Free Events in Central Park This Summer

Central Park has thousands of events this summer and plenty of them won't cost you a thing.

Sports and Recreation

Basketball Clinics — Every Saturday through Oct. 29 — Kids 5 to 17 can come out and shoot hoops, but they will also get one-on-one training and skill development. They'll also divide up and play competitive games. It's at the North Meadow Recreation Center. Ages 5-8 co-ed start at 10 a.m., ages 9-14 girls only starts at 10 a.m. and co-ed 9-17 starts at noon.

Health and Race Walking — Every Saturday at 9:30 a.m. — If you want to get in shape and check out as much of Central Park as you can, this is a great option. Clinics take place rain or shine at the North Meadow Recreation Center and anyone 18 years or older is invited.

Youth Handball Clinics — Every Sunday at 9 a.m. through Aug. 14 — If you don't know how to play handball, you're not alone. There are experts available every Sunday at the North Meadow Recreation Center's courts. There are also tournaments for kids age 10-18 and everything is co-ed.

Make Central Park Your Gym — July 12 at 6 p.m. — Sports physician Dr. Jordan Metzl has teamed with a Caribbean dance instructor for this 60-minute class. There will also be a Q&A with Metzl after the class. It takes place in the East Meadow, on the East Side between 97th and 100th streets.

Chess Lecture and Simul Series: Grandmaster Maxim Dlugy — July 16 at 11 a.m. — It's not everyday chess players get to hear from a grandmaster. Anyone 6 and up can come to the Chess and Checkers House (mid-park at 64th Street) to learn from Maxim Dlugy, the Moscow-born grandmaster.

Chess Lecture and Simul Series: Grandmaster John Fedorowicz — Aug. 27 at 11 a.m. — The final Chess Lecture series will be hosted by John Fedorowicz, a Bronx native and grandmaster at the sport. It's at the Chess and Checkers House.

Concerts

Harlem Meer Performance Festival: Los Soneros de Oriente — July 10 at 2 p.m. — Los Soneros de Oriente is a Central Park fixture, and they'll be performing their Cuban salsa at part of the Harlem Meer Performance Festival on Sunday, July 10 at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center.

Naumburg Orchestral Concerts Presents: The Knights — July 12 & 19 at 7:30 p.m. — The Knights will perform everything from Franz Joseph Haydn to Bob Dylan as part of the annual Naumburg Orchestral series at the Naumburg Bandshell. And who doesn't want to see orchestral Bob Dylan music?

Harlem Meer Performance Festival: Eric Frazier — July 17 at 2 p.m. — Eric Frazier blends jazz, blues and salsa at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center.

GMA Concert Series: Sia — July 22 at 7 a.m. — You are guaranteed to not see Sia face, but you probably will see a pretty kickass music performance at Rumsey Playfield.

Harlem Meer Performance Festival: Orlando Marin — July 24 at 2 p.m. — Orlando Marin, a native of the South Bronx, is still going strong as a band leader and timbales player into his 80s. He performs at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center on July 24.

GMA Concert Series: James Bay — July 29 at 7 a.m. — The "Let It Go" singer will bring his British pop. You bring your Best Fake Smile to Rumsey Playfield.

Harlem Meer Performance Festival: Joaquin Pozo — July 31 at 2 p.m. — The Cuban percussionist known as El Pulpo will be performing rumba and son, as well as modern jazz, at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center.

Naumburg Orchestral Concerts: East Coast Chamber Orchestra — Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m. — No Dylan, but you will get to hear the work of Pierre Jalbert, Claudio Monteverdi and Joaquin Turina. It goes down at the Naumburg Bandshell, as usual.

GMA Concert Series: X Ambassadors — Aug. 5 at 7 a.m. — The Ithaca, New York natives bring their alternative rock sound to Rumsey Playfield.

Harlem Meer Performance Festival: Trio Caliente — Aug. 7 at 2 p.m. — This two-man, one-woman Latin/gypsy rumba group is perfect for dancing along to. They'll be lighting up the dance floor at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center.

GMA Concert Series: Keith Urban — Aug. 12 at 7 a.m. — The Aussie country singer performs at Rumsey Playfield. No, we don't know if he's bringing Nicole Kidman.

Great Jazz on the Great Hill — Aug. 13 at 4 p.m. — OK, so you probably don't need a breakdown of this one. Just enjoy some great jazz on the Great Hill (enter at 106th St. and Central Park West).

Harlem Meer Performance Festival: Garifuna International — Aug. 14 at 2 p.m. — Garifuna International blend a variety of Caribbean music and are led by singer Felix Gamboa. It's at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center.

Harlem Meer Performance Festival: Ali Bello & The Sweet Wire Band — Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. — Ali Bello is a Venezuelan violinist and composer who specializes in jazz music but plays a wide variety of musical styles. It's at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center.

GMA Concert Series: Jason Aldean — Aug. 26 at 7 a.m. — Country may not be as popular in New York City as his native Nashville, but you can bet Jason Aldean will have Rumsey Playfield packed with fans.

Harlem Meer Performance Festival: One Love Gospel Ensemble — Aug. 28 at 2 p.m. — The Charles A. Dana Discovery Center plays host to this group performing gospel — both old and new.

Photo Credit: jeaneeem via Flickr/Creative Commons