Top Paris Events – The 2020 Calendar Of What's On In Paris

There's a lot going on in Paris… normally There's food to eat, fun activities to do, streets to stroll, wine to taste, river boats to ride. There are also lots of fantastic Paris events every single month. Things like festivals, fairs (called foire in French), parades, fireworks. Again, that's in normal times.

But, in a time of coronavirus and lockdown, the Paris events calendar has a few holes. Stay tuned, though, because as Paris opens up in the months ahead, we will continue to update information on the most popular (and most fun) events in Paris. (Starting with the month of September 2020.) Elsewhere in this online travel planning guide, as we always do, we'll keep you posted on the the best activities, where to eat, and the greatest ways to explore and enjoy Paris.

Month-by-Month Guides to Activities & Events in Paris

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

January – Janvier

• JOUR DE L'AN – NEW YEAR'S DAY
  January 1, 2020
  French National Holiday
• LES SOLDES – JANUARY SALES
  The official sales start at major department stores and boutique shops in Paris.
  Second week in January
• MAISON & OBJET
  Decoration, design, furniture, accessories, textiles, fragrances & tableware. It's held twice a year.
  Paris Nord Villepinte
  → Information…
• PARIS FASHION WEEK
  Join the runway frenzy of top designers, models & beautiful people. Also held twice a year.
  January 2020
  → Information…
• CHINESE NEW YEAR
  Head to Paris' Chinatown in the 13th Arrondissement for a day of parades, paper lanterns and celebrations.
  

February – Fevrier

• ST-VALENTIN – VALENTINE'S DAY
  Did you know that Valentin, the saint, was French? Makes sense then that a day in his honor would become a time of love. This amorous holiday is becoming more popular in Paris.
  February 14
  → Guide to Valentine's Day in Paris…
• COURSE SAINT-VALENTIN – VALENTINE'S DAY RUN
  Run for love & laughter in Paris, at Parc de la Villette.
  February 2020
  → Information…
• RETROMOBILE VINTAGE CAR SHOW
  Love cars and love visiting Paris? You won't want to miss this fabulous car show. The 2020 show features 100 years of Citroën automobile finesse.
  Porte de Versailles
  → Information…
• SIX NATIONS RUGBY
  This annual European rugby tournament starts with a game at the Stade de France with France versus Wales.
  February to March 2020
  → Information…
• CARNAVAL DE PARIS
  Join the parade at Place Gambetta at 2 PM and party your way towards Place de la Republic.
  → Information…
• SALON AGRICULTURE – PARIS AGRICULTURAL SHOW
  It's one of the biggest farm shows in France, dedicated to animal husbandry and plant care.
  Porte de Versailles
  → Information…

March – Mars

• 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
  → 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.
  March 17, 2020
  → Information…
• CINEMA DU REEL FILM FESTIVAL
  See a fresh batch of French and international documentary and experimental films.
  March 2020
  Centre Pompidou
  → Information…
• LIVRE PARIS
  It's the biggest book fair in France with writers, authors, and publishers under one roof.
  Porte de Versailles
  → Information…
• SALON DU TOURISM
  Join 100,000 travel professionals under one roof in Paris to discover all the latest trends and forecasts in the travel trade.
  Porte de Versailles
  → Information…
• DRAWING ON PARIS ART FAIR
  For over a decade this art fair has showcased thousands of artworks.
  Carreau du Temple
  Late March 2020
  → Information…

April – Avril

• POISSON D'AVRIL – APRIL FOOL'S DAY
  Poisson refers to the paper fish that French children tape to the backs of an unsuspecting friend's shirts.
  April 1, 2020
• EASTER IN PARIS
  Good Friday – French National Holiday
  Easter Monday – French National Holiday
  → Our Guide to Easter in Paris…
• MOIS DE LA PHOTO-OFF
  The exhibits part of Paris Photography Month, formerly held in November, has now been moved to April. The November photography month will be held on alternating years.
  → Information…
• ART PARIS
  It's the leading fair for modern and contemporary art held every spring.
  Grand Palais
  → Information…
• THE ANNUAL PARIS MARATHON
  40,000 runners gather to run the marathon in the world's most beautiful city.
  → Information…
• FOIRE DE PARIS – HOME SHOW
  Discover the latest European trends in home interiors, gardens, outdoor activities, wine & gastronomy.
  Porte de Versailles
  → Information…
• LIVRES RARES & OBJETS D'ART
  At the International Rare Book & Fine Art Fair, 150 booksellers from around the world, all members of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, will share their treasure trove of exceptional, rare works.
  Grand Palais
  → Information…

May – Mai

• FETE DU TRAVAIL – LABOR DAY
  May 1, 2020
  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
  May 8, 2020
  French National Holiday
• FRENCH OPEN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP
  It's the only red clay court Grand Slam tournament.
  Roland-Garros
  May to June 2020
  → 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.
  May 2020
  Grand Palais
  → Information…
• JAZZ FESTIVAL À SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS
  Top jazz performances in the heart of Paris. Doesn't get much better than this!
  May 2020
  → Information…
• NUIT DES MUSÉES
  Just another event that makes Paris great! Free museum entrance, plus they stay open until the wee hours.
  May 2020
  → Information…
• FÊTE DU PAIN
  A festival of bread where the best baguette of the year is announced.
  May 2020
  → Information…

June – Juin

• VERSAILLES FOUNTAINS NIGHT SHOW
  See the marvelous fountain show & fireworks display held throughout the summer.
  Saturdays in the Summer
  → Check Availability…
• WHIT SUNDAY & WHIT MONDAY – FRENCH NATIONAL HOLIDAY
  Fifty days after Easter Sunday
• MAKEUP IN PARIS
  It's a festival of cosmetics attended by trend setters, manufacturers and lovers of makeup.
  Carrousel du Louvre
  → Information…
• PARIS JAZZ FESTIVAL
  A magical international jazz event held during the summer in the beautiful gardens of Parc Floral.
  Parc Floral de Vincennes
  → Information…
• FETE DE LA MUSIQUE
  Free music concerts take to the streets and parks of Paris to celebrate the summer solstice.
  June 21, 2020
  → 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.
  Internationale Universitaire de Paris
  → Information…
• FÊTE DES TUILERIES – PARIS FUNFAIR
  It's like the fairgrounds of your childhood – trampolines, bumper cars & cotton candy.
  Late June to August, 2020
  Tuileries Gardens & Place de la Concorde
  → Information…
• FESTIVAL CHOPIN
  There's a special connection between Paris and Frederic Chopin. Although he wasn't born here, he is buried in Père Lachaise cemetery. Head to the Orangerie in Parc de Bagatelle for your fix of classical piano music.
  June to August, 2020
  → Information…
• LA MARCHE DES FIERTÉS DE PARIS – LGBT PRIDE Check the calendar for exact times and the parade route
  Rue des Archives, 4th Arrondissement
  → Information…
• CHAMPS-ELYSÉES FILM FESTIVAL
  If you love film + Paris, combine the both by attending this annual film festival. The venues are found at theaters along Champs-Elysées with plenty of insider industry events.
  June 18 to 25, 2020
  → Information…

July – Juillet

• TOUR DE FRANCE
  Your chance to see the dramatic final day as the cyclists circle the Champs Elysées.
  Late June & July
  → Information…
• PARIS JAPAN EXPO
  Lovers of Japanese culture will unite to celebrate, manga, martial arts, animation & J-music.
  Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center
  → 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 liberté! 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 dances, music and theatre performances in neighborhoods across Paris.
  July & August, 2020
  → 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, 2020
  
• 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
  → Information…

August – Août

• VERSAILLES FOUNTAINS NIGHT SHOW
  The marvelous fountain show & fireworks show continues in August.
  → Check Availability…
• ASSOMPTION – ASSUMPTION DAY
  HQ for this religious holidays is Notre Dame Cathedral. Taking place the evening before is a river procession along the Seine with a special Mass at Notre Dame on the 15th. NOTE: Most stores and services in Paris are closed this day. August 15, 2020
  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
  → 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!
  July & August
  → Information…
• ÉTÉ DU CANAL – SUMMER ON THE CANAL
  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.
  July & August
  → Information…

September 2020

• JAZZ DE LA VILLETTE
  A festival of soul, funk & eclectic sounds that normally attracts 30,000 music lovers. The festival is set to run in 2020, with the concerts at La Villette.
  Parc de la Villette
  September 4 to 13, 2020
  → Information…
• PARIS DESIGN WEEK
  Discover the best in design from Nespresso, Ikea, Paris College of Art, and many others.
  Various venues
  September 13 to 20, 2020
  → Information…
• MAISON & OBJET
  Decoration, design, furniture, accessories, textiles, fragrances & tableware. It's held twice a year and, for September 2020, there will be digital version.
  September 4 to 18, 2020
  → Information…
• FÊTE DE L'HUMANITÉ
  Since 1930, the Festival of Humanity has been celebrated in Paris. For 2020 it looks like the event will be largely digital and broadcast on a dedicated channel available to subscribers.
  Mid-September
  → Information…
• P.I.A.F.F. – Paris International Animation Film Festival
  This fun & free international film festival is dedicated to animation. Normally held in September, for 2020 it has been delayed until November, with dates and venue to be announced.
  → Information…
• EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS
  The public is invited to step inside monuments normally off limits — the Senate, Elysée Palace, private chateaux, and others.
  September 19 & 20, 2020
  → Information…
• LONDON TO PARIS BIKE RIDE
  Cycle through English villages, rural France to the final destination, the Eiffel Tower! The 2020 event has been cancelled but we look forward to the next ride in 2021.
  September 15 to 19, 2021
  → Information…

October – Octobre

• FÊTES DES VENDANGE À MONTMARTRE
  It's the only wine harvest & festival in Paris, held near the one remaining vineyard in Montmartre!
  → Information…
• NUIT BLANCHE – WHITE NIGHT
  Stay up till dawn exploring the museums of Paris for free!
  → Information…
• FIAC – ART CONTEMPORAIN
  A world of wonderful contemporary art displayed at the fabulous Grand Palais. Fascinating.
  October, 2020
  Grand Palais
  → Information…
• FOIRE D'AUTOMNE – AUTUMN FAIR
  Explore the how the French celebrate the good life — home decor, gastronomy, furniture & design.
  Late October to early November
  Porte de Versailles
  → Information…
• SALON DU CHOCOLAT
  It's the biggest celebration of chocolate in the world. Don't miss the chocolate fashion show!
  Porte de Versailles
  → Information…

November – Novembre

• LA TOUSSAINT – ALL SAINT'S DAY
  A Christian day of remembrance of all saints and martyrs.
  November 1, 2020
  French National Holiday
• ARMISTICE DAY
  France honors its war dead with a military parade from the Arc de Triomphe down the Champs-Elysées.
  November 11, 2020
  • Arc de Triomphe, Place Charles de Gaulle
  • November 11, 2020
  • 11:00 AM: Wreath-Laying Ceremony
  • 9:00 PM: Vigil Ceremony
  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.
• PARIS INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL
  Showcases the works of 60 independent filmmakers from around the world. The next festival has been slated for November 2020, but who knows? Check the festival's Facebook page for dates.
  Cinema Le Reflet Medicis
  → Facebook…

December – Decembre

• 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 Vendôme, 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…
• SALON DU CHEVAL DE PARIS
  High-level jumping competitions, the World Arabian Horse championships, and lots more horsey things.
  Paris Nord Villepinte
  → 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, April 10, 2020 – French National Holiday
• Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020
• Easter Monday, April 13, 2020 – French National Holiday
• Fête du Travail, May 1
• Ascension Day, May 21, 2020
• WWII Victory Day, May 8
• Whit Monday, June 1, 2020
• July 14, Bastille Day
• August 15, Assumption Day
• November 1, All Saints Day
• November 11, Armistice Day
• December 25, Christmas Day