Calendar of events in Paris

Here is a month by month calendar of events happening in Paris throughout the year. The purpose is not to list every exhibitions, fairs, fests or festivals (which is very difficult as there is always something going on in the city of lights) but just the main annual events. To find out all details about what's going on in Paris during your stay - Fairs, exhibitions, shows, ... please refer to Paris tourism office official website (See useful resources at bottom of page).

List of events in Paris - Key dates

Here is our calendar of events for every season

Winter

Christmas Day - Public holiday - Dec 25th.
New Years Eve - Gathering on the Champs Elysees & on the Champs de Mars (Eiffel Tower)... Like in many other cities in the world : Fireworks & Champagne. Date: Dec 31st.
Ice skating at the City Hall - Date: Early January.
Paris Fashion Show. One of the most famous fashion event in the world - Date: Late January.
Premiere Vision Fabric Show. Twice a year - Date: Early February.
St Valentine's day - Date: 14th of February.
Paris Agricultural Show: Animals exhibition and agricultural fair - Date: Early March.
Vignerons Independants wine fair: 600 producers - free tasting. Date: Late March.

Spring

Paris Marathon - One of the most famous Marathon in the world. Date: Early April
Versailles fountain show - "Grandes Eaux musicales" fountain show in Versailles Palace's gardens. Date: Every weekend from early April to late Oct.
Labour Day - Public holiday - Shops are closed - Demonstrations in the streets. Date: May 1st.
Victory Day - Public holiday - Commemorating End of WW2 with a parade on Champs Elysees Avenue in the Morning - A large French flag is deployed under the Arch of Triumph in Paris & French president lays a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier.
Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris: The most prestigious jumps race in France. It is also the best rewarded. - Date: Late May.
Roland Garros French Tennis Open: 2 weeks of Grand Slam. Date: Late May.
Music Fest: Free concerts at place de la Bastille and place de la Republique, and in La Villette, Latin Quarter and Saint Germain des Pres. Date: June 20th or 21st.

Summer

Paris Jazz Festival - Concerts on weekends at the Parc Floral - Date: Mid June - Late July
La Course des Garçons de Café (Waiters Race) - Starts & ends at the City Hall. More than 500 participants - waiters only - dressed. Date: Late June.
Gay & Lesbian Pride Parade. Date: Late June.
Bastille Day - Public holiday - Celebration of the French revolution and the storming of the Bastille Jail in 1789 - Great Army Parade on the Champs Elysees Avenue in the morning & fireworks at the Eiffel Tower.  Date: July 14th.
Paris Quartier d'éte festival. Paris summer festival - Pop & classic concerts outdoor (Latin quarter, Sorbonne, Tuilerie Gardens, ...). - Date: Mid July-Early August.
Paris Plage. Every year since 2002 Paris becomes for 1 month a large sand beach with Palm Trees with free water-spray stations. Date: Late July - Late August.
Tango & Salsa on the left bank of the Seine River - Small groups of people gather to dance on the bank facing the Garden of the Plantes (5th district). Date: Mid June - Late August.
Assomption Day - Public holiday - Date: Aug 15th.

Fall

Paris Fashion Show. One of the most famous fashion event in the world - Date: Mid September
Paris Antiques Fair. Gathering of antiques dealers. - Date: Every 2 years early September.
Premiere Vision Fabric Show. Twice a year - Date: Late September
Heritage Day - "Journées du Patrimoine", nationwide weekend festival - Historic buildings including the president’s residence are open to public. Date: Mid September.
Paris Motor Show: Biennial international motor show - Date: Early October.
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: France most prestigious horse race. Date: Early October.
Montmartre Grape Harvest Festival - Wine Fest: Montmartre Hill celebrates its status as the only wine-growing area of Paris (Parade, tasting, ...) Date: Early October.
Nuit Blanche in Paris - A cultural festival open to public organized citywide in Paris (Concept has been copied in cities throughout the world). Free Concert, open air modern art, historical monuments open late at night. Metro is open all night for free. Date: First Saturday of October.
Paris Chocolate Fair - Date: Mid October.
FIAC – Contemporary Art Fair - Date: Late October.
All Saints Day - Public holiday - Date: Nov 1st.
Armistice Day - End of WWI celebration - Champs Elysees military parade - Date: Nov 11th.
Beaujolais Nouveau celebration : Every year Beaujolais Nouveau comes on the third Thursday of the month in November - Most of bars and restaurants make a special event and people gather in the streets (Marche du Faubourg Saint Honore, Latin Quarter, Montmartre ...) Date: Late Nov.
Vignerons Independants wine fair: 600 producers - free tasting. Date: Late November.
Department stores - animated shop-windows - Date: Late November.
Paris Boat Show - Europe largest boat show - Date: Early December.

Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau

• Calendar of events by the Convention and Visitors Bureau.