Mavis Staples, De La Soul Lead Packed NYC SummerStage 40th Anniversary Lineup
The New York City Parks Foundation has officially unveiled the highly anticipated lineup and schedule for the Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage concert series. As the series marks its momentous 40th anniversary in 2026, the program promises a diverse and expansive celebration of live music across the five boroughs.
A Landmark Anniversary Celebration
Announced on Tuesday, April 28, the 2026 season features a stellar roster of groundbreaking artists. Headlining the festivities are legendary soul singer Mavis Staples and iconic hip-hop pioneers De La Soul. They will be joined by a wide array of talent, including Spoon, Laurie Anderson, and Angélique Kidjo. The summer schedule also boasts performances from Bilal, MIKE’s Young World with Max B, Julieta Venegas, Edem, Black Country, New Road, Horsegirl, Shabaka, Kokoroko, Trueno, Luedji Luna featuring Liniker, Shaggy, WayV, and Charlie Aponte.
The concerts will be anchored at the series’ flagship venue, Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. However, the celebration extends far beyond Manhattan, with performances scheduled at Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, Tompkins Square Park in the East Village, Herbert Von King Park in Brooklyn, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, and Crotona Park in the Bronx. Plans for a Staten Island location are currently being finalized.
“I am thrilled to announce our 2026 SummerStage lineup and mark our momentous 40th anniversary,” said Heather Lubov, Executive Director of City Parks Foundation. “This season’s exceptional mix of artists truly embodies why SummerStage has become such a beloved music destination for the past four decades, and reflects our city’s rich cultural diversity.”
Honoring the Past and Future
The theme for this year’s milestone is to “honor the past and future,” with special digital initiatives and events designed to highlight the most iconic moments in the series’ history since its inception in 1986. SummerStage founder and City Parks Foundation board member Joe Killian, who is set to receive the SummerStage Icon Award, reflected on the series’ evolution.
“Forty years ago, I had a simple idea: that world-class music and performing arts belonged to everyone, not just those who could afford a ticket,” Killian stated. “SummerStage has been the cultural backbone of NYC since 1986, bringing artists from across the globe to share their sounds and stories with our neighbors in their local parks.”
The season kicks off on June 10 with a performance by Grammy Award-winning singer Ledisi, presented in association with the Blue Note Jazz Festival. Other notable events include The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series on June 15, Duck Down Music’s 30th anniversary celebration of Heltah Skeltah and O.G.C. on July 9, and the annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, which will run from August 28 through August 30.
