Free NYC Summer Outdoor Concerts, Movies
Part of our New York City on a Budget
series
Summertime is a
great opportunity to enjoy your favorite music, a
popular movie, a dance group or even a Shakespeare
classic in an
outdoor setting. It's made even better if it is a free
event. Don't miss the chance to
attend one of the many free outdoor Summer concerts and
movie showings
around New York City. We have identified
some choices that are
worth your consideration. The list below is in order by
location.
Free Summer Outdoor Events in Brooklyn |
Manhattan | Queens |
Multiple Locations |
Outdoor Movies
|
Event Dates |
Event
Name / Location / Description
|
|
Brooklyn |
|
Jun - Aug |
Celebrate Brooklyn!
Prospect Park Bandshell
Prospect Park West & 9th Street,
Brooklyn, NY 718-683-5600
Celebrate Brooklyn features music, dance and other special performances - even movies. The Prospect Park Bandshell has about 2,000 seats, with lawn seating for about 6,000 more. A $3 donation is suggested.
Note: Benefit concerts are ticketed and do have an admission charge. |
|
Manhattan |
|
Jul - Aug |
Broadway in Bryant Park
Bryant Park
1065 6th Avenue,
Manhattan, NY 212-768-4242
On Thursdays at lunchtime,
cast members from the most popular shows on and off Broadway perform their biggest hits at these free outdoor performances. |
|
September |
Broadway on Broadway
(Pending 2013 Schedule)
Times Square
Broadway & 45th Street,
Manhattan, NY
For one day each year in September, Broadway comes to Times Square for an outdoor medley of numbers from current and upcoming broadway shows. |
|
May - Aug |
Fox & Friends American Concert Series
Outside Fox Studios
1211 Avenue of the Americas,
Manhattan, NY
From late-May through August, FOX's Fox & Friends features outdoor concerts on Friday mornings. |
|
Jul 21 - Sep 1 |
Free Summer Music Series - "Sessions"
The Shops at Columbus Circle
10 Columbus Circle, New York City, 10019 ph:
212-823-6300
Tuesdays, beginning July 21st, The Shops at Columbus
Circle – New York City's premier shopping, dining, and
entertainment destination – invites visitors to cool off
with a cocktail and experience FREE live music at
Sessions, the much-anticipated, FREE live music series
that incorporates the talents – all acclaimed musicians
and rising stars of their respective genres – of seven
highly diverse musical groups, spanning jazz, pop,
classical and world music, to create an experience for
shoppers of all ages. |
|
May - Aug |
Good Morning America Summer Concerts
Rumsey Playfield, Central Park
5th Avenue & 72nd Street,
Manhattan, NY
From late-May through August, ABC's Good Morning America features outdoor concerts on Friday mornings. |
|
Jun - Sep |
Harlem Meer Performance Festival
Central Park, Charles A. Dana Discovery Center
5th Avenue & 110th Street,
Manhattan, NY 212-860-1370
On Sunday afternoons from late-June through early-September , the Central Park Conservancy's Harlem Meer Performance Festival presents free performances in the genres of jazz, Latin, gospel, blues and world music. Some chairs are provided, or bring a blanket and picnic lunch |
|
Jun - Aug |
HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Bryant Park
1065 6th Avenue,
Manhattan, NY 212-512-5700
Each Monday and dusk, a different classic film is presented on a 20' by 40' outdoor screen. Take a blanket and a picnic; get there early to claim your spot (line opens about 4pm). |
|
Jun - Aug |
Madison Square Park Music
Madison Square Park
5th Avenue & 25th Street,
Manhattan, NY 212-325-2101
On Wednesday evenings, the Madison Square Music Oval Lawn Series features nationally touring acts. |
|
Jun - Jul |
Music Under the Stars at Waterside Plaza
Waterside Plaza
25 Waterside Plaza,
Manhattan, NY 212-340-4208
This series of concerts features local Swing and Salsa big bands and are preceded by a 30-minute dance lesson. |
|
Jun - Aug |
Naumburg Orchestral Concerts
Central Park
5th Avenue & 72nd Street,
Manhattan, NY 212-501-7809
This summer classical series, dating back to 1905, are the centerpiece to the summer season. 700 seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. |
|
Jun - Aug |
Shakespeare in the Park
Delacourte Theater, Central Park
81st Street & Central Park West,
Manhattan, NY 212-539-8750
Since 1954, each summer New Yorkers and visitors enjoy outdoor performances of usually two different plays, typically a Shakespeare classic, and sometimes from another playwright. Performances are free, but you need a ticket to get in. Check the website for ticketing options; note that waiting in line for tickets is itself an event! Delacorte Theater seats 1,872. |
|
Jun - Aug |
SummerStage Central Park
Central Park, Rumsey Playfield
5th Avenue & 72nd Street,
Manhattan, NY 212-360-2777
Central Park is just one of many venues on the SummerStage calendar. |
|
May - Sep |
Today Show Summer Concerts
Rockefeller Plaza
49th Street & Rockefeller Plaza,
Manhattan, NY
From mid-May until early-September, NBC's Today Show features outdoor concerts on Friday mornings. |
|
Queens |
|
|
|
|
Multiple Locations |
|
July |
NY Philharmonic Concerts in the Park
Various Locations, NY 212-875-5709
The NY Phil presents free outdoor concerts in July. All performances begin at 8pm. |
|
Jun - Aug |
SummerStage
Various Locations, NY 212-360-2777
SummerStage brings over 100 performances to eighteen parks throughout the five boroughs. Performances range from pop, Latin and world music to dance, spoken word and theater.
See the
Full SummerStage Schedule. |
|
