The Hudson River’s Little Island has at last announced its 2026 summer programming this week.
The lush and visually striking artificial island built from the remains of Pier 54 — where survivors of the Titanic arrived in 1912 — is suspended above the water atop 132 concrete white tulip-like structures.
This year marks the public park’s third summer of warm weather events, a tradition the long-in-the-works artificial venue has upheld since opening in May 2021.
The green oasis off Manhattan’s West 13th Street will host 56 shows and more than 200 artists this year in a season spanning from July 29 to Sept. 6. All ticketed programming is $25 and will take place in the 2.4-acre park’s open-air amphitheater. There will also be a number of free events.
The season kicks off with a new act by cabaret artist Justin Vivian Bond, followed by Tony Award-winner Qween Jean’s one-night-only ballroom extravaganza, the Summer Legacy Ball on Aug. 1. Other highlights include an event with WNYC's Radiolab; an Allen Ginsberg centennial celebration featuring the likes of Thomas Bartlett, Laurie Anderson, Peter Hale and Jesse Goodman; as well as the world premiere of Julio Torres and Martine Gutierrez’ seawench romance “Marina.”
For the full calendar, see Little Island’s website.
