Charli XCX performs.
Photograph: Dominick MastrangeloCharli XCX
Photograph: Dominick Mastrangelo

The best summer concerts and festivals in NYC you can’t miss

We’ve rounded up the top summer concerts NYC has including the best free shows and outdoor stadium gigs.

Rossilynne Skena Culgan
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Summer isn't over 'til it's over, and that means you've still got time to soak up some of the best things to do this season—including seeing live music. Whether you're looking for an outdoor music festival, an arena show or a more intimate performance, we've rounded up the best concerts left to see in summer 2024. 

They're listed in chronological order, so you won't miss a beat. We’ve got everything for your country, indie rock, hip-hop, and hyperpop needs, plus a few concert series happening all summer long. 

RECOMMENDED: NYC's best summer music festivals of 2024

NYC summer concerts

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Now through September 9

SummerStage brings New Yorkers dozens of free shows to stages across the five boroughs.

This season is all about celebrating incredible music from around the world with artists like The Aussie BBQ, Colombian music star Fonseca and Spain’s captivating new flamenco singer Israel Fernández, Sidonie and the Balkan Paradise Orchestra. 

The list of concerts is extremely long, so go check it out here.

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August 8-September 12

The Rooftop at Pier 17 has long been one of our favorite concert venues in New York City. The panoramic views, the chill vibe, and the stellar acoustics make it a truly special spot to see a show. And with this year's stacked lineup of 60+ concerts this summer, it's definitely worth heading there for a night of live music.

Here's what's coming up:

  • August 8 - Still Woozy with special guest MICHELLE
  • August 9 - Still Woozy with special guest MICHELLE
  • August 15 - Stray Cats with special guests The Midnight Cowgirls
  • August 16 - Andrew Bird and Amadou & Mariam
  • August 17 - Taking Back Sunday with special guests Citizen
  • August 18 - Taking Back Sunday with special guests Citizen
  • August 22 - mike.
  • August 24 - Sublime with Rome
  • August 31 - Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Andy Frasco & The UN, and Dogs in a Pile
  • September 4 - Crowded House
  • September 12 - Dashboard Confessional with special guests BOYS LIKE GIRLS and Taylor Acorn

Get tickets here.

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August 9-September 13

There are no tickets required for these free-to-attend shows in Bryant Park. All shows start at 7pm unless otherwise noted. 

And as always, there will be local vendors near the lawn at these events, including Stout NYC’s light bites and beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase. There will also be a rotating line-up of artisanal vendors from Hester Street Fair. 

Here's the rundown for this beloved concert series:

— August 9: Joe’s Pub – Broadway en Spanglish: Florencia Cuenca and Jaime Lozano
— August 10: New Victory Dance – Ephrat Asherie Dance + Barkin/Selissen Project, begins at 5pm
— August 16: World Music Institute – Gyedu-Blay Ambolley
— August 17: Jalopy Theatre – Artists TBA
— August 23 and 24: New York City Opera – Tosca
— August 30: Asian American Arts Alliance – Vijay Iyer Trio
— August 31: Mark Morris Dance Group, Blacks in Ballet, Reed Luplau
— September 5: Accordions Around the World – Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, Afro Dominicano
— September 6: American Symphony Orchestra – Beyond the Hall
— September 12: Harlem Stage – Artists TBA
— September 13: The Town Hall – Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra play the Music of James Bond: The Man with The Golden Horn with special guests Steven Bernstein and more

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August 23-24

Afropunk Festival, a celebration of alternative Black music and artistry, has become one of the most exciting live events in the world. Not everyone knows that the party, which is now global, actually started in Brooklyn, and it's officially coming back for two days.

This year's festival, AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA BKLYN, will take place from August 23-24 at the Lena Horne Bandshell in Prospect Park. The festival will be headlined by the legendary Erykah Badu for the first time since 2018. Tickets are on sale here.

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August 25-September 26

The Forest Hills Stadium 2024 concert lineup in Queens is pretty awesome this year—so you might want to add a lot of shows to your must-attend list. 

Here's what's coming up:

— Pitbull and T-Pain, Sunday, August 25
— Dom Dolla with DJ Seinfeld, Fcukers, Natasha Diggs, Friday, Aug 30
— Porter Robinson with ericdoa, Saturday, August 31
— Omar Apollo with Malcolm Todd, Saturday, September 7
— The National and The War On Drugs with Lucius, Friday, September 13
— The Killers, Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15
— Kings of Leon with Phantogram, Wednesday, September 18
— Khruangbin with Men I Trust Friday, September 20 and Saturday, Sep 21
— The Marley Brothers: The Legacy Tour with Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, Julian Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, Damian Marley, 
Sunday, September 22
— SOFI TUKKER with Confidence Man, Thurday, September 26

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