- Music
New York’s favorite summer tradition is turning 40 and, apparently, it is celebrating by booking absolutely everyone.
City Parks Foundation has officially unveiled the 2026 lineup for Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage and this year’s season is shaping up to be one of the festival’s biggest and best yet. More than 60 free and ticketed shows will land in parks throughout the five boroughs with a lineup that swings wildly (and beautifully) between jazz legends, indie-rock darlings, hip-hop icons, global stars and a few niche downtown bookings.
The season kicked off June 10 in Central Park with a free opening-night performance from Grammy-winning vocalist Ledisi, alongside Spilata and DJ Kultured Child as part of the Blue Note Jazz Festival partnership.
Then, Laurie Anderson brought her new “Republic of Love” tour to Central Park with Sexmob on June 26, Mavis Staples returned for a gospel-soaked July performance and Spoon took over Rumsey Playfield on July 8 with Ratboys and Bodega. Elsewhere, De La Soul and Pete Rock are heading to Queens, Shaggy is bringing the “It Wasn’t Me” energy to Central Park, and Angélique Kidjo returns in August with music from her forthcoming album Hope!!.
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