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2013 Summer Concerts in New York City

There are lots of fun (many free!) musical events in New York City

By , About.com Guide

Updated June 13, 2013
Updated for 2013
  • Central Park Summerstage Free!
    Frequent summer concerts at the Central Park Summerstage, located at Rumsey Playfield. Some concerts are benefits, but many are free!
  • New York Philharmonic in the Parks Free!
    From July 10-16, 2013 the New York Philharmonic will perform in all five New York City boroughs. A Staten Island concert will take place indoors, while those in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens will be outdoors.
  • Metropolitan Opera in the Parks Free!
    The Metropolitan Opera perform concerts in parks in the five boroughs from July 16-August 1, 2013.
  • GMA's Summer Concerts Free!
    On Friday mornings in May - August, be a part of Good Morning America's audience in Central Park and see popular acts, including John Legend and Jennifer Lopez.
  • NBC's Today Show Summer Concerts Free!
    On Friday mornings (mostly) from May - August catch some great performers at Rockefeller Center and a chance to be seen on TV!
  • Celebrate Brooklyn! Free!
    Celebrate Brooklyn with a wide variety of musical performances at the Prospect Park Bandshell.
  • Broadway in Bryant Park Free!
    On Thursdays at 12:30 from July 11 - August 15, 2013 see performances from popular Broadway shows live in Bryant Park.
  • Naumburg Orchestral Concerts 2013 Free!
    The oldest free outdoor concert series in the US, the Naumburg features symphonic and semi-classical music on select Mondays and Tuesdays in Central Park's Naumburg Bandshell.
  • 55th Annual Washington Square Music Festival Free!
    On select Tuesdays in July you can enjoy this free outdoor concert series.
  • Summergarden Free!
    Concerts presented in the MoMA Sculpture Garden on Sunday evenings in July. Sculpture Garden opens at 7 p.m. and 60-90 minute concerts begin at 8 p.m.
  • Mad Sq Kids Concert Series: Free!
    Free concerts for kids on Tuesday and Thursday mornings nights at 10:30 a.m. from June 11 - August 8, 2013.
  • Lincoln Center Out Of Doors Free!
    Over 35 different events including world music, internationally acclaimed dance, cutting-edge performances, special events, cool jazz, and fun for kids from July 24 - August 11, 2013.
  • Lincoln Center Festival
    Ballet, music, dance, and more are featured throughout the festival which runs from July 6-28, 2013. Some free events.
  • Mostly Mozart
    This Lincoln Center series dedicated to the works of Mozart runs from July 27-August 24, 2013.
  • 4Knots Music Festival Free!
    Now in its third year, the 4Knots Music Festival, sponsored by the Village Voice features indie-rock music at South Street Seaport on June 29, 2013.
  • Cityparks Concerts Free!
    In June, July & August, free concerts will be held at many of New York City's neighborhood parks throughout the five boroughs.
  • River Rocks Free!
    Check out these free concerts on Pier 84 in Hudson River Park (at 14th Street) on July 11, 25, and August 8, 2013.
  • Sunset on the Hudson Free!
    On Friday evenings from June 7 - August 23, 2013 hear great music from local NYC artists on Pier 45 in Hudson River Park.
  • After Work Music Free!
    Check out this series of free Wednesday evening concerts in Bryant Park featuring New York area jazz musicians and singer-songwriters.
  • Mad Sq Music: Oval Lawn Series Free!
    Free concerts on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. from June 19 - August 7, 2013.
  • Blue Note Jazz Festival This city-wide Jazz festival is being put together around the city from June 1-30, 2013.
  • Rythmn & Blues Festival at Metrotech Free!
    On Thursdays June 6 - August 8, 2013 from noon - 2 pm see great R&B performances in Brooklyn.
  • Charlie Parker Jazz Festival Free!
    From August 23-25, 2013 experience the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in two Manhattan parks where Parker lived and worked.
  • Live on Pier 26
    Catch popular acts at this new waterfront concert series on Pier 26 in Hudson River Park in Tribeca. Admission to these concerts requires tickets.
  • Harlem Meer Performance Festival Free!
    Jazz, blues, gospel and latin music every Sunday afternoon from 2-4 p.m. at the Harlem Meer in Central Park on Sundays June 16-September 1, 2013.
Awaiting update for 2013
  • Summer in the Square Free!
    On Thursdays, from mid-June to mid-August Union Square is host to a lunchtime concerts, afternoon yoga classes and evening performances.
  • Summer Garden Concerts Free!
    Flushing Town Hall hosts this eclectic concert series on select Sunday afternoons in July & August.
  • Music on the OvalFree!
    Free concerts at 3 p.m. on weekend afternoons from June 10-July 21, 2012 on the Stuyvesant Oval.
  • Nordic Summer Jam
    Enjoy concerts at the Scandinavia House on Thursdays at 7 p.m. June 14 through August 2, 2012 (No concert July 5). Admission $12.
  • River To River Festival Free!
    From June 19-July 16, 2011, the NYC River to River Festival features a variety of musical performances, as well as movies, readings and more.
  • Martin Luther Jr. Concert Series Free!
    On Monday evenings at Wingate Field check out these free concerts featuring top R&B, soul, reggae and gospel performers.
  • Seaside Concert Series Free!
    On Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in Asser Levy Park beginning July 14, 2011.
  • Clinton Concert Series Free!
    See free concerts in Clinton Cove Park at 55th Street and Pier 84 at 44th Street on select Monday evenings from June - September.
  • Jazzmobile Free!
    Throughout July and August, enjoy a wide array of free jazz concerts in Manhattan and Queens.
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