Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City festival returns Wednesday, June 10, through Saturday, August 8, bringing nearly two months of free and Choose-What-You-Pay performances, cultural celebrations, dance events, film screenings, family programming, and outdoor gatherings to the heart of Lincoln Square. With hundreds of events taking place across the campus, the festival invites New Yorkers and visitors alike to experience the arts in new and unexpected ways.
A major focus of this year’s festival is movement and community. New York City’s largest outdoor dance floor returns to Josie Robertson Plaza, hosting popular social dance nights, live music, silent discos, and participatory events that invite audiences to join in rather than simply watch. The festival also highlights opportunities for audiences to engage directly with artists through immersive and interactive programming.
Dance programming takes center stage this summer with both the Lincoln Center Contemporary Dance Festival and the return of the BAAND Together Dance Festival. The Contemporary Dance Festival showcases innovative artists and companies from around the world across a range of styles and perspectives, while BAAND brings five of New York City’s leading dance companies—Ballet Hispánico, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem—together on one stage for performances at the David H. Koch Theater from Tuesday, July 28 through Saturday, August 1.
With the FIFA World Cup arriving in the region this summer, Lincoln Center will also present World at Play, a series of events exploring the connections between soccer, culture, and the arts, adding an international dimension to this year’s festival.
Additional programming includes performances by the Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center, family-friendly events, film screenings, wellness offerings, and global music celebrations that reflect the diversity of New York City.
Whether you’re dancing under the stars, attending a concert, discovering artists from around the world, or enjoying a family outing, Summer for the City offers countless opportunities to celebrate the season in Lincoln Square.
Photo Credit: Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
