Paris Events In July 2026 – Summer Fun, Fireworks & A Beach Party

Paris Plages along the Seine in July

July brings Bastille Day, the Tour de France finale, and some of the biggest festivals of the year. Fireworks light the skies above Paris, cyclists race toward the finish on the Champs-Élysées, and Paris Plages transforms stretches of the Seine into an urban summer playground. Across the city, music festivals, outdoor cinema, and cultural events fill the calendar.

July is when Paris settles into its summer season. Outdoor cinema, music festivals, free concerts, and cultural events fill the calendar, while parks, riverbanks, and public spaces become venues for some of the city's most popular summer traditions.

Bastille Day Celebrations – July 14, 2026

Bastille Day fireworks at the Eiffel Tower - Wikimedia, Yann Caradec

Vive la liberté! Bastille Day fills Paris with celebrations on July 14. The military parade on the Champs-Élysées begins in the morning, with aircraft flyovers, cavalry units, marching bands, and soldiers proceeding from the Arc de Triomphe toward Place de la Concorde. Large crowds gather along the avenue for one of the most recognizable ceremonies of the French calendar.

The festivities continue into the evening with the annual fireworks display at the Eiffel Tower. Thousands of spectators gather on the Champ de Mars, at the Trocadéro, and along the Seine to watch the show. Fireworks begin at about 11 PM and light up the Paris skyline for more than half an hour. Find out more about Bastille Day here.

Paris Plages

Paris Plages along the Seine

Paris Plages brings deck chairs, palm trees, and summer activities to the Seine. Each July, stretches of the riverbanks and canals are transformed into seasonal recreation areas with places to relax, walk, play sports, even swim. What began as a temporary urban beach has become one of the city's most popular summer traditions.

Activities vary from year to year, but expect a mix of recreation, entertainment, and family-friendly events. Even for those who never set foot on the sand, Paris Plages changes the atmosphere along the riverbanks and creates one of the most distinctive scenes of the Paris summer.

See our guide to Paris Plages →

Tour de France Finale

The Tour de France finale on the Champs-Élysées

The Tour de France returns to Paris for its traditional finish on the Champs-Élysées. After three weeks of racing across France, the world's most famous cycling event concludes with multiple laps around the city center before the final sprint to the finish line. Crowds line the route to watch the peloton pass some of Paris's best-known landmarks.

The final stage combines world-class sport with a festive atmosphere. Spectators gather along the Champs-Élysées, and around Place de la Concorde, while television audiences around the world watch the race conclude in the French capital.

Open-Air Cinema In Paris

Outdoor cinema at Parc de la Villette

Outdoor film screenings are a summer tradition in Paris. In July and August, films are shown in parks, museum courtyards, cultural venues, and open-air spaces across the city.

Parc de la Villette hosts some of the largest screenings, but outdoor cinema also appears in locations that change from year to year. Bring a blanket and settle in after sunset for a film beneath the Paris skies.

• Parc de la Villette and elsewhere
• July & August
• Information…

Lollapalooza Paris

Lollapalooza Paris is one of the largest music festivals of the summer. Held at the Hippodrome de Longchamp, the festival features major international artists across multiple stages, with a lineup that spans pop, rock, rap, and electronic music. Since arriving in Paris, it has become a regular fixture on the city's July events calendar.

• Hippodrome de Longchamp
• Mid July
• Information…

Japan Expo

Japan Expo celebrates Japanese popular culture, entertainment, and the arts. Manga, anime, video games, music, fashion, martial arts, and traditional cultural programs share the spotlight at one of Europe's largest gatherings devoted to Japan. Cosplay competitions, live performances, exhibitions, and guest appearances draw fans from France and across Europe.

• Parc des Expositions de Paris-Nord Villepinte
• Mid July
• Information…

Festival Paris l'Été

Festival Paris l'Été presents theatre, dance, music, and circus performances at venues across Paris. Gardens, museums, courtyards, public spaces, and cultural institutions become stages for a program that mixes established artists with new work. Many performances take place outdoors, making the festival a natural fit for the Paris summer season.

• Various venues
• Mid July to early August
• Information…

Peacock Society Festival

Peacock Society is devoted to electronic music and club culture. International DJs, live performers, and French artists take over four stages at FVTVR and Wanderlust for two days of open-air and club programming. Since launching in 2013, the festival has become a regular fixture on the Paris summer calendar.

• FVTVR & Wanderlust, 34 quai d’Austerlitz
• Mid July
• Information…

More Things To Do In Paris In July

Beyond the events, July is also a month for outdoor dining, museum exhibitions, guided tours, and day trips. See our complete guide to July in Paris.

Things To Do In Paris In July →