NYC News

SummerStage 2025 Brings the Beat to Every Borough
April 24, 2025, 9:46.21 am ET

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Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage returns for its 39th season, turning New York City into a live music destination from June 4 through October 9, 2025. With more than 70 free and benefit shows across Central Park and 13 neighborhood parks, this year’s festival once again celebrates the city’s rich cultural diversity and musical spirit.

Opening Night – June 4, Central Park
The season kicks off with a high-energy lineup featuring Marcus Miller, Tank and the Bangas, and The Soul Rebels, in partnership with the Blue Note Jazz Festival.

Season Highlights Include:

• The Roots, Big Freedia, Femi Kuti, Camilo, Jessica Pratt, Rakim, Soccer Mommy, Celia Cruz Centennial • Celebration, Bob Sinclar, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Awich, Frankie Negrón, La Sonora Ponceña, and Morgan • Freeman’s Symphonic Blues. Artists like MIKE, Funk Flex, DJ Rekha, King Britt, NEMS, and Rhiannon • Giddens will also serve as guest curators, shaping shows that reflect the city’s musical pulse.

Charlie Parker Jazz Festival – August 22–24
This three-day celebration of jazz returns to Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park and the East Village’s Tompkins Square Park with performances by Ron Carter’s Great Big Band, Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap, Bertha Hope Quintet, Gary Bartz: NTU Troop, and more.

Cultural and Global Spotlights
The season includes standout events such as THE AUSSIE BBQ on June 14, Nordic Next on June 15, New York Sings Yiddish on June 30, and the Celia Cruz Centennial on August 9. These shows spotlight music from around the globe while celebrating New York’s vibrant communities.

Benefit Concerts in Central Park
Ticketed shows will support the festival’s free programming, with headliners including James Blunt, Patrice Roberts, Rilo Kiley, Alan Walker, Astropical, KES, The Saw Doctors, The Head & The Heart, Jacob Collier, and others.

From jazz and hip-hop to salsa, indie rock, and global beats, SummerStage 2025 offers something for everyone. Most performances are free and open to the public, with details and ticket info available at www.SummerStage.org.


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