Imagine an evening of gorgeous music flowing through the warm summer twilight, the year's best picnics, and fireworks dazzling over the Great Lawn. It sounds too good to be true, but in just two days, on June 15 and 16 at 8:00 pm, Central Park welcomes back the New York Philharmonic's beloved annual "Concerts in the Park" Series and all of this magic unfolds.
Fireworks alert! Following the concert, a fireworks show will commence at approximately 10:00 pm and will last approximately 20 minutes.
Whether you've been before or this is your first time, our tips below will help make your night unforgettable.
1. First things first: Getting to the Great Lawn
The Great Lawn is located mid-Park between 86th and 79th Streets. The best Park entrances to use are: West 85th Street, West 81st Street, East 79th Street, and East 84th Street.
The closest subway stops to the Great Lawn are:
B,C train at West 81st Street or West 86th Street
1 train at West 79th Street or West 86th Street
4, 5, 6 train at East 86th Street
Download the Official Central Park App for an interactive map or go here to learn where to pick one up in person!
2. Getting a great seat
The concert starts at 8:00 pm, but the Great Lawn will be open all day and it starts to fill up fast. The earlier you can arrive to snag a great seat, the better!
Are you a committed Central Park lover? You can also join as a Central Park Conservancy member at the Bethesda Angel level and (among other benefits) get special reserved seating for the New York Philharmonic in the Park.
3. What to bring: It's not just about the picnic
Blankets are a must (no lawn chairs please). Don't forget your bug spray and sunscreen, too. The evening breeze can get chilly, so you may feel comfortable bringing an extra layer or two as well. As always, no dogs are allowed on the Great Lawn.
4. …but it's mostly about the picnic
You'll see some serious picnickers in the crowd (think tablecloths and flatware!) so if you want to avoid picnic envy, you'll need to bring your culinary A-game. There aren't many food shops on Fifth Avenue or Central Park West near the Great Lawn, so make sure to do your shopping in advance to ensure a bountiful array of treats.
Please remember that alcohol is prohibited in Central Park, and in all New York City parks, according to the rules and regulations of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
5. Getting set up
When you lay out your blankets, please keep them as close together as possible and leave room for your neighbors. This way, people can walk through the crowd without stepping on your picnic! To hear the music most clearly, set up your picnic near a speaker. (There are many spread throughout the Great Lawn)
6. Finding your group
If you're meeting up with a group, try to choose a general location in advance – cell reception isn't as reliable as the crowd grows in size!
We have a few tricks to finding someone on the Great Lawn:
Set up your picnic near a speaker, an entrance, a large tree, or another recognizable landmark.
All of the ballfields on the Great Lawn are numbered, so if you set up on or near a ballfield, you can share that exact location with friends.
7. Path Closures
Some of the paths north of the Great Lawn (surrounding the Arthur Ross Pinetum and the basketball courts) will be closed and used as a staging area. Please plan to enter the concert via the south, east, or west to avoid this area.
8. Bathrooms
The nearest restrooms are located behind the Delacorte Theatre, near the southwest corner of the Great Lawn. Portable restrooms will also be set up by the Parks Department around the perimeter of the Great Lawn.
9. Don't trash your Park!
Carry in, carry out! Please take all of your trash with you when you leave the Great Lawn and place it in a trash receptacle on your way out of the Park. If a bin is full, please wait and place your waste in a different can.
10. The End: Getting back out
You can imagine the traffic jam that occurs when 50,000 people leave the Great Lawn all at once. Please stay on paved paths and do not trample lawns or plantings in an attempt to exit the Park faster! Instead, find your way to the Park's east or west drive for a wider path and faster route out of the Park.
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