SummerStage 2025 Takes Over NYC Parks With Exciting Lineup

Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage returns in 2025 with an abundant season of live music. The series kicks off in Central Park and stretches across all five boroughs, featuring over 70 performances from global stars and local favorites.

Opening Night and Season Overview

New York’s parks will once again come alive with music this summer. SummerStage returns for its 39th season, offering free and benefit concerts across all five boroughs from May through October. This year’s lineup celebrates the city’s cultural heartbeat, blending global artists with local legends in unforgettable outdoor settings.

“The huge variety of artists we’re presenting and the parks where we’re located reflect our city’s demographic and cultural diversity, but they also serve to unite us as neighbors and as lovers of music, regardless of our differences” said Heather Lubov, Executive Director of City Parks Foundation.

The season kicks off June 4 in Central Park with Marcus Miller, Tank and the Bangas, and The Soul Rebels. The performance is presented in collaboration with the Blue Note Jazz Festival.

Global Spotlights and Local Celebrations

This year’s lineup features a wide range of genres and voices. Free shows will highlight artists like The Roots, Soccer Mommy, Big Freedia, Jessica Pratt, Femi Kuti, and IZA. International spotlights include Taiwanese Waves, Nordic Next, and a Celia Cruz Centennial Celebration.

Artists such as MIKE, DJ Rekha, Funk Flex, and Rhiannon Giddens will curate shows that reflect NYC’s cultural diversity. Neighborhood parks in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Manhattan will host standout performances from names like Rakim, Frankie Negrón, and La Sonora Ponceña.

On August 2, Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues will bring a symphonic twist to Delta blues in Central Park. The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival returns August 22–24, with performances from Ron Carter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bertha Hope, and more.

Supporting the Festival and Its Mission

While most shows are free, ticketed benefit concerts help fund the season. Artists include James Blunt, Alan Walker, Rilo Kiley, The Saw Doctors, The Head & The Heart, and Jacob Collier. Capital One cardholders get early access and perks at select shows.

SummerStage continues its commitment to gender equity and BIPOC representation, with over half the lineup reflecting these values. With more than 70 events on the calendar, SummerStage remains a celebration of music, culture, and community.

For more information and updates regarding the SummerStage 2025 schedule, visit SummerStage.org.

SummerStage 2025 Concert Dates