture Garden
• June 28: Michael Franti and Spearhead, Tank and the Bangas at Central Park (benefit)
• June 30: The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital ft. Erika Baikoff, Thomas Glass, Cierra Byrd, Juan José Lázaro at Clove Lakes Park

July

• July 1: Andy Shauf, Leith Ross, Yves Jarvis in association with the Consulate General of Canada in NY at Central Park
• July 2: Marisa Monte, Joana Amendoeira & Fred Martins, Music from the Sole, DJ Lara Gerin in Association with the Consulate General of Brazil in New York and Arte Institute at Central
• July 8: Catalan Sounds On Tour: Queralt Lahoz, Marala, Lia Kali with DJ sets by DJ Trapella in association with the Institut Ramon Llull at Central Park
• July 9: Skip Marley & Friends at Coney Island
• July 10: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and Garbage, Metric at Central Park (benefit)
• July 12: Juanes, Conexion Divina in association with LAMC at Central Park
• Jul 13: Bastille Day: Joachim Garraud & Marie Berson, Passi, Bénabar, Adèle Castillon in association with the Consulate General of France at Central Park
• July 13: Works & Process at SummerStage: The Masterz at Work Dance Family with Courtney Washington at Von King Park
• July 14: Nick Hakim, June McDoom, Evan Wright at Von King Park
• July 15: TRUENO, Villano Antillano, Dawer x Damper, KEXP’s El Sonido with Albina Cabrera ft. Camola DJ set in association with LAMC at Central Park
• July 15: MIKE’S Young World III: Noname, Georgia Anne Muldrow, 454 at Von King Park
• July 16: dead prez, th1rt3en, Large Professor DJ Set at Von King Park
• July 16: GOLDEN OLDIES ON THE BOARDWALK 2023 feat. The Duprees, The Coasters, Charlie Thomas’ Drifters w/ Jeff Hall, Bobby Wilson, Stan Zizka’s Del Satins, Vito Picone & The Elegants, The Chiclettes and more hosted by Joe Causi with DJ Vinnie Medugno in association with Fever Productions and Brian Rosenberg at Coney Island
• July 19: Julia Jacklin, Y La Bamba, Black Belt Eagle Scout at Central Park
• July 20: Horsegirl, Iceage, Water From Your Eyes, Lifeguard at Central Park
• July 22: Michael Brun presents BAYO at Central Park
• July 22: Kool and the Gang at Flushing Meadows Corona Park
• July 23: Taiwanese Waves: Waa Wei, The Dinosaur’s Skin, Mandarin Homework (DJ Mr. Skin) at Central Park
• July 23: DJ Rekha’s Basement Bhangra Bacchanal: DJ Rekha, Malkit Singh with live band, DJ Ana, Sikh Knowledge, Rolex Rasathy, Param Singh, Dholi Anuradha and guests
  Flushing Meadows Corona Park
• July 24: Cafe Tacvba at Central Park (benefit)
• July 26: Works & Process at SummerStage: Dorrance Dance at  Central Park
• July 29: Mdou Moctar, Meg Baird and Mary Lattimore, Rough Francis at Central Park

August

• August 2: The Comet Is Coming, Ibeyi, AceMo DJ Sets at Central Park
• August 2: Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra, Lulada Club, DJ JFuse in association with The Salsa Project at Crotona Park
• August 3: Ted Smooth’s Freestyle Jam ft. TKA and Judy Torres at Crotona Park
• August 3: Bittersweet Daze: Cavetown, mxmtoon, Ricky Montgomery, grentperez at Central Park (benefit)
• August 4: “Birth of a Culture” Grandmaster Flash and Friends at Crotona Park
• August 5: The Originals: Stretch Armstrong, Rich Medina, Tony Touch, Clark Kent, D-Nice at Central Park
• August 5: Stonebwoy in association with Ghanafest-NY at Crotona Park
• August 6: Hip-Hop 50: SPECIAL EDITION with Nice N Smooth, Special Ed, Buckshot of Black Moon, Masta Ace, CL Smooth, Rah Digga, Rampage, Black Sheep Dres, Sweet Tee, Joeski Love, Sparky D, Hosted by Ralph McDaniels (Video Music Box) at Coney Island
• August 9: NIGHT ONE — Mt. Joy at Central Park (benefit)
• August 10: NIGHT TWO — Mt. Joy at Central Park (benefit)
• August 12: Frankie Cutlass, The Original Cover Girls, Cynthia, Black Sheep, DJ Millo and DJ Medina in Association with Maker Park Radio at Stapleton Waterfront Park
• August 12: VP Records Presents Roots Reggae Review at Central Park
• August 13: Orgullo Dominicano with Prince Royce, Vicente García, and YE?DRY at Central Park
• August 13: Funk Flex & Friends Birthday Concert Featuring Raheem DeVaughn, Rob Base & More at Coney Island
• August 13: Las Cafeteras, Natu Camara, Justy, DJ Kitty the Disc Jockey in Association with Maker Park Radio and La Isla Bonita at Stapleton Waterfront Park
• August 17: Works & Process at SummerStage: The Missing Element with The Beatbox House, LayeRhythm at Marcus Garvey Park
• August 18: Jason Moran and the Big Bandwagon: James Reese Europe and the Harlem Hellfighters: From the Dancehall to the Battlefield in Association with Jazzmobile at Marcus Garvey Park
• August 19: Mixtape (Film Screening) with DJ sets by: Ron G, Doo Wop, Mister Cee, Tony Touch, Brucie B at Marcus Garvey Park
• August 19: Cautious Clay, Wet, Christian Kuria, Zinadelphia at Central Park (benefit)
• August 20: Everyday People at Central Park
• August 20: Hip-Hop 50: Native Tongue Edition with Monie Love, Black Sheep Dres, Chi Ali, DJ Red Alert hosted by Ralph McDaniels (Video Music Box) at Marcus Garvey Park
  Free
• August 20: Jose Alberto “El Canario,” The Big 3 Palladium Orchestra: The Music Of Machito, Tito Rodriguez and Tito Puente at Coney Island
• August 23: Manchester Orchestra, Jimmy Eat World, Middle Kids at Central Park (benefit)
• August 24: Regina Spektor at Central Park (benefit)
• August 25: Charlie Parker Jazz Festival with Orrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band featuring Dianne Reeves, T.K. Blue in association with Jazzmobile at Marcus Garvey Park
• August 26: Charlie Parker Jazz Festival with The Cookers, Endea Owens and the Cookout, Nduduzo Makhathini Trio, Akua Allrich and The Tribe at Marcus Garvey Park
• August 27: Charlie Parker Jazz Festival with Charles McPherson with Terell Stafford, Something Else! Vincent Herring Septet, HERA feat. Chelsea Baratz and Andromeda Turre, Michael Mayo at Tompkins Square Park
• August 27: Palmwine Festival with Show Dem Camp and Friends in association with Move Forward Music at Central Park
• August 30: In Our Own Sweet Time Tour with Vance Joy / Dan Sultan for the Subaru Music Series at Central Park (benefit)

September

• September 3: Emicida, Goyo, a screening ofAmarElo: It’s All for Yesterday in Association with the 27th Inffinito Brazilian Film Festival at Central Park
• September 14: Tanya Tucker, Nikki Lane for the Subaru Music Series at Central Park
• September 30: Carl Cox, Central Park (benefit)

For the full schedule and tickets, check out cityparksfoundation.org/summerstage.