Holidays & Festivals in Paris
Whenever you find yourself in Paris, there’s sure to be something on. After all, Paris is a Moveable Feast! From historic dates to popular festivals or sports events, there’s always something to celebrate!
What are the most famous holidays and festivals in Paris? If you want to plan your trip to the French capital around one of these holidays or Paris festivals, follow us on this Paris events journey through food, wine, and folk culture.
Are You Planning a Trip to Paris Last Minute?
If you are booking a last-minute trip to Paris, we’ve got you covered! Below are our must-guides, top tours, hotels, and more:
» Plan: Paris Travel Planner; Paris Arrondissements Guide; Check out the best Paris Metro tickets for tourists
» Book your flight tickets with Omio; book your train tickets with Omio
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» Where to Stay: Best Districts to Stay in Paris
- Le Pavillon de la Reine (historical 5-star hotel in Le Marais)
- Hotel La Comtesse (mid-range hotel with Eiffel Tower view from all the rooms!)
- Hotel Ducs de Bourgogne (super central 4-star hotel near the Louvre)
» Top-Rated Paris Tours & Tickets:
- Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket
- Eiffel Tower Summit Access Ticket
- Seine River Night Cruise
- Catacombs Skip-the-line tour with VIP access to restricted areas
Want skip-the-line access at museums & attractions in Paris? Get your hands on a Paris Museum Pass!
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Paris Events and Festivals in 2024
Whats on in Paris this weekend or next week? Here’s the list of the main upcoming events in Paris 2024.
Events in Paris January 2024
1 January – New Year.
6 January – Epiphany. Although it is not a holiday in France, the French celebrate this Catholic celebration with the Galette du Roi.
7 January – The Tuileries Garden Christmas Market closes its doors.
10 January – Croissant National Day.
10 January to 6 February – Winter Sales in all of France.
14 January – Traversée en Anciennes. Classic and vintage cars will be on parade in the morning, with a final gathering around Château de Vincennes at the end of the tour.
15 January – Hommage à Molière. The annual Hommage à Molière takes place each year at the Comédie-Française, where the famous French playwright died on stage in 1673. There is a free performance at 8 p.m., with tickets available directly at the Comédie one hour before the show.
10 to 23 January – Les Incontournables UGC. Watch the 25 best films of the previous year at any UGC cinema for only 5€. Check out the program and conditions in this post.
Check out the best things to do in Paris in January.
Events in Paris February 2024
3-4 February – Salon du Vintage at Carré du Temple (Paris 3).
11 February – Carnaval de Paris. Also known as “Promenade du Boeuf Gras,” the parade starts in Place Gambetta (Paris 20) and weaves its way to Place de la République.
18 February – Chinese New Year’s Parade in Paris 13.
21 February – Missak Manouchian will join the Grands Hommes and Femmes of France in the Panthéon of Paris. Born in Armenia, he will be the first foreign resistant and communist to join the Panthéon 83 years after his execution by the Germans in 1944. Missak will be accompanied by Mélinée, his wife and also resistant, even if she is not honored.
Check out the best things to do in Paris in February.
Events in Paris March 2024
3 to 10 March – Paris-Nice, one of France’s iconic cycling races.
9 to 11 March – Paris Café Festival at the Carreau du Temple (Paris 3).
13 March – World Riesling Day! This is the perfect excuse for a day trip to Colmar or Strasbourg in March.
22 to 24 March – Salon des Vins et des Vignerons Indépendants at Espace Champerret (Paris 17). Click here for more info.
24 March – Course des Cafés. Each participant will be equipped with a tray on which a glass of water, a croissant, and a coffee will be placed. The goal is to cross the finish line as quickly as possible without dropping anything. This quirky race departs from the Hotel de Ville at 10 a.m.
20 March – Macaron National Day.
20 March – Spring in Paris.
27 March – Cheese National Day.
28 March. The last day to visit the Gardens of Versailles for free!
29 March – Monet’s House and Gardens in Giverny opens its doors for visitors. Check out how to plan a day trip from Paris to Giverny.
Check out the best things to do in Paris in March.
Events in Paris April 2024
29 March to 31 October – Grandes Eaux et Jardins Musicaux de Versailles (Water and Music Festivals) in the Gardens of Versailles. It is possible to do the show alone or in combination with the Château de Versailles.
2 to 7 April – Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art. This is a European-wide festival of artisans (artists, jewelry makers, designers, furniture makers, and ironsmiths) who open their workshops to the public. Use the “near me” function on the website to find the open studios. Entry is free.
7 April – Marathon of Paris.
16 April – The Paris Olympics Torch Ceremony. It will take place on the hallowed grounds of Olympia (Greece), but it will be widely followed in Paris and France.
20 April – Le Disquaire Day. The Record Store Day is celebrated today at over 200 independent record shops in 90 cities throughout France and Belgium. In addition to unique collections and limited-edition records available for purchase, there will be live events, DJ sessions, showcases, and art exhibitions. Check out the website for the full program and participating record stores in Paris.
25 to 28 April – Urban Art Fair at the Carreau du Temple (Paris 3).
Check out the best things to do in Paris in April.
Events in Paris May 2024
1 May – Workers’ Day (public holiday).
3 to 5 May – Tous a L’Opéra! This nationwide festival brings everyone to the opera, including those who might not normally visit. Check out the full program for Paris.
4 to 6 May – Rhum Fest celebrates rhum at Parc Floral in Paris. Click here for the full program.
7 to 16 May – The Fête du Pain, the bread festival (Parvis du Notre Dame), promotes traditional French breadmaking and includes the Best Baguette in Paris contest.
8 May – The Armistice (national holiday), end of the WW2 in France.
8 May – The Olympic Flame will arrive in France at the Old Port of Marseille. The Olympic Torch Relay will start in France mainland and overseas.
9 May – Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour arrives in Paris on 9 May. Et oui, there are also many Swifties in France!
9 May – Nuit des Cathédrales. For the Night of Cathedrals, the participating cathedrals leave their doors open until midnight and offer a varied cultural and spiritual program with concerts, exhibitions, conferences, shows, guided tours, meditations, prayers, and periods of silence.
18 May – Nuit Européenne des Musées, when many museums in Paris and France stay open until midnight. Check out the full program.
26 May – Printemps des Cimitières. Enjoy guided walk tours (in French) and other activities in the most beautiful cemeteries of Paris. The full program is available here.
20 to 26 May – Paris Beer Festival. Check out the full program.
26 May to 9 June – Roland Garros (the French Open). This is the only Grand Slam tournament held on a clay court.
31 May to 2 June – We Love Green Festival. This is an environmentally friendly music festival in the Bois de Vincennes. The full program is available here.
Check out the best things to do in Paris in May.
Events in Paris June 2024
31 May to 2 June – We Love Green Festival. This is an environmentally friendly music festival in the Bois de Vincennes. The full program is available here.
1 June – Nuit Blanche. The annual night-time arts festival in Paris.
1 to 2 June – Médievales de Provins. France’s most important Medieval Fair takes place in the lovely Medieval town of Provins.
8 June to 21 September – Night Fountains Show in the Gardens of Versailles (Saturdays and holidays). You can buy the tickets here.
18 to 25 June – Champs Elysées Film Festival is a festival dedicated to independent French and American films. The full program is available here.
21 June – Fête de la Musique. This French festival celebrates music and the arrival of summer in Paris.
26 June to 23 July – Summer Sales in all of France.
29 June to 7 September – Classique au Vert. This Paris festival of classical music concerts takes place at Parc Floral. The full program is available here.
30 June to 8 September – Paris Jazz Festival at Parc Floral. The full program is available here.
TBD June to TBD July – Festival Chopin, at the Orangerie du Parc de Bagatelle. Don’t miss the candlelight soirées.
Check out the best things to do in Paris in June.
Events in Paris July 2024
29 June to 7 September – Classique au Vert. This Paris festival of classical music concerts takes place at Parc Floral. The full program is available here.
30 June to 8 September – Paris Jazz Festival at Parc Floral. The full program is available here.
4 July – Paris-Roubaix, considered one of the world’s most dangerous cycling races.
14 July – Fête Nationale (France’s National Day). The most spectacular celebrations and parades take place in Paris.
26 July to 11 August – Paris will welcome the Summer Olympics 2024, one of the world’s most popular events. Check out the Olympic calendar with the full program of competitions and events. Some competitions will be hosted in other French cities, like Marseille, Lyon, and Nice – check out the full list of 2024 Olympic Cities in France.
TBD July to TBD August – Les Arènes Lyriques Montmartre, classical music concerts in the neighborhood of Montmartre.
This year, the Final Stage of the Tour de France will arrive in Nice instead of Paris due to the Summer Olympics 2024.
This year, Paris Plages won’t take place due to the Summer Olympics 2024.
This year, Cinema Paradiso – an open-air cinema at the Cour Carrée du Louvre – won’t take place due to the Summer Olympics 2024.
Check out the best things to do in Paris in July.
Events in Paris August 2024
29 June to 7 September – Classique au Vert. This Paris festival of classical music concerts takes place at Parc Floral. The full program is available here.
30 June to 8 September – Paris Jazz Festival at Parc Floral. The full program is available here.
21 August to 25 August – Rock-en-Seine Festival at Parc National de Saint Cloud. The full program is available here.
28 August to 9 September – Paralympic Games.
Check out the best things to do in Paris in August.
Events in Paris September 2024
29 June to 7 September – Classique au Vert. This Paris festival of classical music concerts takes place at Parc Floral. The full program is available here.
30 June to 8 September – Paris Jazz Festival at Parc Floral. The full program is available here.
28 August to 9 September – Paralympic Games.
21 to 22 September – Journées Européennes du Patrimoine (European Heritage Days) with many museums and other cultural buildings free to visit.
22 September – Fall in Paris.
TBD September – Techno Parade de Paris. Check out the itinerary and times here.
28 to 30 September – Cocktail Street Festival. Check out the full program here.
Check out the best things to do in Paris in September.
Events in Paris October 2024
11 to 15 October – Fête des Vendanges (Grape Harvest Festival) in Montmartre, Paris. This is one of the most popular Paris festivals, so it is usually very crowded!
1 October to 3 November – Halloween in Disneyland Paris. You can buy your tickets to Disneyland Paris here.
18 to 20 October – Nuit des Châteaux. Visit historic castles near Paris and throughout France, all lit up at night. The list of castles participating in the event here.
30 October to 3 November – Salon du Chocolat at Porte de Versailles. You can start warming up with this self-guided chocolate tour in Paris.
31 October – Halloween. Check out how to celebrate Halloween in Paris.
Check out the best things to do in Paris in October.
Events in Paris November 2024
30 October to 3 November – Salon du Chocolat at Porte de Versailles.
1 November – All Saints (national holiday).
7 November – International Merlot Day! This is the perfect excuse to visit Bordeaux and its wine area, especially Garonne’s Right Bank (Saint-Emilion, Pommerol,..), where Merlot is king.
7 to 10 November – Paris Photo fair at the (renovated) Grand Palais.
11 November – The Armistice, end of WWI in France.
1 October to 3 November – Halloween in Disneyland Paris. You can buy your tickets to Disneyland Paris here.
9 November to 6 January 2025 – Christmas at Disneyland Paris. You can buy your tickets to Disneyland Paris here.
21 November – The arrival of the Beaujolais Nouveau!
TBD November – Illuminations de Noël at Champs Elysées. The holiday season in Paris officially kicks off with the ceremony of turning on the lights of the Avenue des Champs-Elysées.
TBD November to TBD January 2025 – Festival des Lumières (Paris’ Ligth Festival) at the Jardin des Plantes.
29 to 30 November – Le Grand Tasting (the Grands Vins festival) at the Carrousel du Louvre
From TBD November to TBD January 2025 – Christmas Markets in Paris. Here’s the list of the best Christmas Markets in Paris.
Check out the best things to do in Paris in November.
Events in Paris December 2024
From TBD November to TBD January 2025 – Christmas Markets in Paris. Here’s the list of the best Christmas Markets in Paris.
9 November to 6 January 2025 – Christmas at Disneyland Paris. You can buy your tickets to Disneyland Paris here.
TBD December – Fête de la Sainte Barbe. The Army Museum at Les Invalides celebrates the Fête de la Sainte Barbe (patron saint of French artillery and firefighters) with a week of free activities for the whole family.
9 December to 6 January 2025 – Festival du Merveilleux at the Musée des Arts Forains (Paris 14)
8 December – Five years after the terrible fire, the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris will reopen its doors to the public. This will be one of the major events in Paris this year!
21 December – Winter in Paris
25 December – Christmas (national holiday). Check out our guide to Christmas in Paris.
31 December – New Year’s Eve. Here’s what to do in Paris on New Year’s Eve.
Check out the best things to do in Paris in December.
And there you have it, the list of the most famous celebrations and festivals in Paris this year. What Paris events you don’t want to miss?
