From June 10–August 8, 2026, in keeping with its mission of making art accessible, everyone is invited to come as you are and to enjoy the power of movement, live performance, and community connection, when Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts presents hundreds of free and Choose-What-You-Pay outdoor performances across its sixteen-acre campus in its annual Summer for the City series, with artists from around the world and artistic experiences for all.
This year, an entirely new design by Artist-in-Residence and Summer for the City Visual Director Clint Ramos, inspired by the season’s focus on dance, will transform Lincoln Center’s outdoor spaces, with the Dance Floor as its centerpiece and a newly commissioned fountain show at the iconic Revson Fountain – one of nine new commissions across dance and classical music that will highlight contemporary artistry – under the dynamic lighting designs of David Weiner.
According to Mariko Silver, President and CEO of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, “This summer’s focus on international artistry reflects our global city, as well as our commitment to collaboration and artistic exchange . . . We are committed to making Lincoln Center a public square in the most expansive sense – where global cultures meet local communities, generations come together, and our mission endures: the arts are for everyone . . . as we invest in the next generation of artists and highlight the work of contemporary dance companies from New York City and around the world.”
Collaborations with resident arts organizations across Lincoln Center continue to be an important cornerstone of Summer for the City. The 2026 festival includes collaborations with Film at Lincoln Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York City Ballet, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, The Juilliard School, the New York Philharmonic, and the School of American Ballet. This summer also sees the return of Summer Forum: Moving the Field Forward, a five-day celebratory convening that brings together teaching artists and educators from around the world. Through Lincoln Center Education’s signature immersive workshops and hands-on labs, participants explore the power of imaginative thinking, the intersections of the arts across schools and civic spaces, and new possibilities for advancing arts education.
To see the full calendar and the wide array of offerings for all ages, visit the website.
Summer for the City plays Wednesday, June 10-Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center Plaza, NYC. All events are either free or Choose-What-You-Pay (starting at $5), with tickets going on sale at noon on Wednesday, May 20.
