Bastille Day, France’s national holiday, is on July 14, and New York City is gearing up for a big celebration. There are events all over the city from street fairs and concert performances to automobile parades and specials at French restaurants.
Here are a few of the best ways to celebrate Bastille Day in NYC.
FIAF’s Bastille Day Celebration
FIAF’s Bastille Day Celebration is the five boroughs’ largest celebration of the French national holiday. The event will feature a street fair on Madison Avenue from 59th to 63rd Street, live music performances, rosé & bubbly parties, prizes, family activities, a special film screening and more than 50 booths offering the best of French food and culture.
17th Annual Greater New York Velosolëx Club Rally & Rendezvous
The Velosolëx Club Rally & Rendezvous is the annual French automobile and bike rally, and it’s returning to NYC this year in celebration of Bastille Day. The rally will kick off at 10 a.m. on July 16 at Riverside Drive South and 122nd Street before traveling down through Manhattan. One of the rally’s stops will be at FIAF’s Bastille Day street fair on Madison Avenue, where all of the cars and bicycles will be parked for visitors to see.
Bastille Day in Jersey City
Bastille Day in Jersey City is full of fun activities for children and families. There is also delicious French food and drink. The event will take place at the French American Academy on Friday, July 14 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Films on the Green
Films on the Green 2023 is an annual free outdoor French film festival. The festival takes place at a number of public parks across Manhattan and Brooklyn and runs through September 8. This year’s festival features a variety of film styles and settings that are tailored to audiences of all ages.
Industry City’s “La Brooklynaise” Pétanque Tournament
Industry City’s “La Brooklynaise” Pétanque Tournament is a pétanque tournament for both inexperienced and adept players. The tournament will take place on Sunday, July 16 at 11 a.m. in Industry City. Registration costs $25 for individuals and $75 for teams of three. All teams have a minimum of three games with prizes awarded to the top finishers in both brackets.