Celebrate Brooklyn! is the template for the New York summer night: a real headliner on the Lena Horne Bandshell stage, thousands of people on blankets, and no ticket required for the free shows. BRIC has been booking this series since 1979, and the mix runs from national touring acts to Brooklyn's own across music, dance and film. If you do one free outdoor concert this summer, the bandshell lawn is the canonical place to do it.
What to expect
A fenced bandshell arena with a standing pit near the stage and a huge lawn behind it, food and drink vendors along the perimeter, and a crowd that arrives early with blankets to claim grass. Gates open in the evening; lines form at the 9th Street and Prospect Park West entrance for the biggest nights.
Good to know
- Take the F/G to 7th Avenue or 15th Street–Prospect Park; the bandshell is just inside the 9th Street entrance
- Free shows are first-come, first-served — arrive early for popular acts to make the lawn cutoff
- Low-back chairs and blankets are welcome on the lawn; the area near the stage is standing
- Food and drink vendors operate inside, and outside snacks are generally fine (no glass)
- Check BRIC's calendar for that night's lineup — select benefit shows are ticketed, most are free
Get Saturday planned every Thursday
One email a week — the best of the NYC weekend board. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Common questions
Are Celebrate Brooklyn shows really free?
Most are — the series is anchored by free performances, with a handful of ticketed benefit concerts that fund the season. Check the BRIC calendar for the specific night.
Do I need to reserve a spot for free shows?
No reservation — entry is first-come, first-served at the gate. For big-name headliners, arriving well before showtime is the only way to guarantee you get in.
Where exactly is the bandshell?
The Lena Horne Bandshell sits just inside Prospect Park's 9th Street and Prospect Park West entrance in Park Slope, a short walk from the F/G trains at 7th Avenue.
More this weekend
