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Bastille Day Concert at SummerStage: Michel Polnareff, Laurent Voulzy & Black M event image
Rumsey Playfield, Central Park, Central Park, Manhattan

Bastille Day Concert at SummerStage: Michel Polnareff, Laurent Voulzy & Black M

French pop royalty — Michel Polnareff, Laurent Voulzy and Black M — play a free Bastille Day blowout at Central Park's SummerStage.

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FreeFrench FteCentral Park

Where else does a free Central Park show land Michel Polnareff — one of French pop's most elusive legends — on the same stage as Laurent Voulzy and chart-topping rapper Black M? It's the evening finale of the city's biggest Bastille Day, capping the Madison Avenue street fête with hours of live French music under the trees. For Francophiles, expats, or anyone who wants a one-night trip to Paris without the flight, this is the weekend's best free ticket.

What to expect

A packed, flag-waving Rumsey Playfield singing along in French across multiple sets, from vintage chanson and '80s synth-pop to modern hip-hop. The crowd skews joyfully multigenerational — expats, families, and curious park wanderers. Expect several hours of music with the biggest names closing the night.

Good to know

  • Free and first-come — line up early for a spot near the stage, this one draws the French diaspora out in force
  • Enter the park around Fifth Avenue and 69th Street for the shortest walk to Rumsey Playfield
  • Pairs perfectly with the FIAF Bastille Day street fair on Madison Avenue earlier the same day
  • No outside alcohol; food and drink vendors operate inside the venue
  • Standing-room lawn vibes — leave the lawn chairs at home

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Common questions

Is the Bastille Day concert really free?

Yes — it's presented free with the Consulate General of France as part of SummerStage's 40th-anniversary season. No tickets required; entry is first-come, first-served.

Who headlines the night?

The lineup features Michel Polnareff, Laurent Voulzy, Black M and a Legends of the '80s set — a rare multi-generation French pop bill on one stage.

What if it rains?

SummerStage shows generally run rain or shine, with cancellations only for severe weather — check SummerStage channels day-of.

More this weekend

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