Angélique Kidjo has won five GRAMMYs across four decades and can turn a Central Park field into one moving body inside two songs, and she is doing it here for nothing. Cimafunk brings the Havana funk that has made him Cuba's most exportable bandleader, and DJ Freshy K warms the lawn before either of them. If you leave the apartment once this weekend, make it this.
What to expect
Rumsey Playfield opens at 6 PM and the show runs 7 to 10 PM. Expect a standing general-admission lawn, a bag check at the gate, food and drink vendors inside, and a crowd that skips the sitting-down phase entirely once the horns start. All ages are welcome and nobody is checking a ticket.
Good to know
- B or C to 72nd Street, or the 6 to 68th Street, then walk into the park; the Rumsey gate sits near Fifth Avenue and 69th Street.
- Admission is free and unticketed, but a headliner this size draws a line well before the gates open — arrive early if you want the front.
- Bring a light layer; the field is exposed and the park cools off noticeably after dark.
- Sealed water bottles and small bags clear security fastest; large backpacks, umbrellas and outside alcohol do not.
- All ages are welcome, and the flat lawn is manageable with a stroller if you stay toward the back.
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Common questions
Is it free?
Yes. SummerStage shows in Central Park are free and first-come, first-served, and no ticket or RSVP is needed for the concert itself.
What time should I get there?
Doors open at 6 PM for a 7 PM start. For a marquee booking like Kidjo, being in line near doors is the difference between the rail and the back of the lawn.
What happens if it rains?
SummerStage has cancelled shows for extreme weather this season, so check cityparksfoundation.org the afternoon of before you travel.
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