Central Park SummerStage is a popular outdoor performing arts festival held annually in Central Park in New York City. Many people wonder if the performances at SummerStage are free to attend. The short answer is yes, most events at SummerStage are free, but there are some exceptions.
Overview of Central Park SummerStage
SummerStage is a program of City Parks Foundation that presents performing arts shows and concerts during the summer months in Central Park. The festival features over 100 free events from June to September, including performances by established and emerging musicians, dancers, storytellers and more.
SummerStage takes place at the Rumsey Playfield inside Central Park, which can accommodate audiences of up to 5,000 people. The venue has a wide open lawn space for general admission seating as well as reserved seating available closer to the stage.
In addition to the large-scale events at Rumsey Playfield, SummerStage also programs smaller events at venues across New York City parks, known as SummerStage Anywhere. These shows have a capacity of up to 1,500 attendees.
Most SummerStage events are free
The majority of events programmed as part of Central Park SummerStage are completely free and open to the public. This includes events at the Rumsey Playfield and other parks across the city.
No tickets or reservations are required for free events. Attendees simply arrive when doors open and find a seat on the lawn on a first come, first served basis. Some popular shows may reach capacity, so arriving early is recommended.
The convenience and affordability of free SummerStage events makes the festival accessible to a wide audience. It allows New Yorkers and visitors alike to enjoy world-class cultural programs regardless of income level.
Exceptions when fees apply
While most SummerStage events have free admission, there are some exceptions when fees apply:
- Benefit concerts – Some larger shows are designated as benefit concerts to help raise funds for City Parks Foundation’s free programs. Tickets may need to be purchased for entry.
- Reserved seating – For select high-profile concerts, a limited number of reserved seats closest to the stage are sold for a ticket price. General admission lawn seating remains free.
- SummerStage Kids events – Some children/family events charge a small fee for interactive activities and goodie bags, with general seating still free.
- SummerStage Anywhere – A small number of partner events may charge admission fees.
If there is a charge for a particular SummerStage show, details are provided on the event listing on the official website. Attendees should always double check there before arriving.
Use of Central Park fields
It’s important to note that while admission is free, SummerStage does pay a fee to use the Central Park fields for its programming. This allows them to cover the costs of putting on the festivals while keeping events free for the public.
According to NYC Parks Department regulations, any organization or individual hosting an event with over 20 people on protected parkland needs to obtain a permit. Permits for events like SummerStage help cover land restoration, maintenance, and enforcement to offset impact on the parks.
So in summary, Central Park SummerStage does not pay a rental fee per se. But they do follow the standard permitting process that applies to all large events in NYC parks.
Funding sources
In addition to permit fees, SummerStage is made possible through a combination of funding sources:
- Sponsorship – Major corporate sponsors include AT&T, Disney, JetBlue, Hyundai, and Coca-Cola. Sponsors obtain naming rights, signage, on-site promotions and more in exchange for support.
- Government grants – The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, NYC Council and State Legislature provide significant public funding each year.
- Private donors – Philanthropic contributions from foundations, corporations and individuals.
- Concessions – A portion of food and beverage sales contribute to the budget.
This diverse funding mix enables SummerStage to keep putting on great programming while maintaining free admission. Without this support, they would likely need to charge for more events.
History of free admission
For context, free public events open to all have been a key part of SummerStage since its inception. When SummerStage was founded in 1986, it was conceived as a way to bring performing arts to the people of New York City.
The festival was never designed as a money-making enterprise. Instead, the goal has always been enriching the city’s cultural scene and showcasing artists.
Over 35 years, SummerStage has stuck to this mission and now presents over 100 free shows each season. While adding some fundraising elements like benefit concerts and sponsorships, the majority of programming remains freely accessible.
Promoting arts access
Ultimately, keeping events free is fundamental to SummerStage fulfilling its purpose as a performing arts organization serving the public. Some key benefits of free admission include:
- Increased access – Free events allow New Yorkers of all socioeconomic backgrounds to attend.
- Exposure to the arts – SummerStage provides opportunities to experience artistic genres people may not seek out or be able to afford otherwise.
- Community building – Bringing people together for a shared cultural experience fosters connections.
- Supporting artists – Performing for large diverse crowds expands an artist’s audience.
For over three decades, accessible pricing has been central to SummerStage’s identity and success as a beloved NYC tradition. With continued public and private support, most SummerStage events can remain free well into the future.
Conclusion
In summary, the majority of events presented as part of Central Park SummerStage do have free admission with no tickets required. There are some exceptions when fees apply, such as for benefit concerts, reserved seating or special family events. But across 100+ shows per season, most SummerStage programming is completely free to enjoy. This open access for all is central to the festival’s mission of bringing the performing arts to the diverse communities of New York City.
