Your Guide to the Best Outdoor Concerts in NYC: Summer 2019
Summer is here and that means it’s the season for outdoor concerts in NYC! There are so many music festivals + outdoor concerts this summer so I’ve created a guide to keep us all organized!
Let’s check out the summer 2019 lineup!
SummerStage (June 1-September 24)
SummerStage is NYC’s top FREE summer concert series. Renowned artists and local musicals perform at stages in all 5 boroughs. The main stage in Central Park hosts most of the bigger artists, but you can enjoy incredible concerts all around the city. As I mentioned, most of these concerts are free but a few benefit concerts require a ticket.
*Doors open 1 hour prior to showtime in Central Park and Coney Island but start promptly in all other locations.*
Here are a few of the highlights from the SummerStage Series. There are over 100 concerts included this year!:
June 1: EMILY KING / DURAND JONES AND THE INDICATIONS / MADISON MCFERRIN / DJ REBORN- Opening Night at the Central Park Stage. Doors open at 6 pm
June 10: THE METROPOLITAN OPERA SUMMER RECITAL SERIES-Central Park 8 pm.
June 13: BIG FREEDIA / MIKEQ / BATEKOO / HOSTED BY GINA YASHERE- Central Park 7 pm.
June 23: ONLY IN QUEENS FESTIVAL: SHEILA E. / MUSIQ SOULCHILD- Flushing Meadows- Corona Park 5 pm.
July 7: TABOU COMBO / LAKOU MIZIK / DJ SABINE BLAIZIN- Springfield Park 5pm.
July 11: ATERCIOPELADOS / DIAMANTE ELECTRICO / DJ DAYANSITA- Queensbridge Park 7pm.
July 20: ANA TIJOUX / COMBO CHIMBITA / L’UNICORNS / DJ SHAME /
HOSTED BY JEN AND MAGIE- Corporal Thompon Park 4pm.
August 4: CORINNE BAILEY RAE / JOSE JAMES / DJ NATASHA DIGGS- Central Park 7pm.
August 18: THE WAILERS’ JULIAN JUNIOR MARVIN / DJ QUEEN MAJESTY- Marcus Garvey Park 6pm.
September 4– TASH SULTANA (Benefit Concert)- Central Park 6pm.
Check out the complete lineup here.
GMA Summer Concert Series (May 15- August 30)
Every summer, Good Morning America hosts a concert series in Central Park (using the sage from the SummerStage concerts). These concerts are free to attend but get a bit hectic. Last year I attend the Pitbull concert which was awesome. But be prepared to arrive 2+ hours early and wait. Also, these concerts are being filmed for Good Morning America, so you will have to sit through commercial breaks and the performers only sing about 5 songs.
Tickets are not required but you can RSVP through 1iota. They checked my ticket last year but it was a little confusing to know if these tickets were necessary. I’d suggest grabbing one just in case.
The concerts last from 7-9am but plan to arrive by 6am to get in line. Most people arrive even earlier for the bigger shows.
Here is the GMA Summer Concert Series Line Up:
May 24 – HOIZER
May 31 – CIARA
June 7 – ALESSIA CARA (Performance takes place at GMA Times Square Studio)
June 14 – ELLIE GOULDING
June 21 – BASTILLE
June 28 – ADAM LAMBERT
July 5 – SABRINA CARPENTER
July 12 – THE STRUTS
July 19 – BLINK 182
July 26 – LADY ANTEBELLUM
August 2 – PITBULL
August 9 – KEITH URBAN
August 16 – CHANCE THE RAPPER
August 23 – FRENCH MONTANA
August 30 – KANE BROWN & MARSHMELLO
2019 Citi Concert Series on TODAY (May 6- September 2)
The Today Show also hosts their own summer concert series in Rockafeller Plaza. These FREE shows are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. You can also sign up to get notified when Fan Passes become available. This is essentially a digital lottery system that would give you a guaranteed entry ticket. Otherwise, general admission lines form at 7 pm the night before. Yes, I said the NIGHT BEFORE.
Here is the Citi Concert Series lineup:
May 6– JENNIFER LOPEZ
May 31– THOMAS RHETT
June 7– JONAS BROTHERS
June 21– THE CHAINSMOKERS
June 27– DAN + SHAY
July 12– MAGGIE ROGERS
July 19– KACEY MUSGRAVES
July 26– ANDY GRAMMER
August 16– ALOE BLACC
August 23– LIZZO
September 2– WHY DON’T WE
The Governor’s Ball Music Festival (May 31-June 2)
Governor’s Ball in Randall’s Island Park is one of NYC’s most popular music festivals. The 2019 lineup features Lil Wayne, The Strokes, Florence + The Machine, SZA, Major Lazer. You can find the entire lineup and buy tickets here.
Single day passes start at $115. In addition to the concerts, there are a ton of fun food collaborations to check out at the festival. Some of the who’s who of the NYC food scene (including my favorites DO and Roberta’s) will be available at the festival.
Electric Zoo (August 30- September 1)
Electric Zoo is an electronic music festival held on Randall’s Island Park. Honestly, I don’t know that much about electronic music but hopefully, the lineup means something to you if you are into electronic music! 4B, Bijou, Above & Beyond, Afrojack, 1788-L, and Alison Wonderland are just a few of the artists who will be performing. Check out the full lineup and purchase tickets here.
New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Park (June 11- June 14)
Since 1965, the New York Philharmonic has offered free concerts in parks throughout the city. These concerts all start at 8 pm and fireworks follow all of the shows in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens.
June 11– Van Cortlandt Park
June 12– Central Park
June 13– Cunningham Park
June 14– Prospect Park
Forest Hills Stadium
Forest Hills Stadium is an iconic venue for outdoor concerts in NYC. Located in Queens, this stadium has hosted The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, and many other legendary performers. In 2013 the venue was revitalized and this year there is a great lineup of musicians.
Highlights of the 2019 season:
June 15– DEATH CAB FOR CUITE
June 22– THE LUMINEERS
June 23– THE HEAD AND THE HEART
Check out the website for a full lineup and to purchase tickets.
Summer on the Hudson (June 15- August 17)
Summer on the Hudson is an outdoor festival held annually in Riverside Park. This festival includes outdoor movies, wellness activities, and free concerts. Concerts are held on Saturday nights at the 96th Street Riverside Clay Tennis Courts. Each week a different style of music will be featured. Bring a picnic and enjoy the sunset and a great outdoor concert.
The Rooftop at Pier 17
The Rooftop at Pier 17 is a venue in South Street Seaport that hosts a variety of outdoor concerts. Although some of the concerts are already sold out (including Billie Eilish and The Lonely Island) there are still tickets available for some of the other rooftop shows.
Check out the highlights here:
June 13: NAV
July 28: Sheryl Crow
August 1: Ben Folds & Violent Femmes
Visit the website for a full lineup (including sold-out shows) and to purchase tickets.
Prospect Park Bandshell
The BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival is held annually in the Prospect Park Bandshell. This festival features some of the best outdoor concerts in NYC. Most of the shows are free but, just like the SummerStage series, there are a few benefit concerts that cost money.
Gates open an hour before the show starts. Get there early to secure a seat!
Check out a few highlights from the lineup:
June 4: PATTI LABELLE- 8pm
June 15: RICH MEDINA/ SHAREEF KEYES & THE GROOVE- 3pm
June 22: TORTISE: TNT / EMILY WELLS WITH METROPOLIS ENSEMBLE-7:30pm
July 5: MICK JENKINS / LEIKELI 47 / LEVEN KALI / JOY POSTELL- 7:30pm
July 18: I’M WITH HER/ DARLINGSIDE
August 2: NOSAJ THING DJ SET / KIMBRA/ BELLS ATLAS- 7:00pm
Visit the website for a full lineup.
Elsewhere Rooftop
Elsewhere is a rooftop bar and venue in Bushwick that hosts a variety of events, including movie nights and weekday DJ sessions. Concerts will be held here throughout the summer (although a few are already soldout).
Check out some highlights below:
June 13: BRAXTON COOK.
June 20: FUTURE GENERATIONS
July 2: ÌFÉ
August 2: MNDSGN
Visit the website for a full lineup and to purchase tickets.
Emerging Music Festival (August 23-24)
The Emerging Music Festival features eight of the best up-and-coming artists and bands. This free festival is held in Bryant Park, so pack a picnic and find a spot on the lawn. You can also enjoy some classic NYC treats from the many food carts that set up for the festival.
The 2019 lineup hasn’t been announced, but check the website for updates.
Carnegie Hall Citywide
Carnegie Hall Citywide is a partnership that brings free outdoor concerts to community spots around NYC. Five free concerts are scheduled for Bryant Park this summer. More dates could be announced, so check out the website for updates.
Concerts start at 6pm, but arrive early. There are 250 picnic blankets available for each show (or just bring your own). Beer, wine, and food are available to purchase during the concert.
Bryant Park Lineup:
July 12: LE VENT DU NORD
July 19: NIGHT OF INSPIRATION
July 26: CHA WA
August 2: HARLEM QUARTET
August 9: CARNEGIE HALL CITYWIDE NIGHT WITH MATUTO< EILEEN IVERS, AND NATHAN & THE ZYDECO CHACHAS
So, which outdoor concerts in NYC are you planning to attend?
If you are looking for more NYC inspiration, check out these posts:
Your Complete Summer 2019 Guide to Bryant Park
What to do on Governors Island
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