Stumblday's hand-checked ranking of the best things to do in Central Park, Manhattan the weekend of Sep 25–27, 2026: 13 picks, refreshed weekly.
13 picks · checked Sep 7
Central Park, ManhattanPhotograph by Mike Peel ( www.mikepeel.net ). · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsThe free, action-earned Global Citizen Festival returns to Central Park's Great Lawn with Ms. Lauryn Hill & Wyclef Jean, Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Lainey Wilson, Shaboozey and TOMORROW X TOGETHER.
Central Park, ManhattanPhotograph by Mike Peel ( www.mikepeel.net ). · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsThe free, action-earned Global Citizen Festival returns to Central Park's Great Lawn with Ms. Lauryn Hill & Wyclef Jean, Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Lainey Wilson, Shaboozey and TOMORROW X TOGETHER.
Doris C. Freedman Plaza, Central Park, ManhattanTdorante10 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsBronze, stone and concrete dogs on leashes take over the Central Park entrance at 60th and Fifth — Camille Henrot's first public show in New York.
Doris C. Freedman Plaza, Central Park, ManhattanTdorante10 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsBronze, stone and concrete dogs on leashes take over the Central Park entrance at 60th and Fifth — Camille Henrot's first public show in New York.
King Jagiello Plaza, Central Park, ManhattanFree Sunday-afternoon social dancing on the plaza above Turtle Pond - swing, jump blues, hot jazz and cha chas, with lessons in the breaks.
King Jagiello Plaza, Central Park, ManhattanFree Sunday-afternoon social dancing on the plaza above Turtle Pond - swing, jump blues, hot jazz and cha chas, with lessons in the breaks.
Central Park: Swedish Cottage Lawn, ManhattanPinocchio gets a New York twist on the Swedish Cottage lawn — a free outdoor family show beside Central Park's storybook marionette theater.
Central Park: Swedish Cottage Lawn, ManhattanPinocchio gets a New York twist on the Swedish Cottage lawn — a free outdoor family show beside Central Park's storybook marionette theater.
Central Park: Dead Road North, ManhattanThe legendary Central Park Skate Circle spins up on Dead Road — roller skaters groove to DJ sets in one of NYC's great free scenes.
Central Park: Dead Road North, ManhattanThe legendary Central Park Skate Circle spins up on Dead Road — roller skaters groove to DJ sets in one of NYC's great free scenes.
Central Park: Shakespeare Statue Plaza, ManhattanAn open-air milonga fills the plaza at Central Park's Shakespeare statue on summer evenings — free lesson first, no partner needed.
Central Park: Shakespeare Statue Plaza, ManhattanAn open-air milonga fills the plaza at Central Park's Shakespeare statue on summer evenings — free lesson first, no partner needed.
Central Park: King Jagiallo Plaza, ManhattanFree open-air folk dancing by the King Jagiello statue in Central Park — global steps, live spirit, all levels welcome.
Central Park: King Jagiallo Plaza, ManhattanFree open-air folk dancing by the King Jagiello statue in Central Park — global steps, live spirit, all levels welcome.
Central Park: Merchants' Gate, ManhattanGrab-and-go vendors set up at Central Park's Merchants' Gate by Columbus Circle—an easy bite at one of Manhattan's busiest corners.
Central Park: Merchants' Gate, ManhattanGrab-and-go vendors set up at Central Park's Merchants' Gate by Columbus Circle—an easy bite at one of Manhattan's busiest corners.
Central Park: 110th and Lenox, ManhattanAn open-air market sets up at Central Park's 110th and Lenox corner — vendors, crafts and food at the Harlem gateway to the park.
Central Park: 110th and Lenox, ManhattanAn open-air market sets up at Central Park's 110th and Lenox corner — vendors, crafts and food at the Harlem gateway to the park.
Central Park: South Dead Road A, ManhattanA youth sports program takes over Dead Road in Central Park, the wide paved stretch below Sheep Meadow that skaters and soccer players long ago claimed.
Central Park: South Dead Road A, ManhattanA youth sports program takes over Dead Road in Central Park, the wide paved stretch below Sheep Meadow that skaters and soccer players long ago claimed.
Central Park: South Dead Road A, ManhattanSocRoc runs soccer training on Central Park's Dead Road, the hard-surface stretch by Sheep Meadow that has doubled as a pitch for generations.
Central Park: South Dead Road A, ManhattanSocRoc runs soccer training on Central Park's Dead Road, the hard-surface stretch by Sheep Meadow that has doubled as a pitch for generations.
Central Park: Rudin Playground Lawn, ManhattanAfternoon gathering on Central Park's Rudin Playground for a special seasonal program.
Central Park: Rudin Playground Lawn, ManhattanAfternoon gathering on Central Park's Rudin Playground for a special seasonal program.
Central Park: West 96th Street Landscape, ManhattanAfternoon special program at Central Park's West Side landscape welcomes a wide range of community.
Central Park: West 96th Street Landscape, ManhattanAfternoon special program at Central Park's West Side landscape welcomes a wide range of community.
Big weekends coming up — save them now, plan later.
