Every November, a tidal wave of French flair—and wine—crashes onto shores around the world. The cause? Beaujolais Nouveau Day, the unofficial “party wine” holiday that’s as deeply traditional as it is light-hearted. This celebration began decades ago in Beaujolais, a small French region just north of Lyon, where vintners would share their new wines to mark the autumn harvest.
What began as a local custom has evolved into a global wine fête, observed on the third Thursday of November (November 20, 2025 this year). Across the city, Francophiles, sommeliers, and curious newcomers gather to raise a glass and say together: “Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé !”
What is Beaujolais Nouveau?
Made entirely from Gamay grapes, Beaujolais Nouveau is bottled just weeks after harvest. Its youthful freshness bursts with red-berry notes—think strawberry, cherry, and raspberry with a soft, silky texture and almost no tannins. It’s wine meant for celebrating rather than cellaring, best enjoyed chilled and shared generously. The day the new bottles are released, bars and restaurants across the world come alive with parties, tastings, and late-night toasts. For New Yorkers, it’s an invitation to experience a bit of French festivity in the heart of the city.
Beaujolais Nouveau Day 2025 Events in NYC
French American Chamber of Commerce
Where: L’Alliance New York, 22 E 60th Street, New York, NY
When: Thursday, Nov 20 – 6 to 8 pm
Price: from $44.52
Each year, the French-American Chamber of Commerce hosts one of New York’s most elegant Beaujolais Nouveau soirées inside L’Alliance New York’s warm, contemporary halls. Guests gather for guided tastings, gourmet pairings, and lively conversation with fellow wine lovers and business professionals. Expect welcoming remarks from the Chamber’s hosts, a touch of French formality, and plenty of laughter once the glasses start clinking.
With over 150 attendees expected, the evening blends networking with the genuine spirit of French art de vivre. Celebrating the global release of Beaujolais Nouveau—the first taste of the year’s harvest—the 2025 edition will feature live music, raffle prizes, and dishes designed to highlight the wine’s bright fruit and soft tannins. It’s a festive moment where French expats, New Yorkers, and oenophiles come together to toast the season, all before registration closes on November 19 at noon.
Casino OCabanon
Where: 245 W 29th Street, New York, NY
When: Thursday, Nov 20 – from 7 pm until late
OCabanon, Midtown’s beloved family-run cave à manger, transforms into a mini French casino for Beaujolais Nouveau 2025. Guests sip unlimited pours, try their luck at games, and nibble from a generous French buffet. Between laughter, prizes, and a playlist of classic French hits, it’s one of the most convivial nights in the city. Come for the wine, stay for the ambiance—this is what French joie de vivre tastes like.
Ordre des Compagnons du Beaujolais
Where: Acadia, 101 W 57th Street, New York, NY
When: Monday, Nov 17 – 6 to 9:30 pm
Price: Members $140 + 1 guest | Non-members $160
For traditionalists, the Compagnons du Beaujolais dinner offers French ritual at its finest. Guests gather for a multi-course Mediterranean-inspired meal paired with a curated lineup of Beaujolais wines—from crisp Blancs to deep, structured Crus like Fleurie and Juliénas. With limited seating and ceremonial toasts, this evening celebrates equal parts gastronomy and cultural heritage, steeped in the spirit of French brotherhood.
City Winery
Where: 25 11th Avenue (Pier 57), New York, NY
When: Thursday, Nov 20 – Doors 6 PM / Event 6:30 pm
Price: $75
City Winery hosts New York’s official kickoff to Beaujolais Nouveau Day with The First Pour. The night begins with the ceremonial barrel-tapping of “NYC Nouveau 2025,” the city’s first locally-made Beaujolais-style wine. Crafted using Gamay grapes from the Hudson River Region, and replicating Beaujolais Nouveau’s fresh notes of watermelon, bubblegum, strawberry, and wild herbs, there is only a single barrel of this unique product. Guests can pour straight from the keg, bottle their own keepsake, and enjoy cheese and charcuterie boards as live music fills the Hudson River venue. It’s an immersive, sensory celebration—the perfect blend of craftsmanship and festivity.
Campus Spirit – Cellar x EBS x ACC
Where: Bisou, 112 6th Avenue, New York, NY
When: Thursday, Nov 20 – 6 to 8 pm
Price: $60
At NYU Stern, students, alumni, and their guests are bringing the Beaujolais energy downtown. The “Cellar x EBS” event at Bisou offers unlimited pours, French-inspired snacks, and a buzzy crowd of international young professionals. The vibe is half Paris wine bar, half campus party—ideal for those who like their Beaujolais with a beat. Expect a lively soundtrack, plenty of networking, and maybe a few spontaneous dance moves.
Before You Go
Beaujolais Nouveau Day always falls on the third Thursday of November—this year, November 20. Whether you go for the pomp of City Winery, the warmth of OCabanon, or the elegance of the Chamber of Commerce soirée, remember: Beaujolais Nouveau isn’t about serious wine talk—it’s about joy, connection, and that fleeting moment when the first taste of France’s new harvest reaches your glass.
Valentine Marchou is a French journalist with a keen eye for culture, lifestyle, and society. After honing her skills in several French newsrooms, she now aims to tell stories that bridge French and English-speaking worlds through art, food, and everyday life.
