Summer in Brooklyn means music in the air and dancing under the stars! This season is loaded with free outdoor concerts, dance parties, and more live performances the whole family can enjoy. Highlights include BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! in Prospect Park, Live at the Archway in DUMBO, Sounds of Sunset concerts and Big Summer Get Down dance parties in Brooklyn Bridge Park, and more outdoor fun in Downtown Brooklyn, Fort Greene Park, Clinton Hill, and Domino Park in Williamsburg.
DUMBO
Live at the Archway returns this summer with seven weeks of free Thursday evening concerts and paired with visual arts programming beneath the Manhattan Bridge Archway in DUMBO, from June 12 to July 31 (no event on July 3).
- On Stage: T Marie & Bayou Juju | Opening set by Fogo Azul
On the Art Wall: Samantha Dion Baker
Thursday, June 12 | Doors at 5pm | Music 6:00-7:30pm - On Stage: Cleo Reed
On the Art Wall: Billie Elise
Thursday, June 19 | Doors at 5pm | Music 6:00-7:30pm - On Stage: Chanpan | Opening set by Ruby Hoops
On the Art Wall: April Hannah
Thursday, June 26 | Doors at 5pm | Music 6:00-7:30pm - On Stage: Brasil Summerfest presents Os Clavelitos
On the Art Wall: 20×200 in collaboration with Joan LeMay
Thursday, July 10 | Doors at 5pm | Music 6:00-7:30pm - On Stage: Kaleta and Super Yamba Band
On the Art Wall: TBA
Thursday, July 17 | Doors at 5pm | Music 6:00-7:30pm - On Stage: Sug Daniels
On the Art Wall: Jenn MackSoud
Thursday, July 24 | Doors at 5pm | Music 6:00-7:30pm - On Stage: Chicha Libre
On the Art Wall: Chelsea Bonosky
Thursday, July 31 | Doors at 5pm | Music 6:00-7:30pm
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Outdoor Concerts
This summer, Brooklyn Bridge Park presents a variety of outdoor music concerts: from performances from the Met Opera and Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra to their Sounds of Sunset Friday evening series of jazz, hip-hop, and R&B.
- Sounds at Sunset: Freelance Band | Friday, June 13 | 6-9pm | Electronic fusion, jazz, progressive R&B and alt rock
- Metropolitan Opera | Saturday, June 14 | 7pm | Stars of the Metropolitan Opera perform as part of the SummerStage series
- Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra: Parisian Nocturne | Friday, June 27 | 7-9pm | Evening of French classical music by Ravel, Saint-Saëns, Debussy and Berlioz
- Sounds at Sunset: Revive Big Band Show | Friday, July 11 | 6-9pm | Fusion of jazz, hip-hop, R&B
- Sounds at Sunset: Brooklyn Americana | Friday, July 25 | 6-9pm | Curated selection of festival performers
- Sounds at Sunset: Reinaldo De Jesus Band | Friday, August 8 | 6-9pm | Latin Jazz quartet
Get ready to groove & move at the hottest dance party series of the summer! Step into a world of rhythm, nostalgia, and summer vibes as we invite you to join us for four unforgettable evenings of music, dancing, and celebration along the waterfront. Each night hosts it’s own incredible curated theme with our presenting partners!
- Pride Twirl | Saturday, June 14 | 4-9pm | Celebration of Brooklyn Pride with Papi Juice and Friends
- Big Family Get Down | Tuesday, June 17 | 5:00-8:30pm | Ticketed waterfront bash supporting Brooklyn Bridge Park
- Love Saves the Day! | Saturday, July 19 | 3-9pm | A Tribute to David Mancuso
- August GetDown | Saturday, August 16 | 6-10pm | With special guest to be announced!
Downtown Brooklyn
Lunchtime Entertainment at The Commons
Every Tuesday in June, visitors to Brooklyn Commons Park can enjoy live performances at noon, from celebrations of Pride to puppet shows!
- Kréol Fest | Tuesday, June 10 | 12-2pm | Kréol Fest is a dynamic celebration of Creole culture.
- Celebrate Pride with Las Mariquitas | Tuesday, June 17 | 12-2pm | Honor Pride Month with Las Mariquitas, New York’s dynamic Queer and Trans Salsa band!
- Puppets in The Park | Tuesday, June 24 | 12-2 pm | Get ready for a family-friendly puppet slam, featuring an inclusive line-up of marionettes, hand puppets, giant puppets and more!
En Garde Arts Presents: playdate Fest! at Abolitionist Place
Friday, June 13 | 5-7pm
playdate Fest! is En Garde Arts’ curated summer performance series celebrating theatre and music artists. Artists includes the musical trio Tó Ara, Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson with selections from Mexodus, the hit musical, and Josh Fox, bringing his signature punk-folk sound. See the full lineup here!
Summer Sunset Salsa at Atlantic Terminal Mall Plaza
Thursdays, 6-9pm | June 12, 19 & 26, July 3, 10 & 17
Join Nieves Latin Dance Studio outside Atlantic Terminal on Thursday nights for a live DJ spinning salsa, bachata & Latin beats and free dance lessons led by professional instructors from Nieves.
Albee Square Happy Hours: Future Music in Real Time with Thomas Piper and Friends
On Thursday evenings in Albee Square, join Thomas Piper, the futuristic pop singer-songwriter and producer, and the next generation of hybrid producer-musicians from the hi-to-the-lo-fi scene. In the case of inclement weather, shows will move inside to Somethin’ Else, located atDeKalb Market Hall.
- R.Q. Tek, Nelson Bandela and Kelly Moonstone | Thursday, June 5 | 6-8pm
- Nothing_Neue & Chenoa Tarin, Brittany Harris and The Culture EFX | Thursday, June 12 | 6-8pm
- Tomoki Sanders, Black Moss and Thomas Piper | Thursday, June 26 | 6-8pm
Fort Greene & Clinton Hill
Secret Salsa Show at Habana Outpost | Fort Greene
Sunday, June 15 | 2:30-7:30pm
Come out on Father’s Day for a Secret Salsa Sunday Show with live DJs outside (weather permitting)!
This outdoor jazz series takes place at Jitu Weusi Plaza in Clinton Hill. Pull up a chair (or bring your own) to enjoy these live concerts on the plaza this summer. In case of inclement weather, all concerts will be held across the street at Grace A. Harewood Older Adults Club, at 966 Fulton Street.
- Nikita White | Thursday, August 14 | 6-8pm
- George Gray | Thursday, September 11 | 5-7pm
Soul Summit | Fort Greene Park
Sunday, July 13 & Sunday, August 3 | 3-8pm
Join the dance party this summer! The Soul Summit Music Festival is an event that takes place in Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn on Sunday afternoons in the summer. Always free and open to the public, the festival showcases artists of various backgrounds, including DJs, bands, dance companies, fashion designers, filmmakers and photographers.
Prospect Park
This summer concert series in Prospect Park’s Lena Horne Bandshell is New York City’s longest-running, free, outdoor performing arts festival, celebrating 47 years! The majority of concerts are free, with a few ticketed benefits during the season. RSVP in advance, but note that RSVP does not guarantee entry: seating is first come, first served.
- Opening Benefit Concert: Grace Jones & Janelle Monáe | Monday, June 9 | Doors at 6pm | Show at 7pm | $89–$149
- Opening Free Concert: Mélissa Laveaux | Nathalie ‘TALIE’ Cerin | Riva Nyri Précil | Friday, June 13 | Doors at 6pm | Show at 7pm
- Family Day: Pippi Longstocking’s 80th Birthday Celebration with The Klezmatics! | Saturday, June 14 | Doors at 3pm | Show at 4pm
- 3rd Annual Juneteenth in the Park | Thursday, June 19 | Doors at 5pm | Show at 6pm
- Habibi Festival at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! | Friday, June 20 | Doors at 6pm | Show at 7pm
- Buscabulla | Chuwi | Paso Negro | Thursday, June 26 | Doors at 6pm | Show at 7pm
- A Tribute to Quincy Jones: The Greatest Night in Pop | Friday, June 27 | Doors at 6pm | Show at 7pm
- Benefit Concert: Still Woozy – Loveseat Tour | Saturday, July 12 | Doors at 6:30pm | Show at 7:30pm | $50–$55
- Benefit Concert: Dinosaur Jr. + Snail Mail with special guest Easy Action | Thursday, July 17 | Doors at 6pm | Show at 7pm | $47.50–$53
- Benefit Concert: Men I Trust | strongboi | Friday, July 18 | Doors at 6:30pm | Show at 7:30pm | $49.99–$58
- BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! at Brower Park | Saturday, July 19 | Doors at 3pm | Show at 4pm
- A Tribute to Quincy Jones: The Wiz | Saturday, July 26 | Doors at 6pm | Show at 7pm
- Mireya Ramos and the Poor Choices | Talibah Safiya | Morley | Friday, August 1 | Doors at 6pm | Show at 7pm
- Gogol Bordello | Puzzled Panther | Pons | Saturday, August 2 | Doors at 6pm | Show at 7pm
- Emily Johnson / Catalyst | Thursday, August 7 | Doors at 6pm | Show at 7pm
- Adrian Quesada’s Boleros Psicodélicos | Trish Toledo | Friday, August 8 | Doors at 6pm | Show at 7pm
- LYRICIST LOUNGE Anniversary Show | Saturday, August 9 | Doors at 6pm | Show at 7pm
- William Parker Presents Ellington in Mourning | NIKARA presents Black Wall Street | Friday, August 15 | Doors at 6pm | Show at 7pm
- Closing Night: Nick Hakim | Karriem Riggins (DJ set) | Saturday, August 16 | Doors at 6pm | Show at 7pm
Williamsburg
This summer, Domino Park introduces a new free outdoor performing arts series, Sugar, Sugar! Performances in June will showcase experimental performances spanning theater, dance, music, and puppetry. On select dates, join for a pre-show from 7-8pm by Capicu! NYC Dominos and DJs, with live DJs, dancing, plus drop-in domino games.
- Rashaun Mitchell & Silas Riener: Outside Out | Wednesday, June 11 | Pre-show at 7pm | Performance at 8pm
- Poncili Creación, Eli Nixon and Friends | Thursday, June 12 | Pre-show at 7pm | Performance at 8pm
- National Sawdust Presents: “Back to Nature” | Wednesday, June 18 | Pre-show at 7pm | Performance at 8pm
- Troy Anthony & the Fire Ensemble | Thursday, June 19 | Pre-show at 7pm | Performance at 8pm
- QUINCE | Wednesday, June 25 & Thursday, June 26 | Pre-show at 7pm | Performance at 8pm
- Sugar, Sugar Closing Block Party | Saturday, June 28 | 1-6pm | Join for live music and dancing, a vibrant marketplace, local food vendors, arts workshops and installations. Fun for all ages!
Governors Island
The Jazz Age Lawn Party is a 1920s-themed festival on Governor’s Island featuring live jazz, dancing, vintage fashion, retro cocktails, and classic games. There’s also a children’s parade, open to all kids 12 and under. Vintage-inspired kiddie-couture encouraged!
- Weekend 1: June 14 & 15 | 11am-5pm | $55
- Weekend 2: August 8 & 10 | 11am-5pm | $45
Saturday, June 21 | 11am-6pm
During the Porch Stomp festival, dozens of folk bands and artists perform music ranging from folk to old-time, blues, roots, bluegrass and Americana. The festival uses the historic porches of Nolan Park, with each porch serving as a different stage for live music.
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Updated: June 12, 2025. Main Image: Big Summer Get Down in Brooklyn Bridge Park.