New York City Festivals

River to River Festival, Venues across Downtown New York (www.rivertorivernyc.com), Enjoy free music, dance, film, and a variety of other events from the East River to the Hudson during the summer. June-August.
Lincoln Center Festival, Lincoln Center, Columbus Ave. (LincolnCenterFestival.org), Where can you see 12hr. plays, classical Thai dance-drama combined with modern dance, Georgian marionette performances, and hip West African bands all in the same place? Only at Lincoln Center during the Lincoln Center Festival. $30-$225, depending on the event. Festival runs for two weeks in July. Tickets for all events can be purchased at the Alice Tully box office and Avery Fisher Hall box office M-Sa 10am-6pm, Su noon-6pm and 1hr. before the show. Tickets for events at the Rose Theater may be purchased at the Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Central Park Summerstage, Rumsey Playfield, at 72nd St. near 5th. Ave. (www.summerstage.org), This local favorite is largely unknown to tourists. The series features a wide range of concerts and events that are free and open to the public. See Central Park for complete listing. Free. Visit website for information about performance schedules.
CareFusion Jazz Festival, Venues Throughout the City (www.nycjazzfestival.com), For nine days in June, the sweet sounds of jazz can be heard at venues throughout the boroughs of New York City. Concerts at Central Park, Prospect Park, and Soundview Park are free, and most other concert tickets cost $15 or less and occur at jazz-important venues such as the Louis Armstrong House Museum, T Flushing Town Hall, and Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola. For a splurge, check out the concerts at Carnegie Hall. Prices vary. June. Takes credit cards.