There is still plenty of free live music ahead this summer at Bryant Park, with the 2026 Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America continuing through September with a lineup spanning gospel, indie rock, global music, jazz, brass and dance.
The remaining schedule begins with the Choir Festival on Friday, August 21, bringing three vocal ensembles to the park for an evening celebrating communal music-making. The lineup includes New York Vocal Collective, a professional a cappella group blending pop, jazz and R&B; Sing Harlem!, which has performed with artists including Sting, SZA, Madonna and Ariana Grande; and Brooklyn-based Gaia Music Collective.
On August 22, the Emerging Music Festival will spotlight artists across the indie, rock, R&B and hip-hop spectrum. Performers include New York indie rock band Starcleaner Reunion, indie duo Lowertown, Magi Merlin, whose music blends indie pop, R&B, jazz, house and hip-hop, and Heathers, the solo rock project of multi-instrumentalist Heath Michael Thomas.
The Accordion Festival follows on Friday, August 28, offering a global celebration of the instrument. Curated by Ariana Hellerman, the event features Cajun musician Jourdan Thibodeaux, Pakistani ensemble Saami Brothers and Brooklyn-based Chicha Libre, whose music incorporates psychedelic cumbia.
September opens with the Asian American Arts Alliance on Thursday, September 3. Saxophonist, singer and composer Grace Kelly, known for her work with The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, will perform alongside singer-songwriter and pianist Ashni, whose music incorporates jazz, R&B, pop and North Indian folk influences.
On Friday, September 4, Bryant Park will host its first-ever Brass Festival, headlined by two-time Grammy-nominated New Breed Brass Band of New Orleans. Aberdeen and Brass Queens will also perform during the high-energy evening celebrating contemporary brass music.
The series shifts into dance mode on Thursday, September 10, with Dance Party All-Stars, curated by Talia Castro-Pozo. After salsa and swing dance lessons, audiences can dance to the Alfredo De La Fé All Star Band and George Gee Swing Orchestra.
The season concludes on Friday, September 11, with a special 25th Anniversary of September 11 Tribute Concert performed by the American Symphony Orchestra. The commemorative evening will feature music by Aaron Copland, George Walker, Charles Ives, Joseph Haydn and Gustav Mahler, with additional special guests to be announced.
The remaining performances offer New Yorkers and visitors a chance to experience free live music in one of Manhattan’s most popular public spaces — with the summer series extending its programming well into September.