A Recovery for All of Us: Mayor de Blasio Announces "NYC Homecoming Week" Concerts Coming to all Five Boroughs in August 2021

July 22, 2021

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that the City of New York will host concerts in each of the five boroughs—between August 14th to 22nd—as part of NYC Homecoming Week and to celebrate the Summer of New York City.

The concerts will be held: 

• Monday, August 16th at Orchard Beach in The Bronx
• Tuesday, August 17th at Richmond County Bank Park in Staten Island
• Thursday, August 19th at Brooklyn Army Terminal in Brooklyn
• Friday, August 20th at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens
• Saturday, August 21st at The Great Lawn, Central Park in Manhattan 

“Joining one of the greatest Central Park concerts in history will be momentous concerts in each borough featuring renowned artists who have made New York City proud,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “It’s time to celebrate our city, support our local businesses, and have an incredible Summer of New York City.”

“Just like Hip Hop music triumphantly emerged originally from the tumultuous ’70s, the Universal Hip Hop Museum is proud to produce a part of the NYC Homecoming celebration,” said Rocky Bucano, Executive Director and President, Universal Hip Hop Museum. “Hip Hop culture reflects the mosaic that makes NYC, with its sound coming from all genres and spanning many communities. Working in partnership with the City and others, this is our love letter to music fans from all over NYC.”

The full line-up of artists who will perform at each of the NYC Homecoming Week concerts will be announced in the coming weeks. The Mayor, music industry legend Clive Davis, Live Nation and Danny Meyer will unveil the lineup and ticketing details for the highly-anticipated concert on the Great Lawn. Universal Hip Hop Museum Executive Director and President Rocky Bucano will then join the Mayor to announce the full lineup and ticketing details for the concerts in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.

NYC Homecoming Week events will also include free film screenings hosted by Rooftop Films, NYC Restaurant Week, Summer Streets. iconic events, cultural activities, public art, and more in all five boroughs.

This celebration of New York City’s resilience will drive support for the mom-and-pop businesses and local organizations that define our neighborhoods and that kept the heart of our city beating throughout the COVID pandemic.

To sign up for email updates on NYC Homecoming Week events and tickets, go to nyc.gov/HomecomingWeek.  

“No city rivals New York as a stage for artists and spectators to come together in personn—and for too many months, we’ve missed experiencing the rousing energy of live performances in public places,” said Danny Meyer, restaurateur and Board Chair of NYCEDC. “It’s time for a homecoming—for New Yorkers who temporarily moved away, and for visitors who have been longing for what we do better than anywhere else on earth. Be there. This homecoming is for you.”

“In beating back the COVID-19 pandemic and revitalizing our businesses, arts, and culture, New Yorkers have proven that you can never count New York City out,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been. “Homecoming is a celebration of everything we have achieved. Throughout each of the five boroughs, we will be highlighting special talent that represent the spirit and soul of our city. I hope you’ll come and join in on the fun; we wouldn’t be here without you.”

“We're thrilled to bring this never-before-seen celebration to every borough. Through NYC Homecoming Week, we will honor all that the great people of our City have done to contribute to our recovery from the COVID pandemic—from the tireless efforts of frontline workers and the small businesses that define our neighborhoods, to the historic programs developed through the City’s innovative initiatives and the millions of New Yorkers who have done their part to get vaccinated,” said the City’s Senior Advisor for Recovery Lorraine Grillo. “You do not want to miss Homecoming and these incredible concerts. This defining week will play a memorable and important role in uplifting our communities as we continue to build a recovery for all of us.”

“On March 14th, we gathered to honor those we lost to COVID. On July 7th, we honored our essential workers and first responders who sustained us through the darkest days of the pandemic with a historic ticker tape parade,” said Citywide Events Executive Director Dan Gross. “Come August 14th, we will show the world that New York City is once again the epicenter for live events, the arts and culture, and all that makes our city the ultimate place to be. On behalf of all of our agency partners, it is our distinct honor to show the world that there is No Stopping New York.”

“NYC Homecoming Week will be a special and celebrated moment to bring visitors back to the five boroughs for a bundle of authentic New York City events including live concerts, cultural and outdoor activity, and dining with an extended NYC Restaurant Week,” said NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon. “We are grateful to the Mayor for organizing this remarkable period of events that will help to tell visitors and the world, ‘It’s time for New York City now.’”

“NYC Homecoming Week is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the Summer of New York,” said Daniele Baierlein and Jorge Luis Paniagua Valle, Co-Executive Directors of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. “We look forward to partnering with businesses and community leaders to create a memorable experience that brings New Yorkers together from every borough to enjoy the musical and cultural treasures that the greatest city in the world has to offer.”

“It's the Summer of NYC, and the best place to be is in our 30,000 acres of parks and open spaces!” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. “This event signifies the resurgence of New York City’s cultural life, which is a magnet for visitors and residents alike. Throughout the years our parks have been the home of many iconic concerts, and we are proud to host this very special homecoming event.”

“As we continue to rebuild our economy, it’s evident that New York City is back and stronger than before,” said NYCEDC President and CEO Rachel Loeb. “We’re thrilled the NYC Homecoming concerts will bring relief for businesses that were impacted by the pandemic and will put smiles back on the faces of all New Yorkers.”

“Culture is what makes our city great and makes for strong, healthy communities, so we're thrilled that artists and cultural workers will drive NYC Homecoming Week festivities,” said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Gonzalo Casals. “We've been through an immensely challenging year together, and nothing can help bring us together to heal and celebrate like art can. We encourage everyone to visit these exciting performances and join NYC Homecoming Week in their own neighborhoods.” 

“We are delighted that New York City’s arts, entertainment and hospitality communities have come together to support this historic celebration of our city's resilience,” said Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner Anne del Castillo.  “It's inspiring to see our creative community, which is core to our identity as a global capital, once again leading the city’s recovery.”

“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and have demonstrated remarkable grit and determination over the last year,” said Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Jonnel Doris. “NYC Homecoming Concerts are a great way to enjoy the vibrancy of the City this summer, and support businesses that give our neighborhoods strength and character. We need all New Yorkers to ‘Shop Your City’ this summer—and every day.”

“This is truly exciting news about ‘Homecoming Week’ next month, with amazing concerts in each of the five boroughs,” said Department of Transportation Commissioner Hank Gutman.  “But Homecoming Week will be special because it also includes the return of cycling and strolling on Summer Streets—from 9am until 1pm in Manhattan on Saturday, August 14. As New Yorkers continue to follow the Mayor’s call to get out and enjoy the ‘Summer of NYC,’ we strongly encourage everyone to come to Summer Streets, New York City’s original 7 miles of Open Streets.”  

“New York City's art and culture scene is central to our recovery,” said Community Affairs Unit Commissioner Roberto Perez. “I am so excited to enjoy the Summer of New York City at the Homecoming Concerts with communities across the five boroughs. Looking forward to this iconic celebration.”

“We're thrilled to be a part of the NYC Homecoming Week festivities this summer,” said Ken Podziba, President and CEO of Bike New York. “What better way to acknowledge the people and places that have kept this city going over the past year than a car-free ride through all five boroughs. Given the current biking boom, this 43rd edition of the TD Five Boro Bike Tour promises to be one of the most exciting ways to celebrate all that New York City has to offer.”

“As New York City comes together to celebrate its rebirth and triumphant comeback during NYC Homecoming Week, NYRR is proud to once again host, in collaboration with the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the return of the Harlem 5K Run Honoring Mayor David Dinkins,” said Ted Metellus, Vice President of Event Development & Production for New York Road Runners and Race Director for the TCS New York City Marathon. “This annual race encapsulates the spirit and energy of Harlem, and this year’s event will serve as a truly memorable celebration for the thousands of runners participating.”

“We’re so excited to launch our newest platform — Lets get Fr.ee — as part of NYC Homecoming Week,” said Afropunk Founder Matthew Morgan. “It’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate, and accelerate, diversity in the entertainment industry...and what better place to celebrate than in Queens, the most diverse county in the most diverse city in the world.” 

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