Bryant Park Announces 24‑Show 2026 Picnic Performances
Get the Culture newsletter
Daily culture — film, music, books, the trends and ideas worth your attention. Free.
- Bryant Park announced a 2026 Picnic Performances schedule featuring 24 free outdoor shows from May 28 to September 11, covering music, dance, opera, circus and new festivals.
- Bank of America will present the series and its NYC executive Connie Verducci highlighted the partnership’s role in celebrating New York’s arts and culture.
- New York City Opera will perform “American Classics” on May 29 and a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald with Latonia Moore on August 7.
- World Music Institute will mark its 40th anniversary on June 12 with a percussion showcase including Pedrito Martinez, Cyro Baptista, and an all‑women Brazilian ensemble.
- Jazzmobile will kick off the season on May 28 with trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and Friends.
- Hester Street Fair will curate local food vendors, and free bistro chairs and picnic blankets will be available on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
- WQXR will provide additional media support along with WBGO, and the series will be streamed via 14 free multi‑camera livestreams and PBS episodes.
Why it matters: The free, city‑wide festival gives New Yorkers and visitors access to world‑class performances, boosts local vendors, and expands cultural reach through livestreams, while Bank of America and media partners gain visibility as supporters of the arts. It reinforces Bryant Park’s role as a cultural hub.
