Top 10 Free NYC Summer Concerts

Julie Chung

SummerStage“Privately Funded, Publicly Enjoyed”

SummerStage is New York’s largest free performing arts festival bringing over 100 shows to 18 parks throughout the five boroughs. The main stage at Central Park will feature free shows by artists including Yo-Yo Ma and Pink Martini plus the Blue Note Jazz festival which includes performances by Medeski Martin & Wood. Some highlights from the outer boroughs include Talib Kweli at Red Hook Park and the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival at Tompkins Square Park.

Photo Credit: summerstage.org

Good Morning America Concert Series in Central Park

If you’re an early bird, then this concert series is made for you! Lady Gaga kicked off Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series but other big names such as Jennifer Hudson, Florence and the Machine, Beyonce, Brad Paisley and Nicki Minaj will be hitting the stage at Rumsey Playfield all throughout the summer.

Photo Credit: Good Morning America

Today Show at Rockefeller Plaza

What better place to see your favorite artist than right smack dab in the middle of Manhattan? American Idol

winner Scotty McCreery and runner up Lauren Alaina as well as Kenny Chesney, Cee Lo Green, Maroon 5 and Enrique

Iglesias will be stopping by Rockefeller Plaza this season for some songs and fun in the sun at the Today Show’s Toyota Concert Series.

Photo Credit: Today Show

South Street Seaport Concert Series

The Seaport will be rockin’ every Friday and Sunday for their summer-long concert series. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists have played the festival every year since it kicked off 10 years ago and they’ll be back again this time. Other bands to check out include Lower Dens, The Wake and My Teenage Stride.

Photo Credit: seaportmusicfestival.com

4Knots Music Festival

For those of you who like to say “I knew them when…” the Village Voice is here to bring you some of the best artists in the indie music scene. The Black Angels, Davila 666 and Oberhofer will be playing the Voice’s 4Knots Music Festival on July 16 at South Street Seaport’s Pier 17.

Photo Credit: voicemediagroup.com

Met in the Park

Can’t get to the opera? No problem, the opera is coming to you! The Metropolitan Opera is bring six performances to parks across all five boroughs this July featuring rising opera stars soprano Angela Meade, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano and tenor Dimitri Pittas.

Photo Credit: metoperafamily.org

Naumburg Orchestral Concerts

Since 1905, the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts has continuously presented free, outdoor classical music concerts. Today, the concerts feature promising new talent and promote the professional development of young composers and conductors. It is the oldest such concert series in the United States.

Photo Credit: naumburgconcerts.org

Washington Square Music Festival

The Washington Square Music Festival celebrates its 53rd season of free classical and jazz concerts in 2011. This free outdoor

concert series showcases classical music and jazz, performed by musicians who regularly play at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Concerts are held on Tuesdays,

starting at 8pm

Photo Credit: washingtonsquarefestival.org

Broadway in Bryant ParkPerformers from Broadway shows perform 2-3 songs during these hour-long lunchtime concerts. There are plenty of chairs and tables throughout Bryant Park, though you may want to bring a blanket if you want to sit on the grass. Join host Helen Little as they kick off Broadway in Bryant Park 2011 with a special performance by the cast of Memphis!

Photo Credit: bryanpark.org

Celebrate Brooklyn!This festival has presented over 2,000 artists and ensembles reflective of the borough's diversity, ranging from internationally acclaimed performers to emerging, cutting-edge artists. Past performers include Talib Kweli, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.

Photo Credit: bricartsmedia.org