Montclair Bastille Day Weekend Will Celebrate French Culture

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of a Patch Montclair community member. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Experience the best of Bastille Day in Montclair with a weekend of fun for all ages! Festivities kick off Friday with a film premiere at The Clairidge, followed by French Shopping Day and a town-wide scavenger hunt on Saturday. Enjoy children’s outdoor story time at Watchung Park, and live music and French-themed activities on Church Street. Wrap up the weekend Saturday under the stars at the Van Vleck House & Gardens for our Bastille Day Garden Party! If you’re looking for more Bastille Day festivities, head to Manhattan on Sunday for the largest Bastille Day celebration outside of France on Madison Avenue!

Friday, July 11—Montclair

French Movie at The Clairidge

7 p.m.

Join Montclair Film for a special sneak preview of Bonnard, Pierre & Marthe at The Clairidge. The latest film from Martin Provost which screened in 2023 at Cannes, stars Vincent Macaigne and Cécile de France as Pierre Bonnard and Marthe de Méligny, and chronicles their love affair over the course of five decades.

Saturday, July 12—Montclair

Children’s Story Time

10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

In partnership with Watchung Booksellers, come out to Watchung Park for a special reading of Martine sur la Cote d’Azur / Martine on the French Rivierawith author Rosalind Elland-Goldsmith. In French with English subtitles.

French Shopping Day in Montclair

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Montclair Campus of L’Alliance New York—together with Montclair Center BID and Experience Montclair—is proud to host Montclair’s first-ever French Shopping Day. Shoppers are invited to participate in a vibrant, town-wide scavenger hunt that celebrates Montclair’s French presence. Shoppers can pick up a “passport” and learn the rules of the scavenger hunt at L’Alliance’s tent on Church Street. While on Church Street, enjoy live music from 2-4 pm by Marie and her trio and experience the South of France tables from Regional Sponsor, CANNES.

Bastille Day Garden Party at the Van Vleck House & Gardens

5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

It wouldn’t be Bastille Day in Montclair without the fun and festive Garden Party at the Van Vleck House & Gardens! Our French-themed weekend celebration will culminate with a delicious, gourmet buffet, refreshing drinks, and live music in an enchanting garden setting. Exciting door prizes including a dream vacation for two to Cannes!

Sunday, July 13—Manhattan

Bastille Day on Madison Ave.

12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

New Yorkers’ favorite summer festival is back! Bastille Day returns to Madison Avenue this year with the refreshing theme of outdoor living in the Côte d’Azur. Visitors can eat, shop and play à la française, with a beach-themed performance, fun (free!) outdoor activities like arts and crafts and dance workshops on our pop-up lawn, plus exclusive film screenings, tasting parties, and over 50 booths showcasing the finest French food, artisan crafts, and unique finds. The celebration will take place on Sunday, July 13, from noon to 5 pm, spanning Madison Avenue from 59th to 63rd street.

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