Paris Top Events – The 2018 Calendar Of What's On

There's always a lot to do and see in Paris — lots of fun activities, streets to stroll, food to eat, wine to taste, river boats to ride. There are also a lot of fantastic Paris events every single month. Things like festivals, fairs (called foire in French), parades, fireworks…

Attending these events and mixing with the Parisian crowd might make you feel just a little bit like a local, instead of a tourist. Finding yourself in a beach chair along the sandy banks of the Seine during summers' Paris Plage is only one example. Let's take a look at the Paris events calendar. We include exact dates for the events wherever they've been announced. We also give you links for more information. Oh, one more thing — you'll also need to know about French national holidays, when shops, offices, and most museums are closed. We include those, too.

Find Out What's Happening In Paris When You're There

• January…	• July…	• Valentines Day…
• February…	• August…	• Easter in Paris…
• March…	• September…	• Christmas in Paris…
• April…	• October…	• New Years Eve…
• May…	• November…
• June…	• December…

January – Janvier

• JOUR DE L'AN – NEW YEAR'S DAY
  Monday, January 1, 2018
  French National Holiday
• LA GRANDE PARADE DE PARIS
  Marching bands & floats and regalia along Champs Elysées.
  Monday, January 1, 2018
  → Information…
• LES SOLDES – JANUARY SALES
  The regulated sales officially start at major department stores and boutique shops in Paris.
  Starts January 10, 2018
• MAISON & OBJET
  Decoration, design, furniture, accessories, textiles, fragrances & tableware. It's held twice a year.
  January 19 to 23, 2018
  → Information…
• PARIS FASHION WEEK
  Join the runway frenzy of top designers, models & beautiful people.
  January 17 to 25, 2018
  → Information…

February – Fevrier

• ST-VALENTIN – VALENTINE'S DAY
  Wednesday, February 14s
  → Guide to Valentine's Day in Paris…
• CHINESE NEW YEAR
  Head to Paris' Chinatown in the 13th Arrondissement for a day of parades, paper lanterns and celebrations. 2018 is Year of the Dog.
  February 16, 2018
• CARNAVAL DE PARIS
  Join the parade at Place Gambetta at 2 PM and party your way towards Place de la Republic.
  February 26, 2017
  → Information…
• COURSE SAINT-VALENTIN – VALENTINE'S RUN
  Run for love & laughter in Paris, at Parc de la Villette.
  2018 Date: TBA
  → Information…

March – Mars

• EASTER IN PARIS
  Good Friday, March 30, 2018 – French National Holiday
  Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018
  Easter Monday, April 2, 2018 – French National Holiday
  → Our Guide to Easter in Paris…
• SEMI DE PARIS – PARIS HALF-MARATHON
  The second most popular run (after the Paris Marathon), the Semi attracts 37K runners.
  Esplanade du Chateau de Vincennes
  March 4, 2018 → Information…
• LA FETE DE LA SAINT-PATRICK
  Head to one of the many Irish pubs in the city to celebrate the land of the Little People. Our fave is the oldest Irish pub in France, Kitty O'Shea's.
  Saturday, March 17, 2018
  → Information…
• CINEMA DU REEL FILM FESTIVAL
  See a fresh batch of French and international documentary and experimental films.
  March 23 to April 1, 2018
  Centre Pompidou
  → Information…

April – Avril

• POISSON D'AVRIL – APRIL FOOL'S DAY
  Poisson refers to the paper fish that French children tape to the backs of unsuspecting friend's shirts.
  Sunday, April 1, 2018
• ART PARIS
  It's the leading fair for modern and contemporary art held every spring.
  Grand Palais
  April 5 to 8, 2018
  → Information…
• THE ANNUAL PARIS MARATHON
  40,000 runners gather to run the marathon in the world's most beautiful city.
  April 8, 2018
  → Guide to the Paris Marathon…
• FOIRE DE PARIS – HOME SHOW
  Discover the latest European trends in home interiors, gardens, outdoor activities, wine & gastronomy. Tickets are 12.50€ online.
  Porte de Versailles
  April 27 to May 8, 2018
  → Information…

May – Mai

• FETE DU TRAVAIL – LABOR DAY
  Tuesday, May 1, 2018
  French National Holiday
• WWII VICTORY DAY CEREMONY
  The president of France will lay flowers on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honor the liberation of France.
  Arc de Triomphe
  Tuesday, May 8, 2018
  French National Holiday
• FRENCH OPEN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP
  It's the only red clay court Grand Slam tournament.
  Roland-Garros
  May 27 to June 10, 2018
  → Our Guide to the French Open…
• TASTE OF PARIS
  This popular event brings together restaurants, food & wine producers with a line-up of cooking demonstrations by top chefs.
  Grand Palais
  May 17 to 20, 2018
  → Information…
• JAZZ FESTIVAL À SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS
  Top jazz performances in the heart of Paris. Doesn't get much better than this!
  May 24 to June 4
  → Information…
• NUIT DES MUSÉES
  Just another event that makes Paris great! Free museum entrance, plus they stay open until the wee hours.
  May 19, 2018
  → Information…
• FÊTE DU PAIN
  A festival of bread where the best baguette of the year is announced.
  Outside the Notre Dame Cathedral
  May 15 to 21, 2018
  → Information…
• LONDON TO PARIS BIKE RIDE
  Cycle through English villages, rural France to the final destination, the Eiffel Tower!
  May 16 to 20, 2018
  → Information…

June – Juin

• VERSAILLE FOUNTAINS NIGHT SHOW
  See the marvelous fountain show & fireworks display held throughout the summer.
  Saturdays in the Summer
  → Check Availability…
• FUTUR EN SEINE
  Paris digital festival held at le Carreau du Temple, a historic covered market in the Marais.
  2018 Dates: TBA
  → Information…
• MAKEUP IN PARIS
  It's a festival of cosmetics attended by trend setters, manufacturers and lovers of makeup.
  Carrousel du Louvre
  June 21 & 22, 2018
  → Information…
• PARIS JAZZ FESTIVAL
  A magical international jazz event held during the summer in the beautiful gardens of Parc Floral.
  Parc Floral de Vincennes
  June 17 to July 30
  → Information…
• FETE DE LA MUSIQUE
  Free music concerts take to the streets and parks of Paris to celebrate the summer solstice.
  June 21, 2018
  → Information…
• SALON INTERNATIONAL DE LA MAISON DE POUPÉE
  That's right, it's the International Dollhouse Show, attracting vintage dolls house collectors from around the globe.
  Espace Champerret
  June 10, 2018
  → Information…
• FÊTE DES TUILERIES – PARIS FUNFAIR
  It's like the fairgrounds of your childhood – trampolines, bumper cars & cotton candy.
  Tuileries Gardens & Place de la Concorde
  Late June to August, 2018
  → Information…
• LES PESTACLES
  It's a summer full of shows, music, plays, workshops, lectures and get togethers at Parc Floral all summer long.
  June to September, 2018
  → Information…

July – Juillet

• TOUR DE FRANCE
  Your chance to see the dramatic final day as the cyclists circle the Champs Elysées.
  July 7 to Sunday, July 29, 2018
  → Information…
• PARIS JAPAN EXPO
  Lovers of Japanese culture will unite to celebrate, manga, martial arts, animation & J-music.
  Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center
  July 5 to 8, 2018
  → Information…
• VERSAILLES FESTIVAL
  Concerts, dance, recitals and fireworks – you won't want to miss this spectacular event.
  July to September
  → How to Visit Versailles…
• BASTILLE DAY
  Vive la liberte! In Paris, the military parade starts at 10 AM on the Champs-Elysées. The Eiffel Tower fireworks show starts at 11 PM.
  July 14
  French National Holiday
  → Guide to Bastille Day Celebrations…
• PARIS QUARTIER D'ETE FESTIVAL – NEIGHBORHOOD FESTIVAL
  See 100 free dance, music and theatre performances in neighborhoods across Paris.
  July & August, 2018
  → Information…
• PARIS PLAGE
  Can't make it to the beach? No worries, the beach will come to you. 30 days of summer, 1350 tons of sand, 2 miles of Seine banks, and 250 umbrellas.
  July to August, 2018
  → Information…
• CINEMA EN PLAIN AIR – OPEN-AIR CINEMA FESTIVAL
  It's one of the biggest open-air film festivals in Paris. Bring a picnic basket and a blanket.
  Parc de la Villette
  2018 Dates TBA
  → Information…

August – Août

• VERSAILLE FOUNTAINS NIGHT SHOW
  The marvelous fountain show & fireworks show continues in August.
  → Check Availability…
• ASSOMPTION – ASSUMPTION DAY
  Wednesday, August 15, 2018
  French National Holiday
• ROCK EN SEINE
  Although most Parisians have headed to the country for their August holidays, you can join those who have remained in the city… to rock out!
  Pont de St-Cloud
  Last weekend in August 2018
  → Information…
• FESTIVAL PARIS L'ETE – ARTS, SCENES & SUN
  100 performances, 40 locations throughout Paris near monuments, in parks and public squares. What a way to celebrate summer in the city!
  2018 Dates: TBA
  → Information…
• ÉTÉ DU CANAL – SUMMER ON THE CANAL
  In its eleventh year, the Canal de L'Ourcq celebrates the summer with a fun program of dance, concerts, water activities including boat cruises, films screenings, and street art. Canal de L'Ourcq is a trendy part of the Parisian canal network in the 19th Arrondissement.
  2018 Dates: TBA
  → Information…

September – Septembre

• JAZZ DE LA VILLETTE
  A festival of soul, funk & eclectic sounds that attract 30,000 music lovers.
  Parc de la Villette
  First two weeks in September
  → Information…
• PARIS DESIGN WEEK
  Discover the best in design from Nespresso, Ikea, Paris College of Art, and many others.
  September 9 to 16
  Les Docks, Cité de la Mode et du Design
  → Information…
• MAISON & OBJET
  Decoration, design, furniture, accessories, textiles, fragrances & tableware. It's held twice a year.
  September 8 to 12
  → Information…
• FÊTE DE L'HUMANITÉ
  Since 1930, the Festival of Humanity has been celebrated in Paris.
  Mid-September
  Parc Courneuve
  → Information…
• CROQUE ANIME – THE FESTIVAL OF ANIMATED FILM
  This free international film festival is dedicated to animation.
  Théâtre de Ménilmontant
  → Information…
• EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS
  The public is invited to step inside monuments normally off limits — the Senate, Elysée Palace, private chateaux, and others.
  3rd Week in September
  → Information…
• FÊTE DE LA GASTRONOMIE
  A three day feast that celebrates the gastronomy of France.
  September 23 to 25 Throughout France
  → Information…
• PRÊT-A-PORTÉ FASHION SHOW
  Join the beautiful people for the unveiling of the new ready-to-wear collection.
  September 26 to October 4
  → Information…

October – Octobre

• FÊTES DES VENDANGE À MONTMARTRE
  It's the only wine harvest & festival in Paris, held around the one remaining vineyard in Montmartre!
  First week in October, 2018
  → Information…
• NUIT BLANCHE – WHITE NIGHT
  Stay up till dawn exploring the museums of Paris for free!
  October 7 & 8, 2018
  → Information…
• FIAC – ART CONTEMPORAIN
  A world of wonderful contemporary art displayed at the fabulous Grand Palais. Fascinating.
  October 19 to 22, 2018
  Grand Palais
  → Information…
• FOIRE D'AUTOMNE – AUTUMN FAIR
  Explore the how the French celebrate the good life — home decor, gastronomy, furniture & design.
  October 27 to November 5, 2018
  Porte de Versailles
  → Information…
• SALON DU CHOCOLAT
  It's the biggest celebration of chocolate in the world. Don't miss the chocolate fashion show!
  End of October, 2018
  Porte de Versailles
  → Information…

November – Novembre

• LA TOUSSAINT – ALL SAINT'S DAY
  A Christian day of remembrance of all saints and martyrs.
  Wednesday, November 1, 2018
  French National Holiday
• LE MOIS DE LA PHOTO – PHOTOGRAPHY MONTH
  See international works of photography throughout November at MEP and other venues throughout Paris.
  Maison Européenne de la Photographie (MEP)
  → Information…
• ARMISTICE DAY
  France honors its war dead with a military parade from the Arc de Triomphe down the Champs-Elysées.
  November 11, 2018
  French National Holiday
• BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU
  Fireworks, festivals, music start on the 3rd Thursday in November to mark the arrival of the new vintage of Beaujolais.
  November 17, 2018
• PARIS INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL
  Showcases the works of 60 independent filmmakers from around the world.
  Late November, 2018
  Cinema Le Reflet Medicis
  → Information…
• SALON DU CHEVAL DE PARIS
  See high level jumping competitions and the World Arabian Horse championships.
  November 26 to December 4, 2018 at Paris Nord Villepinte
  → Information…
• GRAND MARCHÉ D'ART CONTEMPORAIN – MODERN ART FAIR
  500 artists will gather to display their latest works.
  Place de la Bastille, date TBA
  → Information…

December – Decembre

• Christmas in Paris
  So much to see and do!
  → Read Our Guide to Christmas in Paris…
  → December Activities in Paris…
• Christmas Markets
  Celebrate the season by visiting a few of the many annual markets throughout the city with items for Noel!
  Throughout December
  → See the List of Christmas Markets in Paris…
• WHERE TO SEE THE BEST CHRISTMAS WINDOWS
  • Galeries Lafayette, 9e
  • Printemps, 9e
  • Le Bon Marché, 7e
  • BHV in the Marais
  • Faubourg Sainte-Honore, 2e
  • Avenue Montaigne, 8e
  • Forum des Halles, 2e
  • Place Vendome, 1er
• LES SAPINS DE NOËL DES CRÉATEURS – DESIGNER CHRISTMAS TREES
  Admire Christmas trees designed by top designers that will be auctioned to raise money for cancer research.
  Théâtre des Champs-Elysées
  → Information…
• NOËL – CHRISTMAS DAY
  December 25
  French National Holiday

French National Holidays

It's important for your planning to know when the national holidays fall since offices, many stores, and most museums are closed on many or all of these days. We know that's a bit vague, but it's difficult to create a definite listing of what will be open. It's best to check before simply showing up.

• New Year's Day, January 1
• Good Friday, March 30, 2018
• Easter Monday, April 1, 2018
• May Day, May ,
• Ascension Day, May 25, 2018
• WWII Victory Day, May 8
• Whit Monday, June 5, 2018
• July 14, Bastille Day
• August 15, Assumption Day
• November 1, All Saints Day
• November 11, Armistice Day
• December 25, Christmas Day