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Free 2025 NYC Summer Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals for Families

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5/16/25 - By Drew Kristofik

Free concerts and music festivals are a summer staple in NYC, and there are always loads of great performances to enjoy. We've rounded up all the best free concerts in New York City this June, July, and August, so this list is guaranteed to keep the kids grooving all summer long.

There are summer concerts in the parks, playgrounds, piers, and plazas from Manhattan to Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Queens, so scroll, click, and set reminders so you don't miss your favorites.

Beloved annual summer concert series, like Sounds at Sunset in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Bryant Park's Picnic Performances, SummerStage, and BRIC: Celebrate Brooklyn are all on the schedule, and we have a little something for the whole gamut of musical tastes, from jazz to rock, opera, folk, hip-hop, and classical.

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Free Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals in NYC All Summer Long

Picnic Performances in Bryant Park

Midtown West
Select dates from Friday, May 30-Friday, September 12, 2025
Picnic Performances are the perfect way to spend a summer evening, with 25 live and in-person music, dance, and theatrical shows. Bring a blanket and a picnic (of course). READ MORE

Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison Plaza

Washington Heights
Sundays from Sunday, June 1-Sunday, October 26, 2025
Community jazz concerts feature an array of local musicians and vocalists.   READ MORE

BRIC: Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Select dates from Saturday, June 7-Saturday, August 16, 2025
BRIC: Celebrate Brooklyn is a free summer-long outdoor concert and performance series that has been presenting talent from around the world and around the block for more than 40 years. Bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy! READ MORE

Naumburg Orchestral Concerts

Central Park
Tuesdays from Tuesday, June 10-Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Bring a blanket and a picnic, and enjoy classical music under the stars on select Tuesday evenings at the Naumberg Band Shell. READ MORE

Jazz at Pier 84

Midtown West
Wednesdays from Wednesday, June 11-Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Celebrate all things jazz with music by local legends, combining smooth tunes with beautiful Hudson River Park evenings.  READ MORE

Live at the Archway in Dumbo

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Thursdays from Thursday, June 12-Thursday, July 31, 2025
Live at the Archway is Dumbo's signature series that features dynamic musical performances, pop-up galleries, and interactive art experiences in a magical, only-in-Dumbo setting. Always free, always all-ages, and always rain or shine.  READ MORE

Sounds at Sunset in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Bridge Park
Fridays from Friday, June 13-Friday, August 8, 2025
Some of NYC’s finest musical talents share their vision of the present and future in music. Bring a blanket and a picnic READ MORE

Big Summer Get Down Dance Parties in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Select dates from Saturday, June 14-Saturday, August 16, 2025
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy hosts all-ages summer dance parties in the park.  READ MORE

SummerStage in Central Park

Central Park – Mostly FREE
Select dates from Saturday, June 14-Tuesday, September 16, 2025
The City Parks Foundation's SummerStage returns in 2025 with tons of free performances in Central Park, and a few more costly shows as well. READ MORE

RTA Summer Sunset Concert Series in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Saturdays from Saturday, June 21-Saturday, August 9, 2025
Riverside Tennis Association hosts a weekly waterfront concert series. READ MORE

Summer Concerts at the Hudson Yards

Midtown West
Wednesdays from Wednesday, June 25-Wednesday, August 13, 2025
This free eight-week series showcases rising artists across a variety of genres, bringing fresh sounds and unforgettable performances to the Public Square and Gardens. Bring a blanket and a picnic, or take advantage of the glorious concession stands. READ MORE

Broadway by the Boardwalk in Clinton Cove

Midtown West
Mondays from Monday, July 7-Monday, August 11, 2025
When Broadway’s dark, the waterfront is alive! Mondays in July and early August, stop by Hudson River Park’s Clinton Cove to see the greats perform. READ MORE

Hippo Playground Summer Concert Series

Upper West Side
Wednesdays from Wednesday, July 23-Wednesday, August 27, 2025
The Hippo Playground Summer Concert Series provides free kid-friendly jam sessions on select Wednesdays in July and August. Bring a blanket and aome snacks! READ MORE

Boardwalk Blues at Pier 97

Midtown West
Tuesdays from Tuesday, July 29-Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Boardwalk Blues brings together blues and roots musicians from around the region to perform on Hudson River Park’s Pier 97.  READ MORE

Mozart for Munchkins at Hudson Yards

Midtown West
Select Saturdays through Saturday, October 18, 2025
Mozart for Munchkins puts on free Saturday concerts that focus on a different style of music each week—classical, jazz, bluegrass, and more—performed by first-rate artists who have played the stages of Carnegie Hall, Broadway, Lincoln Center, and other top venues. READ MORE

Tunes & Tales for Toddlers in Teardrop Park

Battery Park City
Mondays through Monday, October 27, 2025
Toddlers and their caregivers are invited to enjoy interactive music-making, storytelling, and more entertainment at these weekly sessions in Teardrop Park. READ MORE

Free Concerts and Summer Music Festivals in NYC in June 2025

Rolie Polie Guacamole Album Release Party in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Holy Guacamole! Brooklyn’s award-winning titans of kindie music celebrate the release of the band’s 12th album, On the Stoop, with a hometown show.  READ MORE

Drums Along the Hudson: A Native American Festival in Inwood Hill Park

Inwood
Sunday, June 1, 2025
This annual event marks its 21st anniversary as Manhattan’s only open-air pow wow. The all-day event features Native American crafts, storytelling, and traditional food and dance. READ MORE

New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Park: Central Park

Central Park
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
The New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks have become an iconic New York summer experience since they began in 1965, transforming parks throughout the city into a patchwork of picnickers and providing music lovers with an opportunity to hear the best classical music under the stars. Stay after the show for the fireworks! READ MORE

Pride Concerts at Brookfield Place

Financial District
Wednesdays from Wednesday, June 4-Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Celebrate love and self-expression with live music and DJ sets at Portside on the Brookfield Place waterfront. Lunchtime DJ sets also celebrate Filipino culture in connection with Risa Puno’s art installation, Common Picnic: Halo-Halo Edition. READ MORE

New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Park: Van Cortlandt Park

Riverdale, the Bronx
Thursday, June 5, 2025
The New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks return, transforming parks throughout the city into a patchwork of picnickers and providing music lovers with an opportunity to hear the best classical music under the stars. Stay after the show for the fireworks! READ MORE

New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Park: Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Friday, June 6, 2025
The New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks return, transforming parks throughout the city into a patchwork of picnickers and providing music lovers with an opportunity to hear the best classical music under the stars. Stay after the show for the fireworks! READ MORE

Live Music, Free Ice Cream, and Kids Activities on the East River Waterfront Esplanade

Upper East Side
Saturday, June 7, 2025
EsplanadeFriends hosts a free live music event on the East River waterfront. Enjoy live samba with Embola Carambola featuring Malaya Sol, plus samba instruction by Luciana Da Silva. Enjoy free icees from Delicioso Coco Helado, plus craft activities for kids—all with a spectacular water view!  READ MORE

New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Park: Cunningham Park

Fresh Meadows, Queens
Saturday, June 7, 2025
The New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks return, transforming parks throughout the city into a patchwork of picnickers and providing music lovers with an opportunity to hear the best classical music under the stars. Stay after the show for the fireworks! READ MORE

New York Philharmonic Concerts In the Park: Indoor Concert on Staten Island

St. George, Staten Island
Sunday, June 8, 2025
The New York Philharmonic performs Britten's String Quartet No 1. READ MORE

Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital in Jackie Robinson Park

Harlem
Monday, June 9, 2025
The Metropolitan Opera’s free summer recital tour stops at Jackie Robinson Park! This iconic series of opera throughout NYC is presented outdoors and features three of today’s most exciting young stars—Tessa McQueen, Hannah Jones, and Sunghoon Han, accompanied by Mariam Bombrun. READ MORE

Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital in Williamsbridge Oval

Norwood, the Bronx
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
The Metropolitan Opera’s free summer recital tour stops in Williamsbridge Oval. This iconic series of opera throughout NYC is presented outdoors and features three of today’s most exciting young stars—Tessa McQueen, Hannah Jones, and Sunghoon Han, accompanied by Mariam Bombrun. READ MORE

Music Storytime with LaFrae Sci at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Dummer LaFrae Sci reads Harlem’s Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills. Alongside the reading, Sci performs an interactive sonic storytime with electric music instruments, field recording, and samples. READ MORE

Trevor Turla in Battery Park City

Battery Park City
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Weaving the textured sounds of his trombone and soulful voice with sincere storytelling, Trevor Turla’s sound is inspired by an amalgamation of American music, from jazz, to rock, and beyond. READ MORE

Sing with Suzi in JJ Byrne Playground

Park Slope, Brooklyn
Thursdays through Thursday, June 12, 2025
An interactive, family-friendly concert series featuring award‑winning children’s performer Suzi Shelton and special guests, complete with giant bubbles, dancing, and sing‑alongs in the heart of Park Slope.   READ MORE

Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital in Stapleton Waterfront Park

Stapleton Heights, Staten Island
Friday, June 13, 2025
The Metropolitan Opera’s free summer recital tour stops at Stapleton Waterfront Park! This iconic series of opera throughout NYC is presented outdoors and features three of today’s most exciting young stars—Tessa McQueen, Hannah Jones, and Sunghoon Han, accompanied by Mariam Bombrun. READ MORE

NYC KidsFest in Harlem

Multiple Harlem Locations
Friday, June 13-Sunday, June 15, 2025
NYC KidsFest brings performances from some of New York City’s most innovative and talented artists into public spaces for all to enjoy. Catch sets by Divi Roxx and Ray de Jesus and enjoy face painting, balloon animals, science fun, and storytelling!   READ MORE

Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Saturday, June 14, 2025
The Metropolitan Opera’s free summer recital tour stops at Brooklyn Bridge Park! This iconic series of opera throughout NYC is presented outdoors and features three of today’s most exciting young stars—soprano Janai Brugger, tenor Jack Swanson, and baritone Benjamin Taylor, accompanied by Howard Watkins. READ MORE

Play Date Featuring Zing! in Riverside Park

Harlem
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Head to Riverside Park for an outdoor party featuring a children’s entertainer, arts and crafts, and neighborhood fun. READ MORE

Summer for the City: Caribbean Day at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Lincoln Center honors the culture, creativity, and craft of our island neighbors. Stop by for a wide selection of programming across campus that starts in the early afternoon and goes all night READ MORE

Lettuce and Styles P at the Coney Island Amphitheater

Coney Island, Brooklyn
Saturday, June 14, 2025
An American funk jam band formed in the early ‘90s by teenagers at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Lettuce draws its name from its members’ pleas to local clubs for gigs (“Let us play”). READ MORE

Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital in Socrates Sculpture Park

Long Island City, Queens
Sunday, June 15, 2025
The Metropolitan Opera’s free summer recital tour stops at Socrates Sculpture Park! This iconic series of opera throughout NYC is presented outdoors and features three of today’s most exciting young stars—Tessa McQueen, Hannah Jones, and Sunghoon Han, accompanied by Mariam Bombrun. READ MORE

Lavender Blues' FREE Summer Concert at the 96th Street Library

Upper East Side
Monday, June 16, 2025
A hip-hop concert for families features interactive, toe-tapping, get-out-of-your-seat good time with Lady B and her Bunnies!   READ MORE

Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital in Central Park

Central Park
Monday, June 16, 2025
The Metropolitan Opera’s free summer recital tour stops at Rumsey Playfield. This iconic series of opera throughout NYC is presented outdoors and features three of today’s most exciting young stars—soprano Janai Brugger, tenor Jack Swanson, and baritone Benjamin Taylor, accompanied by Howard Watkins. READ MORE

Oh Sankofa: Juneteenth Celebration at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Thursday, June 19, 2025
The fifth annual Juneteenth celebration at Lincoln Center draws inspiration from the rich traditions of African and African-American folklore, exploring themes of cultural identity, societal norms, and significant historical events through the lens of African folklore.   READ MORE

Swedish Midsummer Festival in Rockefeller Park

Battery Park City
Friday, June 20, 2025
Rockefeller Park is the setting for a unique celebration of the summer solstice. Learn traditional Swedish folk dances and join in a lively dance around the midsummer pole. READ MORE

Make Music New York

Citywide
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Make Music New York puts the beat under city feet as musicians of diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, physical capabilities, and skill levels represent New York City’s remarkable creativity and diversity. READ MORE

Mumu Fresh at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Maimouna Youssef, aka “Mumu Fresh,” is a multifaceted artist whose influences range from jazz, gospel, and traditional African and Indigenous music to hip-hop, soul, rock, and experimental acapella fusion.   READ MORE

Porch Stomp on Governors Island

Governors Island
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Porch Stomp invites dozens of folk bands, artists, and performing arts organizations to use the historic porches of Nolan Park as a space for performance and education, highlighting artistry ranging from traditional folk to old-time blues, roots, bluegrass, and Americana. READ MORE

2025 Independence Day Celebration in Astoria Park

Astoria, Queens
Thursday, June 26, 2025
The jazz and swing band, Fleur Seule, plays a concert of standards and classic swing, followed by a spectacular fireworks display. READ MORE

Pride Celebration with The Bad Judies in Hudson River Park

Greenwich Village
Thursday, June 26, 2025
The Bad Judies and Papi Juice perform on Pier 46, mashing up classic hits and more.  READ MORE

GorillaFest at the Coney Island Amphitheater

Coney Island, Brooklyn
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Coney Island’s own Gorilla NEMS assembles an impressive cast of talented music makers to represent New York City hip-hop to the fullest during this musical fest near the sea. READ MORE

Locomotive Lawn Live in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Thursdays through Thursday, June 26, 2025
Moosiki Kids Musical Storytime fosters a love of reading at a young age with musical stories and sing-along encouragement on the comfy and danceable turf lawn by the big locomotive. READ MORE

Community Field Day in Rockefeller Park

Battery Park City
Friday, June 27, 2025
School’s out for the summer! Families are invited to join a paydate with Divinity Roxx and Friends in Rockefeller Park. Take part in field games, activities with local organizations, and a tug-of-war. Plus, enjoy face-painting, water play, and so much more! READ MORE

Sunset Singing Circle at the Irish Hunger Memorial

Battery Park City
Fridays through Friday, June 27, 2025
Singer/songwriter Terre Roche leads a weekly singing program with the beautiful backdrop of the setting sun in NY Harbor. READ MORE

Summer for the City: 1,2,3, Let's Go with Missy D at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Saturday, June 28, 2025
Missy D, a hip-hop, rap, soul, and bilingual artist based in Vancouver, performs, backed by a dynamic hip-hop band. READ MORE

New York Sings Yiddish in Central Park

Central Park
Monday, June 30, 2025
Central Park once again plays host to a celebration of Jewish heritage, featuring a wide range of talent and a massive sing-along. READ MORE

Family-Friendly Free Concerts in NYC in July 2025

Children’s Performance Series in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Thursdays from Thursday, July 3-Thursday, July 24, 2025
Enjoy music, storytelling, and theater performances at Pier 1 all July long during this free Summer on the Hudson Performance series. Programming is geared toward ages 7 and younger. Stroller parking is provided nearby.  READ MORE

Cobble Hill Music in the Park

Cobble Hill, Brooklyn
Tuesdays, July 8-29, 2025 (No concert July 22)
Free, live music returns to Cobble Hill Park, a summer tradition for neighbors of all ages. Bring a blanket and a picnic.   READ MORE

Music Storytime at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Award-winning singer-songwriter Suzi Shelton and accomplished musician Christopher Johnson perform songs from Shelton’s beloved Cinnamon Bear coloring book. READ MORE

Lavender Blues' Concert at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library

Midtown East
Thursday, July 10, 2025
This hip-hop concert for families features the interactive, toe-tapping, get-out-of-your-seat good time with Lady B and her Bunnies of Lavender Blues!   READ MORE

2025 Waterfront Concerts in Astoria Park

Astoria, Queens
Thursdays from Thursday, July 10-Thursday, July 31, 2025
Spread a blanket out on the great lawn, crack open a picnic dinner, and bask in Astoria's summer concert series. READ MORE

River & Blues Concerts in Rockefeller Park

Battery Park City
Thursdays from Thursday, July 10-Thursday, July 31, 2025
The River & Blues Concert Series is a beloved annual tradition in Battery Park. Enjoy incredible musical talent framed by summer sunsets on the Hudson. Bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

Family Day at Perelman Performing Arts Center

Financial District
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Perelman Performing Arts Center NYC brings together families and artists for a day-long takeover of its indoor and outdoor spaces. Enjoy workshops, performances, interactive creation stations, dance battles, live music, and more.   READ MORE

Summer for the City: Shanghai Day at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Saturday, July 26, 2025
Lincoln Center spotlights the rich creative history of one of the most populous cities in China with a campus-spanning Shanghai Day! The genre-spanning celebration includes a high-energy music carnival with street dancing, a sizzling jazz concert featuring virtuoso trumpeter Li Xiaochuan, and a silent disco party with DJs. READ MORE

Summer Music Festivals and Free Concerts in NYC in August 2025

Music Storytime with Easy AD at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Martha Diaz, executive director of the Hip-Hop Education Center, presents a hip-hop-themed storytime led by Easy AD from the hip-hop group Cold Crush Brothers. Easy AD reads a children’s book from the I Am Hip Hop series, which illustrates hip-hop culture. READ MORE

Lavender Blues Concert at the Countee Cullen Library

Harlem
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
This hip-hop concert for families features an interactive, toe-tapping, get-out-of-your-seat good time with Lady B and her Bunnies of Lavender Blues!   READ MORE

Family Concert: A String Quartet at Play at Geffen Hall

Upper West Side
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Brooklyn Rider and Mexican-born jazz singer Magos Herrera take audiences of all ages on a multi-sensory, participatory journey inside the world of a string quartet, with music that celebrates the Latin American songbook. READ MORE

Summer for the City: Ruidosa Fest at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Saturday, August 9, 2025
The first fully women-led music festival in Latin America returns to Summer for the City for the second year in a row, with individual live concert sets from an internationally sourced, all-women lineup of pan-Latin powerhouses. READ MORE

Hudson River Park's Blues Barbecue at Pier 76

Midtown West
Saturday, August 16, 2025
The 25th annual Hudson River Park Blues Barbecue Festival returns to Pier 76 for a day filled with smoky goodness and great music. Pit powerhouses like Blue Smoke, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Jase’s BBQ, Kimchi Smoke, and Big Papa Smokem fire up their smokers while you take in live blues and roots performances. READ MORE

Funk Flex Birthday Park at the Coney Island Amphitheater

Coney Island, Brooklyn
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Hip-hop institution, Funk Flex, a radio and club mainstay who’s helped break some of New York’s biggest artists and biggest hits, hosts his birthday party on Coney Island with a coterie of throwback R&B artists from the ‘90s. READ MORE

Lavender Blues at Bloomingdale Library

West Harlem
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
This hip-hop concert for families features interactive, toe-tapping, get-out-of-your-seat good time with Lady B and her Bunnies!   READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Central Park - Naumburg Bandshell
Pier 84 at Hudson River Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park
96th Street Tennis Courts in Riverside Park
Hudson Yards Public Square and Gardens
Hudson Yards - Public Square and Gardens
Brookfield Place Waterfront Plaza
David Geffen Hall, LeFrak Lobby
Hearst Plaza at Lincoln Center,
David Geffen Hall, LeFrak Lobby
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library
Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC)
David Geffen Hall, LeFrak Lobby
Hudson River Park - Pier 76

About the Author

Drew Kristofik
Drew Kristofik’s career took a twist from editing teen magazines to a seven-year stint at MacNeil/Lehrer, followed by a long run at Nickelodeon/Viacom as Director of Content for Nick Online and Editor-in-Chief of ParentsConnect.com. A founding member of the Webby Award-winning GoCityKids, she’s written for Family Fun, Vanity Fair, and New York. Her middle school novel, The Time Boat, is available on Amazon Kindle. Drew keeps the MommyPoppins New York Events calendar spot-on and can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.
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