In June of 1986, the first ever SummerStage show kicked off with a bang, as avant-garde Afrofuturist Sun Ra Arkestra touched down at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park.  Both the park and our city’s cultural landscape have been forever changed. In the 40 years since, SummerStage has presented thousands of global artists to audiences numbering over seven million, bringing hundreds of free live performances to neighborhood parks across the city. 

Help us celebrate by sharing your photos and memories from the last 40 years of the festival with us. Do you have a great shot of the stage from the middle of the field? Did you get married to someone you met at a SummerStage show? Did you stumble upon a free show on a beautiful summer night? We're looking for photos and stories from your favorite nights at SumemrStage.

Testimonials and pictures submitted have a chance to be featured at SummerStage on the main screens in Central Park, on our website, or on our social media channels.