You can set your watch by how reliably awesome the annual BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival is. Unlike SummerStage, which spreads out across the five boroughs, all BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! shows take place at the beautiful bandshell in Prospect Park, a scenic amphitheater surrounded by trees. Catching one of these gigs is guaranteed to be a highlight of your summer show-going season, no matter what musical genre genre you're into.
This year's lineup highlights "the diverse cultures that make Brooklyn a global music hub, featuring artists whose work transcends borders and celebrates the exchange of ideas," event organizers say.
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! is an annual series of outdoor concerts in Prospect Park. Every year, the schedule features big names in a wide variety of genres. In addition to the main events in Prospect Park, there will also be a pop-up event in Brooklyn's Brower Park.
The dates for BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! are June 7 to August 16, 2025.
On the 2025 docket is a mix of international icons and global up-and-comers "whose work resonates from around the world and within our own borough," per BRIC. Kicking things off at the opening benefit concert on June 9—which is one of four paid shows included in the fest, to help support the non-profit's regular free programming—is the powerhouse pair of Grace Jones and Janelle Monáe, just in time for Pride.
Elsewhere, the lineup includes alt rockers Dinosaur Jr. with Snail Mail on July 17, punk legends Gogol Bordello on August 2, jazz greats William Parker and Nikara Warren on August 15, a family-friendly 80th birthday celebration for Pippi Longstocking on June 15 and a tribute concert to music icon Quincy Jones on June 27.
Here's a full listing of all the shows.
As always, the majority of BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! offerings are free. Some benefit gigs, however, require tickets. Get more info here.
Prospect Park's Lena Horne Bandshell is located at Prospect Park West; enter on 9th St or 11th St, Brooklyn.
It's the longest-running free performing arts festival in New York City, and that deserves a big round of applause. Plus, the event—now in its 47th season—has become a beloved annual tradition.
