Ahead of its 40th anniversary, Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage revealed its 2026 lineup on Tuesday (April 28). On June 10, Grammy winner Ledisi, in association with Blue Note Jazz Festival, will open the season with a set that salutes jazz icon Dinah Washington—fitting enough, given that the inaugural SummerStage concert was delivered by Sun Ra, another jazz legend, albeit one of a very different bent. (The Sun Ra Arkestra began the annual NYC concert tradition June 1986 in Central Park.)
The 2026 SummerStage lineup, which offers free concerts across all five boroughs, includes a number of legendary artists, familiar hitmakers and buzzing newcomers from a variety of genres: Laurie Anderson (who is somehow making her SummerStage debut despite being an integral part of the NYC art scene for longer than SummerStage has existed), Angélique Kidjo, Mavis Staples, De La Soul, Spoon, Andrew Bird, Bilal, MIKE’s Young World with Max B, Julieta Venegas, Edem, Black Country, New Road, Horsegirl, SHABAKA, Kokoroko, Trueno, Luedji Luna ft. Liniker, Shaggy, WayV, Charlie Aponte and more.
You can check out the full lineup (so far) here, but here are a few shows worth special mention. Longtime SummerStage mainstay Funk Flex taps Jon B. for the Birthday R&B Picnic on Central Park on Aug. 7, then hosts a night of house/freestyle and hip-hop with Crystal Waters, Cynthia and Frankie Cutlass on Staten Island on Aug. 8. He’s also presenting a Hip-Hop Appreciation Park Jam in the Bronx July 31 with Doug E. Fresh. One day earlier on July 30, a celebration of the wildly influential breakbeat compilation series Ultimate Breaks and Beats hits Central Park to celebrate its 40th anniversary, led by the series’ co-founder Breakbeat Lou and featuring Lord Finesse, Diamond D, Grand Puba and Sadat X.
As per usual, the 2026 SummerStage season includes ticketed benefit shows to help fund the free performances, including: The Martinez Brothers (June 13); Elderbrook (June 20); a showcase for British trance label Anjunadeep (July 18); Blues Traveler with Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors (Aug. 15); Simple Plan with 3OH!3 and Bowling for Soup (Aug. 19); The Marcus King Band (Sept. 12); Charley Crockett (Oct. 1); and more artists, with additional names yet to be announced.
“Forty years ago, I had a simple idea: that world-class music and performing arts belonged to everyone, not just those who could afford a ticket. Four decades later, I’m genuinely moved by what SummerStage has meant to our city and what we helped build together with our fans,” said Joe Killian, SummerStage founder and executive producer (1986-1993) and City Parks Foundation board member.
“It is such a thrill to be presenting our 40th season lineup, while also celebrating four decades of showcasing iconic artists and dynamic new voices from around the world,” said Erika Elliott, executive artistic director of SummerStage. “We are extremely proud of SummerStage’s place in NYC music history and of championing artists across all genres, whether its local NYC icons or major stars from across the globe. This summer’s performances in each borough will continue to provide platforms for artists to share their creativity with the diverse communities that make up our city and further build our legacy.”
“I am thrilled to announce our 2026 SummerStage lineup and mark our momentous 40th anniversary,” said Heather Lubov, executive director of City Parks Foundation. “This season’s exceptional mix of artists truly embodies why SummerStage has become such a beloved music destination for the past four decades, and reflects our city’s rich cultural diversity. We are excited to continue the tradition of bringing memorable live performances to NYC’s parks and celebrating our communities.”
Courtesy DCKNews
