NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ANNOUNCES FREE CONCERTS IN SUMMER 2026

 

Concerts in the Parks

Conducted by Elim Chan

Philharmonic Principal Cello Carter Brey as Soloist

June 9–12, 2026

 

Free Indoor Concert in Staten Island

Performance by Musicians from the New York Philharmonic 

June 14, 2026

 

Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer

Major Support by Cathay Pacific

 

 

Photo: Chris Lee

 

The New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks, Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, and in partnership with NYC Parks, take place June 9–12, 2026. Conductor Elim Chan leads the series for the first time, and Carter Brey — who will retire from the Philharmonic at the end of the 2025–26 season after 30 years — makes his final New York City solo appearances as the Orchestra’s Principal Cello, performing Saint-Saëns’s Cello Concerto No. 1 (following his performances of the same work at David Geffen Hall, May 27–30, 2026, also conducted by Chan).

 

Major support for the New York Philharmonic’s Concerts in the Parks is provided by Cathay Pacific, the award-winning home carrier of Hong Kong. Chan conducts the New York Philharmonic in four free outdoor concerts at Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx (June 9); the Great Lawn in Central Park, Manhattan (June 10); Cunningham Park, Queens (June 11); and Prospect Park, Brooklyn (June 12). In addition to the Saint-Saëns

concerto, the program includes Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man; Joan Tower’s Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman, No. 1; Berlioz’s Le Corsaire Overture; Dukas’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice; Ravel’s Boléro; and works by New York Philharmonic Very Young Composers Celine Kim and Peace Dixon.

 

All outdoor performances begin at 8:00 p.m. and conclude with fireworks presented by Santore’s World Famous Fireworks. Additionally, the Central Park and Prospect Park concerts include preconcert performances, from 6:00–7:30 p.m., featuring ensembles from Philharmonic education and community partners from across New York City. The Central Park pre-concert performance also features the Philharmonic Youth Choir, directed by Dr. Tyrone Clinton.

 

Following the Concerts in the Parks, Musicians from the New York Philharmonic perform a Free Indoor Concert, on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., at St. George Theatre in Staten Island. The program includes Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet and Brahms’s Clarinet Quintet.

 

Linda and Mitch Hart President & CEO Matías Tarnopolsky said: “The New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks are an enormous point of pride for New Yorkers, and a joy for all who are lucky enough to be in New York at just the right moment. These free concerts manifest our most essential truth: music brings people together, and in New York that means all people, from all neighborhoods, cultures, and musical interests. The experience of gathering together on a June evening, on the lawn of one of the city’s beautiful parks, and embracing the chance to be quiet and listen — it is magical. This year we have the special pleasure of hearing our own Carter Brey as soloist as he retires from the Orchestra after 30 spectacular seasons as Principal Cello. 

 

The New York Philharmonic’s free parks concerts have become an iconic New York summer experience since they began in 1965, transforming parks throughout the boroughs into a patchwork of picnickers and music lovers, providing the city an opportunity to hear classical music free of charge. More than 15 million listeners have been delighted by the performances since their inception.

 

Tickets

Admission to the Concerts in the Parks is free, and tickets are not required.

Admission to the Free Indoor Concert in Staten Island is free. Tickets are required and will be available beginning May 19 at stgeorgetheatre.com.

 

 

NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC CONCERTS IN THE PARKS

Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer

All concerts begin at 8:00 p.m.

 

Elim Chan, conductor

Carter Brey, cello

 

COPLAND Fanfare for the Common Man

Joan TOWER Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman, No. 1

SAINT-SAËNS Cello Concerto No. 1

BERLIOZ Le Corsaire Overture

Works by NY Phil Very Young Composers

*Celine KIM Happy Cities

Peace DIXON Orchestra on E

DUKAS The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

RAVEL Boléro

 

 

#Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx Tuesday, June 9, 2026

• Enter the park from Broadway, near West 251st

Street. Concert site is on the Parade Grounds toward

the south.

 

#Great Lawn, Central Park, Manhattan Wednesday, June 10, 2026

• Westside entrances: West 81st or 86th Streets at

Central Park West

• Eastside entrances: East 79th or 85th Streets at Fifth Avenue

 

#Cunningham Park, Queens Thursday, June 11, 2026

• Enter at 193rd Street, near 81st Avenue or Union

Turnpike. Concert site is at 193rd Street Field.

 

#Prospect Park, Brooklyn Friday, June 12, 2026

• Enter at Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park West at 9th Street,

or Bartel-Pritchard Circle at the intersection of Prospect Park

West, Prospect Park Southwest, and 15th Street.

 

#FREE INDOOR CONCERT

Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer

St. George Theatre, Staten Island

Sunday, June 14, 2026, 2:00 p.m.

Musicians from the New York Philharmonic: Sheryl Staples, Alina Kobialka, violins; Cong Wu, viola; Nathan Vickery, cello; Benjamin Adler, clarinet

 

MOZART Clarinet Quintet

BRAHMS Clarinet Quintet