Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage is a partnership between:
City Parks Foundation, an organization dedicated to invigorating and transforming parks into dynamic, vibrant centers of urban life through sports, arts, community building and education programs for all New Yorkers. Their programs, located in more than 350 parks, recreation centers and public schools across the city, reach over 285,000 people each year.
City Parks Foundation is anchored around a simple ethos: thriving parks mean thriving communities.
Since its inception, Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage is one of the city’s most beloved, broadly accessible, free outdoor performing arts festivals. Annually, SummerStage presents over 80 free and benefit performances at Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield and neighborhood parks throughout the five boroughs, reaching more than 220,000 attendees. SummerStage showcases diverse artists and performances in genres and styles that represent the eclectic cultural fabric of New York, ranging from jazz, hip-hop, Latin, global, indie and even contemporary dance, while filling a vital niche in the city’s summer arts festival landscape.
Capital One is a diversified bank that offers products and services to individuals, small businesses and commercial clients. They use technology, innovation and interaction to provide customers with products and services to meet their needs. Through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment, Capital One provides their reward cardholders with access to unforgettable experiences in dining, music, sports and the arts. Check out capitalone.com/dining and capitalone.com/entertainment for more information.
A couple of weeks ago, City Parks Foundation announced the 2025 season of Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage. The festival’s 39th edition will bring more than 70 free and benefit shows to Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield stage and 13 neighborhood parks across the city’s five boroughs. And once again, SummerStage will showcase both established and emerging artists, highlighting an expansive and eclectic array of talent, while continuing to feature artists across genres and styles including jazz, hip-hop, indie rock, salsa, reggae, Afrobeat, soul, pop, global, contemporary dance and more.
Neighborhood parks hosting SummerStage events for the 2025 season will include Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park, the East Village’s Tompkins Square Park, Brooklyn’s Herbert Von King Park and Coney Island Amphitheater, Queens’ Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, The Bronx’s St. Mary’s Park and Crotona Park, Staten Island’s Stapleton Waterfront Park and of course, SummerStage’s main venue Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield. With the exception of a handful of ticketed benefit concerts in SummerStage, performances are free and open to the public. More information can be found at here.
“I am thrilled to announce our 2025 SummerStage lineup, a stellar reflection of what makes our festival so unique and beloved,” Heather Lubov, Executive Director of City Parks Foundation says. “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.”
“Capital One is thrilled to return as the title sponsor for City Parks Foundation’s SummerStage concert series. This incredible partnership allows us to demonstrate our commitment to the vibrant New York City community by supporting free and accessible entertainment in parks all over the city.” Katie Swegle, Managing Vice President at Capital One says. “The Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage series also unlocks exclusive benefits for our cardholders, enhancing their experience of the arts festival throughout the summer.”
This year, eligible Capital One cardholders will have presale access to the season’s ticketed benefit shows, 24- hours before the general public, along with exclusive ticket cars to select shows through select shows at Capital One Entertainment.
Additionally, when doors open to the first hour of each performance, 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.
Capital One will also continue two special promotions at SummerStage:
The Capital One Best Seats On Us campaign, which will invite select fans to experience a handful of shows at Rumsey Playfield from a VIP viewing area. Attendees will also be encouraged to tag SummerStage on their shared Instagram concert photos for the chance to be the festival’s weekly SummerStage #1 Fan.
SummerStage’s 39th edition will continue to champion the city’s diversity, uplift women performers and bring artists from across the globe to town. The festival’s 2025 season will open at Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 with an opening show that will headlined by two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz bassist, multi-instrumentalist and composer Marcus Miller and feature acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning R&B/soul/funk outfit Tank and the Bangas and JOVM mainstays The Soul Rebels.
Subaru will present the 2025 Subaru Music Series at SummerStage in Central Park. The four show series will include opening night with Marcus Miller on June 4, 2025; July 26, 2025 with The Saw Doctors; July 27, 2025 with Femi Kuti & The Positive Force; and July 30, 2025 with The Head & The Heart.
Central Park’s free shows will include the following:
- June 14, 2025: The Aussie BBQ, an annual showcase that features the latest sounds from Oz. This year’s showcase will feature father and son hip-hop duo Flewnt and Inkabee, indie pop artist Gordi, singer/songwriter Grace Cummings, electro pop duo PINES, garage rock trio The Grogans and an appearance from the beloved children’s music group The Wiggles
- June 15, 2025: The inaugural Nordic Next showcase, which will showcase a sampling of the latest sounds from across the Nordic world, including Norwegian indie pop singer/songwriter Jakob, acclaimed Swedish indie folk singer/songwriter Sarah Klang and Danish art pop violinist and singer/songwriter Astrid Sonne.
- July 2, 2025: Toronto-based Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter and JOVM mainstay Charlotte Day Wilson and acclaimed Canadian folk rock band The Weather Station will play Rumsey Playfield, showcasing some of Canada’s music scene.
- July 9, 2025: Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) returns for their annual SummerStage showcase. This year will feature two shows: The July 9 show will feature Colombian Latin pop band Morat, with reggaeton punks Planta Industrial.
- July 12, 2025: Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC)’s second show will take place, with a show featuring Colombian singer/songwriter and six-time Latin Grammy Award-winning Camilo and Colombian pop singer and Latin Grammy Award winner for Best New Artist, Ela Taubert.
- July 13, 2025: SummerStage’s Bastille Day celebration, which will feature performances from French house DJ Bob Sinclar, hip-hop sibling duo Bigflo & Oli, singer/songwriter and actor Patrick Bruel and singer/songwriter and pianist ESTL.
- July 27, 2025: Nigerian artist Femi Kuti, the eldest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, will hit the stage with his backing band The Positive Force. dead prez, who will play a set celebrating their 30th anniversary. The show will also feature poet Maryam Bukar Hasan.
- August 2, 2025: Beloved, Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman will present Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues, which will showcase classic Delta Blues hits backed by a symphony orchestra.
- August 3, 2025: Taiwanese Waves will present a mix of music and dance celebrating indigenous Taiwanese culture, including contemporary dance company Bulareyaung Dance Company, indigenous Paiwan pop star ABAO and singer/songwriter Enno Cheng.
- August 7, 2025: Esteemed dance company Ballet Hispánico will hit the Rumsey Playfield stage.
- August 31, 2025: Internationally acclaimed Brazilian singer IZA
- September 14, 2025: Japanse hip-hop star Awich
- September 14, 2025: JOVM mainstay Soccer Mommy
- September 16, 2025: Hurray for the Riff Raff
Bedford-Stuyvesant Brooklyn’s Herbert Von King Park free shows will include:
- July 10, 2025: Big Freedia performing her dynamic new gospel/rap/bounce project in collaboration with Black trans femme choreographer and ballroom community legend Courtney “Balenciaga” Washington, Master Z’s Work.
Queens’ Flushing Meadows-Corona Park’s free shows will include:
- July 20, 2025: Acclaimed and beloved hip-hop band and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon house band, The Roots.
The Bronx’s Crotona Park’s free shows will include:
- July 31, 2025: Tropical/salsa star Frankie Negrón
Staten Island’s Stapleton Waterfront Park’s free shows will include:
- August 9, 2025: The god emceee himself, Rakim.
- August 10, 2025: Legendary and influential Puerto Rican salsa band La Sonora Ponceña
The Coney Island Amphitheater will feature six shows, including NEMS Presents GORILLAFEST and the Funk Flex Birthday Party, as well as:
- June 14, 2025: Lettuce with Styles P
- August 8, 2025: Salsa singer Tony Vega
- October 9, 2025: The annual Chol Hamoed Spectacular: The Yeshiva Boys Choir
“It’s a joy to program a festival that authentically celebrates New York City and the diverse communities we serve. We strive each summer to collaborate with artists and curate shows to honor cultural movements, artistic communities, and the current sounds and styles that resonate with New Yorkers.” Erika Elliott, Executive Artistic Director of SummerStage says. “We are extremely proud of the 2025 season, with this year’s programming giving a platform to artists and communities to celebrate the vibrant tapestry and cultural landscape of our city. From jazz to hip-hop and everything in between, we’re thrilled to bring these performances to the heart of each borough, celebrating the distinctly artistic expression that makes our city so unique.”
Much like previous years, SummerStage is giving artists and DJs opportunities to collaborate as curating partners, putting their stamp on SummerStage showcases.
- July 12, 2025: MIKE’s Young World V at Herbert Von King Park will feature Roc Marciano and The Alchemist, with special guests, who will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
- July 19, 2025: DJ Rekha returns to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park for her Basement Bhangra Beyond dance show with London-based Punjabi singer/songwriter Tara Lily and more.
- July 26, 2025: Coney Island native NEMS will present the second edition of his GORILLAFEST at Coney Island Amphitheater.
- Funkmaster Flex will celebrate the sounds of hip-hop and R&B with a handful of shows across the boroughs — The Bronx on August 1, 2025; Coney Island on August 16, 2025; and Central Park on August 17, 2025.
- Renowned DJ and producer King Britt will bring his Blacktronika Festival with back-to-back stacked performances: August 16, 2025 at Central Park and August 17, 2025 at Marcus Garvey Park.
The 2025 season will amplify women in music, showcasing new, buzz worthy female artists and veterans, who continue to pave the way. As a woman-run festival with a mission to reflect the diversity of the city and its residents, SummerStage has participated in PRS Foundation‘s International Keychange pledge since 2019, presenting an annual lineup that features at a minimum a 50:50 gender balance. Since taking part, SummerStage is arguably one of the few local festivals that has continually achieved gender parity programming while showcasing 50% BIPOC and non-male identifying artists.
Central Park will feature some of the following shows:
- June 25, 2025: Bluegrass and Americana artist Rhiannon Giddens
- July 23, 2025: Celebrated Indian-American singer/songwriter Asha Puthi
- August 9, 2025: The Celia Cruz Celebration will pay tribute to the Queen of Salsa’s centennial with performances by Latin Grammy Award and Grammy Award-winning Cuban singer/songwriter, pianist and actor Aymée Nuviola, who also portrayed Cruz in the Colombian telenovela Celia, and Afro-Cuban singer and multi-instrumentalist Brenda Navarrete.
The 33rd Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, New York’s annual celebration of the legendary and eponymous bebop jazz saxophonist will celebrate jazz over the course of three days — August 22, 2025 – August 24, 2025 — in the neighborhoods where Parker worked and lived, including Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park and the East Village’s Tompkins Square Park. The festival will feature a mix of renowned artists and a wave of emerging artists including the prolific and legend jazz bassist Ron Carter‘s Great Big Band, trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist Nicholas Payton, jazz pianist Bertha Hope leading the Bertha Hope Quintet, rising jazz vocalist Georgia Heers, legendary Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater with celebrated jazz pianist Bill Charlap, Gary Bartz: NTU Troop, The Jazz Gallery All-Stars and many more.
Additional jazz events will be held across the city, with more performers to be announced in the coming months.
The 2025 SummerStage show will feature a handful of ticketed benefit shows at Central Park’s SummerStage, which help underwrite the festival’s free programming throughout the year. LiveNation, the official producer of SummerStage’s benefit concerts will feature the following:
- May 17, 2025: Trinidadian soca singer Patrice Roberts
- May 31, 2025: Norwegian DJ and producer Alan Walker
- June 1, 2025: South American supergroup Astropical, which features members of Bomba Estereo and Ramayana
- June 7, 2025: Reggaeton artist Yandel performing with a live orchestra
- June 9, 2025: Duo, The Driver Era
- June 17, 2025: Acclaimed English singer/songwriter James Blunt and Canadian singer/songwriter Forest Blakk
- June 18, 2025: Noname and Raven Lanae play a show honoring Juneteenth
- July 5, 2025 and July 5, 2025: Trinidadian soca group KES will be playing two sold-out shows.
- July 11, 2025: Christian singer/songwriter Chris Tomlin
- July 26, 2025: Irish rock band The Saw Doctors
- July 30, 2025: Acclaimed indie folk band The Head & The Heart
- August 1, 2025: English singer/songwriter Jacob Collier
- September 8, 2025: Indie rock outfit Rilo Kiley will be playing a sold-out show
And more will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
The complete SummerStage schedule follows below. For the most up-to-date scheduling and lineup for all SummerStage programming, follow SummerStage via the social media handles below and visit www.SummerStage.org for all festival information.
SummerStage 2025 Schedule
| Date | Door Time | Artists | Park | Type of Show |
| Sat, May 17 | 6:00 PM | Patrice Roberts: I Am Woman | Central Park | Benefit |
| Sat, May 31 | 6:00 PM | Alan Walker | Central Park | Benefit |
| Sun, Jun 1 | 6:00 PM | Astropical (Bomba Estéreo x Rawayana) | Central Park | Benefit |
| Wed, Jun 4 | 5:00 PM | OPENING Night: Marcus Miller / Tank and the Bangas / The Soul Rebels in association with Blue Note Jazz Festival | Central Park | Free |
| Sat, Jun 7 | 6:00 PM | Yandel Sinfónico | Central Park | Benefit |
| Mon, Jun 9 | 6:30 PM | The Driver Era: Obsession Tour | Central Park | Benefit |
| Mon, Jun 9 | 7:00 PM | The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital featuring Tessa McQueen / Hannah Jones / Sunghoon Han with pianist Mariam Bombrun | Jackie Robinson Park | Free |
| Wed, Jun 11 | 7:00 PM | The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital featuring Tessa McQueen / Hannah Jones / Sunghoon Han with pianist Mariam Bombrun | Williamsbridge Oval | Free |
| Fri, Jun 13 | 7:00 PM | The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital featuring Tessa McQueen / Hannah Jones / Sunghoon Han with pianist Mariam Bombrun | Stapleton Waterfront Park | Free |
| Fri, Jun 13 | 5:00 PM | Gil Scott Heron Festival in association with NYC Parks Dept & Jazz Foundation | St. Mary’s Park | Free |
| Sat, Jun 14 | 2:30 PM | THE AUSSIE BBQ: Flewnt and Inkabee / Gordi / Grace Cummings / PINES / The Grogans / The Wiggles in association with Sounds Australia | Central Park | Free |
| Sat, Jun 14 | 6:00 PM | Lettuce / Styles P | Coney Island Amphitheater | Free |
| Sat, Jun 14 | 7:00 PM | The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital featuring Janai Brugger / Jack Swanson / Benjamin Taylor with pianist Howard Watkins | Brooklyn Bridge Park | Free |
| Sun, Jun 15 | 5:00 PM | Nordic Next: Jakob / Sarah Klang / Astrid Sonne /Joalin in partnership with the Nordic Council of Ministers | Central Park | Free |
| Sun, Jun 15 | 7:00 PM | The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital featuring Tessa McQueen / Hannah Jones / Sunghoon Han with pianist Mariam Bombrun | Socrates Sculpture Park | Free |
| Mon, Jun 16 | 7:00 PM | The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital featuring Janai Brugger / Jack Swanson / Benjamin Taylor with pianist Howard Watkins | Central Park | Free |
| Tue, Jun 17 | 6:00 PM | James Blunt: Back to Bedlam 20th Anniversary Tour with Forest Blakk | Central Park | Benefit |
| Wed, Jun 18 | 5:00 PM | Juneteenth with Noname / Ravyn Lenar / Fana Hues | Central Park | Benefit |
| Wed, Jun 25 | 5:00 PM | Rhiannon Giddens / Lido Pimienta | Central Park | Free |
| Sun, Jun 29 | 6:00 PM | Dreamland Pride: Headlining DJ TBA / Anne Louise / HAYLA | Central Park | Benefit |
| Mon, Jun 30 | 6:00 PM | New York Sings Yiddish: Zalmen Mlotek / Frank London’s Klezmer All Stars & Celebrated Yiddish Vocalists in association with the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene | Central Park | Free |
| Wed, Jul 2 | 5:00 PM | Charlotte Day Wilson / The Weather Station in association with Consulate General of Canada | Central Park | Free |
| Sat, Jul 5 | 6:00 PM | Kes | Central Park | Sold Out |
| Sun, Jul 6 | 6:00 PM | Kes | Central Park | Sold Out |
| Wed, Jul 9 | 6:00 PM | LAMC: Morat / Planta Industrial | Central Park | Free |
| Thu, Jul 10 | 5:00 PM | Big Freedia / Courtney “Balenciaga” Washington’s MasterZ at Work / DJ Golden at Work in association with Works & Process | Herbert Von King Park | Free |
| Fri, Jul 11 | 6:00 PM | Chris Tomlin: Worship Under the Stars | Central Park | Benefit |
| Thu, Jul 11 | 5:00 PM | Laila! / Sasha Keable / Talia Goddess in association with COLORS x STUDIOS | Herbert Von King Park | Free |
| Sat, Jul 12 | 4:00 PM | MIKE’s Young World V: ROC Marciano & The Alchemist and more | Herbert Von King Park | Free |
| Sat, Jul 12 | 5:00 PM | LAMC: Camilo / Ela Taubert / Guitarricadelafuente | Central Park | Free |
| Sun, Jul 13 | 5:00 PM | Bastille Day: Bob Sinclar / Big Flo & Oli / Patrick Bruel / ESTL in association with the Consulate General of France | Central Park | Free |
| Sun, Jul 13 | 4:00 PM | Palmwine Festival NYC: Show Dem Camp & Friends | Herbert Von King Park | Free |
| Sat, Jul 19 | 6:00 PM | DJ Rekha’s Basement Bhangra Beyond: Tara Lily / Sonny Singh + Guests | Flushing Meadows-Corona Park | Free |
| Sun, Jul 20 | 7:00 PM | The Roots | Flushing Meadows-Corona Park | Free |
| Wed, Jul 23 | 5:00 PM | Cymande / Asha Puthli / Zacchae’us Paul presents Jazz Money / K.Tea in association with Giantstep | Central Park | Free |
| Thu, Jul 24 | 5:00 PM | Jessica Pratt / Cameron Winter / Daryl Johns | Central Park | Free |
| Sat, Jul 26 | 6:00 PM | The Saw Doctors | Central Park | Benefit |
| Sat, Jul 26 | 4:00 PM | NEMS Presents: GORILLAFEST | Coney Island Amphitheater | Free |
| Sun, Jul 27 | 5:00 PM | Femi Kuti & The Positive Force / dead prez / Rich Medina / Maryam Bukar Hassan | Central Park | Free |
| Wed, Jul 30 | 6:00 PM | The Head & The Heart: Aperture Tour | Central Park | Benefit |
| Thu, Jul 31 | 5:00 PM | Frankie Negrón / Christian Alicea / Funk Salsa Urban | Crotona Park | Free |
| Fri, Aug 1 | 6:00 PM | Hip-Hop Appreciation Park Jam & Barbecue Curated by Doug E. Fresh & Funk Flex | Crotona Park | Free |
| Fri, Aug 1 | 6:00 PM | Jacob Collier: Djesse World Tour | Central Park | Benefit |
| Sat, Aug 2 | 6:00 PM | KiDi / Skrewfaze / DJ Chvmeleon in association with GhanaFest-NY | Crotona Park | Free |
| Sun, Aug 3 | 5:00 PM | Taiwanese Waves: Bulareyaung Dance Company / ABAO + Nanguaq Girls / Enno Cheng | Central Park | Free |
| Thu, Aug 7 | 7:00 PM | Ballet Hispánico | Central Park | Free |
| Fri, Aug 8 | 6:00 PM | Tony Vega / La Excelencia / Ariacne Trujilo | Coney Island Amphitheater | Free |
| Sat, Aug 9 | 6:00 PM | Rakim / Positive K / Joe Ski Love / Nice & Smooth / DJ Chubby Chub / Hosted by Video Music Box Ralph McDaniels in association with Uncle Chase Entertainment | Stapleton Waterfront Park | Free |
| Sat, Aug 9 | 6:00 PM | Celia Cruz Celebration: Isaac Delgado / Aymee Nuviola / Brenda Navarrete & guests | Central Park | Free |
| Sun, Aug 10 | 5:00 PM | La Sonora Ponceña / Judy Torres / Linda EPO / DJ Millo in association with Maker Park Radio | Stapleton Waterfront Park | Free |
| Sun, Aug 10 | 5:00 PM | The Originals featuring Rich Medina, Stretch Armstrong and Tony Touch | Central Park | Free |
| Fri, Aug 15 | 7:00 PM | Artist TBA – in partnership with Jazzmobile SUMMERFEST | Marcus Garvey Park | Free |
| Sat, Aug 16 | 4:00 PM | Blacktronika Festival: Phuture / Waajeed / Rimarkable / Joe Claussell / Charlie Dark / King Britt | Central Park | Free |
| Sat, Aug 16 | 6:00 PM | Funk Flex Birthday Party: Carl Thomas / Christopher Williams / Soul for Real / Gina Thompson / Allure / Music by Funk Flex | Coney Island Amphitheater | Free |
| Sat, Aug 16 | 6:00 PM | The Soapbox Presents: Run It Back: An Ode to the Art of the Sample | Marcus Garvey Park | Free |
| Sun, Aug 17 | 5:00 PM | Blacktronica Festival: Black Quantum Futurism featuring Moor Mother & Rasheedah Phillips / Vijay Iyer, Shana Redmond & LaFrae Sci / Joy Guidry & Niecy Blues / Sonic Messengers / King Britt | Marcus Garvey Park | Free |
| Sun, Aug 17 | 6:00 PM | Funk Flex R&B Birthday Picnic | Central Park | Free |
| Fri, Aug 22 | 7:00 PM | Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: Ron Carter’s Great Big Band / April May Webb in partnership with Jazzmobile | Marcus Garvey Park | Free |
| Sat, Aug 23 | 3:00 PM | Charlie Parker Jazz Festival: Nicholas Payton / Bertha Hope Quintet / Georgia Heers | Marcus Garvey Park | Free |
| Sun, Aug 24 | 3:00 PM | Charlie Park Jazz Festival: Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap / Gary Bartz: Ntu Troop / The Jazz Gallery All-Stars Feat. Miguel Zenon, Joel Ross, Kendrick Scott, Renee Neufville / Lucia | Marcus Garvey Park | Free |
| Wed, Aug 27 | 7:00 PM | Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues in partnership with Park Avenue Artists | Central Park | Free |
| Sun, Aug 31 | 5:00 PM | IZA / Ilê Aiyê / Evandro Fióti in association with 29th Inffinito Brazilian Film Festival | Central Park | Free |
| Mon, Sep 8 | 6:00 PM | Rilo Kiley | Central Park | Sold Out |
| Sun, Sep 14 | 5:00 PM | Awich & Friends | Central Park | Free |
| Tue, Sep 16 | 5:00 PM | Soccer Mommy / Hurray for the Riff Raff / Dummy | Central Park | Free |
| Thu, Oct 9 | 1:00 PM | The Chol Hamoed Spectacular: The Yeshiva Boys Choir | Coney Island Amphitheater | Free |
*All show times and artists are subject to change
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