On a lawn above the Hudson near Columbia, hundreds of neighbors spread out blankets for free live music at Riverside Park's 116th Street Overlook. Charlotte Mayerson started the series in 2006, and it has hosted blues, Brazilian-flavored jazz and conservatory brass ensembles at a spot the Conservancy calls beautiful and underappreciated. If you want an easy, unhurried fall Sunday on the Upper West Side, this is a great free pick.
What to expect
Walk into Riverside Park near West 116th Street and follow the music to the Overlook lawn. A relaxed crowd of families, students and Morningside Heights neighbors settles in on blankets with snacks, and people wander in and out. Each date features one act, and recent spring shows ran about an hour and a half.
Good to know
- The concert is free and open to the public, with no tickets or RSVP.
- Bring a blanket and a snack. It's lawn seating, not chairs.
- The 1 train to 116th Street–Columbia University is a short walk west to Riverside Park.
- It's kid-friendly and low-key, and easy to pair with a walk along the Riverside Park promenade.
- It's an outdoor show, so check Riverside Park Conservancy's event calendar for this edition's performer and any weather updates.
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Common questions
Is the Overlook Concert free?
Yes. Riverside Park Conservancy presents the Overlook Concerts as a free public series, and no tickets are needed.
Who performs at the Overlook Concerts?
The lineup changes each week. Past performers include French Cookin' Blues Band, the Manhattan School of Music's brass ensemble and a Latin jazz trio from the Bloomingdale School of Music. Riverside Park Conservancy's event calendar lists e
Where exactly is the 116th Street Overlook?
It's inside Riverside Park near West 116th Street, just west of Riverside Drive in Morningside Heights, close to Columbia University.
