Key Takeaways
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Late September 2026 delivers one of NYC’s densest cultural weekends, anchored by Phoebe Bridgers, Role Model, and TOMORROW X TOGETHER.
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These three OnesToWatch-tracked artists now headline Barclays Center, Radio City Music Hall, and Central Park’s Great Lawn after years of steady growth.
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The same weekend also packs in Broadway openings, the 64th New York Film Festival, CBGB Festival, All Things Go, San Gennaro’s centennial, and citywide events.
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Planning ahead matters: Global Citizen Festival uses an app-based ticket system with a $25 donation option, while Phoebe Bridgers and Role Model tickets run through Ticketmaster.
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Lock in your seat at the major shows, then build a weekend around film, theater, street festivals, and cultural events across all five boroughs.
Featured Ticket Links For This Weekend
The shows below highlight OnesToWatch-tracked artists headlining major New York venues during the September 25–27, 2026 weekend.
Phoebe Bridgers – The Lost Tour
Friday, September 25, 2026 | Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Get Phoebe Bridgers Tickets For Sept 25
Role Model – Chuck On Tour
Friday, September 25, 2026 | Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY
Reserve Role Model Seats For Sept 25
Phoebe Bridgers – The Lost Tour
Saturday, September 26, 2026 | Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Get Phoebe Bridgers Tickets For Sept 26
Role Model – Chuck On Tour
Saturday, September 26, 2026 | Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY
See Role Model Live On Sept 26
TOMORROW X TOGETHER – Global Citizen Festival 2026
Saturday, September 26, 2026 | Great Lawn at Central Park, New York, NY
Claim Your Global Citizen Festival Pass
Explore OnesToWatch’s 2026 Top 30 Artists To Watch for more emerging names likely to reach similar stages soon.
Top Events This Weekend
Concerts & Music
Phoebe Bridgers – The Lost Tour | Barclays Center, Brooklyn
Phoebe Bridgers brings The Lost Tour to Barclays Center for three nights on September 24, 25, and 26, 2026, with a 7:30 PM start. Bridgers, known for her Grammy-nominated album Punisher and her work with boygenius, has built a reputation as one of indie rock’s most compelling live performers. This tour is her first major solo outing in several years. Headlining a 19,000-capacity arena like Barclays Center marks a clear jump in scale. Indie artist Alex G supports on the North American dates.
Tickets For Phoebe Bridgers, Sept 25Tickets For Phoebe Bridgers, Sept 26
Role Model – Chuck On Tour | Radio City Music Hall, New York
Role Model headlines Radio City Music Hall on September 25 and 26, 2026, on the Chuck On Tour. Radio City Music Hall, one of the most storied venues in American entertainment, suits an artist who has moved from bedroom pop origins to large-scale rooms. Two nights at this venue signal a major milestone in Role Model’s live career.
Tickets For Role Model, Sept 25Tickets For Role Model, Sept 26
TOMORROW X TOGETHER – Global Citizen Festival 2026 | Great Lawn, Central Park
TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) appears at Global Citizen Festival 2026 on Saturday, September 26, on Central Park’s Great Lawn. The festival runs from 4:00 PM to about 10:00 PM, with gates at 2:00 PM. TXT joins Ms. Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, who mark the 30th anniversary of the Fugees’ The Score, alongside Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Lainey Wilson, and Shaboozey, with Hugh Jackman hosting. Tickets must be earned through the Global Citizen app. Fans with enough points, typically 300, can instead make a $25 charitable donation per ticket plus fees to secure entry while supplies last. All donations support New York City causes.
Tickets And Info For Global Citizen Festival
CBGB Festival 2026 | Under the K Bridge Park, Brooklyn
The CBGB Festival returns on Saturday, September 26, at Under the K Bridge Park in Brooklyn, with a lineup anchored by Morrissey, Patti Smith, Interpol, and the Sex Pistols on the main CBGB Stage. The Marshall Presents Hilly’s Stage features Mannequin Pussy, Circle Jerks, Sleater-Kinney, and Violet Grohl, among others. Tickets are available through the official CBGB Festival site.
All Things Go Festival | Forest Hills Stadium, Queens
All Things Go Festival runs September 25–27 at Forest Hills Stadium, an open-air venue about 15 minutes from Manhattan. The 2026 bill includes Zara Larsson, Lola Young, Brandi Carlile, MUNA, and The Beaches, continuing the festival’s focus on female and non-binary artists.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead | The Rooftop at Pier 17, Manhattan
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead plays The Rooftop at Pier 17 on September 25 and 26, with doors at 5:00 PM and a 6:00 PM showtime. The outdoor space at 89 South St offers views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, and Statue of Liberty. The event proceeds rain or shine.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise | Terminal 5, Manhattan
Rainbow Kitten Surprise performs at Terminal 5 (610 W 56th St) on September 25, 2026, with doors at 8:00 PM. The band has accumulated more than two billion global streams and blends indie, folk, and alternative rock in its live sets.
Brandi Carlile – Citi Concert Series on TODAY | Rockefeller Center, Manhattan
Brandi Carlile headlines the Citi Concert Series on TODAY at TODAY Plaza in Rockefeller Center on Friday, September 25. The concert is open to the public. Fan Passes are limited and available by advance request, and general admission operates on a first-come basis.
New York Philharmonic with Gustavo Dudamel | David Geffen Hall, Manhattan
The New York Philharmonic, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, performs at David Geffen Hall on September 25 at 7:30 PM ET, with tickets starting at $316.25 all-in.
Theater & Broadway
Beyond the concerts, the weekend’s theater offerings provide several high-profile options.
SIX: The Musical | Lena Horne Theatre, Manhattan
SIX plays Friday, September 25 at 7:00 PM, Saturday, September 26 at 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM, and Sunday, September 27 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM at the Lena Horne Theatre (256 West 47th Street), with tickets from $74.87. Get tickets
MJ | Neil Simon Theatre, Manhattan
The four-time Tony Award-winning MJ plays Friday, September 25, 2026 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 3:00 PM at the Neil Simon Theatre, 250 West 52nd Street, with tickets from about $138. Get tickets
The Imaginary Invalid | Todd Haimes Theatre, Manhattan
Bill Irwin’s adaptation of Molière’s The Imaginary Invalid begins previews September 25, 2026 at the Todd Haimes Theatre, 227 West 42nd Street, and runs through November 22, 2026. Tickets start around $68 through TDF or $81.86 via Broadway.com. More details
Paranormal Activity: A New Story, Live on Broadway
The immersive horror production Paranormal Activity: A New Story Live on Broadway runs at the August Wilson Theatre through January 3, 2027, with tickets from about $59, following prior engagements in Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., San Francisco, and London’s West End. Find tickets
Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction | Times Square, Manhattan
The Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction celebrates its 40th anniversary on Sunday, September 27, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on West 44th and West 45th Streets, Shubert Alley, and Times Square, with the live auction beginning at 5:00 PM.
Festivals & Street Fairs
Feast of San Gennaro | Little Italy, Manhattan
The Feast of San Gennaro marks its 100th anniversary in 2026, running through September 27 in Little Italy with more than 300 vendors, live performances, parades, and food contests, open daily from 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
JAPAN Fes | Morningside Heights & Upper East Side
JAPAN Fes, billed as the world’s largest Japanese food event and drawing about 250,000 people annually, holds events on September 26 in Morningside Heights and September 27 on the Upper East Side in 2026. Event details
Brooklyn Book Festival | Downtown Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Book Festival, NYC’s largest literary festival, runs September 20–28, 2026, with its flagship Festival Day on Sunday, September 27 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM in Downtown Brooklyn’s Borough Hall parks and plazas, featuring more than 250 publishers.
Arts & Culture
64th New York Film Festival | Lincoln Center & Citywide Venues
The 64th New York Film Festival (NYFF64) runs September 25 through October 12, 2026, with screenings at Lincoln Center, including Alice Tully Hall and the Walter Reade Theater, and at four additional venues: BAM in Brooklyn, the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Staten Island, and AMC Bay Plaza Cinema in the Bronx. Program overview
The Armory Show | Javits Center, Manhattan
The Armory Show 2026 runs September 24–27 at the Javits Center (429 11th Ave), presenting leading contemporary and modern art galleries from around the world. Visitor information
Arthur Jafa: I Am Tony | New Museum, Manhattan
Arthur Jafa: I Am Tony, the largest museum survey to date of Arthur Jafa’s work, opens September 24, 2026 at the New Museum (235 Bowery) and runs through January 3, 2027, alongside The Bowery: Devil’s Mile. Exhibition details
Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival | Regal Union Square
The 11th edition of Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival runs September 25–27 at Regal Union Square (850 Broadway), featuring shorts, features, documentaries, and fiction films from women, non-binary, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ filmmakers. Festival lineup
More Events To Have On Your Radar
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Candlelight: Ed Sheeran & Coldplay (Sept 25) and Candlelight: The Lord of the Rings (Sept 26), an intimate candlelit concert series at various NYC venues, tickets via Fever
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Spandex the Musical, running through September 27 at Asylum NYC (123 East 24th Street) and starring multi-platinum artist Tiffany in her New York theater debut
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Additional JAPAN Fes listings on September 26 in Morningside Heights and September 27 on the Upper East Side
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Closing gallery shows such as Leslie Wayne’s “The Unintended Blues” at LMCC Arts Center on Governors Island (closing Sept 27) and Gagosian’s Robert Rauschenberg show at 980 Madison Avenue (closing Sept 26)
Patterns, Themes, And Weekend Takeaways
The September 25–27, 2026 weekend in New York City shows how live music now often pairs performance with social impact. Global Citizen Festival on September 26 brings together Ms. Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Lainey Wilson, and Shaboozey on Central Park’s Great Lawn. Tickets are earned through advocacy actions or a $25 donation option.
The three OnesToWatch-tracked artists at the center of this weekend illustrate different routes to headline status. Phoebe Bridgers, Role Model, and TOMORROW X TOGETHER each moved from early buzz to major-venue bookings over several years. Their presence across Barclays Center, Radio City Music Hall, and Central Park in a single weekend underlines how consistent touring and catalog building translate into large-scale moments.
Late September also acts as a convergence point for New York’s fall cultural season. The New York Film Festival opens on September 25, while the Armory Show runs September 24–27 at the Javits Center. Broadway previews, neighborhood festivals, and museum openings round out a weekend that offers a concentrated snapshot of the city’s cultural calendar.
Practical Weekend Planning
September in NYC averages highs around 76°F (24°C) and lows near 62°F (17°C), which suits outdoor sets and late-night walks. A light jacket or hoodie works well for evening shows.
A suggested day-by-day approach:
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Friday, Sept 25: Early risers can start with Brandi Carlile at TODAY Plaza. Fan Pass holders must check in by 5:15 AM, and the show recommends both Fan Pass and general admission attendees arrive by 5:00 AM, with general admission not guaranteed. In the evening, pick one headliner: Phoebe Bridgers at Barclays Center at 7:30 PM or Role Model at Radio City Music Hall. Film-focused visitors can instead attend the New York Film Festival opening at Alice Tully Hall.
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Saturday, Sept 26: Global Citizen Festival gates open at 2:00 PM on Central Park’s Great Lawn. Complete Global Citizen app actions in advance or, with enough points such as 300, use the $25 donation option mentioned earlier for instant entry while supplies last. TOMORROW X TOGETHER appears alongside Ms. Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Lenny Kravitz. As an alternative, CBGB Festival runs all day at Under the K Bridge Park in Brooklyn. In the evening, those skipping the park can catch Phoebe Bridgers or Role Model for a ticketed indoor show.
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Sunday, Sept 27: Brooklyn Book Festival Day runs 10:00 AM–6:00 PM in Downtown Brooklyn. Afternoon Broadway options include SIX at 2:00 PM or MJ at 3:00 PM. The Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction fills Times Square from 10:00 AM–7:00 PM.
For Global Citizen Festival tickets, download the Global Citizen app and complete Journeys and Sprints to earn points before the weekend. You can then enter the ticket lottery or, with enough points such as 300, claim a code and make a $25 charitable donation per ticket to secure entry while supplies last. For Phoebe Bridgers and Role Model, purchase tickets in advance through the OnesToWatch Live links above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Concert To See In NYC The Weekend Of September 25–27, 2026?
The strongest choice depends on taste and budget. Phoebe Bridgers plays Barclays Center on September 24, 25, and 26, 2026, as part of The Lost Tour with Alex G, creating a three-night arena run. Role Model at Radio City Music Hall on the same dates offers a more intimate-feeling show in a historic room. Global Citizen Festival on September 26 at Central Park’s Great Lawn suits fans who want a multi-artist bill that includes TOMORROW X TOGETHER, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Lenny Kravitz, and John Legend. CBGB Festival on September 26 in Brooklyn stands out for punk and alternative lineups.
How Do You Get Tickets To The Global Citizen Festival 2026?
Global Citizen Festival tickets are earned rather than sold at standard prices. Attendees complete charitable actions through the Global Citizen app, such as signing petitions or contacting elected officials, to enter ticket draws. For 2026, a separate option allows instant entry with a $25 charitable donation, with 100% of funds supporting New York organizations including the City Parks Foundation and groups serving New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. Gates open at 2:00 PM on September 26, and the show runs from 4:00 PM to about 10:00 PM.
What Broadway Shows Are Running The Weekend Of September 25–27, 2026?
Several Broadway productions are active that weekend. SIX: The Musical plays multiple performances at the Lena Horne Theatre, with Friday at 7:00 PM, Saturday at 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM, and Sunday at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. MJ runs Friday at 7:00 PM and Sunday at 3:00 PM at the Neil Simon Theatre. The Imaginary Invalid begins previews September 25 at the Todd Haimes Theatre. Paranormal Activity: A New Story, Live on Broadway continues its run through January 3, 2027. The Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction, marking its 40th year, takes over Times Square on Sunday, September 27.