Picnic Performances: May 2026
Coming soon!
Picnic Performances returns on Thursday, May 28, with our season opener. Jazzmobile presents a night of jazz with Wycliffe Gordon and friends that will make you swing and swoon!
What to expect
- Traditional hard-swinging jazz from acclaimed trombonist Wycliffe Gordon
- A dynamic swing band kicking off the 2026 season
- An evening performance delivered by a tour de force in the jazz industry
On Friday, May 29, New York City Opera returns for a night that celebrates American excellence in opera and theater:
- An exceptional cast of opera singers, including three-time Grammy-award winner Latonia Moore and internationally touring powerhouses
- An evening of expansive and rich works across American arts with the return of crowd-favorites, New York City Opera
- A celebration of the country’s musical theater and opera culture on the cusp of its 250th anniversary
Our contemporary dance series returns for another season on June 4, 5, and 11. Over three nights, the series brings modern choreography, ballet, percussive dance, and hip hop to the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
What to expect
- Thursday, June 4 welcomes Carolyn Dorfman Dance, Terk Lewis, and White Wave Dance for a night of modern and expressive dance.
- On June 5, Bryant Park hosts an evening of ballet performances inspired by the natural world in collaboration with vildwerk.
- The series closes on June 11 with It's Showtime NYC!, SOLE Defined, and Robin Dunn, bringing a blend of percussive, jazz, and hip-hop dance that will fill the lawn with joyous energy
Just in
We’ve just launched brand new merchandise for Picnic Performances! Visit our merch tent at every Picnic Performance to explore exclusive, interactive merch available on show days only.
- Customize your own T-shirt with Picnics-inspired stamps
- Snap a photo and place inside a commemorative frame
- Collect a brand-new sticker
- Purchase a Picnics water bottle to quench your thirst in the summer heat
- Pick up our Picnics tote bag to bring your things on and off the lawn with ease
Start time
Most shows begin at 7pm, with performance times ranging from an hour to just under three hours. For more details, check out our brochure.
Seating
You can grab a park chair and place it on the lawn. The park also lends out hundreds of free blankets for picnicking on a first-come, first-served basis. Just remember to return them on your way out!
Picnicking
Pack your own picnic basket, or purchase food and drink from Hester Street Fair tents found at the back of the lawn. The Bryant Park Shop also sells Picnics-exclusive merchandise! Grab a T-shirt or tote bag or make your own Picnics-inspired T-shirt at our interactive merchandise station.
Getting there
As an oasis in the middle of Midtown Manhattan, getting here is easy. Bryant Park is accessible by subway, train, or bus! Our award-winning restrooms are open throughout the entire season to make the performance viewing much more enjoyable.
This season is poised to celebrate anniversaries:
- Acclaimed New York-based orchestra group, The Knights, will perform classical music inspired by American history in celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary.
- On August 7, three-time Grammy Award-winning soprano, Latonia Moore, celebrates 111 years of Ella Fitzgerald’s timeless music with the New York City Opera.
- To close the season, we commemorate the 25th anniversary of September 11 with a moving program of classical music and reflections.
2026 Picnics also welcomes a variety of global talent and culture, with influences from six continents and countless countries. From the likes of jazz, blues and Louisiana Zydeco to fiery Puerto Rican Bomba Fusion to North Indian-inspired vocals, Picnics artists will light up the park with performances that will sweep you off your feet!
It’s going to be a season full of incredible programming! For updates and more information, follow us at @bryantparknyc or sign up to our monthly newsletter.