Central Park Concert: Times, Vax Rules, Lineup, Expected Weather

CENTRAL PARK, NY — After what feels like an eternity of talking about the star-studded event, the Central Park mega-concert is set for 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Mayor Bill de Blasio teamed up with legendary music producer Clive Davis to organize the concert, which will celebrate New York City's reopening from the coronavirus pandemic.

The star-studded lineup will include Paul Simon, Jennifer Hudson, Bruce Springsteen, The Killers, Carlos Santana, the New York Philharmonic, Elvis Costello, and many other major names.

"I've never heard of a concert with that kind of lineup," de Blasio said after it was announced for the first time earlier this summer.

The mega concert will take place on the Great Lawn, which is between 79th and 85th Streets within the park.

Here's everything you need to know about the concert, including the times, entry points, expected weather, broadcast, rules on vaccines, and more.

Times

The gates of the Great Lawn will open at 3 p.m. and the concert will begin at 5 p.m. The music is expected to last five hours until 10 p.m.

Vaccination Rules/Masks

All concert-goers who are over 12 or over must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination, except for people who are unable to get vaccinated because of a disability. Here are the accepted proofs of vaccination at the event: vaccination card, an official immunization record, NYC COVID SAFE App, or the New York State Excelsior Pass.

Only those unvaccinated under the age of 12 have to wear a mask and anyone who enters any indoor setting at the event, such as a bathroom, will have to wear a mask.

You can get a refund from Ticketmaster if you test positive for COVID-19 within 72-hours of the event.

Television

For those who aren't able to make it to Central Park in person, the entire concert will air live worldwide exclusively on CNN, CNN International, CNN en Español, and unauthenticated on CNNGo.

Lineup

• Jon Batiste
• Andrea Bocelli
• Kane Brown
• LL COOL J
• Elvis Costello
• Lucky Daye
• Earth, Wind & Fire
• Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds
• Cynthia Erivo
• Jimmy Fallon
• Jennifer Hudson
• Wyclef Jean
• Journey
• The Killers
• Gayle King
• Don Lemon
• Barry Manilow
• The New York Philharmonic
• Polo G
• Carlos Santana
• Paul Simon
• Patti Smith
• Bruce Springsteen
• Rob Thomas

Weather

Tropical Storm Henri is expected to just miss New York City as it makes landfall this weekend, but that doesn't mean the city will be spared its heavy rains and winds.

Here's the forecast for Saturday.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Light east wind becoming southeast 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 9 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m., then showers likely after 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Nowhere on the Central Park mega-concert website does it mention possible changes to the schedule from rain.

You can find out more at Homecoming2021.com.