Our Guide To The Summer’s Best Outdoor Concerts


 One of our favorite aspects of living in the city is the endless amount of free cultural programming provided for NYC families, and summer is the season to take advantage of these  amazing programs and performances. We’ve rounded up a list of our favorite outdoor concert series, most of which are absolutely free! From the New York Philharmonic to the rockin’ sounds of the Deedle Deedle Dees, we’re sure that every family will find the perfect summer jam session.

Free New York
Philharmonic and Shanghai Symphony Concert

Tuesday July 13, 2010 from
8p.m. to 11p.m.

Central Park (The Great
Lawn)

Perfect for classical
music lovers! This concert will mark the Philharmonic’s 46th season
of concerts in the park.


Free Encore New York
Philharmonic Concert

Wednesday July 14, 2010
from 8p.m. to 11p.m.

Central Park (The Great
Lawn)

Free Met Opera Summer
Recital

Monday July 12, 2010; 8
p.m. – 11 p.m.; Central Park.

Central Park’s
SummerStage Concert Series

A large range of
musicians, artists and poets perform throughout the summer at Rumsey Playfield
(70th St. at Mid Park) in Central Park. The concerts are free and
open to the public.

Harlem Meer Festival

An international and
cultural experience for the whole family held at the Dana Discovery Center at
the Harlem Meer every Sunday.

Madison Square Parks’
Mad. Square Kids

Free concerts every
Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m., featuring beloved kids musicians like Erin Lee and Marci, Bubble do Beatles and The Deedle Deedle Dees.

Summer in the Square
Festival

Free music, yoga and
theatrical performances for the family, every Thursday from now until August at
Union Square Park. Starts at 7 a.m. Concert is at 6p.m.

Hudson River Park Sumer
Performance Series

Free kids concerts every
Thursday at 10:30 a.m., starting in July. There are concerts, storytelling and
theater performances for kids up to age 7.

Carroll Park Concert
Series

Four free concerts for the
whole family! Concerts begin at 4p.m. and arts and crafts are from 3:30p.m. to
5:30p.m.

Good Morning America
Concert Series

On Fridays from May to August,
Good Morning America hosts free live performances at Rumsey Playfield in
Central Park from 7a.m. to 9a.m.


Toyota Concert Series
on Today

On Fridays from May to
September, the Today Show hosts free live performances at Rockefeller Center
stage from 7 a.m. to 10a.m.

Photo: The Deedle Deedle Dees at a 2009 Performance in Madison Square Park. Courtesy of the Madison Square Park Conservancy. 

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