Mavis Staples and De La Soul Headline NYC SummerStage 40th Anniversary
The City Parks Foundation in New York City has officially announced the lineup and schedule for the 2026 Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage concert series. This year marks a significant milestone, as the beloved annual event celebrates its 40th anniversary.
The program, unveiled on Tuesday, April 28, features a diverse and high-profile roster of performers. Among the headliners are legendary soul singer Mavis Staples and the iconic hip-hop trio De La Soul. The series will also showcase performances by Spoon, Laurie Anderson, and Angélique Kidjo, among many others.
The 2026 season promises a wide array of musical talent, with additional acts including Bilal, MIKE’s Young World with Max B, Julieta Venegas, Edem, Black Country, New Road, Horsegirl, Shabaka, Kokoroko, Trueno, Luedji Luna featuring Liniker, Shaggy, WayV, and Charlie Aponte.
A City-Wide Celebration
While the flagship venue remains Rumsey Playfield in Central Park, the 40th-anniversary festivities will extend across the five boroughs. Concerts are scheduled for various locations, including Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, Tompkins Square Park in the East Village, Herbert Von King Park in Brooklyn, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, and Crotona Park in the Bronx. Plans for a Staten Island venue are currently being finalized.
Heather Lubov, Executive Director of the City Parks Foundation, expressed her excitement regarding the milestone. “I am thrilled to announce our 2026 SummerStage lineup and mark our momentous 40th anniversary,” Lubov stated. “This season’s exceptional mix of artists truly embodies why SummerStage has become such a beloved music destination for the past four decades, and reflects our city’s rich cultural diversity.”
Honoring a Legacy
The theme for this year’s celebration is to “honor the past and future.” Special events and dedicated digital platforms will highlight landmark moments and performances that have defined the series since its inception in 1986.
SummerStage founder and City Parks Foundation board member Joe Killian reflected on the series’ profound impact on the local community. “Forty years ago, I had a simple idea: that world-class music and performing arts belonged to everyone, not just those who could afford a ticket,” Killian said. “Four decades later, I’m genuinely moved by what SummerStage has meant to our city and what we helped build together with our fans.”
The series officially kicks off on June 10 with a performance by Grammy Award-winning singer Ledisi, presented in association with the Blue Note Jazz Festival. Other highlights throughout the summer include The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series, Duck Down Music’s 30th-anniversary celebration, and the annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival.
