NYC's best summer music festivals of 2025

In the four years since it opened its gates, Little Island has become one of New York's primo warm-weather destinations: an elevated oasis of trees and knolls and winding paths that rises—as though suspended on a bed of coupe cocktail glasses—above Pier 55 in the Hudson, just west of the Meatpacking District. In the same brief period, it has established itself as one of the city's most vital sources of low-cost high culture in the summer. 

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. Building on that success, Little Island has just announced its lineup for its 2025 season, which includes many new works by major artists. 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.  

This year's Gov Ball is set to take place from June 6 to 8. Festival alumnus Tyler, The Creator will kick things off on Friday night alongside a slew of other acts, including Benson Boone, The Beaches, Tyla and T-Pain.

Pop star Olivia Rodrigo is set to be the headliner on Saturday, when the likes of Feid, Glasshouse, Marina and The Garden will also perform. Irish singer-songwriter Hozier will then wrap it all up on Sunday night. Glass Animals, Mt. Joy, Mark Ambor and Snow Wife are only some of the other artists scheduled to take the stage on the last day of the festival. 

Some really fire artists are performing during Pride weekend 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.

Coming back to Brooklyn for its seventh iteration on Sunday, May 18 is Sound Mind Live's Music Festival for Mental Health. The event will take over the Brooklyn Paramount and feature music acts, comedy performances and panels that are sure to appeal to all New Yorkers who are really going through "it."

The event will kick off at 7pm and it will be hosted by comedian Jordan Carlos. Expect sets by psychedelic pop artist Børns, rock band American Authors, songwriter and activist MILCK and a spoken word segment by Hakeem Rahim.

The happening will also feature panels and discussions about mental health, social justice and community healing, including a live recording of the Sound Mind/Consequence podcast, Going there with Dr. Mike. There will also be an audience singing experience led by the Gaia Music Collective.

One of our favorite festivals of the year is coming up, and we can't help but be stoked about their lineup on June 9. Grace Jones and Janelle Monae are actually performing side by side at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!, just in time for Pride. This year's festival will take place at the Prospect Park Bandshell and the stars' performance will begin at 7pm, so expect good outdoor vibes while witnessing two of the greatest queer performers to ever grace this planet.

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. Previous iterations of the festival have featured superstars like Billie Eilish, boygenius, Lana Del Rey, Maggie Rogers, Hozier, Lorde and many others. 

This year, the festival will return to Forest Hills Stadium and will take place from September 26 through September 28. You can sign up to be the first to learn who will be on this year's lineup and get access to presale tickets here.  

For the past fifteen years, Boiler Room has done more to elevate DJing as an art form than arguably any other cultural institution. Through its massive YouTube channel and global events, the institution has helped raise the profiles of countless artists, including Kaytranada, Fred Again and Charli xcx. 

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. They haven't announced the lineup yet, but we'll update as soon as they do. 

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 hvae 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!

Clear your calendar: Summer for the City is back, with Lincoln Center once again turning its Manhattan campus into the ultimate cultural playground. 

The fourth annual festival runs from June 11 through August 9 this year, bringing 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. 

The Rooftop at Pier 17's much-anticipated summer concert series is back and will kick off on May 1 and 2 with a set by DJ Elderbrook. 

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.