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Picnic Performances

Enjoy world class performing arts on the lawn

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. The series provides a platform for extraordinary artists and serves as a vital outdoor venue for a wide array of New York’s cultural institutions. Every summer more than 70,000 people attend a performance on the lawn more than 300,000 watch a free performance livestream. At each event Bryant Park staff lends out hundreds of free picnic blankets, provides thousands of bistro chairs, and offers a curated selection of food and drink to purchase from local vendors. No tickets are required are there are no lines to enter: it’s as easy as a walk in the park.

This summer’s lineup will be announced in April 2023. Check back here for more information. In the meantime, look below to learn more about past seasons of Picnic Performances and watch the livestream archives.

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.