Bastille Day is the national day of France, celebrated every July 14th. The holiday is often celebrated outside of France in cities around the world, including in San Francisco. One popular tradition, called Bastille on Belden, is returning for 2026, featuring live performances, food, and drinks.
Bastille on Belden 2026
The Bastille Day celebration will take place on Tuesday, July 14, in SF’s Financial District. The party will take over Belden Place, a small street tucked away downtown, perfect for a French-inspired celebration with food, dancing, and even roaming mimes.
The party started in the 1990s, when Café Bastille started hosting celebrations. The parties soon became a popular local tradition, and although the cafe has closed since the owner, Olivier Azancot, retired, the Bastille Day celebrations have continued, now run by the Downtown SF Partnership.
“Bastille on Belden is another example of our organization doubling down on Downtown’s storied history to bring people together and support our neighborhood’s businesses,” said Robbie Silver, President and CEO of the Downtown SF Partnership. “Revived by DSFP in 2022, the event reflects both the character of Belden Place and the continued momentum across downtown, while celebrating the wonderful restaurants that define the alley and drive meaningful economic activity.”
The party will run from 4:30 to 8:30 pm and will include restaurants and bars Sam’s Grill & Seafood, Café Tiramisu, Leleka, Toy Soldier, and Buena Vida Cantina offering themed food and drinks. The party is free to attend, and if you’re interested in dining at one of the restaurants on the block, we recommend making a reservation, as they will likely be busy.