Summer in New York City
Digital Rush & Lotteries
Rush & Lottery for New York's hottest shows. Only on the TodayTix app.
Family & Kid Friendly
Fun for all ages! Explore the city as a family.
2026 Tony Award Winners
Don't miss out on the Tony Award winning shows gracing our stages this summer.
Explore all NYC has to offer
Standard Lottery - Romeo & Juliet: Free Shakespeare in the Park
Shakespeare in the Park at The Delacorte Theater
Senior 65+ Lottery - Romeo & Juliet: Free Shakespeare in the Park
Shakespeare in the Park at The Delacorte Theater
ADA Accessible Lottery - Romeo & Juliet: Free Shakespeare in the Park
Shakespeare in the Park at The Delacorte Theater
Summer is New York City's biggest cultural season. From late May through early September 2026, the calendar fills with free outdoor performances, summer-only Broadway and off-Broadway runs, family-friendly programming, and ticket deals you won't find any other time of year.
The free side of NYC summer is bigger than most visitors realize. Free Shakespeare in the Park returns to the renovated Delacorte Theater in Central Park (Romeo & Juliet from May 22 to June 28, then The Winter's Tale from July 25 to August 23). Enter the daily digital lottery on the TodayTix app. SummerStage celebrates its 40th anniversary with 60+ free and benefit concerts in Central Park and neighborhood parks in all five boroughs. Lincoln Center's Summer for the City runs through early August. Little Island programs free and low-cost concerts on the Hudson, and Bryant Park hosts free movie nights and Reading Room programming. The Museum Mile Festival on June 9 opens 20+ museums and cultural institutions for free.
Broadway and off-Broadway lean into summer rather than slow down. Long-running hits like Wicked, The Lion King, and Aladdin keep full schedules, while limited-engagement off-Broadway and summer transfer shows turn over from June through August. On TodayTix, same-day Rush tickets release each morning for many current Broadway and off-Broadway titles, alongside exclusive TodayTix digital lotteries with winning seats typically $35 to $65. The curated lists above include family-friendly Broadway hits and off-Broadway summer transfers.
Plan it like a local. Book top Broadway titles two to four weeks ahead, and stay flexible with lotteries and Rush for everything else. Browse the lists above or open the TodayTix app to enter today's lotteries.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in NYC in summer 2026?
Summer 2026 in NYC packs in TodayTix's exclusive Broadway and off-Broadway lotteries and same-day Rush (winning seats typically $35 to $65), Free Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte (Romeo & Juliet May 22 to June 28, then The Winter's Tale July 25 to August 23), SummerStage's 40th-anniversary concerts in Central Park, and limited summer-only off-Broadway runs.
What are the best free things to do in NYC in summer 2026?
NYC's best free summer 2026 activities include Free Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte (enter the daily lottery on the TodayTix app), SummerStage's 60+ free and benefit concerts across all five boroughs, Lincoln Center Summer for the City, Bryant Park movie nights, and the Museum Mile Festival on June 9 with free admission to 20+ museums and cultural institutions.
How do I enter a Broadway lottery in NYC?
To enter a TodayTix lottery for a Broadway or off-Broadway show, download the TodayTix app, pick a show, and tap "Enter Lottery" before the performance (entry windows vary by show). Entry is free. Winners get notified with a short window to confirm, and seats are typically $35 to $65. Show-specific lotteries like Hamilton's $10 lottery run separately on their own apps.
How do I get cheap Broadway tickets in NYC?
The cheapest ways to see Broadway in NYC are: enter TodayTix's digital lotteries for winning seats typically $35 to $65, claim same-day Rush tickets when they release each morning on TodayTix, or filter pre-discounted seats on the app. Off-Broadway shows often start under $50.
What can I do in NYC with kids this summer?
NYC summer with kids includes free public pools (opening June 27, 2026), family-friendly Broadway shows like The Lion King and Aladdin, Free Shakespeare in the Park lottery seats, Governors Island's hill of slides, Brooklyn Bridge Park playgrounds, and the Bronx Zoo's Daniel Tiger interactive exhibit.
Are there Broadway and off-Broadway shows that only run in NYC during summer?
Yes. NYC summer brings limited engagements you can't catch any other time: Free Shakespeare in the Park (May 22 to August 23, 2026), off-Broadway summer transfers, immersive festivals, and short-run revivals from June through August. The "This Summer Only" tab above lists what's playing now.
What free outdoor activities are in NYC this summer?
Free outdoor NYC summer 2026 activities include kayaking at Brooklyn Bridge Park (Wednesday and Thursday evenings plus weekend daytime hours), public beaches at Coney Island and the Rockaways, free outdoor movie nights at Bryant Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and parks across all five boroughs, and free public pools opening June 27.
When is the best time to visit NYC in summer?
June and early September are the most comfortable months to visit NYC in summer, with average highs in the 70s to low 80s. July and August are hotter but pack in the most events: SummerStage, Free Shakespeare in the Park, the Mermaid Parade (June 20), and Lincoln Center Summer for the City.
When should I book NYC theater tickets for summer?
For top Broadway titles like Hamilton, Wicked, and The Lion King, book two to four weeks ahead for the best seats. For off-Broadway and limited summer runs, one to two weeks out is usually fine. Lotteries and Rush on the TodayTix app let you go same-day when summer plans shift.
What are the biggest summer events in NYC 2026?
NYC summer 2026 highlights include Free Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte (May 22 to August 23), SummerStage's 40th anniversary in Central Park, NYC Pride (June 28), the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island (June 20), Harlem Summer Nights (Fridays July 10 to August 21), and Lincoln Center Summer for the City through early August.
