A fun and free thing to do in NYC is to attend one of the many free summertime concerts. Good Morning America and The Today Show host free concerts. There are new ones every week.
The big free concert series in Central Park is SummerStage, which features a wide variety of acts from June – August. Summer Stage puts on concerts in other locations throughout the city too. See the full SummerStage 2013 Concert Calendar.
Here’s the run-down on what’s scheduled. Check the official websites to confirm the performers and dates.
Central Park Summer Stage 2013
Concerts are held a Rumsey Playfield, located right off the 5th Avenue and 69th Street entrance to the park. A few of the concerts charge a fee, but most are free. Gates open 90 minutes before showtime on weekends and 60 minutes before showtime on weekdays. Show go on rain or shine but may be cancelled for dangerous lightening. There are food and drink concessions available, or you can bring a picnic (no glass containers or alcoholic beverages).
June 15 – The Zombies/Django Django/Adam Green & Binki Shapiro/DJ Sets by Modest P
June 17 – Joan Baez and the Indigo Girls (Fundraiser for Summer Stage)
June 18 – The Airbourne Toxic Event
June 21 – IAM with Special Guest Rakim
June 23 – Femi Kuti & The Positive Force/Sinkane/DJ set by King Britt
June 24 – Yasiin Bey (FKA Mos Def)
June 26 – Comedy Central Stars Under the Stars
June 29 – Joel Plaskett/Spirit of the West/Brasstronaut
June 30 – Big Star’s Third: An Orchestrated Live Performance of the Legendary Album
July 2 – The Freedom Dance Party with Special Guest Cameo
July 3 – Blink Your Eyes: Sekou Sundiata Revisited
July 6 – She & Him/Camera Obscura ($40)
July 7 – The Carpetbog Brigade & Nemcatacoa Teatro/Elizabeth Mitchell (SummerStage Kids concert)
July 10 – Cuarto Poder/Los Rakas and others
July 11 – Lila Downs/Natalia Clavier/Pamela Rodriguez/Raul Campos
July 13 – Julieta Venegas/Carla Morrison/Alex Andandter
July 14 – Fanfare Ciocarlia/Red Baraat/DJ Sets by Joro-Boro
July 16 – The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series
July 20 – Planet Hemp/Gaby Amarantos/Emicida/DJ Sets by Greg Caz
July 21 – Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits/Fatoumata Diawara/Krar Collective
July 22 – Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue & Soulive
July 23 – Martha Graham Dance Company
July 24 – Martha Graham Dance Company
July 27 – Lianne La Havas/LP/Quadron/DJ Sets by DJ Center
July 28 – Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth and Special Guest
July 29 – Ben Howard/Michael Kiwanuka
July 31 – World Premiere of “RSC Ghetto Made”
August 3 – Gospel Explosion: Shirley Ceasar/Donald Lawrence/James Fortune & F.I.Y.A/Erica Campbell/Ricky Dillard
August 4 – R&B Fest: Raheem DeVaughn/Lyfe Jennings/Donell Jones/Erica Campbell and Special Guests
August 5 – “King Kong” Hip-Hop themed theater remake of the classic.
August 6 – Disclosure/Tnight/Juilo Bashmore
August 7 – Jimmy Eat World ($35.00)
August 10 – DJ Kook Herc and Special Guests
August 11 – Shuggie Otis/Jose James/Hiatus Kaiyote/DJ Sets by OP!
August 17 – Twin Shadow/Autre Ne Veut/Elliphant/DJ Sets by Mano
August 18 – La Mega 6th Annual Tropical Fest
August 19 – Diablo Love (Theater)
August 20 – Bobby McFerrin
Good Morning America Summer Concert Series
GMA will host free live music every Friday morning at the Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. 7:00 – 9:00am. GMA recommends that people arrive via the 72nd Street entrance to the park at 6:00am.
GMA’s Summer Concert Series webpage
May 24 – Mariah Carey
May 31 – Pitbull
June 7 – Little Max and Emblem3
June 21 – John Legend
June 28 – Demi Lovato
July 5 – Imagine Dragons
July 12 – OneRepublic
July 19 – Jennifer Lopez
July 26 – Selena Gomez
August 2 – Ne-Yo
August 9 – Kenny Chesney
August 16 – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
August 23 – The Wanted
August 20 – Alicia Keys
Hotels near the Good Morning America studios.
Today Show Summer Concert Series
Concerts are held at Rockefeller Plaza, outside Today’s studio at 49th Street and Rockefeller Plaza, starting at 7:00am. Today recommends that people arrive by 6:00 for best viewing.
Today Toyota Concert Series web page
May 24 – Fun (on the Jersey Shore)
May 31 – New Kids on the Block/98 Degrees/Boyz II Men
June 7 – Lionel Richie
June 14 – Maroon 5
June 21 – Phillip Phillips
July 5 – John Mayer
July 12 – Ed Sheeran
July 19 – Fall Out Boy
July 26 – Train
August 2 – The Band Perry
August 9 – Michael Buble
August 16 – Luke Bryan
August 23 – One Direction
August 30 – Chris Brown
(Additional performances may be scheduled – check the Today schedule)
Hotels Near the NBC Studios in New York.
