SummerStage
SummerStage is an outdoor festival of the arts held each year at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. Performances are mostly free, with the exception of a few big-name benefit concerts that help fund the SummerStage programming. Find this year's performance schedule and helpful SummerStage tips below.
2018 SummerStage Performance Schedule
Check back frequently as the 2018 schedule continues to be updated:
5/16 | 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM Liam Gallagher and Richard Ashcroft (Benefit Concert) 6/2 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Gregory Porter/ Victory (Free Concert) 6/9 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Bowie Symphonic (Free Concert) 6/11 | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series (Free Concert) 6/13 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Yiddish Under the Stars (Free Concert) 6/14 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Jake Paul- Team 10 Tour (Benefit Concert) 6/16 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Rhiannon Giddens/ Son Little (Free Concert) 6/18 | 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM City Parks Foundation Gala (Fundraising Event) 6/20 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Fete de la Musique: Vianney/ Chassol/ Joakim (Free Concert) 6/23 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Mariza/ Noiserv/ Renato Diz (Free Concert) 6/24 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Hallelujah Disco (Free Concert) 6/25 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM "Rock Rubber 45s" NYC Film Premiere(Free Event) 6/30 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Three sides of Damien Sneed (Free Concert) 7/1 | 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM Broken Social Scene/ Melissa Leviaux/ The East Pointers (Free Concert) 7/6 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Trey Anastasio Trio- Sold Out (Free Concert) 7/7 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Taiwanese Waves: Soft Lipa/ Shang Xiang & Band/ Elephant Gym (Free Concert) 7/8 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Joey Bada$$ & Pro Era Present: 4th Annual Steez Day (Benefit Concert) 7/11 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Gabriel Garzon Montano/ Nicola Cruz/ Tomasa De Real/ Latin Bitman (Free Concert) 7/14 | 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM Jorge Drexler/ Trending Tropics/ İFE(Free Concert) 7/15 | 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM Family Day: Rebirth Brass Band/ Big Chief Monk Boudreaux (Free Concert) 7/18 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Dispatch with Special Guests Nahko and Medicine for the People and Raye Zaragoza (Benefit Concert) 7/19 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Dispatch with Special Guests Nahko and Medicine for the People and Raye Zaragoza (Benefit Concert) 7/25 | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Alonzo King Lines Ballet (Free Event) 7/26 | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Old Crow Medicine Show (Benefit Concert) 7/28 | 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM Pete Rock & The Soul Brothers/ Hannah Williams & The Affirmations/ Operator EMZ (Free Concert) 7/29 | 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM Femi Kuti & Positive Force/ Jupiter & Okwess/ DJ Geko Jones (Free Concert) 7/31 | 10:30 PM -12:00 PM Special Youth Matinee(Free Event) 8/1 | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Movement of the People Dance Company (Free Event) 8/4 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM The Originals: Stretch Armstrong/ Clark Kent/ D-Nice/ Rich Medina/ Tony Touch (Free Concert) 8/5 | 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM Baianasystem/ Hamilton de Holanda Trio Feat. Roberta Sa/ Xenia França (Free Concert) 8/8 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Voodoo Threauxdown feat. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue/ Galactic/ Preservation Hall Jazz Band/ New Breed Brass Band (Benefit Concert) 8/9 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Good Vibes with Jason Mraz and Brett Dennen (Benefit Concert) 8/11 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Korea Gayoje: Tokimonsta/ Dumbfoundead/ Kero One (Free Concert) 8/12 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Music+ Revolution: Greenwich Village in 1960s (Free Concert) 8/13 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM O.A.R. Just Like Paradise Tour with Special Guests Matt Nathanson and The New Respects (Benefit Concert) 8/19 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Mura Masa/ Jessy Lanza (Free Concert) 8/22 | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM "Mr Gaga" with Gallim (Free Concert) 8/22 | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Gaga/ People Dance Workshop (Free Event) 8/26 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Eddie Palmieri la Perfecta/ Tony Vega (Free Concert) 8/28 | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Voices of a People's History (Free Concert) 9/8 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Mac DeMarco (Benefit Concert) 9/26 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Blood Orange (Benefit Concert) 9/27 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Angelique Kidjo Remain in Light/ Resistance Revival Chorus (Free Concert) More dates and concerts to follow. Check back frequently.
Helpful Things to Know About SummerStage
Rumsey Playfield is located on East 72nd Street off Fifth Avenue. The closest subway is the 6 train to 68th Street. You can easily enter the park on 69th Street and 5th Avenue.
ADMISSION & SEATING POLICY
Admission to all free performances (not benefit concerts) is on a first come, first-served basis, no tickets required.
Tickets to Benefit Concerts at SummerStage are only available on Ticketfly or at our on-site box office. Tickets to Benefit Concerts are available for purchase on-site across from the VIP check-in table on East Drive.
Cash and credit cards are accepted. The box office is only open on show days.
Depending on the show, chairs may or may not be placed on the field, and bleacher seating may or may not be available. At dance shows in Central Park, first-come, first-served limited seating will be offered. There is also space to listen on the grass outside of the venue. E-mail info@cityparksfoundation.org for questions concerning specific shows.
If you want to get into events more easily, consider a SummerStage Membership which offers members express entrance to shows, seats on the bleachers and more.
NOT PERMITTED
The following cannot be brought into the Central Park venue: large backpacks, luggage, glass bottles, cans, coolers, folding chairs, bikes, rollerblades, scooters, skateboards, beach umbrellas, video cameras, selfie sticks, musical instruments, professional camera gear or pets (service animals are allowed).
Strollers are prohibited in the venue unless you are attending Global Family Day.
Food and beverages are available to purchase at all shows. Menu items include burgers, hot dogs, vegetarian sandwiches, beer, and wine. At the free shows, food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted. However, glass bottles, coolers, and alcohol are not permitted. Note that for benefit shows no outside food or drink of any kind is permitted in any way, shape or form.
Bags are subject to search.
Smoking is prohibited in all NYC parks.
Pets
Pets are not allowed into the shows. Seeing Eye Dogs are allowed.
WEATHER
Shows are RAIN or SHINE and are only canceled in the event of dangerous conditions. Announcements are made on the Facebook & Twitter pages. Should a Benefit Concert be cancelled, refunds will be available. Cancelled shows are not rescheduled. Small umbrellas are permitted inside the venue.
ACCESSIBILITY
SummerStage is accessible to the mobility-impaired. For additional information please call (212) 360-2789 and ask to speak with the Volunteer Coordinator.
To obtain the Parks Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD), please call (800) 281-5722.
About SummerStage
Founded in 1986, the SummerStage Festival features performances spanning World and American music, modern dance, spoken word, electronic music, and family programming.
By purchasing tickets to SummerStage Benefit Concerts, you are continuing to support over 100 free performances in parks throughout the five boroughs.
Most of the concerts throughout the summer are privately funded and may be enjoyed by the general public at no cost with the exception of some of the bigger shows on the Mainstage in the park.
City Parks Foundation (CPF) will welcome guests to their Annual Gala presented at SummerStage. The evening will help raise significant funds to support CPF's year-round free arts, sports, and education programs.