Paris never stops, and with its revolving program of events, fairs and festivals, there’s something to do throughout the year. Discover what’s on in 2024.
Paris is always a good idea. Along with its prestigious museums, refined gastronomy and arrondissements brimming with charm, you’re likely to stumble upon any number of music festivals, cultural events, concerts and art exhibitions during your visit. There’s truly something for every taste and in every season. But rather than leaving it to chance, why not prepare by checking out what’s happening in the city month by month.
With our calendar of events, you’ll be sure not to miss anything in the French capital:
January
- Epiphany, January 6. If you find yourself in Paris during the holidays, make sure to taste one of the many variations of galettes des rois (king cake). This cake is traditionally eaten during Epiphany and hides a fève inside, sometimes simply a chickpea, or otherwise a porcelain figurine. Whoever finds it becomes king for a day.
- January sales, from January 10 to February 6 (dates to be confirmed). If Paris is a paradise for fashion lovers throughout the year, it’s even more so in January! Thanks to about a month of winter discounts, those visiting during this period can receive up to 80% off the original price. Both fast fashion brands and luxury brands like Chanel, Dior, Hermès, and many others participate in the sales.
February
- Rétromobile, from January 31 to February 4. An international event dedicated to retro cars, Rétromobile is a fair for all vintage car enthusiasts. It’s a chance to meet restorers and sellers and participate in thematic events and meetings.
- La Chandeleur, February 2. Celebrated throughout France, while La Chandeleur is officially a religious holiday featuring the lighting of candles, in reality it’s a day for cooking and eating crêpes! The tradition is said to have been started by Pope Gelasius I, who prepared them to comfort believers. Take advantage of this event in Paris to try this delicacy, in its sweet or savory form.
- Course de la Saint-Valentin, February 17. Celebrating love in all its forms and raising awareness about gender and sexual orientation discrimination, this Valentine’s Day race takes place in the Buttes-Chaumont park. It offers a 10km solo run or a 5km run for couples.
- Paris Fashion Week: Women’s collections fall/winter 2024-2025, from February 26 to March 5. The best way to discover the latest trends for autumn-winter, Paris Fashion Week is a chance to dress up and attend fashion shows, parties and events with the creative minds behind the most beloved luxury brands of all time.
March
- Harmonie Mutuelle (Paris Half Marathon), March 3. This 21.1 km race takes you past some of the city’s main tourist attractions, such as Place de la Bastille and Hotel de Ville, and for several kilometers along the Seine. Train during the winter months and put your athleticism to the test.
- Cinéma du Réel, from March 22 to 31. A festival for cinema and documentary lovers, most events and screenings take place inside the Centre Pompidou and present French, European, and worldwide documentaries to the public for the first time.
April
- Art Paris, from April 4 to 7. This fair welcomes in spring by celebrating modern and contemporary art. The 2024 edition will feature 135 art galleries from 25 different countries worldwide and will be held, as per usual, inside the Grand Palais Éphémère. To make sure the exhibitions are accessible to a wider audience, 125 guided tours of the fair will be on offer.
- Paris Book Festival, from April 12 to 14. April in Paris is the month of major fairs, and around the middle of the month is when the Book Festival takes place. Once again held in the Grand Palais Éphémère, this year Quebec will be the guest of honor, with a delegation of about 30 authors. In addition to visiting the stands of publishers, authors, and booksellers at the festival, you can participate in events and workshops, including the unmissable creative writing workshops.
May
- Jazz Festival in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, from May 13 to 21. This jazz festival, held since 2001 in the famous Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, is one of the highlights of the Parisian spring. This year’s program has not yet been published, but previous editions have featured performances by artists such as Richard Galliano and Yaron Herman.
- European Night of Museums, May 18. The year 2024 marks the 20th edition of the European Night of Museums. At sunset numerous museums in Paris (and throughout Europe) open their doors, allowing visitors to admire their collections at night. Best of all, it’s completely free. The program includes special events, including guided tours, projections and workshops.
- Paris Beer Festival, from May 20 to 26. The 11th edition of the Paris Beer Festival pays homage to craft beer from Paris and the Île-de-France region. This year about 60 local and international microbreweries are slated to participate in the event.
June
- White Night, date to be confirmed. Last year the White Night took place for the first time in spring (June 3), with previous editions being held in October. It seems the 2024 edition will continue this new trend by taking place on June 1, although it has not yet been confirmed. Keep an eye on the dates and don’t miss your chance to admire contemporary art installations and exhibitions scattered throughout different areas of Paris, well into the wee hours.
- Fête de la Musique, June 21. While originating in France, Fête de la Musique is now celebrated in more than 100 countries worldwide, which gives you an idea of its universal appeal. Enjoy the talent of amateur and professional musicians of different musical genres, completely for free. Performances take place in the streets and at various bars and concert halls. If you’re traveling to Paris during this period, make sure to check out the official program.
- Fête des Tuileries, dates to be confirmed. For two months of the year, the Jardin des Tuileries plays host to an amusement park with 60 attractions for both adults and children, including a Ferris wheel, bumper cars, rides, trampolines and much more. It makes for the perfect fun day out with friends or the whole family.
- Marche des Fiertés LGBT, date to be confirmed. The Paris Pride Parade is a great moment of advocacy and celebration, with more than half a million people participating every year. It’s the largest LGBT+ event in France, advocating for equal rights for LGBTQI+ individuals. At the end of the parade free concerts are often held in Place de la République or Place de la Bastille, depending on the parade route.
July
- Paris l’été Festival, dates to be confirmed. During this summer festival, which has been running since 1990, you can attend artistic performances and cultural events for free or at very affordable prices. The program, which includes theater, dance and concerts, is mainly hosted outdoors, near monuments, parks, or stations, but also in more unusual places.
- Japan Expo, from July 11 to 14. This fair, held just 30 minutes from the center of Paris, is a must for those passionate about Japanese culture. The event involves dozens of artists, from video game creators to musicians, illustrators and manga artists, and is a unique opportunity to meet them and learn about the behind-the-scenes of their careers. Cosplay and origami creation workshops, video game tournaments, and music and theater shows are also organized, among many other activities.
- Bastille Day (French National Day), July 14. Paris is one of the best destinations to witness the celebrations for Bastille Day. In addition to the traditional military parade along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, the exciting fireworks show on the Eiffel Tower is one of the most anticipated events. The popular firefighters’ balls are also not to be missed.
- Paris 2024 Olympics, from July 26 to August 11. One hundred years later and Paris hosts the Olympics again, one of the most important sporting events in the world. Did you know that some of the competitions will take place in the most iconic places in the city? For example, the Champ de Mars, in front of the Eiffel Tower, will host beach volleyball competitions, while the Grand Palais will be the scenic setting for fencing and taekwondo events. Finally, equestrian events will be held in the Palace of Versailles.
August
- Rock en Seine, from August 21 to 25. For over 20 years, Rock en Seine has been one of the most important music festivals in Europe. Concerts take place in the beautiful Saint-Cloud park, which can accommodate up to 40,000 people. This year’s program includes artists such as Lana del Rey, Måneskin, PJ Harvey, and The Offspring.
September
- European Heritage Days, dates to be confirmed. Usually taking place on the third weekend of September, this event sees numerous museums and places of interest opening their doors, allowing you to discover the enormous cultural heritage they preserve for free. What makes it particularly special is the fact that many of these places can’t be visited at other times of the year. Additionally, it’s a chance to see iconic Parisian sites in another light. For example, last year, it was possible to witness an acrobatic performance at the Musée d’Orsay and participate in a special tour to discover the operation of the historic elevator of the Eiffel Tower.
- Paris Design Week, from September 5 to 14. Paris Design Week is a must for lovers of design and especially interior decoration. Discover the latest industry trends and be inspired by visiting the exhibitions, conferences, workshops, and artistic installations happening in more than 200 locations in the city.
October
- Montmartre Harvest Festival, dates to be confirmed. With a rich program of activities, including tastings of local products, exhibitions, live performances, and visits to the famous vineyards of Clos Montmartre, this harvest festival is a magnet for Parisians and tourists alike.
- Salon du Chocolat, from October 30 to November 3. The Salon du Chocolat, held at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, captures the hearts of all chocolate lovers. In addition to tastings, workshops, and live demonstrations, visitors can witness the spectacular parade of chocolate dresses.
November
- Paris Photo, from November 7 to 10. An international fair dedicated to photography, last year Paris Photo opened its doors to digital and artificial intelligence for the first time. The event takes place at the Grand Palais, near the Champs-Élysées, and brings together works by photographers from around the world, with a particular commitment to giving visibility to female photographers.
- Armistice Day, November 11. This national holiday commemorates the signing of the armistice in 1918 that ended World War I, decreeing the victory of the Allies. A series of official celebrations involving the President of the Republic will take place in Paris, under the Arc de Triomphe and along the Champs-Élysées.
December
- Christmas Markets, dates to be confirmed. The City of Lights during Christmas is made even more magical thanks to decorations, dazzling lights and cozy markets in the city center. Among the most charming markets are those of the Tuileries Gardens, which include, in addition to food and craft stands, a Ferris wheel and an ice-skating rink.
Note: Please keep in mind that the dates and program of events in Paris may change during the year. Please visit the official event page and check for the latest updates.
Planning a trip to Paris?
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