Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage  Announces 40th Anniversary Season 

City Parks Foundation announced the 2026 season of Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage, New York City’s iconic outdoor performing arts festival bringing more than 60 free and benefit shows to Central Park and 12 neighborhood parks across the five boroughs.

The 2026 season marks the festival’s milestone 40th anniversary, with special celebratory concerts and events highlighting four decades of performances across New York City’s parks.

The first-ever SummerStage show kicked off in June 1986 with avant-garde Afrofuturists Sun Ra Arkestra at Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park. In the 40 years since, SummerStage has presented thousands of global artists to more than 7 million people.

“Forty years ago, I had a simple idea: that world-class music and performing arts belonged to everyone, not just those who could afford a ticket. Four decades later, I’m genuinely moved by what SummerStage has meant to our city and what we helped build together with our fans,” stated Joe Killian, SummerStage Founder & Executive Producer (1986-1993) and City Parks Foundation Board Member in the announcement. “SummerStage has been the cultural backbone of NYC since 1986, bringing artists from across the globe to share their sounds and stories with our neighbors in their local parks. We’ve curated bold commissions, unexpected collaborations, and showcased rising stars, and New York has shown up every single time. The tremendous loyalty and support from SummerStage’s fans is the fuel that keeps us going. As we step into this 40th season, I’m not just proud of where we’ve been, but I’m also excited for the moments still to come.”

The anniversary will be recognized during this year’s annual gala on Sept. 10. City Parks Foundation will honor Killian with the SummerStage Icon Award for his vision that resulted in the creation of SummerStage and for his dedication to the organization. The benefit will also honor Alex Blavatnik, Vice Chairman of Access Industries and Director of the Blavatnik Archive, with the City Parks Foundation Icon Award, for his investments that have preserved cultural history and made it freely accessible to the public. The benefit raises more than $1 million in support of SummerStage concerts, as well as City Parks Foundation’s free environmental education, youth sports and community engagement programs, all serving New York’s under-resourced communities.

The 40th anniversary season will continue SummerStage’s tradition of showcasing both established and emerging artists and the festival continues to champion diversity by supporting women and non-male identifying performers from across the globe.

As a women-run festival with a mission to reflect the diversity of NYC and its residents, SummerStage has helped to transform the future of the music industry by participating in the PRS Foundation’s international Keychange pledge since 2019, presenting an annual lineup that features at minimum a 50:50 gender balance. SummerStage is one of the few local festivals that has achieved this goal through their commitment to diversity in its programming and a consistent, year-over-year minimum of 50% BIPOC and non-male identifying artists.

Neighborhood parks hosting SummerStage this season include Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem; Tompkins Square Park in the East Village; Herbert Von King Park in Brooklyn; Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens; Crotona Park in the Bronx; and SummerStage’s flagship venue Rumsey Playfield in Central Park, among others. Performances will also take place in Staten Island. Events will be free and open to the public, with the exception of select ticketed benefit concerts in Central Park. 

“This season’s exceptional mix of artists truly embodies why SummerStage has become such a beloved music destination for the past four decades, and reflects our city’s rich cultural diversity,” added Heather Lubov, Executive Director of City Parks Foundation. “We are excited to continue the tradition of bringing memorable live performances to NYC’s parks and celebrating our communities.”  

Opening the 2026 season on June 10 in Central Park will be a free show in association with the Blue Note Jazz Festival featuring a lineup of exceptional jazz vocalists headlined by Grammy-winning jazz and R&B vocalist Ledisi. The evening will also include performances by Brooklyn-based modern jazz vocalist Spilata as well as DJ Kultured Child.

The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series will return with a new production on June 15, which will also be presented in June across parks in NYC. These events are also part of Carnegie Hall’s United in Sound: America at 250 festival. New York Sings Yiddish: Passing The Torch to a New Generation on June 22 will showcase a new generation of Yiddish musical and cultural performers including Yiddish duo The Shvesters and comedy team Yidlife Crisis in association with The National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene. Acclaimed British Mercury Prize-nominated indie alt/rock band Black Country, New Road, Chicago-based female indie power trio Horsegirl and power pop auteur Kai Slater’s lo-fi pop project Sharp Pins will perform on June 24. One of the season’s standout shows will be on June 26 when avant-garde performance artist, musician and filmmaker Laurie Anderson makes her SummerStage debut with genre-defying ensemble Sexmob as part of her new “Republic of Love Tour.”

On July 2, Giant Step – in association with the Blue Note Jazz Festival – will present an evening of British jazz/soul featuring modern jazz instrumentalist, composer and bandleader Shabaka Hutchings, performing as SHABAKA, versatile jazz and funk septet Kokoroko, and acclaimed singer/songwriter and actor Omar. On July 8, alt-rock band Spoon takes the stage, along with indie rock quartet Ratboys and NYC-based alt/indie rock band Bodega. On July 9 Jamaican singer Shaggy will perform in association with VP Records and Boombastic Radio.

Another standout this season will be on July 16 when legendary soul singer Mavis Staples returns to SummerStage. The gospel-infused show will also feature the inspiring vocal stylings of Brother Wallace. The event will be presented in association with the Apollo Theater.

SummerStage celebrates dance this season with a free performance in Central Park on July 22 from the Paul Taylor Dance Company, the NYC-based Complexions Contemporary Ballet and critically acclaimed choreographer and “Queen of Social Dance” Latasha Barnes’ The Jazz Continuum. This performance is presented in association with the Joyce Theatre.

On July 12, a Bastille Day celebration in association with the Consulate General of France, will showcase noted contemporary French hip-hop artist Black M, multi-instrumentalist Laurent Voulzy, theatrical veteran French pop/rock singer, songwriter Michel Polnareff and Legends of the ’80s. In association with the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication and Maroc Festivals, July 15 will be a day of new and classic Moroccan music with Hoba Hoba Spirit, Hamid El Kasri Dakhla, Casa Xpress and Mr ID. The Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) will return to Central Park for two performances including Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning Mexican indie performer Julieta Venegas on July 29, joined by Venezuelan pop/rock singer-songwriter Lasso and NPR Alt.Latino Co-Host DJ Anamaria Sayre. On Aug. 1, rising stars in the Latin hip-hop scene will take the stage, including Argentinian hip-hop/reggaeton star Trueno, Argentinian trap/hip-hop artist Milo J, Dominican rapper J Noa and KEXP’s DJ Albina Cabrera. Other global highlights in Central Park include Aug. 2 when the Chinese Institute of America presents Chinese boy band WayV, a spinoff of the massive K-pop group NCT, joined by electronic trio The Either.

Central Park will be busy this August. On Aug. 6, indie folk/rock/jazz singer-songwriter Andrew Bird and the Wordless Music Orchestra will perform his album, The Mysterious Production of Eggs, in full to mark the album’s 20th anniversary presented by the Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment. One of African music’s premiere musical ambassadors, five-time Grammy-winning Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo returns to SummerStage on Aug. 23 performing music from her forthcoming new album Hope!! She will be joined by DJ Freshy K in association with the World Music Institute.

“We’re proud to support SummerStage by presenting two free shows this season. This is what New York does best, world-class music in our parks, open to everyone,” offered Commissioner Rafael Espinal of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. “At a time when affordability is a real challenge, live music shouldn’t be a luxury, it’s essential. It supports audiences, and it supports the artists and crews who keep this city’s music scene alive.”

Continuing the theme of milestone anniversaries, Taiwanese Waves will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Aug. 16 with a lineup that includes Taiwanese vocalist and pop culture icon 9m88, Taiwanese American hip-hop/Mandopop star ØZI, Taiwanese artist YELLOW, psychedelic electronic pop group Mong Tong, Taiwanese American singer-songwriter Chance Emerson and Chinatown-based collective Chinatown Records.

Hip-hop icon Funk Flex will celebrate his history with the festival across the boroughs when he presents his annual Birthday R&B Picnic in Central Park on Aug. 7, featuring R&B singer Jon B and on Staten Island Aug. 8 with dance/house music icon Crystal Waters, freestyle star Cynthia, freestyle/hip-hop legend Frankie Cutlass and more. Flex will also present a Hip-Hop Appreciation Park Jam at Crotona Park in the Bronx on July 31 with Doug E. Fresh. 

Borough parks will celebrate the anniversary with several performances. MIKE’s Young World is back in Herbert Von King Park, Brooklyn on July 11, featuring the return of hip-hop impresario Max B, and a live performance from MIKE with the acclaimed Band of the Century. On July 12, Herbert Von King Park will welcome Grammy-winning R&B/soul vocalist Bilal and jazz/hip-hop/R&B duo GENA in association with the Apollo Theater. Beloved New York hip-hop trailblazers and 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees De La Soul will perform at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens along with hip-hop legend Pete Rock on July 17.  DJ Rekha will present the iconic Basement Bhangra Beyond party in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens on July 19 featuring British Punjabi and hip-hop star Jaz Dhami and classically-trained vocalist Mitika Kanwar. Award-winning veteran Ghanaian rapper Edem and Ghanaian radio host Andy Dosty will perform at Crotona Park in the Bronx in association with GhanaFEST-NY on Aug. 1. Staten Island will welcome legendary salsa singer and El Gran Combo veteran lead vocalist Charlie Aponte, along with Dominican American bachata star Judy Santos. Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park hosts a trio of shows including The Voice of Miles Davis: A Symphonic Celebration on Aug. 12 with a supergroup tribute to the genius of Miles Davis featuring an ensemble of alumni from various Miles Davis ensembles in partnership with Jazzmobile SUMMERFEST and Park Avenue Artists. The Soapbox Presents: Run It Back, The Art of the Sample Vol. II will return to Harlem on Aug. 22. 

“We are extremely proud of SummerStage’s place in NYC music history and of championing artists across all genres, whether its local NYC icons or major stars from across the globe,” stated Erika Elliott, Executive Artistic Director of SummerStage. “This summer’s performances in each borough will continue to provide platforms for artists to share their creativity with the diverse communities that make up our city and further build our legacy.” 

NYC hip-hop label Duck Down Music will take over Brooklyn’s Herbert Von King Park on July 9 to fête their 30th anniversary with Heltah Skeltah and O.G.C. of NYC hip-hop collective Boot Camp Clik, and the 30th anniversary of the underground classic album Nocturnal.  On July 30, the groundbreaking compilation series Ultimate Breaks and Beats (UBB) celebrates its 40th anniversary in Central Park helmed by the series’ legendary co-founder, DJ, and producer Breakbeat Lou, who will be joined by a lineup of hip-hop DJs, producers and MCs including Lord Finesse, Diamond D, Grand Puba and Sadat X. On Sept. 2, the historic jazz label Verve will celebrate its 70th anniversary with an impressive roster of artists including 11-time Grammy-winning jazz bassist/composer Christian McBride and rising Japanese/English jazz/rock artist Mei Semones and others playing the music of Getz/Gilberto, presented by the Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment.

SummerStage will continue to amplify diverse women in music showcasing rising female artists and veterans who continue to pave the way. On July 12, American soul luminary Mereba will perform at Herbert Von King park in Brooklyn in association with COLORSXMUSIC; on July 26 in Central Park, the Afro-Latinas showcase will present a captivating lineup of female voices from Brazil including Afro-Brazilian singer and activist songwriter Luedji Luna performing with acclaimed Latin Grammy-winning vocalist Liniker, legendary Afro-Peruvian singer and 2025 Latin Grammy special award honoree Susana Baca and more in association with the Festival Latinidades and Afro-Latino Festival NYC. 

The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, New York City’s annual salute to the late saxophonist, will return for its 34th year as a three-day celebration of live jazz in the neighborhoods where Parker worked and lived: Harlem’s historic Marcus Garvey Park and Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. Running Aug. 28-30, the festival features a blend of renowned artists alongside an emerging wave of jazz performers, including the world renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, jazz saxophonist/composer Joshua Redman and jazz saxophonist and composer Ravi Coltrane.

The 2026 SummerStage season also features ticketed benefit shows in Central Park to help fund the festival’s free performances. Live Nation, the official producer of SummerStage benefit concerts, will present Bronx natives and global house music stars The Martinez Brothers on June 13; multi-instrumentalist, producer, and singer-songwriter Elderbrook on June 20; Anjunadeep’s Open Air New York City showcase on July 18; pioneering blues rock band Blues Traveler with ‘90s hitmakers Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors on Aug. 15; rockers Simple Plan with early aughts mainstays 3OH!3 and Bowling for Soup on Aug. 19; country rock/blues group The Marcus King Band on Sept. 12; and country singer-songwriter Charley Crockett on Oct. 1 – with others still to be announced.

SummerStage has launched an anniversary webpage taking fans on a digital journey through the festival’s history. Fans can explore a timeline featuring artists from around the world and significant events that helped shape the festival into what it is today. Attendees are also invited to share their photos, videos and stories from past shows through a fan portal. Fan content will be featured throughout the 2026 season at a show in Central Park, on the festival’s social media pages, or on the 40th anniversary webpage. SummerStage will be celebrating with special giveaways and contests all season long, including surprise VIP upgrades in Central Park.

From June 12 through Aug. 21, a free commemorative photo exhibition titled “40 in Focus: SummerStage through the Lens of Photographer Jack Vartoogian” will be on view at the Arsenal Gallery (830 Fifth Avenue) presented by City Parks Foundation in collaboration with NYC Parks Art & Antiquities.

Capital One is the festival’s title sponsor and its official bank and credit card. A presenting sponsor since 2015, this Summer eligible Capital One cardholders will have pre-sale access to the season’s ticketed benefit shows 24 hours before the general public, along with exclusive ticket access to select shows. Additionally, for the first hour of each performance (from when the doors open), cardholders can use the dedicated “Capital One Cardholder Expedited Line” at the SummerStage VIP entrance for express entry when they present their eligible Capital One card. Subaru will present the 2026 Subaru Music Series at SummerStage in Central Park with a four-show series.

To design the season’s anniversary artwork SummerStage brought back illustrator Julie Wilson, who originally designed the season artwork in 1992. Heavily influenced by TV cartoons, pop art and the British Invasion, Wilson made her mark around Brooklyn and Manhattan from the 1980s to the early 2000s, creating billboards in Times Square and murals at Coney Island along with many editorial illustrations for magazines and newspapers.

This season, Smorgasburg will return as the food partner at SummerStage’s flagship Central Park venue. For 16 years, Smorgasburg has brought together food vendors from across New York City offering dozens of different cuisines.