SOLSTICE IN THE PARK Sunday June 21, 2026
Concert Grove Pavilion
Prospect Park - Brooklyn, NY
Timeline of festivities
* Think of this schedule as more of a guide than a stopwatch. We'll be flowing with the energy of the longest day, lingering where the moments feel right. Drop in at any point throughout the celebration, we'd love to see you whenever you arrive.
4-5 PM: GATHER at Willink Plaza Entrance
Meet at Prospect Park's Willink Plaza entrance (Flatbush Ave at Empire Blvd). Look for our merry Solstice banner fluttering like a beacon! We'll have an assortment of headpieces and crowns and wands to distribute as well as flower crowns to assemble as we prepare for:
5 PM: The PARADE
The procession begins! We’ll parade into the park toward Concert Grove Pavilion. Batalá, New York's premier all-womxn, Black-led, percussion ensemble will lead our procession in a joyful, high-energy celebration of Afro-Brazilian music.
5:30 PM: PAGEANT at Concert Grove Pavilion
As we settle into our area of the park, a Mythic Pageant will unfold, with puppets, dance, and a touch of enchantment, to be followed by joyful folk dances for all ages with Brooklyn Contra and live musicians.
6:30 PM ‘til the fireflies take over: FOLLOW YOUR CURIOSITY
After the dancing, there will be various activities to choose from including
picnicking, workshops from Brooklyn Public Library's University Open Air faculty of immigrant scholars, & whatever other magic the evening decides.
8 PM: SOUND MEDITATION
As the sun sets on the longest day, we'll gather to settle into the rhythm of the new season, and enjoy a peaceful moment of reflection, renewal, and dream incubation under the open sky.
Information
WHAT TO BRING
- Water, dear traveler! The sun will be warm and generous, it is important to stay cool and hydrated.
- Food & drink: Pack a picnic for yourself and your companions, and perhaps a little something to share.
- A blanket or ground cloth for lounging in comfort.
- Instruments of merriment: All are welcome including tambourines, drums, fiddles, shakers—anything to help the parade find its rhythm.
WHAT TO WEAR
Dress in your finest midsummer splendor! Think flower crowns, flowing fabrics, and the colors of sunlit fields and forest glades. If whimsy calls louder, please heed it! Don costumes, adorn yourself in feathers or leaves, or arrive as a creature of the park: bird, blossom, butterfly, or brookside fish. Feeling celestial? Glitter like the night sky, everything from stars and moons to shining suns are all in season.
And above all, come exactly as you are.
Our Partners
CREDITS
Solstice in the Park relies on a community of volunteer artists and makers who give of their time and talents to allow the event to run. We are so grateful for the contributions of the people listed here.
Event Producers: Ingrid Norton, Rachel Schmitt, Jonathan Zautner
Creative Director & Makers Director: Jonathan Zautner
Co-Founders: Casper Ter Kuile & Mara Rothman
Myth Weaver: Ingrid Norton
Pageant Director: Lauren Sharpe
Music Director: Sofia Campoamor
Flower Crowns: Melanie Kahl and Sierra Gamble
Parade Drummers: Batalá
Music and Dance: Brooklyn Contra Dance
Dance Caller: Evan Kohne
Puppet Creators: George Hagen and Jonathan Zautner
Sound Meditation: Sabine Feuilloley
BPL University Open Air teachers: Enrique Enriquez, Alisa Minyukova, Dr. Chok Tenzin Monlam
Poster Design: Jessica Daly
Solstice Mural Sign: Hanna Gundrum (Little House Ink)
Pageant Players: Dawei Chen, Ben Freeman, Sierra Gamble, Joshua Holden, Shlomit Oren, Lizzie Markson, Yann Messager, Marisol Rosa-Shapiro, Jamie Roach, Ania Upstill
Dancers: Shan Y Chuang & Hannah Jew
Musicians: Matthew Christian & Steven Czajkowski
Videographers: Jeff Hopkins with Anh Vu & William Kenton
Photographers: Mara Rothman, Sam Kaufmann
Makers: Wini Mae Bettenburg, Matt Castanos, Deborah Chi, Sasha Depedro, Zoe Depedro, Logan Desimone, Sabine Feuilloley, Kim Fondu, Sierra Gamble, Mark Gilman, Hanna Gundrum, Julia de Guzman, George Hagen, Drew Hardin, Charlotte Key, Mimi Lien, Yann Messager, Kyle Mitchell, Cameron Mussar, Ingrid Norton, Soraya Perry, Cami Recalde, Jamie Roach, Pip Ryan, Rachel Schmitt, Emily Sernaker, Lauren Sharpe, Neely Shearer, Casper Ter Kuile, Jordan Lee Thomas, Ben Taylor, Evan Walden, Carly Wood, and others.
Special Thanks: FiDi Creatives, Brooklyn Public Library Open Air University, Mountaine Jonas, Alight Theater Guild, Jarrad Rook and Emack & Bolio’s, Terri Seligman, Maria Carrasco and Prospect Park Alliance, Breezy Sommer, Val Weisler, Ky Dates, Debbie Holloway, Joel Richardson, and all others that supported us.
See you next year!
Our 2026 Solstice in the Park was a success!
We are so grateful for the many artists, makers, performers, teachers and organizers whose gifts have woven this celebration into being.
For information on future events follow us on instagram @solstice_in_the_park or email us at: info@solsticeinthepark.org