Our neighborhood park performances run from June – October in all five boroughs and in Central Park at Rumsey Playfield (E 71st St and East Drive, New York, NY 10021).

Times vary per show location. For Central Park and Coney Island shows, doors open one hour prior to the listed showtimes. In all other locations, shows start promptly at the times listed on the schedule

In 2024, we will no longer be checking COVID-19 vaccination status or proof of negative tests. Masks are now optional, but strongly encouraged.  

SummerStage is located in our flagship venue at Rumsey Playfield (E 71st St and East Drive, New York, NY 10021) in Central Park and also in additional parks that span across the five boroughs.

All ages are welcome! Parents, please be aware that some performances may contain content or language that is not suitable for younger children.  

For our ticketed benefit events, tickets are required for patrons ages 4 and up and there may be age restrictions. Please check the ticketing page of the event.

For Central Park and Coney Island shows, doors open one hour prior to the performance. 

In all other park locations outside of Central Park and Coney Island, shows start promptly at the times listed on our calendar.

Please refer to the specific times for each show listed on our calendar. 

You are allowed to bring:

• Food
• Factory sealed plastic bottles
• Strollers
• Hats, sunglasses, your phone – basic things you need to enjoy your time at SummerStage!

Please see this list for the Coney Island Amphitheater, and note that outside food is not permitted at that location. 

We ask that you keep the following list of items at home when you attend SummerStage. Please note outside of Central Park, guests must follow the rules and regulations of neighborhood parks. SummerStage reserves the right to determine what items are deemed appropriate for entry. In 2024, the following is not permitted at SummerStage in Central Park:

• Bags over 16” tall x 16” wide x 8” deep in size
  Glass Bottles
  Cans
  Coolers
  Alcoholic Beverages (You can buy beer and wine in our Central Park venue, as long as you drink it within our gates.)
  Controlled Substances
  Weapons
  Folding Chairs
  Bikes
  Scooters
  Rollerblades
  Skateboards
  Beach Umbrellas
  Balloons
  Laser Pointers
  Professional camera and video camera equipment (excluding press – apply for a press pass here)
  Selfie Sticks
  Pets
  Drones
  • Professional audio recording equipment

Sorry, we do not offer a bag or coat check. We apologize but cannot be responsible for items left outside the venue. 

In Central Park, food and drink is for sale by our food concessionaire. Cash and credit cards are accepted. You can scan our QR code on site to also place orders.

To access the food and beverage menu in Central, scan the QR code with your smartphone (open the camera on your smartphone and point it at the code for recognition). Through your phone, you will be able to place an order and pay for it using a major credit card or Apple, Google, Android or Samsung pay. Once ready, patrons will pick up their orders. 

Guests must be 21+ and must show a current valid federal or state ID to buy alcoholic beverages. You can purchase up to two drinks at a time per ID. 

For our other events outside of Central Park, food vendors are available at most parks, but are not guaranteed. Please check event details for the show for specific park information. Cash and credit cards are accepted (may be subject to vendor).

There is limited bleacher seating available at select Central Park performances (please note that for some ticketed benefit shows, the bleachers may be closed to general admission ticket buyers so please contact us to confirm). Bleachers will not be available to general admission guests for certain free shows in Central Park as well.

Chairs are available at dance shows in Central Park. All seating is first-come, first served. Outside chairs are not permitted inside the Central Park venue. Sitting on picnic blankets and beach towels are allowed, however if the venue gets crowded, patrons may be asked to pick up their blankets and towels.

For all other park locations outside of Central Park, audience members are welcome to bring folding chairs and/or blankets to sit on.

If you are interested in seating at our events, learn more about our SummerStage membership program to gain access to bleacher seating, premium seats, express entry and more.

Smoking or vaping of any kind are prohibited in all NYC parks.

Yes. Accessible entrances, exit points, and seating are available for every event.

If you would like to request ADA seating or an assisted listening device at Rumsey Playfield, please request your accommodation up to 24hrs before the event through summerstage@cityparksfoundation.org. Please note that our ADA general admission seating section is first-come first-serve and some views of our stage may be partially obstructed.

Please note: Our performances may contain bright or flashing lights and/or imagery that may cause discomfort and/or seizures for those with photosensitivity.

Yes, all SummerStage events have restrooms and accessible facilities.

In Central Park, restrooms are located behind the Member Lounge.

All SummerStage events are rain or shine unless the weather poses a danger to audiences or performers. We may need to cancel if conditions are dangerous – lightning, high winds or flooding, for example.  We will make announcements on Facebook, X, and our website in the event we need to cancel. It is unlikely that shows will be rescheduled.

Should we need to cancel a Benefit Concert, refunds may be available depending on the circumstances of the cancellation. For more information regarding cancellations of ticketed events, contact Ticketmaster via your account for Live Nation performances. 

For benefit shows produced by Live Nation, please go through Ticketmaster for more assistance:

1.  Log into your account using this link: Go to my orders
2. On the “My Events” page, choose the order you need help with
3. Then click “See Details” to get to the “Event Details” page
4. Once you are there, click the ‘Contact Us’ button.

Their Virtual Assistant is available 24/7 to answer questions. If you need further assistance, they will transfer you to an agent.

While attending a SummerStage performance, our photographer may take a photo of you. All photos and videos taken are permitted to be used publicly in future City Parks Foundation & SummerStage promotional materials. 

Thank you for your press interest in SummerStage. You can apply for credentials here. 

For any questions regarding press, please contact summerstage@dkcnews.com.

SummerStage is produced by City Parks Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization. Capital One is the title sponsor of SummerStage. 

City Parks Foundation (CPF) is dedicated to invigorating and transforming parks into dynamic, vibrant centers of urban life through sports, arts, community building and education programs for all New Yorkers. Our programs — located in hundreds of parks, recreation centers and public schools across New York City — reach thousands of people each year. Our ethos is simple: thriving parks mean thriving communities.

For more information about our work, please explore the menu bar above on this website.

We do not accept unsolicited submissions. There is no application process for performing at the SummerStage festival. If you want to keep us informed of your artist(s) or project, e-mail is the best means to do so; please send information to talent@cityparksfoundation.org.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of SummerStage, please contact bmcnamara@cityparksfoundation.org. 

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at SummerStage! In 2024 we are accepting volunteers at select free shows in Central Park – Rumsey Playfield. Please fill out our volunteer interest form here to sign up.

Please check our SummerStage Seasonal Job Opportunities page for more information.

If you have a question you still need assistance with, please contact summerstage@cityparksfoundation.org or for up-to-date information visit us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

If you have any questions on-site, visit our information booth on site at any SummerStage show.