Bryant Park Picnic Performances: The COMPLETE Guide 2023
The summer season is approaching fast, and in New York that means the return of some incredible outdoors events, including one of our favorites: the Bryant Park Picnic Performances!
The Bryant Park Picnic Performances 2023 line-up has just been announced. With 25 free concerts ranging from opera to jazz and more, this is a perfect way to spend a beautiful NY summer afternoon. Read on for all of the most important details about this free series 👇
My tip: check out the full list of artists and all parks featured at Free Concerts in the Parks here. And in addition to the free concerts, there are plenty of free movie viewings – you can find out more in my guide to Free Summer Movies in New York. Bryant Park is part of the action, too!
What to expect at the Bryant Park Picnic Performances?
Set in the iconic midtown park, the Bryant Park Picnic Performances bring live and in-person music, dance, and theater events to a gorgeous outdoor setting.
These performances are an accessible way to experience some of the professional-quality artistic offerings of the city. From collaborations with the American Symphony Orchestra and Carnegie Hall to the New York City Opera and Contemporary Dance, the Bryant Park Picnic Performances are a creative and inclusive event for attendees of all agents.
Since this takes place at the park, it’s worth noting there is ample space for attendees, as well as free blankets for audience members who’d like to get comfortable on the grass.
When do the Bryant Park Picnic Performances take place?
Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, the free concerts start in New York. You can attend them on the lawn behind the New York Public Library until mid-September.
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We’ve chosen the 50 best spots, events and activities to showcase the full diversity of New York City. Even after more than 20 visits, the city never gets boring for us. And with our recommendations, you’ll have a really good time in New York, too, and you’ll have plenty left for your next visit. If you’re not planning a trip yet, you’re sure to get wanderlust after perusing this list!
Concerts, performances and dates 2023
A total of 25 events have been confirmed for the summer of 2023.
The Bryant Park Picnic Performances Line-up for June
June kicks things off with a total of nine different events. For more great events, check out my list of the best events in June in New York.
Date | Organization | Event/Artists | Shows start at |
|---|---|---|---|
June 1, 2023 | New York City Opera | La Bohème | 7pm |
June 2, 2023 | Jazzmobile | The Steven Oquendo Latin Jazz Orchestra | 7pm |
June 8, 2023 | Contemporary Dance | Robin Dunn + Legendary Friends | 7pm |
June 9, 2023 | Contemporary Dance | Dance Heginbotham, TBA | 7pm |
June 15, 2023 | Contemporary Dance | Terk Lewis, Kayla Farrish | 7pm |
June 16, 2023 | Contemporary Dance | Soles of Duende, Josh Johnson | 5pm |
June 23, 2023 | Emerging Music Festival | THUS LOVE, Psymon Spine, Katy Kirby | 7pm |
June 24, 2023 | Emerging Music Festival | Ky Vöss, Seramic, Miss Grit, Dead Tooth | 5pm |
June 30, 2023 | Jalopy Theatre | Three-artist folk festival | 7pm |
The Bryant Park Picnic Performances Line-up for July
In July you can expect four performances at Carnegie Hall Citywide. And you can find more than 40+ events in my article about July in New York.
Date | Organization | Event/Artists | Shows start at |
|---|---|---|---|
July 7, 2023 | Carnegie Hall Citywide | Arturo O'Farrill and Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra | 7pm |
July 14, 2023 | Carnegie Hall Citywide | Tessa Lark + Michael Thurber | 7pm |
July 21, 2023 | Carnegie Hall Citywide | Magos Herrera featuring The Knights | 7pm |
July 28, 2023 | Carnegie Hall Citywide | Champe-Soukous Collective | 7pm |
The Bryant Park Picnic Performances Line-up for August
There are seven different Bryant Park Picnic Performances in August. And in my article you’ll find over 50 of the best events for August in NYC.
Date | Organization | Event/Artists | Shows start at |
|---|---|---|---|
August 3, 2023 | Ailey Moves NYC | Ailey II | 7pm |
August 4, 2023 | Carnegie Hall Citywide | Ndlovu Youth Choir | 7pm |
August 11, 2023 | Joe’s Pub | Shaina Taub | 7pm |
August 18, 2023 | New York City Opera | The Barber of Seville | 7pm |
August 19, 2023 | New York City Opera | Alessandro Lora in concert | 7pm |
August 25, 2023 | Accordions Around the World | Three global bands feature the accordion | 7pm |
August 26, 2023 | Roulette Intermedium | 75 Dollar Bill, Ka Baird, TBA | 7pm |
The Bryant Park Picnic Performances Line-up for September
And also in September you can still visit these events for free!
Date | Organization | Event/Artists | Shows start at |
|---|---|---|---|
September 1, 2023 | The Classical Theatre of Harlem | Langston in Harlem | 7pm |
September 7, 2023 | American Symphony Orchestra | Full orchestra with Leon Botstein | 7pm |
September 8, 2023 | New York City Opera | Romeo and Juliet | 7pm |
September 9, 2023 | Drom | Gaye Su Akyol (U.S. debut) | 7pm |
September 14, 2023 | Harlem Stage | 40th Anniversary Celebration | 7pm |
Related Events
If none of these dates work for you, check out these free summer concerts:
FAQ
How much are tickets to Bryant Park Picnic Performances?
There are no tickets or reservations needed for the Brant Park Picnic Performances. All performances are free to the public and are meant to be enjoyed casually. However, I recommend you to be there early, because the event is always well attended.
When should we arrive?
All performances at Bryant Park begin at 7:00 pm. Given that these events are primarily scheduled for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, you may want to arrive up to 2 hours early to get a great spot (the lawn is open to public at 5 p.m.). Since this event is free, many people are expected to attend.
Are food and drinks available for purchase?
In addition to bringing your own food and drinks, visitors are also invited to check out the local on-site food and beverage providers. You can find the food & drink tents on the east side of the lawn. Stout NYC will offer giant pretzels, popcorn and other snacks as well as beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages.
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