New York City is 400 years old, celebrates with free concert Sept 7th

“Founded By Broadway” is a free live concert to celebrate the 400th anniversary of New York City founded in 1625 by European explorers.

The concert will spotlight Broadway’s vital role in the city’s history, according to a statement from the office of Mayor Eric Adams and the Broadway League. It will take place in Times Square on September 7, 2025 at 11 a.m., rain or shine.

“Founded By Broadway” will celebrate the past, present, and future of Broadway, with performances and appearances by some of Broadway’s newest and most celebrated shows, including 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), and Wicked.  

Founded By NYC celebrates the 400th anniversary of New York City across the five boroughs — including New York City-themed movies with 400 blocks of free events citywide, and more. 

“For well over 100 years, a small stretch of theaters in the heart of Manhattan has transported audiences across the entire world and through time. From stories set as close as Hell’s Kitchen to epic adventures in far-off lands, Broadway has inspired generations of New Yorkers and visitors alike with its creativity, energy, and ambition,” said Mayor Adams. “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. We’re thrilled to be hosting events like this all year long as we commemorate more than four centuries of New York City history and show, once again, why we are ‘the greatest city in the world.’” 

The campaign brings together organizations across the city, including the Lenape Center,  The Broadway League, the Museum of the City of New York, Times Square Alliance and multiple other Business Improvement Districts, all city agencies, and more.

New York City’s 400th anniversary themes are being featured at additional events, parades, festivals, institutions, and celebrations across the city throughout the year. The campaign is supported by Hamilton, the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, including the song, “The Schuyler Sisters,” which provides the soundtrack for the Founded By NYC video. 

The Founded By NYC campaign highlights the achievements, creativity, and resilience of the five boroughs and its people, including the perspectives of marginalized audiences like those of the indigenous community, women, and people of color.     

Founded By Broadway will be held in partnership with The Broadway League, the national trade association for the Broadway industry representing more than 800 members from nearly 200 national and international markets including theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general managers. Check out: nyctourism.com/foundedbybroadway