BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival 2026: A Summer of Radical Joy and Iconic Performances
The 47th edition of the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! festival is back at Prospect Park this summer, featuring a stellar lineup of music icons and contemporary stars on one of New York City's favorite outdoor stages. The festival, presented in collaboration with Prospect Park Alliance and NYC Parks, kicked off on June 4 and will run until Sep. 19, offering a summer of music, culture, and community to Brooklyn audiences.
The festival's highlight is the Benefit Show on June 26 featuring the legendary Patti LaBelle, marking a significant milestone for BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! as it is the first time the festival has booked an artist of her caliber directly. The season opened with a memorable night featuring Sheila E., Leon Knight, and DJ Spinna, setting the tone for a season filled with 15 free concerts and three benefit shows under the theme "Radical Joy."
The festival's theme of "Radical Joy" emphasizes the importance of coming together as a community to enjoy music and cultural experiences free of charge. The lineup for the 2026 season is intentionally diverse, featuring acts like Common, Royel Otis, Cindy Blackman Santana, Yola, and Aaliyah Day, among others. The season will also include special events like Juneteenth celebrations, The Action Lab's Harry Belafonte Fellowship, and Americana Night.
The festival will close with a Benefit Show on Sep. 19 featuring Liz Phair and Sleater-Kinney, two alternative rock acts that have left a lasting impact on independent music. Additional performances throughout the season will include reggae-inspired evenings, Habibi Fest, and globalFEST. All shows are free, except for the benefit shows, which require tickets available on the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! website. Don't miss out on this summer of music and community in Brooklyn!