We recommend you bring your own chair for popular musical acts (like Lauryn Hill and Boyz II Men performed last year).

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The Metropolitan Opera offers free summer events in parks of NYC and New Jersey.

This year, the company will present a six-performance series of recitals in the parks of all five boroughs for the Summer Recital Series.  Performances include Tony Award winner Paulo Szot and opera singers Lisette Oropesa and Alek Shrader with accompaniment by pianist Vlad Iftinca. Actor/conductor Damon Gupton will host several of the concerts. All performances are free and no tickets are required, except for the concert at SummerStage. For information on how to obtain free SummerStage tickets, please visit their website beginning June 1.

Starting August 29, the Met will present its first-ever Summer HD Festival, featuring screenings of ten productions from the company’s Peabody and Emmy Award-winning Live in HD series. The HD productions will be shown in Lincoln Center Plaza on consecutive nights—for free.  Start times will range from 7:30pm to 8:00pm.  The screenings are free with no tickets required; 2800 seats will be available each night on a first-come, first served basis. There are no rain dates.

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River Flicks shows free popular films and includes free popcorn!

Pier 54 on Wednesdays shows movies for “grown-ups” which are generally rated PG-13 and R. These movies are your favorite blockbusters from 2008!

Pier 46 on Fridays shows family-oriented films which are generally rated G or PG. These movies are new and classic films for the whole family!

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Actually it’s pool-less. The concerts have now been moved to the Williamsburg waterfront, just a few blocks from McCarren Park Pool. This is because the $50 million makeover of McCarren Pool was approved to turn it from a concert venue back into a swimming pool by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

To guarantee admission please RSVP online.  One of the most popular and exciting free events all summer long.  You are not permitted to bring chairs, bicycles, food/drink, or professional video/photography equipment. This year will include the popular slide-n-slide and dodgeball games as well as a few surprises to be announced.

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Manhattan School of Music offers a summer music camp free of charge to New York City public school students completing grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 who have musical potential. Must apply in advance and audition.

The camp emphasizes performance skills in orchestra, band, musical theater, and piano. Mandatory classes such as theory, ear training, private lessons, and large ensembles take place in the mornings. After lunch and recreation, campers can choose from a diverse array of musical and non-musical elective classes.

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Performances of jazz, folk, bluegrass, soul, and popular music. The park also holds numerous programs including Kid Fest, Mad. Sq. Kids, and Playground activities (with water sprinklers).

Concerts held rain or shine and end by 8:30pm.  Bring a lawn blanket because no chairs are allowed.

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