Anzac Day in NYC 2018

This year Anzac Day falls on Wednesday April 25, 2018. Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance for Australian and New Zealand servicemen and servicewomen who served in all wars to defend their country. For Aussies and New Zealanders far from home in New York, we can come together to pay our respects and commemorate Anzac Day in NYC at these events:

Sunday, April 22nd

Sunday Service, co-hosted by the New Zealand and Australian Consuls-General
The Australian and New Zealand Consuls-General in New York will co-host the Sunday Service. This is a traditional church memorial service followed by light refreshments. Due to the very limited capacity at the Rockefeller Center, a ballot system will be used to allocate seats at the Sunday Service. A maximum of two passes will be allocated for each successful ballot entry. Passes will be confirmed, via email, week commencing 16th April, 2018. We apologise in advance to those who are unsuccessful and encourage attendance at the Dawn Service (see below), where capacity is not limited.

Date & time: Sunday April 22, 10.30 am to midday
Venue: ANZAC Memorial Garden, Level 7, British Empire Building, Rockefeller Center, 620 Fifth Avenue, New York City (entry on south side of West 50th Street)
Access: Photo ID required as condition of entry, bags may be searched
Dress: Military – service dress or equivalent with medals. Civilian- respectful attire, please come prepared for cold or inclement weather
RSVP: Attendees will be selected via ballot

Tuesday, April 24th

AFL and NRL Anzac Day Matches at The Australian NYCAFL and NRL Anzac Day Matches at The Australian NYC
The Australian NYC restaurant will be open late on Tuesday night and into early Wednesday morning. The AFL Anzac Day match between Collingwood and Essendon will be aired from 1:20am Wednesday morning. The NRL Anzac Day match between St George Dragons and Sydney Roosters will be aired live 2:10am. 

Date & time: Tuesday April 24, late – see match screening times above
Venue: The Australian NYC Restaurant, 20 West 38th Street, between 5th & 6th Avenues

Wednesday, April 25th

Dawn Service, hosted by the New Zealand and Australian Consuls-General
The Australian and New Zealand Consuls-General in New York will co-host the Dawn Service. This is a traditional memorial service and the main Anzac Day event that members of the public are encouraged to attend. Guests are welcome to bring flowers or tributes to place at the Memorial at the end of the event. It’s an open air venue and the event will run rain, snow or shine. It can get very windy so wear warm clothing.

Date & time: Wednesday April 25, from 5.45am – 6.30am, arrive by 5.30am as it gets crowded
Venue: Vietnam Veterans Plaza, 55 Water St, Financial District
Dress: Military – service dress or equivalent with medals. Civilian – respectful attire, please come prepared for cold or inclement weather
RSVP: None required, service is open to the public as space is not limited.

Free Flat Whites at Bluestone Lane After Dawn Service
Bluestone Lane’s 90 Water St location will be opening earlier than usual after the Dawn Service. They’ll open the doors at 6:30am and generously offer free flat whites until 7.30am. Bluestone Lane will also have Anzac biscuits for sale at all of their NYC locations on Anzac Day. Follow their blog for further updates.

Date & time: Wednesday April 25, 6.30am – 7.30am
Venue: 90 Water St, Manhattan

Anzac Day Breakfast at The Australian NYC
The Australian NYC restaurant will be open from 8am serving breakfast. There is 2 Up from 2pm and live music from 5.30pm with AFL and NRL replays of the Anzac Day matches. http://www.theaustraliannyc.com

Date & time: Wednesday April 25, from 8am
Venue: The Australian NYC Restaurant, 20 West 38th Street, Between 5th & 6th Avenues

Anzac Day and Veterans’ Lunch, hosted by the American Australian Association
Our parent organization, the American Australian Association, is hosting this lunch to raise awareness of the importance of Anzac Day, celebrate the US-Australian defense alliance in the US, and as a fundraiser for the Veterans’ Scholarship Fund. 

Date & time: Wednesday April 25, Reception 12:00pm, Lunch 12:30pm
Venue: Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall Street, Manhattan
RSVP: Please complete the reservation form

Down Under Bakery (DUB) Pies
DUB Pies will be offering a 10 % discount for early bird orders for hot food dropoff/catering, and a discount for early bird online ordering. For catering or hot lunch delivery in the city please email info@dubpies.com and ask for the early order Anzac Day discount. Sign up for their newsletter for further details.

Michelin Quality Treats at Butler in Brooklyn
Williamsburg’s Butler Bakery and Coffee Shop will be offering Anzac biscuits as a special treat for Anzac Day this year. They are available for pre-order catering or instore until stocks last. They also offer sausage rolls as part of their every day menu.

Venue: Butler Bakery and Coffee Shop, 95 South St at Berry St, Brooklyn

Brownies and Bubbly at Coco & Cru
At the bright and airy Aussie-inspired cafe, Coco & Cru, owner Adam Elzer will offer all parties complimentary Brownies & Bubbly all day. One complimentary glass of Prosecco will be offered to each guest at the restaurant. A complimentary oversized, house-made chocolate fudge brownie with whipped cream and fresh berries, perfect for sharing with the family, will be offered for dessert.

Venue: Coco & Cru, 643 Broadway, Manhattan

Drinks with the Aussie Meetup group
Join the ever-friendly members of the Aussie Meetup group (for Australians in New York) to commemorate Anzac Day at Benson’s.

Date & time: Wednesday April 25, 6.30pm
Venue: Benson’s, 181 Essex St (corner of Houston St)
RSVP: By joining the Aussie Meetup group

Abbotsford Road Coffee Specialists
Brooklyn’s Abbotsford Road Coffee Specialists will be offering a free Anzac biscuit with every flat white purchase.

Venue: Abbotsford Road Coffee Specialists, 573-577 Sackett Street, Gowanus Brooklyn

Saturday, April 28th

Evening drinks with the New York Magpies
Join the New York Magpies, NYC’s only Aussie Rules team, at 5th & Mad Bar to commemorate Anzac Day with food, drinks, raffles and more.

Date & time: Saturday, April 28th, from 9pm
Venue: 5th & Mad Bar, 7 East 36th St, New York
Cost & RSVP: $10 entry per person, can be purchased in advance or at the door

Anzac Day Events Outside New York:

Wednesday, April 25th

Anzac Day in Washington, DC
The Australian and New Zealand Embassies are co-hosting two events in Washington, DC:

Dawn Service
Date & time: Wednesday April 25, 5.45 am – 6.15am, please arrive by 5.15am
Venue: Korean War Veterans Memorial, Washington DC
RSVP: None required

Commemorative Church Service
Date & time: Wednesday April 25, from 10.30am – 11.30am. Please be seated by 10am.
Venue: Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC
RSVP: None required

Saturday, April 28th

Anzac Day Commemorative Service & Reception in New England
The American Australian Association invites members and friends to the Anzac Day 2018 Commemorative Service. Reception to follow, guests are invited to bring a plate to share.

Date & time: Saturday, April 28th, from 10am
Venue: Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church, 1555 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA
RSVP: Please register to assist with numbers.

Have you heard about any other Anzac Day events in NYC and beyond? Let us know via email or on Facebook, and we’ll help spread the word.

Photo credits:
Featured/top image by Melodi2, www.freeimages.com
Bottom image by Belinda Jackson