Photo by Lawrence Sumulong
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts has announced the return of Summer for the City, its annual outdoor arts festival now entering its fourth year. From June 11 to August 9, the Lincoln Center campus will transform into a hub of global performance, community connection, and creative expression—with all events offered for free or on a Choose-What-You-Pay basis.
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Launched in 2022, the festival has welcomed more than a million visitors and is now a signature part of the city’s cultural calendar. This year’s programming includes a wide array of performances, including world and New York premieres, interactive installations, and inclusive events designed for all ages and abilities.
Highlights of the 2025 season include the Run AMOC Festival by the American Modern Opera Company, Brazil Week in collaboration with Brasil Summerfest, and the return of the BAAND Together Dance Festival featuring five of the city’s most iconic dance companies. The Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center, under Artistic Director Jonathon Heyward, will also return with a series of classical works and new commissions.
Themed around birds and flight, this summer’s visual design is once again led by Artist-in-Residence Clint Ramos, who reimagines Lincoln Center’s outdoor spaces as welcoming sanctuaries for reflection and joy.
Accessibility is a central focus of the festival, with accommodations such as ASL interpretation, live captioning, audio descriptions, haptic suits, and relaxed performances. Events like Big Umbrella Day, Deaf Broadway’s production of Waitress, and performances curated by artist Ryan J. Haddad emphasize inclusivity for disabled and neurodivergent audiences.
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Family-friendly offerings include storytimes, dance workshops, and interactive performances. Food trucks curated in partnership with The Infatuation will offer rotating menus tied to the cultural themes of each week.
The season opens with a concert from Robert Glasper and Alain Pérez & La Orquesta and closes with Ruidosa Fest and a silent disco on August 9. Choose-What-You-Pay tickets for select indoor events go on sale to the public on May 15.
For the full calendar and additional information, visit SummerForTheCity.org.
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LOVE the LINCOLN CENTER Events!
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I love all these free or affordable events. It’s what’s great about the city.