Where to Celebrate Bastille Day in NYC

The best place to celebrate Bastille Day and all things French in The Big Apple is right on 60th Street.

By Brigitt Earley July 11, 2018

Bastille Day, also known as French National Day, is celebrated on July 14 every year. It’s a day to honor the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789 and the birth of the modern French nation. But in New York City, residents and Francophiles celebrate Bastille Day the following Sunday in partnership with the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF). This year’s festivities will take place on Sunday, July 15, when the FIAF will host a number of events, including a large street fair on East 60th Street, from Fifth Avenue to Lexington Avenue.

See the full schedule of events for Bastille Day in NYC below:

LIVE Screening of World Cup Final, 11am

Join fellow soccer fans to watch a free screening of the World Cup Final in the comfort of FIAF's Florence Gould Hall theater. Refreshing cold beers from Kronenbourg and Jenlain will be available for purchase.

Champagne & Jazz Party, 1:30pm & 3:30pm
Listen to jazz by Chloe Perrier and taste high-end Champagne from Pol Roger, Ayala, Champagne Delamotte, and Besserat de Bellefon, as well as sparkling cocktails courtesy of Grand Marnier. Drinks will be served with delicious macarons from Ladurée, decadent chocolates from Voilà Chocolat, and hors d'oeuvres from Maman Bakery.

Summer in the South of France Tasting, 12-4:30pm
Taste delicious French wines from Sud de France, French beers from Kronenbourg, a selection of Président cheeses, Bayonne ham, and artisanal breads from Maison Kayser.

French-Themed Market, 12–5pm
On 60th Street guests can visit dozens of booths showcasing the best of French food, culture, and lifestyle, as well as get travel deals and shop for French beauty and fashion products. This year there will also be a premium shopping area called The French Garden.

Kids’ Corner, 12–5pm
In the special kids’ area on 60th Street, children will learn about French culture and language through arts and crafts, face painting, a library, mimes, and exciting music.

Live Performances, 12:45–5pm
The main stage will host a number of concerts and performances throughout the day, including Can-Can dancing, French singer-songwriter MarieLine Grinda, a Parisian swing band, and LA JARRY, one France’s current leading rock bands.

Prize Drawing: Win Trips to Paris and Martinique!, 5pm
The last concert of the day will be followed by a drawing for a luxury three-day trip to Paris. Each ticket purchased online, in person at FIAF, and during the Bastille Day celebration is entered into the drawing. Proceeds from the drawing go towards supporting FIAF’s cultural, arts, and education programs.

Sneak Peek Screening: Le Brio, 5:30pm
The evening will culminate in a screening of Le Brio, a 2018 César nominee for Best Film that follows the relationship between a young Arab student from the Paris suburbs and a racist professor.