
Monday, June 15th
Harlem Run: Monday Night Run Marcus Garvey Park. 6:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Free! Harlem Run brings free weekly and inclusive pacer-led runs and walks throughout Harlem.
40 in Focus: Summer Stage through the Lens of Photographer Jack Vartoogian 830 Fifth Avenue. 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Free! From 1987 to 2019, celebrated NYC photographer Jack Vartoogian captured hundreds of SummerStage performances across Manhattan parks, from Central Park to Marcus Garvey Park and Tompkins Square Park. This selection of intimate, rarely seen imagery gives viewers a look back at past decades of outdoor live music in New York City, a peek behind the curtain with never-before-seen backstage photos and honors those artists who have passed on. From the earliest performances with Sun Ra Arkestra and Mavis and Pop Staples, to legendary artists in memoriam like Tito Puente and Hugh Masekela and backstage shots of Buddy Guy and Darlene Love, this exhibition celebrates not only a photographer’s commitment to documenting performance but also celebrates a 40-year legacy of SummerStage.
Yoga En Espanol New York Public Library-Morningside Heights Branch. 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Free! Connect, balance, and challenge yourself with Yoga in Spanish. This Vinyasa Yoga class includes mid-intensity flows that will move seamlessly from sun salutatioj toa final peak pose. Come focus on inversions and breath work to help improve your personal practice while bringing awareness and a new experience. Please bring a mat! This class will primarily be taught in Spanish.
NY Classiscal: “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” 103rd Street and Central Park West (in Central Park). 7:00 p.m.-8:45 p.m. Free! Join New York Classical Theatre in Central Park this summer for a free, immersive production of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Directed by Stephen Burdman and performed in NY Classical’s signature Panoramic Theatre style, audiences follow the action from scene to scene through the park as Shakespeare’s gripping political drama unfolds all around them. Bring a blanket, a picnic, even your pup, and experience free professional theatre under the open sky.
Virtual Closer-Look Tour: Self-Made American Folk Art Museum 2 Lincoln Square. 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Free with Registration! Join us for a guided virtual tour of the current exhibition, Self-Made: A Century of Inventing Artists.
Jonathan Harrington: New Feats of Magic from the 19th Century The new York Public Library for the Performing Arts. 6:00 p.m. Free with Registration! Walk back in time with Andrew Pinard as he performs as 19th-century performer Jonathan Harrington. Pinard transforms into Jonathan Harrington during the performance in both character and period costume to present mysteries and wonders from the 19th century with the help of audience members.
Met Opera 2026 Summer Recital Series Central Park – Rumsey Playfield. 8:00 p.m. Free The Met’s popular concert series in New York City parks returns. This concert features rising stars Emily Pogorelc (soprano), Joshua Blue (tenor), Edward Nelson (baritone) and Dimitri Dover (pianist).
Tuesday, June 16th
Riverside Field House: Bodyweight Blast 102nd Street Field House (Riverside Park). 8:00 a.m. -8:45 p.m. Free High energy bodyweight exercises combining cardio and strength for a full-body workout. Bring your own mat.
40 in Focus: Summer Stage through the Lens of Photographer Jack Vartoogian 830 Fifth Avenue. 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Free! From 1987 to 2019, celebrated NYC photographer Jack Vartoogian captured hundreds of SummerStage performances across Manhattan parks, from Central Park to Marcus Garvey Park and Tompkins Square Park. This selection of intimate, rarely seen imagery gives viewers a look back at past decades of outdoor live music in New York City, a peek behind the curtain with never-before-seen backstage photos and honors those artists who have passed on. From the earliest performances with Sun Ra Arkestra and Mavis and Pop Staples, to legendary artists in memoriam like Tito Puente and Hugh Masekela and backstage shots of Buddy Guy and Darlene Love, this exhibition celebrates not only a photographer’s commitment to documenting performance but also celebrates a 40-year legacy of SummerStage.
Kids In Motion: Gertrude Ederle Playground Between 59th and 60h and Amsterdam and West End. 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Free! The Kids in Motion program engages children in active, outdoors play. A NYC Parks staff member leads four to seven hours of free activities in NYC’s playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, and more!
Kids In Motion: Bloomingdale Playground Amsterdam Ave., W 104 St and W 105 St. 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Free! The Kids in Motion program engages children in active, outdoors play. A NYC Parks staff member leads four to seven hours of free activities in NYC’s playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, and more!
Electro Dance Cardio 150 West 100th Street. 6:00 p.m.-6:45 p.m. Free! Get ready to ignite your energy in this heart pumping dance cardio session! This class is designed to get the entire body moving at its full potential. Let loose and have fun as we move to electro-pop hits from all the decades
Tone Up Tuesday 50 West 97th Street. 6:00 p.m.-6:45 p.m. Free! Tone up Tuesday is a 45-minute total-body class that blends cardio and strength training to help you feel strong — all while fitting into real life. This class can be done entirely with bodyweight (no equipment needed). Light weights, bands, or other equipment are optional for those who want an extra challenge. Modifications are always offered, making this class great for all fitness levels. We recommend that you bring a towel, water bottle, and yoga mat.
Opening Reception: 40 in Focus: Summer Stage through the Lens of Jack Vartoogian Arsenal (in Central Park). 6:00 p.m.-8:00p.m. Free! From 1987 to 2019, celebrated NYC photographer Jack Vartoogian captured hundreds of SummerStage performances across Manhattan parks, from Central Park to Marcus Garvey Park and Tompkins Square Park. This selection of intimate, rarely seen imagery gives viewers a look back at past decades of outdoor live music in New York City, a peek behind the curtain with never-before-seen backstage photos and honors those artists who have passed on. From the earliest performances with Sun Ra Arkestra and Mavis and Pop Staples, to legendary artists in memoriam like Tito Puente and Hugh Masekela and backstage shots of Buddy Guy and Darlene Love, this exhibition celebrates not only a photographer’s commitment to documenting performance but also celebrates a 40-year legacy of SummerStage.
Summer on the Hudson: Pilates in the Park The Plaza at 66th Street in Riverside Park South. 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Free! Join instructor Melissa Ricci, CPT, PMA from Base Fitness® for a flowing, multi-level Pilates Mat class that will align your body, strengthen your core and give you renewed energy! Bring your own mat.
NY Classiscal: “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” 103rd Street and Central Park West (in Central Park). 7:00 p.m.-8:45 p.m. Free! Join New York Classical Theatre in Central Park this summer for a free, immersive production of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Directed by Stephen Burdman and performed in NY Classical’s signature Panoramic Theatre style, audiences follow the action from scene to scene through the park as Shakespeare’s gripping political drama unfolds all around them. Bring a blanket, a picnic, even your pup, and experience free professional theatre under the open sky.
Writers Workshop: Self-Made: A Century of Inventing Artists Museum of Folk Art 2 Lincoln Square. 7:30 p.m.-9:00p.m. Free with Registration! In this cross-genre workshop led by Senior Educator and writer Nicole Haroutunian, we will use a selection of artists, artwork, and approaches from the exhibition Self-Made: A Century of Inventing Artists as generative prompts for writing. This virtual program is appropriate for writers of all genres and levels.Free, RSVP required. To register: education@folkartmuseum.org. A Zoom link will be provided upon confirmation.
Wednesday, June 17th
40 in Focus: Summer Stage through the Lens of Photographer Jack Vartoogian 830 Fifth Avenue. 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Free! From 1987 to 2019, celebrated NYC photographer Jack Vartoogian captured hundreds of SummerStage performances across Manhattan parks, from Central Park to Marcus Garvey Park and Tompkins Square Park. This selection of intimate, rarely seen imagery gives viewers a look back at past decades of outdoor live music in New York City, a peek behind the curtain with never-before-seen backstage photos and honors those artists who have passed on. From the earliest performances with Sun Ra Arkestra and Mavis and Pop Staples, to legendary artists in memoriam like Tito Puente and Hugh Masekela and backstage shots of Buddy Guy and Darlene Love, this exhibition celebrates not only a photographer’s commitment to documenting performance but also celebrates a 40-year legacy of SummerStage.
Kids In Motion: Gertrude Ederle Playground Between 59th and 60h and Amsterdam and West End. 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Free! The Kids in Motion program engages children in active, outdoors play. A NYC Parks staff member leads four to seven hours of free activities in NYC’s playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, and more!
Dance Storytime with Dinita Clark New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. 11:00 a.m. Free! Learn about the fundamentals of house dance from choreographer, dancer, and educator Dinita Clark in this Dance Storytime event based on the “Clark Method” pedagogy, created by Kyle “JustSole” Clark and Dinita “Queen Di” Clark. House dance is a fusion form including but not limited to African, Latine, tap, and Hip-Hop social dances. Expect to feel joyous and energized while being educated at this interactive Storytime.
Dance Storytime with Dinita Clark New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. 1:00 p.m. Free! Learn about the fundamentals of house dance from choreographer, dancer, and educator Dinita Clark in this Dance Storytime event based on the “Clark Method” pedagogy, created by Kyle “JustSole” Clark and Dinita “Queen Di” Clark. House dance is a fusion form including but not limited to African, Latine, tap, and Hip-Hop social dances. Expect to feel joyous and energized while being educated at this interactive Storytime.
Closer-Look Tour American Folk Art Museum 2 Lincoln Square. 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Free! Join us for a public tour of the current exhibition, Self-Made: A Century of Inventing Artists.
Kids In Motion: Bloomingdale Playground Amsterdam Ave., W 104 St and W 105 St. 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Free! The Kids in Motion program engages children in active, outdoors play. A NYC Parks staff member leads four to seven hours of free activities in NYC’s playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, and more!
Omare Wiles Les Ballet Afrik Hearst Plaza. 5:00 p,m, Free! The legendary Omari Wiles and his trailblazing company Les Ballet Afrik set their electrifying show New York Is Burning for the outdoors: a celebration of queerness and resilience, and a tribute to the legendary documentary Paris Is Burning. Rooted in the ballroom tradition, a mini ball will round out the event, accompanied by a live DJ!
Dance Church 10 Lincoln Center Plaza. 6:00 p.m. Free! Experience the joy and release of dance in this all-levels movement class made for every body, presented in collaboration with NewYork-Presbyterian. Taught by professional dance artists, the class moves through a series of guided movement cues set to a curated playlist of multi-genre pop music. No previous training is required, but open-mindedness is a prerequisite. Named “the best dance workout” by WIRED Magazine and “a state of therapeutic release” by Vanity Fair, be sure to join us on The Dance Floor for this one-of-a-kind communal experience!
Summer on the Hudson: Yoga Evening Salute to the Sun The Plaza at 66th Street in Riverside Park South. 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Free! End your day with yoga in a beautiful sunset setting led by instructor Meg SantaMaria of Roadside Yogi. Suitable for all fitness levels. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring your own mat.
NY Classiscal: “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” 103rd Street and Central Park West (in Central Park). 7:00 p.m.-8:45 p.m. Free! Join New York Classical Theatre in Central Park this summer for a free, immersive production of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Directed by Stephen Burdman and performed in NY Classical’s signature Panoramic Theatre style, audiences follow the action from scene to scene through the park as Shakespeare’s gripping political drama unfolds all around them. Bring a blanket, a picnic, even your pup, and experience free professional theatre under the open sky.
NY Laughs 1887 Broadway. 7:30 p.m. Free! NYLaughs, a comedy arts nonprofit that excels at sneaking world-class stand-up into public spaces, returns to Lincoln Center on June 17 with a comedy lineup so stacked it feels dangerously funny. Headlining the night is James Austin Johnson from Saturday Night Live—beloved for his uncanny impressions and his scene-stealing work across film and television. Joining him is Comedy Cellar favorite and former The Tonight Show writer Jourdain Fisher, and comedy/music chaos queen Charlene Kaye, hailed by Rolling Stone as a “breakout comedy star” and critically acclaimed for her TED Talk, How to Become a K-Pop Superstar in 7 Minutes. Rounding out the lineup is Olivia Carter, whose star is currently blasting into another galaxy as one of the final six comedians competing on Funny AF with Kevin Hart on Netflix. Hosting the evening is Fumi Abe, named one of Vulture’s “Comedians You Should and Will Know.”
40 Years of SummerStage and Rythm Revue 10 Lincoln Center Plaza. 8:00 p.m. Free! 1986 was an important year for NYC music. It marked both the first City Parks Foundation SummerStage performance in Central Park with the mighty Sun Ra Arkestra and the inaugural broadcast of DJ Felix “Maestro of the Groove” Hernandez’s Rhythm Revue radio program on WBGO. Four decades later and both institutions are still going strong! Join us for a milestone moment as Lincoln Center hosts Hernandez for an outdoor Silent Disco of R&B and soul that commemorates classic concerts from SummerStages past and 40 years of the people’s sound of the city. Everyone is welcome to join the dance with tunes under the stars; no matter how you move, it’s a night you’ll never forget.
NY Laughs 1887 Broadway. 8:00 p.m. Free! NYLaughs, a comedy arts nonprofit that excels at sneaking world-class stand-up into public spaces, returns to Lincoln Center on June 17 with a comedy lineup so stacked it feels dangerously funny. Headlining the night is James Austin Johnson from Saturday Night Live—beloved for his uncanny impressions and his scene-stealing work across film and television. Joining him is Comedy Cellar favorite and former The Tonight Show writer Jourdain Fisher, and comedy/music chaos queen Charlene Kaye, hailed by Rolling Stone as a “breakout comedy star” and critically acclaimed for her TED Talk, How to Become a K-Pop Superstar in 7 Minutes. Rounding out the lineup is Olivia Carter, whose star is currently blasting into another galaxy as one of the final six comedians competing on Funny AF with Kevin Hart on Netflix. Hosting the evening is Fumi Abe, named one of Vulture’s “Comedians You Should and Will Know.”
Thursday, June 18th
Tucker Greenmarket West 66th Street and Broadway. 8:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m. Free! Local farmers sell a wide range of items including: seasonal vegetables, berries, stone fruit, over 80 varieties of apples, farmstead cheeses, fresh seafood, grass fed beef, duck, eggs, baked goods and New York’s only sorghum and maple syrup. West 66th Street and Broadway.
40 In Focus: Summerstage though the lens of Jack Vartoogian Arsenal (in Central Park). 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Free! From 1987 to 2019, celebrated NYC photographer Jack Vartoogian captured hundreds of SummerStage performances across Manhattan parks, from Central Park to Marcus Garvey Park and Tompkins Square Park.
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Kids In Motion: Gertrude Ederle Playground Between 59th and 60h and Amsterdam and West End. 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Free! The Kids in Motion program engages children in active, outdoors play. A NYC Parks staff member leads four to seven hours of free activities in NYC’s playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, and more!
Summer on the Hudson: Locomotive Lawn Live Locomotive Laen (Riverside Park South). 10:30 a.m. -11:15 a.m. Free Moosiki Kids Musical Storytime fosters a love of reading at a young age with stories and sing alongs
Verbal Description and Touch Tour: Self-Made American Folk Art Museum 2 Lincoln Square. 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Free Individuals who are blind or have low vision are invited to explore the current exhibition, Self-Made: A Century of Inventing Artists, through verbal description and touch.
Alignment Yoga 2900 Broadway. 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Free! This yoga session is designed to help you better understand how the body works by focusing on improving balance, strength, and flexibility. Class starts seated in a chair to better isolate each muscle group, followed by bringing your practice onto the mat (or staying seated, if you wish!). Join this class and rediscover fun facts about each body part that makes up the whole of who you are. Experience isn’t necessary, and all levels are welcome- join in with an open heart and open mind.
Kids In Motion: Bloomingdale Playground Amsterdam Ave., W 104 St and W 105 St. 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Free! The Kids in Motion program engages children in active, outdoors play. A NYC Parks staff member leads four to seven hours of free activities in NYC’s playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, and more!
Summer on the Hudson: Kinetic Creativity Workshop Locomotive Laen (Riverside Park South). 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Free! A unique class for kids up to age 10, taught by Riverside’s resident outdoor dance company, Kinesis Project Dance Theatre
Omare Wiles Les Ballet Afrik Hearst Plaza. 5:00 p,m, Free! The legendary Omari Wiles and his trailblazing company Les Ballet Afrik set their electrifying show New York Is Burning for the outdoors: a celebration of queerness and resilience, and a tribute to the legendary documentary Paris Is Burning. Rooted in the ballroom tradition, a mini ball will round out the event, accompanied by a live DJ!
La Tribu de Abrante 10 Lincoln Center Plaza. 6:30 p.m. Free! Puerto Rico’s La Tribu de Abrante are ambassadors of contemporary Afro-Latin music, blending sounds from across the diaspora into a powerful and stylistically distinctive live experience. This 12-piece orchestra fuses traditional bomba y plena with salsa, Latin jazz, funk, reggaetón, and pop for an energetic, dance-ready performance. Led by singer, songwriter, and chief arranger Hiram Abrante, the group features family members, longtime musical collaborators, graduates from Berklee College of Music and the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico. At the beginning of the evening, audiences can warm up with a DJ set and an all-levels dance lesson before joining La Tribu de Abrante for a vibrant night of sounds from Puerto Rico.
10th Jazztopad Festival: SUTARInova with special guest Shahzad Ismaily 1887 Broadway. 7:30 p.m. Free! Over the past twenty years, the Jazztopad Festival, distinguished by its embrace of traditional sounds from distant parts of the world not necessarily associated with jazz, has commissioned new work from renowned artists from the US and Europe. Henning Bolte of Jazzhalo wrote: “Jazztopad Festival making it possible to experience internationally highly profiled musicians in a variety of situations (concert hall, club, private homes, combinations of it, also informal ones). All appearances of chosen musicians and music always felt as a very typical Jazztopad one and are remembered with a strong trace in one’s memory.”
NY Classiscal: “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” 103rd Street and Central Park West (in Central Park). 7:00 p.m.-8:45 p.m. Free! Join New York Classical Theatre in Central Park this summer for a free, immersive production of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Directed by Stephen Burdman and performed in NY Classical’s signature Panoramic Theatre style, audiences follow the action from scene to scene through the park as Shakespeare’s gripping political drama unfolds all around them. Bring a blanket, a picnic, even your pup, and experience free professional theatre under the open sky.
Movies Under the Stars: Harriet Softball Field 1 (in Morningside Park). 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Free! The Incredible true story of one of America’s greatest heroes, Harriet Tubman. From her escape from slavery to the dangerous missions she led, setting free hundreds of slaves through the underground railroad.
Friday, June 19nd
40 in Focus: Summerstage through the Lens of Jack Vartoogian Arsenal (in Central Park). 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m Free! From 1987 to 2019, celebrated NYC photographer Jack Vartoogian captured hundreds of SummerStage performances across Manhattan parks, from Central Park to Marcus Garvey Park and Tompkins Square Park.
Kids In Motion: Gertrude Ederle Playground Between 59th and 60h and Amsterdam and West End. 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Free! The Kids in Motion program engages children in active, outdoors play. A NYC Parks staff member leads four to seven hours of free activities in NYC’s playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, and more!
Juneteenth: Seneca Village West 81st Street and Central Park. 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Free! Juneteenth is a commemoration of the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans in the United States. Before Central Park was built, the area from West 82nd to West 89th Street was home to Seneca Village, the largest community of African-American property owners in New York. Learn about the lives of Seneca Village’s residents in the 1800s and the community’s place in pre-Central Park
Kids In Motion: Bloomingdale Playground Amsterdam Ave., W 104 St and W 105 St. 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Free! The Kids in Motion program engages children in active, outdoors play. A NYC Parks staff member leads four to seven hours of free activities in NYC’s playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, and more!
Hudson Classical Theater Company presents: Uncle Vanya West 103rd Street and CPW (in central park). 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Free! Life for Vanya, his mother, and Sonya his niece, is disrupted when Sonya’s father, Professor Serebryakov and his beautiful young wife Yelena, return to the estate. Deep feelings and passions begin to surface, which only become more intense with the arrival of the handsome Dr. Astrov. Uncle Vanya runs May 28 – June 21. All shows are Thursdays to Sundays at 6:30pm. No reservations–arrive by 6:15pm for a good seat. Cushions provided
Carl Hancock Rux’s Oh Sankofa 30 Lincoln Plaza. 7:00 p.m. Free! The annual Juneteenth celebration at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts returns this year with a powerful multidisciplinary performance written, directed, and curated by Carl Hancock Rux. Through music, choral performance, dance, and storytelling, Oh Sankofa pays tribute to the use of African-American folklore as a vital means of survival during the trauma of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The work features actor/comedian Phyllis Yvonne Stickney; performers Vinson Fraley and Chanon Judson; blues jazz guitarist Marvin Sewell; the Etienne Lashley Choir; Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Dance Theater; and contemporary art garments and installation by Dianne Smith.
The Tune Up! 1887 Broadway. 7:30 p.m. Free! The Tune Up! is back for Season 2 ready to celebrate Juneteenth with you! If you celebrated freedom day with us last year then you’ll want to rejoin the party cause we’re hitting happier and harder than ever with new material and special guests! SLP and her 8-piece band The Joyful Noise bring you a soul-raising variety show with plays, music, brand new songs, powerful lyrics, comedy, and raw in-the-moment reflections. This new performance series created by Pulitzer Prize-winning dramatist Suzan-Lori Parks and directed by Bessie Award-winning Artistic Director of The Flea Theater Niegel Smith is a sip-your-drinks, make-new-friends, dance-in-the-aisles kind of evening that traffics in big sounds and bold ideas. Come share the love!
Saturday, June 20rd
Tucker Greenmarket West 66th Street and Broadway. 8:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m. Free! Local farmers sell a wide range of items including: seasonal vegetables, berries, stone fruit, over 80 varieties of apples, farmstead cheeses, fresh seafood, grass fed beef, duck, eggs, baked goods and New York’s only sorghum and maple syrup. West 66th Street and Broadway.
Kids In Motion: Gertrude Ederle Playground Between 59th and 60h and Amsterdam and West End. 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Free! The Kids in Motion program engages children in active, outdoors play. A NYC Parks staff member leads four to seven hours of free activities in NYC’s playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, and more!
Kids In Motion: Bloomingdale Playground Amsterdam Ave., W 104 St and W 105 St. 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Free! The Kids in Motion program engages children in active, outdoors play. A NYC Parks staff member leads four to seven hours of free activities in NYC’s playgrounds, including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, and more!
Its My Park at Samuel N. Bennerson 2nd Playground Between 63rd and 64th Streets and Amsterdam Avenue and West End Avenue. 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Free! This It’s My Park season, volunteer with Friends of Samuel N Bennerson II Playground to add mulch to the newly planted flower garden at Samuel N. Bennerson 2nd Playground. We look forward to cleaning up the park with you!
Ngano: Storytelling through Sonf with Dr. Tanyaradzwa 10 Lincoln Center Plaza. 12:00 p.m. Free! In this lively, engaging musical experience for families, children don’t just listen—they participate actively! Led by Zimbabwean composer, singer, and scholar Dr. Tanyaradzwa, young audiences will clap, sing in call-and-response, move, and even help create music together through traditional folktales and fables inspired by Indigenous Zimbabwean traditions.
San Juan Procession 30 Lincoln Center Plaza. 1:00 p.m. Free! oin Lincoln Center for a unique celebration of the Afro-Venezuelan tradition of honoring San Juan through a “walking procession”: the collaborative ritual of dancing and singing to the beat of drums. The Festival of San Juan was originally a communal practice by enslaved people in the cocoa and coffee plantations in the Caribbean coasts of Venezuela. Though it has been celebrated in Venezuela for hundreds of years and celebrates the summer solstice and the birth of Saint John the Baptist, modern participation in San Juan often acts as a statement of self and pride. This recentering of San Juan in New York City is led by Willie Quintana, director of the Brooklyn musical collective Tambor y Caña. By bringing together historical touchstones, national affiliation, and personal identity, Tambor y Caña acts as a catalyst for a meaningful appreciation of and fresh engagement with Afro-Venezuelan culture.
Summer on the Hudson: Story Hour! 102nd Street Field Hous (in Riverside Park). 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Free! Weekly story time for kids featuring rotating books and guest readers. Events take place on Saturdays in May, June, August and September.
La Casita 30 Lincoln Center Plaza. 6:00 p.m. Free! In 2001, Lincoln Center set the scene for the first La Casita, a citywide festival celebrating global oral traditions, poetry, and music, grounded in the principle that New York City is more fully represented through the sweep of artistic traditions found throughout the five boroughs. This summer’s forward-looking theme is “Movement/Bodies in Motion,” curated by Gabriel Ramirez, Rich Villar, Mahogany L. Browne, and Claudia Norman. Hosted by boricua poet Elisabet Velasquez, the event will feature readings from Ethiopian-American poet Hiwot Adilow, Black Mexican-American poet Irene Vásquez, Grand Slam winner Marcus Stokes, and Bronx Poet Laureate Kay Poema. La Casita will also showcase musical performances by Nigerian-American Kingsley Ibeneche and, straight from Queens, norteño music and dance by Suspenso del Norte.
Hudson Classical Theater Company presents: Uncle Vanya West 103rd Street and CPW (in central park). 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Free! Life for Vanya, his mother, and Sonya his niece, is disrupted when Sonya’s father, Professor Serebryakov and his beautiful young wife Yelena, return to the estate. Deep feelings and passions begin to surface, which only become more intense with the arrival of the handsome Dr. Astrov. Uncle Vanya runs May 28 – June 21. All shows are Thursdays to Sundays at 6:30pm. No reservations–arrive by 6:15pm for a good seat. Cushions provided
RTA Summer Sunset Concert Series Featuring Ron Mclure and Friends 96th Street Tennis Courts in Riverside Park. 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Free Ron McClure has performed and/or recorded with artists as early as 1963 including: Mose Allison, Chet Baker, Tony Bennett, Richie Beirach, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Paul Bley, Carla Bley, Randy Brecker, Gary Burton, George Cables , Stanley Cowell, Jack DeJohnette’s Directions, Art Farmer, Joe Farrell, Michael Franks, Maynard Ferguson, The Fourth Way, Stan Getz, Slide Hampton, Joe Henderson, Conrad Herwig, Freddy Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Keith Jarrett, Wynton Kelly, Jackie Byard, Lee Konitz, Michel LeGrand, Dave Liebman, Charles Lloyd, Marian McPartland, Herbie Mann, Thelonious Monk, Wes Montgomery, Frank Morgan, Michel Petrucianni, The Pointer Sisters. Quest. Buddy Rich, George Russell, James Spaulding, Sonny Stitt, Sarah Vaughn, Dionne Warwicke, The Jazz Foundation Orchestra, The Spirit of Life Ensemble. Ron has been a recording arts for record companies including Steeple Chase, Naxos Jazz, Ken Music and EMP/EPC Records. He has recorded over twenty CD’s as a leader on Steeple Chase.
NY Classiscal: “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” 103rd Street and Central Park West (in Central Park). 7:00 p.m.-8:45 p.m. Free! Join New York Classical Theatre in Central Park this summer for a free, immersive production of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Directed by Stephen Burdman and performed in NY Classical’s signature Panoramic Theatre style, audiences follow the action from scene to scene through the park as Shakespeare’s gripping political drama unfolds all around them. Bring a blanket, a picnic, even your pup, and experience free professional theatre under the open sky.
10th Jazztopad Festival: DoYeon Kim Quartet 1887 Broadway. 7:30 p.m. Free! A new transnational ensemble led by acclaimed Korean gayageum virtuoso DoYeon Kim brings together an extraordinary grouping of improvisers for a world premiere performance at the David Rubenstein Atrium. She is joined by bassist John Hébert and drummer Satoshi Takeshi-two deeply responsive and attuned collaborators to DoYeon’s compositional language and improvisational style. Kim bridges Korean traditional music, contemporary jazz structural elements, and open-form improvisation. The ensemble will also feature special guest Matylda Gerber, a Polish saxophonist known for her searching tone and instinct for collective interplay.
Summer on the Hudson: Star Gaze Saturdays Pier 1 in Riverside Park (West 70th Street). 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.` Free! Join the Amateur Astronomers Association for views of the evening skies through their telescopes at Pier i on Manhattan’s West Side. Events are free; may be canceled due to clouds and bad weather. Check our social media channels and our events calendar for updates.
Orkesta Mendoza 10 Lincoln Center Plaza. 8:00 p.m. Free! Tucson’s Orkesta Mendoza brings the desert to The Dance Floor for an evening of expansive Latine musical influence. Founded by singer and guitarist Sergio Mendoza—who also performs with Calexico—as a one-off tribute to mambo king Pérez Prado, Orkesta Mendoza has since evolved into a broader exploration of Latine identity and sound. Whether you want to move to indie rock-influenced mambo and merengue, or groove to ranchera and cumbia with a psychedelic twist, Orkesta Mendoza has the soundtrack for a unique night out, under the stars at Josie Robertson Plaza. Orkesta Mendoza’s performance will be held in partnership with México Now Festival, an independent festival based in NYC dedicated to celebrating contemporary Mexican culture.
Silent Disco DJ CherishTheLuv: Power Disco Hour 10 Lincoln Center Plaza. 10:00 p.m. Free! The biggest outdoor dance floor in all of New York shines bright with a late night Silent Disco featuring the internationally acclaimed DJ CherishTheLuv. You may have seen her at Here Lies Love on Broadway (which she co-produced) or opening for John Leguizamo, heard her set at Burning Man, or even shopped to one of her mixes at Whole Foods Market. Returning to Lincoln Center for the fourth annual installment of The People’s Power Disco Hour, DJ CherishTheLuv spins a powerful catalog that focuses on inclusion, engagement, joy, resilience and positivity.
Sunday, June 21th
Summer on the Hudson: Tai Chi Soldier’s Monument in Riverside Park (89th and Riverside Drive). 8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Free! Join Silvana Pizzuti to learn and practice Tai Chi, a slow moving martial art with health benefits for all fitness levels. Wear comfortable clothes and sunscreen.
Summer Social: Welcome to the new Tang Winf for American Democracy at NY Historical 170 Central Park West. 12:00 p.m. -3:30 p.m. Adult $24 , Kids $6 New York Historical celebrates the opening of its new wing with a lively summer social that includes artmaking, games, live music, singing, dancing, and more.
Father’s Day Forest Hike Celebrate Father’s Day with the Urban Park Rangers on a guided hike through Central Park’s North Woods! Explore the rich biodiversity of a forest full of birds, plants, trees and more.. 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Free! Celebrate Father’s Day with the Urban Park Rangers on a guided hike through Central Park’s North Woods! Explore the rich biodiversity of a forest full of birds, plants, trees and more.
Summer on the Hudson: Make Music New York Pier 1 Riverside Park South (West 70th Street). 2:00 pm.-4:00 p.m. Free! The KuKu Collective with Hasan Bakr and Chioneso Bakr Presented by Symphony Space
Summer on the Hudson: Let’s Dance Pier 1 in Riverside Park (West 70th Street). 6:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Free! Teachers from the Piel Canela Dance and Music School and DJ Ray Colon lead social dances and teach you how to move like a pro! Learn how to dance salsa, bachata, and more.
Hudson Classical Theater Company presents: Uncle Vanya West 103rd Street and CPW (in central park). 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Free! Life for Vanya, his mother, and Sonya his niece, is disrupted when Sonya’s father, Professor Serebryakov and his beautiful young wife Yelena, return to the estate. Deep feelings and passions begin to surface, which only become more intense with the arrival of the handsome Dr. Astrov. Uncle Vanya runs May 28 – June 21. All shows are Thursdays to Sundays at 6:30pm. No reservations–arrive by 6:15pm for a good seat. Cushions provided
NY Classiscal: “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” 103rd Street and Central Park West (in Central Park). 7:00 p.m.-8:45 p.m. Free! Join New York Classical Theatre in Central Park this summer for a free, immersive production of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Directed by Stephen Burdman and performed in NY Classical’s signature Panoramic Theatre style, audiences follow the action from scene to scene through the park as Shakespeare’s gripping political drama unfolds all around them. Bring a blanket, a picnic, even your pup, and experience free professional theatre under the open sky.