By Gus Saltonstall
The weather is warming, and details were recently announced for two popular summer programming series connected to the Upper West Side.
First, the Riverside Park Conservancy rolled out details last week for its 2026 Summer on the Hudson programming, which includes more than 400 free events along the west side of Manhattan. And on Tuesday, the City Parks Foundation announced details for the SummerStage series, an annual concert series featuring multiple free performances in Central Park.
Here is what to know about each one.
Summer on the Hudson
Riverside Park Conservancy’s Summer on the Hudson will run from May 3 to September 30, along the Hudson River, from West 59th to 181st streets.
The events will include live music, dance, exercise classes, education workshops, activities for children, and more.
“Our free public programming continues to provide a wide array of high-quality cultural experiences to all New Yorkers at no cost. In recent seasons, we launched more programming uptown, began offering our popular indoor fitness classes in the 102nd Street Field House, and expanded our nature-focused educational offerings,” said Whitney Dearden, director of public programming for Riverside Park Conservancy, in a news release.
Upper West Side and Morningside Heights locations for Summer on the Hudson programming include Pier i near West 70th Street, the 89th Street Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, the 102nd Street Field House, and the 119th Street tennis courts.
There is also a new partnership with the Uptown Film Center, the organization that took over the formerly named Metro Theater, which will present a special outdoor movie screening at the park’s red clay tennis courts near West 96th Street on September 18.
You can check out a full calendar of events — HERE.
SummerStage Series
SummerStage is back in 2026 celebrating its 40th anniversary as an event.
This year’s season will feature more than 60 shows in 13 parks across the five boroughs, including Central Park.
“SummerStage was created to reflect the extraordinary diversity of New York City and its people,” said Joe Killian, SummerStage founder and executive producer (1986-1993) who is also a member of the board of the City Parks Foundation. “This year, as we celebrate 40 years, the festival continues to showcase the sounds of the city, from the streets and clubs to the parks.”
The Central Park performances set for this summer include Yellowcard, New Found Glory, and the Plain White T’s on June 11; the Metropolitan Opera on multiple dates from June through August; Mavis Staples and Brother Wallace on July 16; Blues Traveler on August 15; the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Marquis Hill on August 20; and more.
You can check out the full performance schedule — HERE.
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