Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage

A quick look at the venue rules can make arrival easier.

• Re-Entry & Smoking: Re-entry is not permitted for ticketed benefit shows once you leave the venue. Smoking or vaping of any kind is prohibited in all NYC parks.³
• Payment Options: Cash and credit cards are accepted at the venue, and guests can also place orders by scanning the venue QR code.³
• Prohibited Items: Glass bottles, coolers, weapons, folding chairs, bikes, beach umbrellas, balloons, laser pointers, professional camera or video equipment, pets, drones, and noisemakers.³ Refer to the policy page for a complete list of prohibited items.
• Age Restrictions: All ages are welcome. For some events, tickets are required for patrons ages 4 and up, and some shows may have other age restrictions that will be present on the event listing.³

For the most up-to-date guidance and information on regulations, including bag policies, check the official SummerStage, Central Park policy page.

SummerStage, Central Park is just one part of an entertainment scene that includes outdoor stadiums, club rooms, and larger Manhattan concert venues.

• Forest Hills Stadium: In Queens, Forest Hills Stadium is a historic outdoor venue that began as the home of the U.S. Open before becoming a concert destination for big-name acts. It holds 13,000 guests.⁴
• Brooklyn Steel: In East Williamsburg, Brooklyn Steel is a former steel fabrication warehouse-turned concert hall that has preserved its industrial character while hosting major live acts. It holds about 1,800 people.⁵
• Terminal 5: In Manhattan, Terminal 5 is a three-floor concert venue known for large standing-room shows in a warehouse-style setting. It holds 3,000 concertgoers.⁶

SummerStage, Central Park is set inside Rumsey Playfield, so getting there will involve a short walk through the park.⁹

Public Transportation: Nearby options include the 6 train to 68th Street, the 4/5/6 trains to 59th St-Lexington Ave, and bus routes along Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue.⁹

Driving: SummerStage, Central Park is located at 5th Ave, New York, NY 10021. Driving is possible, but parking near Central Park can be limited, so nearby garages are usually the most practical option.⁹

Other nearby parking options include:

• Townhouse Parking: 177 E 73rd St, New York, NY 10021
• LAZ Parking - Metropolitan Museum of Art: 989 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028

Guests can buy food and beverages at the venue, and beer and wine are available for guests 21 and over with a valid ID.³ Sales are limited to two alcoholic drinks per person at a time, and on-site QR ordering is also available.³

SummerStage began in 1986, when its first show brought Sun Ra Arkestra to the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park.^1,7 Over time, the Central Park venue became the flagship home of the broader SummerStage program.^1,7 The program is an annual tradition that brings both new and well-known artists to the stage to perform from May to October each year, spanning a wide range of genres such as rock, pop, latin, hip-hop, groove, jazz, and more.⁹ In addition to concerts, the series often includes dance performances, spoken-word events, family programming, and community celebrations that reflect the city's vibrant artistic landscape.

In 2019, the site underwent a $6 million upgrade that turned Rumsey Playfield into a more fully developed seasonal concert venue while keeping its open-air park setting.^7,8 The improvements transformed Rumsey Playfield into a more sophisticated seasonal concert venue, with upgraded infrastructure, expanded production capabilities, improved accessibility, and enhanced guest amenities. These updates have allowed SummerStage to continue hosting larger-scale performances while maintaining the relaxed atmosphere and community-focused spirit that have defined the venue since its earliest days.