Community Bastille Day Celebrations Return to the San Francisco Bay Area

Bastille Day celebrations that include community participation are returning to the San Francisco Bay Area.

A combination of pandemic restrictions and lack of volunteers willing to make the complex plans and logistics had closed two of the biggest Bastille Day celebrations, but they have returned. Big time. 

After 10 years of not holding a community-based Bastille Day event, the Alliance Française Silicon Valley (AFSCV) will hold a Bastille Day Picnic at Vasona Lake County Park in Los Gatos. Scheduled on Sunday, July 13 from 11am to 3pm, it will be a pot-luck style picnic with a playground, story-telling program for children and plenty of music.

“With its beautiful lake, open green spaces and playground, it’s perfect for families, couples and anyone looking to relax and enjoy the day,” said Upi Struzak, President of Alliance Française USA and President of AFSCV. “The park also offers increased visibility and accessibility, making it an ideal venue for attracting a diverse mix of attendees and fostering a festive, inclusive atmosphere.” 

San Francisco will hold its Bastille Day Festival at the Embarcadero Plaza on Saturday, July 12 starting at 11am. This is a return of an annual event that will include an outdoor fair (kermesse), French food and drink booths, a vintage Citroën car show, a Tahitian dance performance, a Waiters’ Race and plenty more. The Embarcadero Plaza is an area along the San Francisco Bay near the Ferry Building.

The relationship between France and the United States is long and strong. Bastille Day has been celebrated in San Francisco since 1880 to mark the rich history of French heritage and bonds between France and the United States. The relationship began when General Lafayette was instrumental in convincing the French king to support the new colonies in the War of Independence against Britain. San Francisco has had a strong bond with France since the 1850s Gold Rush era which brought French immigrants to the city who contributed to San Francisco’s development by founding businesses and cultural organizations. In Silicon Valley, French tech entrepreneurs and investors have added to the strength and diversity of Silicon Valley since its beginning. Many tech companies began with an idea by French developers and engineers who came to Silicon Valley to win investments and grow their companies. 

The free AFSCV Bastille Day Picnic will be community focused. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket, potluck-style picnic food and pétanque sets. One member will play guitar to create a festive and friendly atmosphere and anyone with a musical instrument is welcome to join. For younger guests, a special story time will be led by Virginie Zenero, one of AFSCV’s French teachers. In addition, Pasquier, a sponsor of the event, will provide authentic French viennoiseries. 

“This holiday is a powerful expression of French identity, much like the Fourth of July is for Americans,” said Struzak. “It represents freedom, unity, and national pride. Wherever they are in the world, French people love to honor this tradition. This event brings the spirit of Bastille Day to our community, making it easy for families, friends, and neighbors to join in. Celebrating Bastille Day is part of how we fulfill our mission to promote the French language, culture, and the Francophonie right here in Silicon Valley.” 

The San Francisco Bastille Day Festival is a free public event hosted by the French Consulate in San Francisco and the Official Committee of French-American Organizations. Florian Cardinaux, the Consul General of France in San Francisco will attend as well as Francophones and Francophiles. The focus is to learn more about local French and Francophone organizations including the Alliance Française de San Francisco (AFSF) which will host a booth along with other local Alliance Française chapters.  

Extra news: The AFSF has been named Best Learning Center in the Bay Area by SFGATE’s Best of the Bay Area. This is an annual contest where community members vote for their favorite organizations and services. Last year, AFSF was voted Best Online Learning Center.  AFSCV was voted as one of the Top Five Finalists in the Learning Center/Best Afterschool Program and Best Summer Camp for 2025.  

The San Francisco Bastille Day Festival will have booths offering French culinary products including Fabrique Délices, La Boulangerie, Brioche Pasquier, Bouche, Galinette, Maison Porcella and Brais Bakery. Wines are available from VGS Château Potelle, Vigneron Imports, Kermit Lynch Wine and others. 

The San Francisco Bay Area community celebrations of Bastille Day are appreciated by many fans who have been hoping they would reappear. “Everyone is genuinely excited about the return of these long-awaited events,” said Struzak. “After so many years away, bringing back the Bastille Day Picnic feels like a true celebration of community. Whether you come for the music, the food, the games, or simply to enjoy the company, this celebration is all about coming together in the spirit of Bastille Day.”