David Ippolito has been playing to blanket-covered crowds on the hill above Central Park's lake since 1992 — original ballads, sing-alongs, and thirty-plus years of the same running conversation with strangers, all free, all tips-only. The New York Times once called him the most famous person in New York that nobody knows. He has announced this as his final season, which turns a lovely afternoon into a genuine last chance: sit on the grass, and understand why people have been coming back for thr
What to expect
Ippolito sets up on the hillside near West 75th Street, usually starting in the early afternoon and playing into the late afternoon. The crowd spreads out on blankets down the slope, sings along on the choruses, and drifts in and out across the hours. Hat money is the whole business model — there is no ticket.
Good to know
- Take the B/C to 72nd or 79th St and walk into the park toward the lake and Hernshead
- Free — he plays for tips, so bring cash if you enjoy it
- Bring a blanket; the hill is grass and it fills up on nice afternoons
- Sets run for hours, so you can arrive whenever and stay as long as you like
- This is his announced final season after more than thirty years
- Weather-dependent — he does not play in rain
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Common questions
Who is That Guitar Man?
David Ippolito, a singer-songwriter who has played free weekend afternoons in Central Park since 1992.
How much does it cost?
Nothing — he plays for tips on the hill, and passing the hat is the only charge.
Is this really his last summer?
He has announced that summer and fall 2026 will be his final season of Central Park shows.
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