Broadway Is Staging a Massive Free Concert in Times Square, and the Lineup Is Huge

Get ready for a major Times Square takeover. On Sunday, September 7, 2025, Broadway is presenting “Founded By Broadway,” a free, open-air concert to celebrate New York City’s 400th anniversary. This public event will transform Duffy Square into a massive stage, showcasing the theatrical heart of the city with an extensive list of live performances.

This is not some small affair. The show features a powerhouse lineup of 23 of Broadway’s most popular and anticipated productions.

The Full Performance Roster

• Aladdin
• & Juliet
• The Book of Mormon
• Buena Vista Social Club
• Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club
• Chicago
• Death Becomes Her
• The Great Gatsby
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
• Hell’s Kitchen
• Just in Time
• The Lion King
• Mamma Mia!
• Maybe Happy Ending
• MJ
• Moulin Rouge! The Musical
• Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical
• The Outsiders
• Punch
• SIX: The Musical
• Stranger Things: The First Shadow
• Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
• Wicked

This concert is a key part of the larger “Founded By NYC” campaign, a year-long celebration across the five boroughs. The initiative aims to tell a complete story of the city’s history, highlighting the contributions of Indigenous people, women, and communities of color.

“The story of Broadway is the story of New York City, and with Founded By Broadway and this Times Square concert for all to partake in for free, we will help tell both of these stories this September,” Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement. “Thanks to Founded By NYC, we’re thrilled to be hosting events like this all year long as we commemorate more than four centuries of New York City history.”

The Broadway concert joins a series of other citywide anniversary events, including:

• The largest-ever NYC Department of Transportation Summer Streets, with 400 blocks of activities.
• A special New York City-themed summer movie series presented by NYC Parks.
• The 47th annual Museum Mile Festival.

Jason Laks, President of The Broadway League, which is partnering on the event, added, “The heart of Times Square is the perfect place to celebrate Broadway’s legacy. The Founded By Broadway concert will bring together the energy, talent, and storytelling that define New York and inspire the world.”

All You Need to Know: Event Details

• What: Founded By Broadway
• When: Sunday, September 7, 2025, from 11:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. (Rain or shine)
• Where: Duffy Square in Times Square (between West 46th and 47th Streets, Broadway and 7th Ave)
• Cost: Absolutely free. No tickets required.

More…

• https://thecitylife.org/2025/08/18/founded-by-broadway-a-free-live-concert-on-september-7-2025-will-feature-performances-from-23-celebrated-broadway-shows
• https://playbill.com/article/wicked-operation-mincemeat-just-in-time-more-will-perform-at-free-founded-by-broadway-concert
• https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2025/08/mayor-adams–nyc-tourism—conventions–the-broadway-league-anno 
• https://www.overherenewyork.com/time-warp-usa-2025