Bastille Festival 2023 returns to Sydney’s Circular Quay and the Rocks today for four days of French food, wine, art and revolution. Bastille Day 2023 is the 10th anniversary of the French festival and they’re getting bigger and better this time taking over The Rocks, The Overseas Passenger Terminal, East Circular Quay, Customs House, Quay Quarter Lanes and more.
Bastille Festival 2023 will transport you to a French wonderland of delectable food, exquisite wine, and captivating art. Not just a commemoration of France’s national holiday; Bastille Festival 2023 is a remarkable opportunity to immerse oneself in France’s rich culture and history. With five distinct villages to explore, each with its own unique festivities, you can choose a different village to visit throughout the festival.
A culinary voyage throughout France without leaving the city
You can delight your tastebuds with an indulgent range of classic French dishes at Bastille Festival 2023. Expect to savour the likes of escargot, sweet and savoury crepes, raclette, fondue, choucroute, flammkuchen, lobster rolls, moule mariniere (Mussels in white wine), scallops mornay, the best baguettes, stinky cheese, traditional French cakes, and much more.
Bastille Festival 2023 will also feature collaborations with Sydney’s most avant-garde chefs and food artists, who will bring their unique French fusion creations to the festival. Think Camembert Arancini, Creamy Mushroom Gnocchi, French Paella, and Churros with French jams.
Raclette igloo experience – $99 per person for your own private igloo to seat 6 or 8 people
Book your own private igloo with your family and friends (from 6 to 8 people), let your love for cheese fill your stomach and warm your heart.
The table is set beautifully and ready for your party. The Raclette cheese is sliced, the charcuterie & pickles are on a board, potatoes are in the bain-marie, the mulled wine is in the urn & the Raclette grill (to melt your cheese) in on the table and warm. You are all set for an incredible foody & cheese experience.
Don’t forget to leave a little bit of room for a delicious Belgian thick hot chocolate topped with a giant roasted marshmallow – the perfect cozy dessert.
Your igloo experience gets you:
- 1.8kg of raclette cheese, 1kg of charcuterie, potatoes, pickles;
- one glass of Warmed Mulled Wine per person; and
- one hot chocolate per person with a roasted marshmallow on top
Pop-up Champagne, Oyster & Fresh Prawn Bar,
Located on East Circular Quay Village, with stunning views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, enjoy champagne, delectable oysters, fresh prawns, and a vibrant Jazz Club Stage, treat yourself with la crème de la crème!
The only passport you’ll need is your wine passport
Engage on a wine tour through France’s wine regions and get stamps in your wine passport at Bastille Festival 2023. You can stroll through the 1.4km wine tasting trail at the Bastille Festival 2023 with your passport and wine glass and sample wines from Bordeaux to Provence and the Loire to Burgundy. Choose between 4 or 8 tastings (all are half pours) for $36 or $59 per person. You will also get a keepsake bastille Festival wineglass.
Wines are of course also available for purchase.
Mulled wine chalets
Just what you need to warm up as the temperature drops is a glass of mulled wine with cinnamon, star anise and cloves.
Craft beers
Visit French breweries without the air ticket and taste a variety of local craft beers on the Bastille Festival 2023 Craft Beer Bar menu.
Wine masterclasses
45 minutes hosted by wine experts sharing insights on the region and tastings of 3 exclusive wines from the regions
Burgundy & Beaujolais – Saturday 6pm and Sunday 2pm
Free coffee!
Need some extra fuel to keep you going? L’Or one of Bastille Festival 2023’s sponsors has a pop up L’Or Parisian Café. You can get a free coffee and enter a competition for the chance to win a trip to Paris.
Be entertained
Entertainment abounds across several stages at Bastille Festival 2023. There truly is something for all tastes with live music, DJs, dance, circus and street performances, live drawing and fire artists.
Le Mulled wine cinema – ticketed
Watch classic French films in the comfort of deck chairs and cosy blankets. This is a ticketed event. To see the program and purchase your tickets, click here
Art market
12 talented artists will gather to showcase and sell their captivating creations at Bastille Festival 2023’s Art market. You’ll find a diverse array of art, from stunning paintings and sculptures to intricate ceramics and captivating photography.
Stroll through the bustling market, engage with the artists, and learn about the inspiration behind their works. From contemporary and abstract art to traditional and experimental forms, there is something to enthral every art enthusiast.
Vive la révolution!
KEY INFO FOR BASTILLE FESTIVAL 2023
WHAT: Bastille Festival 2023
WHERE: Circular Quay and The Rocks
WHEN: Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 July
- Thursday 12pm – 10pm
- Friday 10am – 11pm
- Saturday: 10am – 11pm.
- Sunday 10am – 8pm
- Low Sensory Hours: 10am to Midday each day of Bastille Festival 2023
HOW: Just go. Unless you want to go to a ticketed event in which case you can purchase tickets via the links above.
HOW MUCH: Entry is free!
For other events with links to French and Francophone culture happening in Australia this month, check out our What’s on in July
Discover more Bastille Day celebrations in Australia
On the Rue des bistrots you’ll find:
