Just steps from The Knickerbocker

One of the great pleasures of staying in Midtown Manhattan is discovering that the city’s finest entertainment is often free — and right outside your door. Bryant Park’s Picnic Performances series returns this summer with a remarkable lineup of more than two dozen free concerts and performances running from late May through September 11th.

At just a short stroll from The Knickerbocker Hotel at 42nd Street and 6th Avenue, Bryant Park is one of New York’s most treasured public spaces. Pack a blanket, grab a bite from one of the park’s food kiosks, and settle in for an evening under the open sky. Performances begin at 7:00pm and are free and open to the public.

Here are a few highlights from this summer’s program — and the full schedule below.

Highlights worth knowing

Jazzmobile: Wycliffe Gordon and Friends (May 28) — The series opens with a night of world-class jazz courtesy of Jazzmobile, the legendary Harlem-based organization that has brought jazz to New York’s streets and parks for decades. Trombonist and vocalist Wycliffe Gordon is a Grammy-nominated master of classic jazz and blues traditions. It’s a perfect season opener.

Carnegie Hall Citywide Fridays (July 3–31) — Carnegie Hall brings five consecutive Friday evenings to Bryant Park this summer. The lineup spans an extraordinary range: The Knights chamber orchestra on July 3rd, Broadway star Aisha Jackson on July 10th, Zydeco royalty Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas on July 17th, the NYC Ska Orchestra on July 24th, and the roots-driven sounds of El Laberinto del Coco closing out the month on July 31st.

New York City Opera (May 29 & August 7) — NYC Opera graces the park twice this summer. The first appearance, on May 29th, features American Classics — beloved arias and songs from the American operatic tradition. The August 7th performance is a Celebration of Ella Fitzgerald, honoring the First Lady of Song in a program sure to fill the park with timeless swing and jazz-inflected melody.

New York Guitar Festival (August 14–15) — A rare two-night event, the New York Guitar Festival takes over Bryant Park for back-to-back evenings of guitar-centered performance, from classical and jazz to world music traditions. One of the most genre-spanning events on the calendar.

Tribute Concert: 25th Anniversary of September 11th (September 11) — The series closes on a deeply meaningful note: a tribute concert marking the 25th anniversary of September 11th, 2001. An evening of remembrance, reflection, and the unifying power of music.

Full Schedule