NYC's best summer music festivals of 2025

Kicking things off at the opening benefit concert on June 9—which is one of four paid shows included in the fest, to help support the non-profit's regular free programming—is the powerhouse pair of Grace Jones and Janelle Monáe, just in time for Pride.

The lineup includes alt rockers Dinosaur Jr. with Snail Mail on July 17, punk legends Gogol Bordello on August 2, jazz greats William Parker and Nikara Warren on August 15, a family-friendly 80th birthday celebration for Pippi Longstocking on June 15 and a tribute concert to music icon Quincy Jones on June 27. 

Venue: Mostly at Prospect Park's Lena Horne Bandshell
Dates: June 7–August 16
Cost: Most shows are free; ticket details here

Each year, SummerStage is one of the most anticipated free events of the summer, bringing dozens of free, outdoor concerts across different parks to sun-starved New Yorkers from May through October. To celebrate its 39th year, the festival is focusing on diversity and will showcase a mix of established and emerging artists and DJs playing an array of genres that include jazz, hip-hop, indie-rock, salsa, reggae, Afrobeats, soul, pop, global, contemporary dance and more. Highlights include Soccer Mommy, Marcus Miller, Morgan Freeman's Symphonic Blues Experience, Rilo Kiley, The Met Opera, James Blunt, Chris Tomlin and The Roots.

Venue: Parks across the city and at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park
Dates: June 4–October
Cost: Free unless otherwise noted

Some really fire artists are performing as part of Ladyland this year. Both Cardi B and FKA Twigs will headline the iconic Ladyland festival under the K Bridge in June, and we could not be more hyped.

Representing the Bronx on Friday, June 27, Cardi B will be joined by Cobrah, Danny Tenaglia, Sukihana, DJ sets by Hercules and Love Affair, among many others, while FKA Twigs will present songs from her Eusexua tour with support from Pabllo Vittar, Boris, Eartheater, VTSS, Isabella Lovestory, Kevin Aviance and more on Saturday, June 28.

Venue: Under the K Bridge
Date: June 27-28
Cost: Starting at $112

Since its humble beginnings at D.C.’s Union Market, All Things Go Music Festival has become one of the most anticipated events of late New York City summers. With lineups that predominantly feature queer artists, the event stands sturdy in its values. This year, the festival will return to Forest Hills Stadium and will take place from September 26 through September 28. See artists like Lucy Dacus, DJO, DOECHII, Remi Wolf, Clairo and The Marias, among many others.

Venue: Forest Hills Stadium
Date: September 26-28 
Cost: Starting at $89 for general admission

The Forest Hills Stadium 2025 concert lineup in Queens is looking pretty awesome—so you might want to add a lot of shows to your must-attend list. Among them include, Phish (July 22-23), Mumford & Sons (August 8-9), The Black Keys (August 13), Leon Bridges (September 4), Alabama Shakes (September 17), the All Things Go festival with Lucy Dacus, DJO, Doechii, Remi Wolf, Clairo and The Marias (September 26-28) and more. 

Venue: Forest Hills 
Dates: May 31–October 25
Costs: Various depending on the show and seat

Concerts, plays, dance shows, operas: These and more can be found on Little Island all summer long, whether at its 687-seat open-air amphitheater (the Amph), its smaller performance stage (the Glade) or at pop-up locations throughout the space. Performances have been part of Little Island's mission from the start, but the offerings have gotten more and more ambitious. Last year, the park upped its game to present a sold-out season of world premieres. Many of the shows are free, and those that aren't cost just $25; to buy tickets to them, visit Little Island's ticketing page on TodayTix.  

Venue: Little Island 
Dates: May 29–September 28
Cost: Free or $25

Tap your toes and enjoy the music at the 14th Annual Blue Note Jazz Festival, with performances running from May 27 through July 2. The festival pops up at major venues across NYC including Sony Hall, Town Hall, National Sawdust, and SummerStage in Central Park. 

This year's performances include: Santigold, Rosali, Brandee Younger, Emily King, Saba, Mohini Dey, Willie Nile, Jesus Molina, and The World Famous Harlem Gospel Choir. Also hear tributes to the Buena Vista Social Club, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and much more.

Venue: Multiple venues across NYC
Dates: May 27-July 2
Tickets: Here's the full lineup with ticketing info. 

Treat your ears to some free music at Battery Park City every Thursday evening this July. The Battery Park City's River & Blues Concert Series is a celebrated NYC summer tradition celebrating Global and American folk, roots and blues music. Expect to hear renowned artists on the cutting-edge of the jazz and blues scene.

Picturesque Rockefeller Park serves as the an idyllic venue with breathtaking views of Hudson River sunsets, picnic-friendly fairgrounds and refreshing waterfront breezes.

Here's the lineup:

• July 10, Maggie Rose: After years on the Nashville music scene, Maggie Rose’s hard work was rewarded when her latest album, No One Gets Out Alive, was nominated for a Grammy award.

• July 17, Amythyst Kiah: On her latest release Still + Bright, Amythyst Kiah’s storytelling is merged with a twist on rootsy alt-rock, exploring the struggle and joy of self-discovery.

• July 24, Afro Latin Jazz Alliance: The award-winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra led by Arturo O’Farrill has enamored international audiences with its dynamic performances featuring the music of jazz legends and new compositions from the Latin music scene.

• July 31, Lady Blackbird: Harnessing a mighty voice and fabulous regalia, Lady Blackbird effortlessly portrays heart-rending yearning in her jazz-soul sets.

Venue: Battery Park City
Dates: Select Thursdays in July
Cost: Free

For the past 15 years, Boiler Room has done more to elevate DJing as an art form than arguably any other cultural institution. Head to the Brooklyn Mirage on July 11 or July 12 to enjoy what's sure to be an iconic lineup of A-list DJs, including Boys Noize, DJ Swisha, Juicy Romance, Soul Sugar and more.

Venue: The Brooklyn Mirage
Dates: July 11-12
Cost: $120; get tickets here

One of the best perks of living in New York City is having access to innumerable free events in our gorgeous parks. That’s why when Bryant Park Picnic Performances, presented by Bank of America announces its line-up, we get excited!

The park will have 25 live music, dance, and theater events that’ll occur May 31 to September 13, and it includes The Late Show with Stephen Colbert bandleader Louis Cato; trumpeter Steven Bernstein playing the music of James Bond with Arturo O’Farrill and The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra; the NYC premiere of Ghanaian highlife band Gyedu-Bly Ambolley; Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE dance company; South African world pop star Thandiswa Mazwai and many more!

Venue: Bryant Park 
Dates: May 31–September 13
Cost: Free

The fourth annual festival brings more than 200 events to the city, nearly all of them free or pay-what-you-wish. Expect global dance parties, experimental opera, kids’ storytimes, jazz nights, pop-ups and tons more. This year’s programming also takes a deeper dive into international artistry than ever before. One major highlight: Brazil Week (July 16–30), a vibrant, two-week celebration of Brazilian culture. 

Venue: Lincoln Center
Dates: June 11–August 9
Cost: Mostly free or pay-what-you-wish

A dearly departed piece of New York’s punk past is being resurrected for one night only this fall. CBGB—the iconic East Village music club that helped kickstart the careers of many notable punk rock and new wave bands, including Ramones, Blondie, Television, Talking Heads, Dead Boys and Patti Smith Group, among others—will be popping up once again as CBGB Festival on September 27 at Under the K Bridge Park in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. (The original CBGB shuttered for good in 2006 at 315 Bowery.)

The lineup features 21 bands, including Iggy Pop, Jack White, The Sex Pistols, Johnny Marr, Lunachicks, Marky Ramone, The Damned, Melvins, The Linda Lindas, Destroy Boys, Angel Du$t, Scowl, Pinkshift, Teen Mortgage, YHWH Nailgun and Lip Critic. 

Venue: Under the K Bridge Park
Dates: September 27
Cost: $73-$149 at CBGBFEST.COM

Every summer, Hudson Yards hosts a slate of free community programs that undoubtedly turns even the biggest area skeptic into a curious wanderer—and for good reason: the lineup is usually great. Shows run from 6-8pm.  

• June 25: Marc Scibilia
• July 2: The Knocks
• July 9: Cian Ducrot
• July 16: Paul Russell 
• July 23: Alex Sampson
• July 30: Brittney Spencer
• August 6: MXMTOON
• August 13: TBA

Venue: Hudson Yards' Wells Fargo Stage
Date: June 25-August 13
Details: Check for updates on concerts here.   

The Rooftop at Pier 17's much-anticipated summer concert series is back with an impressive lineup and great views.

Throughout the summer, expect performances by Mayday Parade (May 28), JET (May 30), SiR (June 2), The Kooks (June 3), James Arthur (June 25), Barenaked Ladies with special guests Sugar Ray and Fastball (July 9), PRIMUS (July 21), Riley Green (July 24), The Fray (August 5), Voss Events Presents RuPaul’s Drag Race (August 28), Rilo Kiley (September 5), Sierra Ferrell (September 6), Kneecap (October 1 & 10), and many others.

Venue: Pier 17 in the Seaport
Dates: Now–October 10
Cost: Various prices

The iconic HOT 97 Summer Jam music festival is back for 2025 with a stellar lineup of acts. It's scheduled to take over Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Friday, June 20.

This year's stacked lineup is led by chart-topping stars A Boogie, Gunna, GloRilla, Muni Long, Asake, Ayra Starr, and Ja Rule and Friends-A Tribute to Irv Gotti. Also see performances from Kash Doll, Bobby Konders & Jabba ft. Masicka, Jim Jones & Friends, Cash Cobain, 41 (Kyle Rich, Jenn Carter, Tata), and more.

HOT 97 calls the event "the largest live hip-hop music and culture celebration in America," adding that "many consider it the most iconic hip-hop show in the world."

Venue: Prudential Center, Newark
Date: June 20 
Cost: Tickets are on sale now starting at $102.