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Picnic Performances

Bryant Park Picnic Performances Presented by Bank of America
Ryan Muir

Bryant Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America is a free outdoor festival that welcomes all New Yorkers to experience the city’s vibrant arts and culture. This summer, enjoy extraordinary artists and events in collaboration with a wide array of New York's cultural institutions.

Brochure

Download last season's brochure and stay tuned for more info to be announced for summer 2024!

Last season's lineup

June 2023
01 - New York City Opera: La Bohème
02 - Jazzmobile: The Steven Oquendo Latin Jazz Orchestra
08 - Contemporary Dance: Robin Dunn and Friends, The Lite and LayeRhythm
09 - Contemporary Dance: Dance Heginbotham, Jennifer Muller/The Works
15 - Contemporary Dance: Terk Lewis + Kayla Farrish
16 - Contemporary Dance: Soles of Duende + Josh Johnson
23 - Emerging Music Festival: Psymon Spine, THUS LOVE, Katy Kirby
24 - Emerging Music Festival: Ky Vöss, Seramic, June McDoom, Miss Grit, Dead Tooth
30 - Jalopy Theatre: Michael Daves Quintet ft. Tony Trishka, Yacouba Sissoko, Terrell King

July 2023
07 - Carnegie Hall Citywide: Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra
14 - Carnegie Hall Citywide: Tessa Lark + Michael Thurber
21 - Carnegie Hall Citywide: Magos Herrera featuring The Knights
28 - Carnegie Hall Citywide: Champe-Soukous Collective

August 2023
03 - Ailey Moves NYC: Ailey II + Ailey Extension Class
04 - Carnegie Hall Citywide: Ndlovu Youth Choir
11 - Joe's Pub: Shaina Taub
18 - New York City Opera: From Vienna to Broadway!
19 - New York City Opera: Alessandro Lora in Concert
25 - Accordions Around the World: Diana Burco, Suistamon Sähkö, Ragini Ensemble
26 - Roulette Intermedium: Immanuel Wilkins, 75 Dollar Bill, Ka Baird
31 - The Town Hall: Martha Redbone Roots Project

September 2023
01 - The Classical Theatre of Harlem: Young, Gifted, and Black
07 - American Symphony Orchestra: American Expressions
08 - New York City Opera: Romeo and Juliet
09 - Drom: Gaye Su Akyol (U.S. debut)
14 - Harlem Stage: 40th Anniversary Concert

Livestreams

Watch full livestreams of more than 20 of this season’s Picnic Performances on this webpage or @bryantparknyc on YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram.

Until the season starts, rewatch our past livestreams below and check out our 2022 season recap.

On the lawn

For Picnics, Bryant Park staff lends out hundreds of free blankets and provides ample bistro chairs. Food and drink is also available to purchase from local vendors. No registration is required and there are no lines to enter: it’s as easy as a walk in the park.

Chris Lee

Bring your own picnic or purchase food and drinks from tents on the east side of the lawn. Attendees can enjoy cuisine from the five boroughs with a rotating line-up of artisanal vendors curated by Hester Street Fair.

Stout NYC also offers giant pretzels, gourmet popcorn and other light bites as well as a selection of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase.

Bryant Park lends out hundreds of free blankets on a first-come, first-served basis, or bring your own cotton or fleece blanket. To protect the lawn, please do not sit on waterproof materials such as plastic tarps, yoga mats, or inflatable chairs. 

Take a seat in one of the pre-set chairs on the lawn or grab a chair from the gravel. You can use a chair anywhere in the park except for the center lawn "blanket zone". 

Find a parachute, giant Jenga, and more fun on the east side of the lawn at select events. 

We love dogs, but dog urine can leave the lawn with bald spots. Dogs are welcome on the gravel and bluestone, but please do not bring dogs on the lawn. 

Performances are cancelled when it is unsafe to be outdoors. In some cases, the lawn may be too wet to open but the performance may continue. Follow @bryantparknyc on Twitter and Instagram for day-of event updates. You can also check the lawn status on the bryantpark.org homepage.