Free and Cheap Concert Listings for the New York City Metropolitan Area

Be sure to check the official sites for inclement weather updates. The following are free unless otherwise noted below or on their respective linked reference pages.

Items Coming Right Up

 

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Broadway in Bryant Park Performances 2018

Bryant Park is one of those parks situated in one of the most opportune of places. Nearby are such hotspots as Times Square, Grand Central Terminal, Fifth Avenue with all its many shops and of course the NY Public Library, located right beside the park itself, at which there’s actually a small art museum. So make the best of your day when visiting this grand midtown locale by planning your trip accordingly!
Enjoy songs from all your favorite current Broadway shows sung by the stars themselves
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm / Thursdays

Thursday, July 12
12:30 – 1:30 pm

Thursday, July 19
12:30 – 1:30 pm

Thursday, July 26
12:30 – 1:30 pm

Thursday, August 2
12:30 – 1:30 pm

Thursday, August 9
12:30 – 1:30 pm

Thursday, August 16
12:30 – 1:30 pm

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2018 Free Summer Concert Series Returns to the Upper West Side at the Lincoln Square
Plus Jazz at American Folk Art Museum

Lincoln Square Heats Up with Outdoor Music at Richard Tucker Park
Wednesdays, July 11 – August 29, at Broadway and 66th Street
Noon to 2:00 pm (with jazz at the Museum at 2:00 pm)

• Receta Secreta, Drew Anderson Trio
  Wednesday, July 11
• Yaz Band, SisterMonk
  Wednesday, July 18
• Calliope Brass, The L Train Brass Band
  Wednesday, July 25
• Bazaar, Inti and the Moon
  Wednesday, August 1
• The Meetles, The Ladybugs
  Wednesday, August 8
• Felipe Pavani Band, The Beautiful Distortion
  Wednesday, August 15
• Bluegrass Collusion, Sheriff & the Deputy
  Wednesday, August 22
• Opera Collective
  Wednesday, August 29

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2018 Summer in the Square at Union Square Park

Come join in the celebratory atmosphere of music at Union Square Park + www.unionsquarenyc.org

Taking place every Thursday from June 15 – August 9

On hand will be lunchtime performances from the New School of Jazz and in the late afternoon into the early evening you’ll get to enjoy the sight of dueling artists. Might be dancers, music performers, DJs or something else! Click on the headlining link above to get additional details!

 

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Annual Washington Square Music Festival 2018

WASHINGTON SQUARE MUSIC FESTIVAL PRESENTS

Free Concerts at 8:00 pm in June

Free and taking place on the Main Stage in the center of Washington Square Park. Seating is first come, first served.

Washington Square Music Festival

Seating is first come, first served.

• The Festival Chamber Ensemble
  Tuesday June 19 at 8:00 pm
  Classical Performance
• Frank Lacy Sextet & Vocalist
  Tuesday, June 26 at 8:00 pm
  Free form Jazz

Visit this site for more information as well as for confirmation of changes in scheduling.

 

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Music at Waterside Plaza 2018

Free outdoor entertainment

Waterside Plaza is located on the East River between 25th and 29th streets, east of the FDR Highway. A complete listing can be found at gowaterside.com/events/upcoming-events/

Music Offerings:

Ajna Dance Company
Wednesday, July 11

Kimya Dawson
Wednesday, July 18

George Gee Swing Orchestra
Wednesday, July 25

 

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2018 Fox & Friends After the Show All American Summer Music Series

Taking place every Friday at 48th street & 6th avenue right on the Plaza of the Fox building.

Join them every Friday from 6:00 – 9:00 am ET for free music and free Famous Dave’s BBQ.

Lee Greenwood
Friday, May 25
Live from the Intrepid

Thompson Square
Friday, June 1
Live from the FOX News Plaza

MERCYME
Friday, June 8

3 Doors Down
Friday, June 15

LYNYRD SKYNYRD
Friday, June 22

TOBYMAC
Friday, June 29

Phil Vassar
Friday, July 6

Phillip Phillips
Friday, July 13

Dee Snider
Friday, July 20

Felix Cavaliere & Gene Cornish’s Rascals
Friday, July 27

For King & Country
Friday, August 3

Cody Johnson
Friday, August 10

Scotty Mccreery
Friday, August 17

Lee Brice
Friday, August 24

Scott Stapp
Friday, August 31

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Central Astoria Waterfront Concert Series 2018

Taking place in Astoria Park, Queens
Visit the official page for more information
Astoria Park Lawn on Shore Blvd. between Hell Gate Bridge and the Pool

Thursday Evenings at 7:30 pm

Waterfront Concert Series

• Dancin’ Machine – Disco
  Thursday, July 12 at 7:30 pm
• The Devotions – Doo Wop
  Thursday, July 19 at 7:30 pm
• Motor City Revue – Motown
  Thursday, July 26 at 7:30 pm
• Bargain ‘The Who’ Tribute!
  Thursday, August 2 at 7:30 pm
• FLEUR SEULE – Jazz & Swing
  Thursday, August 9 at 7:30 pm
• Concert – Details yet to come
  Thursday, August 16 at 7:30 pm

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Madison Square Park Music Concerts 2018

Madison Square Kids Concerts Series

2018 Summer Nights Series at Madison Square Park

 

Updates to the following still to come possibly

2017 Above Ground Series Performers
Taking place on Wednesdays

 

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Free Summer Orchestral Concerts at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park

RAIN or SHINE

New Season of Free Concerts in Central Park. All concerts will be performed at the Naumburg Bandshell which is located mid-park just south of the 72nd Street cross-drive.
No tickets issued. 700 seats provided on a first come first serve basis. Benches around Concert Ground also available.
No rain dates, No rain location.
The concerts are on the following evenings:

Ensemble LPR
Tuesday, June 12 @ 7:30 – 9:30 pm

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Tuesday, June 26 @ 7:30 – 9:30 pm

A Far Cry
July 10 @ 7:30 – 9:30 pm

The Knights
Tuesday, July 17 @ 7:30 – 9:30 pm

Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Tuesday, July 31 @ 7:30 – 9:30 pm

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Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden Concerts

SUMMER GARDEN CONCERTS

421 East 61st Street
New York, NY 10065
212 838-6878
Listen to live music while relaxing in the garden. Museum tour and
complimentary beverages included. Join as a Museum Member and admission
is free for all concerts. $15 Adults, Members free, $5 Children under 12, Babies under 1 free

Taking place June 5, 19, 26, 2018

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SummerStage 2018

Featuring over 100 Free Performances taking place at many parks throughout the five boroughs.

The items taking place within Central Park would be at Rumsey Playfield, located near the 5th Avenue and 72nd Street entrance to the park.

Not all SummerStage events take place within Central Park but rather throughout the 5 boroughs.
Note: Many of the listed items may or may not be a fundraiser and may or may not incur a cost or tickets.

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Celebrate Brooklyn! 2018

The Summer Roster of Concerts and other Music Performances taking place at the Prospect Park Bandshell has been updated and chock full of performances for all to enjoy!

So why not head over to that special page to learn more?!?!? 🙂

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Harlem Meer Performance Festival 2018

Located at 110th Street near Fifth Avenue within Central Park between Fifth and Lenox Avenues
On more than one occasion yours truly has had the wonderful opportunity to witness what goes on at this locale one year and allow me to tell you! It was quite the occasion! Although the music on each particular night was neither the sort that I’d venture out of my way to purchase nor witness, these performances were wholeheartedly the type that makes one wonder, Gee! What took me so long to experience them in the first place? We’re not guaranteeing that they’ll be your cup of tea but they’re definitely worth investigating at least once.
In the case of inclement weather, concerts will be canceled (no rain dates). For more details, day-of weather-related changes or cancellations and accessibility information, please call 212-860-1370.
Sundays through the Summer
June 17 through September 2
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

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Annual Summer Organ Series at Riverside Church

The RiversideChurch, Nave
490 Riverside Drive
(Betw. 120th – 122nd Streets)
MorningsideHeights

Tuesdays from July 10 – August 7, 2018

General Admission: $20
Student Admission: $15

 

• Summer Organ Series: Ahreum Han
  July 10 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• Summer Organ Series: David Hurd
  July 17 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• Summer Organ Series: Peter Edwin Krasinski & The Ten Commandments (1923)
  July 24 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• Summer Organ Series: Christopher Johnson
  July 31 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• Summer Organ Series: Christopher Creaghan
  August 7 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

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NBC’s Annual Today Show Concert Series at Rockefeller Plaza 2018
– 48th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues

Taking place in the outdoors at the PLAZA. Be sure to be there extra early due to the crowds that will form. Have Fun!

Various Mornings this Spring and Summer
Approx.: 7:00 am Of course it’ll always be best to show up much much earlier. Keep in mind that the official site makes mention of folks lining up as early as the prior evening(s).

• Tuesday, May 15 – Meghan Trainor
• Friday, May 25 – Darius Rucker
• Monday, May 28 – Troye Silvan
• Friday, June 1 – Shawn Mendes
• Friday, June 8 – Kelly Clarkson
• Tuesday, June 12 – Dierks Bentley
• Friday, June 15 – Christina Aguilera
• Friday, June 22 – 5 Seconds of Summer
• Monday, June 25 – Dan + Shay
• Friday, June 29 – Panic at the Disco
• Friday, July 6 – Lady Antebellum
• Friday, July 13 – Maroon 5
• Friday, July 20 – Charlie Puth
• Friday, July 27 – Julia Michaels
• Thursday, August 2 – Keith Urban
• Friday, August 10 – Jason Mraz
• Friday, August 17 – Cole Swindell

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ABC Good Morning America Concert Series at Rumsey Playfield
within Central Park 2018

Looks like ABC has been really busy in trying to bring us the very best in music for this year’s concert series! What with a great startup and so many other great names, one can’t help but get excited over what’s to come! Look below for current Friday Concert listings (Which ARE subject to change)
Approx.: 7:00 am – 9:00 am

Information as to whether one or two or all of these concerts require tickets…What’s definite is the fact that they’re free and open to all.

Visit also the GMA site.

• Tuesday, May 15
  Liam Payne and J Balvin
• Friday, May 25
  Sting and Shaggy
• Friday, June 1
  Halsey
• Friday, June 8
  Ne-Yo
• Friday, June 15
  Pitbull
• Friday, June 22
  Bebe Rexha
• Friday, June 29
  Florence + the Machine
• Friday, July 6
  G-Eazy
• Friday, July 13
  Backstreet Boys
• Friday, July 20
  Camila Cabello
• Friday, July 27
  Fall Out Boy
• Friday, August 3
  Kelsea Ballerini
• Friday, August 10
  The Chainsmokers
• Friday, August 24
  Luis Fonsi
• Friday, August 31
  Alesso

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Free Performances at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center

61 West 62 Street
Official Page(s)
Free Performances Every Week

Immerse yourself in New York’s vibrant performing arts scene by attending one of the weekly free performances offered in Lincoln Center’s David Rubenstein Atrium.
Admission is free. Seating is limited on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival

Featuring numerous Ticketed Performances

Please check the corresponding page linked above to learn about upcoming performances.

July 17 – August 11

 

Philharmonic and Met in the Park Performances – Various Locations – These are FREE events.

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New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks

Here are dates provided by the NY Philharmonic Site continue checking here or their site for updates

All concerts will begin at 8:00 pm unless otherwise noted.
For weather updates, call the Parks Hotline: (212) 875-5709.
Fireworks to follow every one of these concerts EXCEPT for the last one taking place indoors at Staten Island

• Tuesday, June 12 at 8:00 pm
  At Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx
• Wednesday, June 13 at 8:00 pm
  At Central Park in Manhattan
• Thursday, June 14 at 8:00 pm
  At Cunningham Park in Queens
• Friday, June 15 at 8:00 pm
  At Prospect Park in Brooklyn
• Sunday, June 17 at 3:00 pm
  Indoor Concert in Staten Island’s Music Hall, Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden

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MET IN THE PARKS – Summer Recital Series

(Latest Season of Free Metropolitan Opera Performances)

Here are dates provided by the Metropolitan Opera Site
Visit their site for details regarding all events and to learn more about the Metropolitan Opera
Please call 212-362-6000 for current information concerning raindates.
All performances are free of charge.

• Monday, June 11, 8:00 pm
  Central Park SummerStage, Rumsey Playfield
• Wednesday, June 13, 7:00 pm
  Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1, Brooklyn
• Thursday, June 21, 7:00 pm
  Clove Lakes, Staten Island
• Saturday, June 23, 3:00 pm
  Williamsbridge Oval, The Bronx
• Wednesday, June 27, 7:00 pm
  Jackie Robinson Park, Manhattan
• Friday, June 29, 7:00 pm
  Socrates Sculpture Park, Queens

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Barge Music Free One Hour Saturday Afternoons

Bargemusic Presents: “Music in Motion”
Located at the Fulton Ferry Landing near the Brooklyn Bridge.
Official Site

Bargemusic is at Fulton Ferry Landing near the Brooklyn Bridge
Saturdays at 4:00 pm. Admission FREE
Neighborhood Family Concerts — a one hour performance, including a Q & A session with the musicians (no intermission):

April 7, 14, 21, & 28

May 5, 12, 19, & 26

June 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30

July 7, 14, 21 & 28

Doors open 15 minutes prior to concert. The program is announced at the performance. NO reserved seating.

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¡Arriba! Community Dance Parties at the High Line 2018

High Line at West 16th Street
Official Page(s)

This High Line Program is free and open to visitors of all ages. Feel the rhythm of some of New York City’s hottest Latin bands as the High Line is transformed into an epic dance floor for their annual series.

• ¡ARRIBA!: Latin Dance Party with Orlando Marin 
  

  Wednesday, June 6, 2018
  6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

• ¡ARRIBA!: Latin Dance Party with Sonido Costeño
  Thursday, July 5 2018
  6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• ¡ARRIBA!: Latin Dance Party with Cocomama
  Wednesday, August 1 2018
  6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

The following have yet to be updated for this year of 2017

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Flushing Town Hall Summer Concert Series

Featuring a mixture of Jazz and World Music
Visit their site through the below accompanying links for details on purchasing of any necessary Tickets

RDRC Summertime: Ricardo “Panman” Steel Panband
Jun 24, 2017
FREE (No RSVP required)

Monthly Jazz Jam
Jul 5, 2017
$10 / Free for Members

Full Moon Drumming Workshop: African Drumming with Vado Diomande
Jul 9, 2017
Tickets: $25/$20 Members

Benefit Concert feat. New Asia Chamber Music Society and Friends
Jul 28, 2017
Paid Tickets Required

Monthly Jazz Jam
Aug 2, 2017
$10/FREE for Members, Students & Jamming Musicians

Full Moon Drumming Workshop: Irish Drumming with Niall O’Leary
Aug 6, 2017
$25/$20 Members (per workshop)

RDRC Summertime:Papo Vazquez Pirates Troubadours
Aug 26, 2017
FREE (No RSVP required)

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Harlem Sweet Spot Festival 2017

Celebrate Summer in Harlem with the Sweet Spot Festival

Sweet Spot Music + Art Festival

Pop + Shop

June 24, 2017
10:00 am – 4:00 pm

 

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Grand Central Partnership’s Lunchtime Summer Concert Series

Midtown Concerts
Chapel of St. Bart’s Church,
325 Park Avenue at East 51st Street

Thursday, April 27 – Hesperus – Devices and Divisions

Thursday, May 4 – Abendmusik – The Consorts of William White and his Contemporaries

Thursday, May 11 – Diderot String Quartet – Purely Mozart

Thursday, May 18 – Alkemie – Love to my Liking: Refrains of Desire in Gothic France

Thursday, May 25 – The Lyra Consort – Rare Jewels of the French Baroque Pt. 2

Thursday, June 1 – Marginalia – Le Chansonnier du Roi

Thursday, June 8 – Bud Roach – The Muse’s Delight

Thursday, June 15 – Morrongiello & Weinman Lute Duo – Lute Duets From the Elizabethan Golden Age

Thursday, June 22 – Sonnambula – Musique à Trois: Works for Viols Alone

Thursday, June 29 – Ryland Angel – Portraits of Mary

Cool Music for Warm Summer Days
345 Park Avenue at East 51st Street

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm

Tuesday, May 9 – Clarity Festival Brass Band

Thursday, May 18 – Straight Up Band

Tuesday, May 23 – Best Kept Secret

Thursday, May 25 – One Stop Pony Band

Thursday, June 1 – Quarteto Moderno

Tuesday, June 6 – Hit The Roof Featuring Matt Daniel

Thursday, June 8 – Soul Revival

Tuesday, June 13 – Charlie Lagond & Kaleidoscope

Thursday, June 15 – Linda Ipanema & Stan Edwards: 30’s – 80’s

Tuesday, June 20 – Los Hacheros

Thursday, June 22 – Out Of The Box Big Band

Tuesday, June 27 – Acute Inflections

Thursday, June 29 – Beyond Fab: Beatles & More

Thursday, July 6 – Joe Battaglia’s NY Big Band

Tuesday, July 11 – Luis Ramirez & Friends

Thursday, July 13 – TJ Tomlin Dixieland Allstars

Tuesday, July 18 – Eddie & The Starlites

Thursday, July 20 – Bustamante

Tuesday, July 25 – Felix & The Cats

Thursday, July 27 – Square Feet Classic Rock

Thursday, August 3 – Blue Cha Cha

Thursday, August 10 – The Pazant Brothers Orchestra

Thursday, August 17 – Memories

Tuesday, August 22  – Annie D. With Transfusion

Thursday, August 31 – Swing Street Orchestra

JAZZ ON THE PLAZA

AT 601 LEXINGTON AVENUE
Lexington Ave at East 53rd Street
Thursdays, 12:30 pm – 1:45 pm

No Details as yet regarding this for 2017

COOL MUSIC FOR WARM SUMMER DAYS

345 Park Avenue at East 51st Street
Except where noted, Tuesdays, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Presented by Rudin Management Company.

No Details as yet regarding this for 2017

THE PLAZA AT

101 PARK AVENUE
Park Avenue at East 40th Street
Wednesdays, 12:30 pm – 1:45 pm

No Details as yet regarding this for 2017

THE PLAZA AT

600 THIRD AVENUE
East 40th Street at Third Avenue
Fridays, 12:30 pm to 1:45 pm

No Details as yet regarding this for 2017

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Seaside and Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series in Brooklyn

Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series

EVERY MONDAY NIGHT AT WINGATE FIELD AT 7:30 pm (FREE!)
Brooklyn Avenue between Rutland Road and Winthrop Street, across the street from Kings County Hospital.
Performers are subject to change without notice. Check the official website or call the concert hotline for updates at 718-222-0600, or listen to WBLS-FM 107.5.

Won’t be going on this Summer of 2017

A long standing Brooklyn tradition, music under the stars. (718-469-1912)
Official Page here…

Seaside Concert Series in Brooklyn

at Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk

Won’t be going on this Summer of 2017

Official Page here…

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Metropolitan Opera’s Summer HD Festival 2016

Free LIVE in High Definition Screenings at Lincoln Center Plaza.
Learn More here.

• Amadeus Film Screening
  Friday, August 26, 7:45 pm
• Le Nozze di Figaro
  Saturday, August 27, 7:30 pm
• Il Trovatore
  Sunday, August 28, 8:00 pm
• Otello
  Monday, August 29, 8:00 pm
• La Fille du Régiment
  Tuesday, August 30, 8:00 pm
• Lucia di Lammermoor
  Wednesday, August 31, 8:00 pm
• La Cenerentola
  Thursday, September 1, 7:45 pm
• Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci
  Friday, September 2, 8:00 pm
• The Merry Widow
  Saturday, September 3, 8:00 pm
• Turandot
  Sunday, September 4, 8:00 pm
• Les Pêcheurs de Perles
  Monday, September 5, 8:00 pm

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Tudor City – Concerts for City Greens

South Park – 41st Street
(rain dates will be held the following evening)
Visit as well the Official Site

• Wednesday, June 24
  6:30 – 8:00 pm
• Wednesday, July 29
  6:30 – 8:00 pm
• Wednesday, September 2
  6:30 – 8:00 pm

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New Music in Bryant Park 2015

New Music in Bryant Park
Award-winning classical and jazz ensembles perform back to back each week, showcasing works commissioned by Chamber Music America. Details regarding what groups will actually be performing which nights will come at a later date.

• Monday, May 18 : 5:30 – 8:00 pm
  One classical and one jazz ensemble

• Monday, May 25 : 5:30 – 8:00 pm
  One classical and one jazz ensemble

• Monday, June 1 : 5:30 – 8:00 pm
  One classical and one jazz ensemble

• Monday, June 8 : 5:30 – 8:00 pm
  One classical and one jazz ensemble

• Monday, June 15 : 4:30 – 10:00 pm
  New Music Festival with six excellent groups.

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International Accordion Festival 2015

Taking place at Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan
Bryant Park can be found between 5th and 6th Avenues and between 40th and 42nd Streets behind the NY Public Library.

Taking place from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm throughout Bryant Park

No Details as yet regarding this year’s (2017) series

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Seaport Music Festival

July 11 – August 29, 2014

7:00 – 9:00 pm
FREE
Stage at Water and Fulton Streets within the Seaport Area

No details as yet for 2017 as of the time of this update

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Music & Other Entertainment at Riverside Park, NYC

There’s plenty going on at this wonderful stretch of parkland along Manhattan’s upper west side. This park which stretches from 68th street all the way up to 155th street will play host to quite a bit of goings on the entire year through.

Hudson River Park Music and Dance, 2013

There’s a heck of a whole lot goin’ on at Hudson River Park this coming season! From MoonDance to RiverRocks as well as other featured concerts….’we’ll all be in a dancing frenzy as we move to the beat of so many musical performances.