If the kids are bummed that all the sparkle and excitement of the 4th of July is over, they’re in for a treat! Tons more family-friendly Independence Day festivities are coming up this weekend—this time, in celebration of France’s independence! From the annual Bastille Day bash at 60th Street to a massive celebration at Brookfield Place, there’s no shortage of free summer activities surrounding this joyful holiday. Enjoy live performances, sample French delicacies and check out free cooking classes and foreign language classes for kids. Here's what you can't miss:
In addition to stunning can-can dancing and a live musical performance from children's group The Arpege Choir, this celebration offers tons of kidcentric activities! While Mom and Dad enjoy champagne and chocolate tastings, little ones can:
-Visit the Kids' Corner (between Madison and Park Aves) for face painting, arts and crafts and games led by FIAF teachers in French
-Enjoy storytime and sales on favorite French children's book at the Pop-Up Library (both noon–5pm).
-Get hands-on in the kitchen and make a seasonal French treat in free cooking workshops (1–2pm and 3–4pm, ages 2–4)
-Learn some basic French in free French workshops with sessions aimed at beginners (1pm, 2pm and 3pm). Sign up at the FIAF Language Center Booth (between Park and Madison Aves) for first-come, first-served workshops.
-Watch French films, including animated short films (12:30–2:30pm, ages 7 and up) and an adorable feature film, Minuscule, Valley of the Lost Ants (3:30–5pm, ages 3 and up) in the FIAF Florence Gould Hall.
Bastille Day at Brookfield Place
Thanks to its new French food marketplace, Le District, Brookfield Place is the perfect spot for this cultural celebration. Samples tasty French treats, purchase a specialty picnic basket packed with French goodies to share with the family, learn how to make macarons and make sure to hit up the roving ice cream cart. Then make your way around to these festivities:
-Play lawn games and check out Parkour demonstrations and get in on free lessons
-Get caricatures done by a French artist by the waterfront
-Visit the second level shopping area for 30-minute, French-themed storytelling by Posman Books (12pm, 1pm and 2pm)
-Hop in on sing-a-long French lessons incorporating music, dance and traditional French folk songs with Bilingual Birdies (11am)
-Enjoy an interactive talk about dance form, then catch a 30-minute performance of Sleeping Beauty by a New York Theater Ballet ballerina (12:30pm and 1:30pm)
-Settle in for French film screenings in Hudson Eats throughout the day
Bastille Day workshops at CMA
Keep the celebrations going on Monday, July 13 with Bastille Day crafts at the Children's Museum of the Arts (12–5pm, free with museum admission). Creative kids will get to:
-Make mini models of French landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and l'Arc de Triomphe using recycled materials in the Fine Arts Studio
-Create clay paintings inspired by French Impresionist painters like Monet and Renior
-Sew French-inspired aprons, which they'll wear to make macarons with Le District (2–4pm)
-Watch a performance from the Bleu, Blanc, Rouge French Summer Camp (1pm)