Massive Bastille Day Bash Storms the Bishop Arts District: It’s Time to French Party — For Free

It’s time to break out a très chic black-and-white-striped top, beret, or maybe even a Coco Chanel-esque little black dress for Oak Cliff’s 8th annual Bastille on Bishop, presented by Go Oak Cliff.

Storm the streets of the Bishop Arts District this Saturday night from 6 pm to 10 pm in honor of Bastille Day. Quench your thirst for French culture with loads of delicious French wines, live entertainment, crepes galore, a cute open-air market, and games of pétanque (aka bocce ball) in the middle of Bishop Arts.

Best of all, entrance to the family fun event is free. But, if you want to raise a glass and give a French toast, you must reserve your event glass in advance. The cost includes the glass (for beer or wine) and two tokens, which can be used for wine (each glass of wine is one token) or food (most food items are one token).

To experience the essence of “Vive La France,” you need to taste it. Enjoy street fare from eclectic bar and pub, Nova, the farm-to-table wine bar and restaurant, Bolsa, and the sweet bread and pastry shop, Village Baking Company.

Expect steaming plates of mussels, chicken and mushrooms in coq au vin, fluffy macaroons with creamy ice cream centers, and airy crepes with heaping piles of Nutella — or cheese if you prefer savory.

This year, there will be twice as many crepe makers — double the crepes, double the fun. Most street food items are one token, or $6. You can buy tokens at the registration tent on Saturday.

Luckily, if the street food isn’t your scene, Bishop Arts is lined with sit-down restaurants. Get some hometown Texas BBQ at Lockhart Smokehouse, continue the French trend at Hattie’s, or sail over to the Italian coast at Eno’s Pizza Tavern — just to name a few options.

There is also a Bastille Day market that will almost sweep you away to the streets of Paris. With close to 44 vendors, you can find everything under the sun from glowing artwork by Shamsy Handmade Goods, to herb-infused soaps by B3 Soap Lab, to Boho trends from Vintage Urban Nomad and Hip & Hippie. Check out a full list of vendors here.

There will even be balloon artists walking around to blow up some magical creations for kids. Oh la la!

Do as the French and walk, hop on one of those trendy electric scooters, or bike to the event, as parking is limited. Texas summer translation: Uber or Lyft to Bishop Arts.

A trolley will be circling West Davis Street and North Bishop Avenue for free — check out the map of shuttle stops here.