The Great Lawn of Central Park has been one of New York City’s most iconic outdoor concert venues, hosting performances that have drawn hundreds of thousands of people into the heart of Manhattan.

It’s 55 Acres of green space, framed by the city skyline,  turned into a kind of natural amphitheater for unforgettable cultural moments.

One of the most legendary concerts was Simon and Garfunkel’s reunion in 1981.   After years apart, the folk- rock duo returned to play in front of an estimated 500,000 fans– one of the largest audiences in music history.

The free concert was not only a celebration of their music, but also turning point for the park itself, as proceeds from the live album and film help fund the Central Park Conservancy’s restoration projects. 

Another milestone came in 1991, when Paul Simon returned alone for his Concert in the Park.   He drew another half million people,  filling the lawn with fans singing along to his hits from his Graceland album and beyond. 

Classical music has also found a home on the Great Lawn.   The New York Philharmonic summer concerts have been a beloved tradition since the 1960s, bringing symphonies by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Gershwin into an open-air, often capped by fireworks above the city skyline.

Likewise, the Metropolitan Opera’s free summer series has turned the lawn into an open air opera house, exposing thousands to Puccini and Verdi under the stars. 

In more recent decades, the lawn has hosted major benefit events and global concerts.   In 1997, Garth Brooks staged a massive country show that attracted a million fans, signaling that the Great Lawn wasn’t just for rock and classical,  but for every kind of music.   In 2012, Andrea Bocelli filled the park with soaring operatic pop.

The Global Citizen Festival, launched in 2012 continues to bring stars like Beyoncé, Coldplay, Rihanna, Shakira and Pearl Jam to raise awareness for poverty and climate change, reinforcing The lawn’s role not just as a concert venue but as a place where music and activism meet.

From folk reunions to symphonies, country anthems to global festivals, the Great Lawn has become more than just grass in Central Park– it’s where music history and civic life intertwine and where New Yorkers and visitors alike gather to share once in a lifetime moments.