Brooklyn’s signature summer concert ritual is back, and it is not skimping on star power. BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! has rolled out its 47th season, announcing on May 6 a stretch of shows running June 4 through Sept. 19 at Prospect Park’s Lena Horne Bandshell, with a lineup that swings from legends like Patti LaBelle and Common to an alt-rock finale with Liz Phair and Sleater-Kinney. Under this year’s theme of “Radical Joy,” the series pairs 15 free events with three ticketed benefit concerts.
Lineup And Dates
BRIC Arts Media is steering the season, which opens June 4 and wraps Sept. 19, with most events unfolding at the Lena Horne Bandshell. According to BRIC Arts Media, the 2026 slate includes 15 free afternoons and evenings alongside three ticketed benefit concerts that support BRIC’s year-round programming. Organizers say they are using the “Radical Joy” banner to pull Brooklyn neighbors together across ages and musical tastes.
Opening Night And Season Closers
The first big party lands June 4, when Sheila E. kicks off the season with support from Leon Knight and DJ Spinna, as reported by Brooklyn Paper. On the other end of the calendar, the festival closes Sept. 19 with a benefit headlined by Liz Phair and Sleater-Kinney. In between, BRIC is programming dedicated genre nights that run the gamut, including jazz, reggae, Americana and drag, a mix meant to mirror Brooklyn’s own eclectic soundscape.
Patti LaBelle, Common And Civic Programming
Patti LaBelle steps into the spotlight June 26 for a benefit show that BRIC says it booked directly, a notable move as the festival continues to build up its independent presenting muscle. Per BRIC Arts Media, Common is on deck Aug. 28 for a concert presented with The Action Lab’s Harry Belafonte Fellowship, tying the night to broader social-justice work. The Action Lab describes the Belafonte Fellowship as a program that backs artists who use their creative work to advance justice, giving Common’s set an added civic dimension.
Community Nights And Pop-Ups
The season’s calendar also leans into community-focused programming. Juneteenth family events will feature Infinity Song, Victory Boyd and Mississippi group Annie and the Caldwells, according to Brooklyn Paper. Americana Night, set for Aug. 15, brings a headlining set from Yola, and a July 25 pop-up will take the show to Brower Park. BRIC and city officials have praised the series as a way to keep Prospect Park functioning as a shared backyard for local families and longtime neighbors alike.
Where To Go And How To Get Tickets
Most events take place at the Lena Horne Bandshell in Prospect Park at 141 Prospect Park West, per the Prospect Park Alliance. The three benefit concerts require tickets, while free events typically ask for an RSVP. RSVPs and ticket options are listed through the festival’s official pages, as noted by BK Reader, so fans eyeing Patti LaBelle, Common or the season-closing double bill will want to start there.
