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Picnic Performances

Enjoy world class performing arts on the lawn

The 2022 season of Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America showcases twenty-six live and in-person music, dance, and theater events produced in partnership with a diverse and storied lineup of New York City’s performing arts institutions. Over 20 of this season’s events will also be available to livestream in their entirety.

All performances are free to the public and designed to be enjoyed casually – no tickets required—with ample seating available and free picnic blankets to borrow. Attendees may bring their own food or purchase from on-site food and beverage vendors near the lawn. COVID-19 vaccinations and masks are not currently required but Bryant Park will continue to monitor and follow updated New York City and New York State COVID-19 guidelines throughout the summer as necessary.

  • Emerging Music Festival

    Up-and-coming bands curated by AdHoc take on the Bryant Park Stage

    Download the Program
Day 2 of Emerging Music Festival will go live here at 7pm on Saturday, June 25

Press play to rewatch Day 1 of Emerging Music Festival

Fans sit on the lawn in front of the stage at The Town Hall Centennial Concert in Bryant Park NYC.

Borrow a picnic blanket or chair – or bring your own. Bryant Park blankets and chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Attendees may bring their own food or purchase from on-site food and beverage vendors near the Lawn. At most performances, attendees can purchase food from a rotating line-up of local NYC vendors curated by Hester Street Fair.

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 for day-of event updates.

COVID-19 vaccinations and masks are not currently required but Bryant Park will continue to monitor and follow updated New York City and New York State COVID-19 guidelines throughout the summer as necessary.

Carnegie Hall Citywide

This season, Carnegie Hall Citywide presents five nights of genre-spanning music in July, featuring Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble, The Baylor Project, Squirrel Nut Zippers, The Broadway Sinfonietta, and The Hot Sardines Featuring Nellie McKay.

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Emerging Music Festival

Emerging Music Festival returns for the first time since 2019 on June 24+25 with thousands of music lovers packing the lawn. Six up-and-coming bands curated by AdHoc perform on one of the biggest stages of their young careers.

New York City Opera

Extraordinary opera selections produced by New York City Opera, including The Barber of Seville, La traviata, Lucia di Lammermoor, and a special Pride in the Park performance.

Press play to rewatch The Barber of Seville here.

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Contemporary Dance

Showcasing major dance companies and rising stars

Major dance companies and rising stars perform at Contemporary Dance in June with curation by Tiffany Rea-Fisher, featuring Ayodele Casel, Dance Heginbotham, Ephrat Asherie, Ariel Rivka Dance, The Missing Element, Music From The Sole, EMERGE125, and a Social Latin Dance Class with Ballet Hispánico.

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Upcoming events