Bryant Park’s Picnic Performances series is back for the 2026 season, kicking off Thursday, May 28th, at 7 PM. Set on the lush Midtown lawn, this free outdoor festival invites attendees to gather for world-class performances spanning music, dance, opera, and more. Bryant Park provides the free bistro chairs and picnic blankets (first-come, first-served).
For those who can’t make it to the lawn, the magic travels: 14 performances will be available via free multi-camera livestreams at bryantpark.org, and select highlights will air on PBS.
The 2026 Season Lineup:
Jazzmobile (May 28): Kick off the season with the virtuosic trombone of Wycliffe Gordon and Friends.
New York City Opera (May 29 & Aug 7): Experience “American Classics” in May and a soul-stirring tribute to Ella Fitzgerald featuring Grammy winner Latonia Moore in August.
Contemporary Dance (June 4, 5 & 11): Three nights of movement curated by Tiffany Rea-Fisher, featuring Carolyn Dorfman Dance, vildwerk., and a high-energy hip-hop finale with It’s Showtime NYC.
World Music Institute (June 12): A 40th-anniversary “World of Percussion” celebration featuring global masters like Pedrito Martinez and Batalá.
Joe’s Pub (June 18): A Pride Month double-bill with the genre-defying Joan As Police Woman and the “funk liberation” of Britton & The Sting.
The Unsung Collective (June 19): A powerful Juneteenth celebration featuring works by Black composers Jessie Montgomery and H. Leslie Adams.
Carnegie Hall Citywide (July 3–31): A month-long residency including a July 3rd Independence Day bash with The Knights, Broadway’s Aisha Jackson, and the infectious rhythms of the NYC Ska Orchestra.
New York Guitar Festival (Aug 14–15): A two-day global journey from classical virtuosos to “The Misbehaving Guitar” with Gyan Riley.
Choir Festival (Aug 21): The park’s inaugural celebration of NYC’s vocal ensembles and communal song.
Emerging Music Festival (Aug 22): A talent-packed marathon of indie, rock, and soul curated by AdHoc.
Accordion Festival (Aug 28): A global squeeze-box party featuring Cajun star Jourdan Thibodeaux and the Pakistani Saami Brothers.
Sunset Circus (Aug 29): Family-friendly acrobatics and theatrical wonder from Parallel Exit.
Asian American Arts Alliances (Sept 3): Featuring The Late Show’s Grace Kelly and the soulful R&B-jazz infusions of Ashni.
Brass Festival (Sept 4): A New Orleans-style blowout headlined by the New Breed Brass Band.
Dance Party All-Stars (Sept 10): Salsa and Swing lessons followed by the Alfredo De La Fé All Star Band and the George Gee Swing Orchestra.
9/11 Memorial Tribute (Sept 11): A moving season finale of classical music and reflection to commemorate the 25th anniversary of September 11.
