Exciting Paris events, festivals, and holiday celebrations take place during throughout the year.
If you're visiting the City of Light or planning when to come, check our recommendations to see what's happening each month.
Our month-by-month Paris events calendar shows you the big picture.
For details, click through to see the monthly calendar.
Of course you'll find famous Paris events such as the famous Winter and Summer Sales, Fashion Week, Mardi Gras, the Paris Marathon, Bastille Day, top museum exhibits, concerts, and Christmas/New Year Eve festivities - but we also tell you about lesser-known "insider" activities and free fun things to do in Paris that you won't find in most other guides.
Quick links to monthly event articles: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Top photo: Bastille Day fireworks at the Eiffel Tower - a top July event, (c) Paris Discovery Guide
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January Events in Paris
January events in Paris ring in the New Year with the big semi-annual winter sales, special cakes to celebrate Epiphany Day, and (usually) the first Chinese New Year festivities and parades.
Winter sales start early in the month, offering deep discounts on everything you can imagine, and toward the end of the month, Paris Fashion Week haute couture shows for spring/summer collections give you the chance to spot famous designers, models, and celebrities near the show venues.
Meanwhile, a spectacular Festival of Lights continue at the Jardin des Plantes in the 5th arrondissement, the gigantic ferris wheel at Place de la Concorde and ice rinks around the city lure you outdoors, and a huge selection of Paris concerts give you lots in entertainment indoors.
More Paris events during January
February Events in Paris
February events in Paris include two festive celebrations: Mardi Gras (usually) and Chinese New Year, both featuring spectacular parades with music, dancing, and lots of entertainment.
Paris goes all out for Valentine's Day, and you can enjoy special Valentine's dinners in practically every bistro and restaurant, plus romantic Seine River cruises.
And of course the City of Love offers many romantic locations for you and your special someone to enjoy. To memorialize a special event, book a private photoshoot by the Eiffel Tower or other iconic attraction.
Although the first days of the month may still be chilly or cold, plenty of museum shows and concerts give you lots of opportunities to stay warm. And by the end of the month, you may be seeing the first signs of spring!
More Paris events during February
March Events in Paris
March events in Paris celebrate the coming of spring and longer days, with a popular half-marathon around the city, a fun-filled fair dating back to the year 857, and the return of the Musical Fountain Show at Versailles.
Cherry blossoms announce the coming of spring weather by turning Paris pink.
Exciting new shows open at several Paris museums, and plenty of concerts give you the chance to hear your favorite type of music.
If you're visiting Paris this month, copy the Parisians - find an outdoor table at your favorite cafe and soak up some sun!
More Paris events during March
April Events in Paris
Paris in April is legendary - and for good reason. The city bursts into full bloom, sidewalk cafes fill up, and everyone plans picnics in the park.
The Paris Marathon attracts athletes and their supporters from all over the world, and attracts large crowds along the marathon route, which just happens to pass by many of the city's top attractions. Easter also often falls in April.
More Paris events during April
More things to do in Paris in April
May Events in Paris
Look for lots of other wonderful concerts as well, plus exciting shows at Paris museums.
June Events in Paris
Look for lots of free concerts including the Fête de la Musique and Jazz Festival in Parc Floral. The huge Paris Pride Parade culminates a week of Pride Week parties. The famous Summer Sales begin, and every other year, the renowned Paris Air Show attracts large crowds.
More Paris events and things to do during June
July Events in Paris
More things to do in Paris during July's long days and warm nights: Firemen's Balls, Haute Couture Paris Fashion Week, the continuing summer sales, Paris Jazz Festival, free outdoor art shows, movies, and concerts.
More Paris events and things to do during July
August Events n Paris
August events in Paris take on a golden haze as Parisians flee the city heat for their annual vacations. Suddenly, entrance lines grow shorter and you'll enjoy the relaxed vibe - especially because there's still plenty to do.
The biggest August events in Paris take place outdoors: free concerts and other events along the Paris "beaches," free outdoor events at Paris City Hall to celebrate the Liberation of Paris, free (there's a theme here!) outdoor movies at Parc de la Villette, and at the end of the month, France's famous and huge summer musical festival: Rock en Seine.
More Paris events and things to do during August
September Events in Paris
Paris sizzles with excitement during September as Parisians return from vacation, relaxed, energized, and eager to enjoy all the fall activities, new shows at museums, and festivals.
With European Heritage Days giving you access to rarely seen treasures throughout the city's cultural institutions, Paris Fashion Week bringing fashionistas from around the world, and beautiful weather luring you in the parks and long walks around the city, you'll find lots to do this month!
More Paris events during September
October Events in Paris
October events across Paris let you enjoy the still-balmy weather while viewing swaths of golden fall foliage.
Galleries, performance spaces, museums, and studios fling open their doors and offer free admission during the all-night Nuit Blanche cultural festival and the ParisArtists shows and exhibitions.
A Grape Harvest Festival in Montmartre celebrates the neighborhood's vineyard and wine-making with 5 days of fun-filled festivities, Jazz sur Seine fills the city with music, and at the end of October, Halloween events let you see the scary side of the city.
More Paris events and things to do in October
November Events in Paris
November events in Paris include lots of concerts and museum shows, as well as the moving Armistice Day Ceremony on November 11 at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
But by mid-month, signs of the coming holiday season begin to appear as stores put up decorations and even a few Christmas Markets, including the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market, open for the season. Disneyland Paris puts on a huge celebration, which continues through early January - go enjoy it while November weather remains fairly balmy!
More Paris events during November
December Events in Paris
Sparkling holiday decorations transform Paris in December, turning it into a real City of Light as days grow shorter.
Find out about Christmas in Paris and Hanukkah in Paris celebrations this month. Do your holiday shopping and sip hot mulled wine at the traditional Christmas Markets that pop up all over Paris, admire dazzling Christmas lights and window decorations at the grand department stores and along Champs Élysées, and enjoy a classical music concert or attend Christmas Eve Mass in a magnificent Paris church or cathedral. If you're visiting with kids, joining the Christmas celebrations at Disneyland is a must!
And if you're lucky enough to be here for New Year's Eve, get ready for a celebration to remember!
More Paris events during December
Paris Events Taking Place Every Month
Car-Free Sundays in Paris
"No-Car Days" on the first Sunday of each month along the Champs Elysees and in many other neighborhoods throughout Paris let pedestrians, bike riders, and skateboarders enjoy fresh air and tranquility while most vehicles (including electric) are banned from the city's streets. Allowed exceptions: emergency and police vehicles operate as usual while taxis, city buses, and regular tourist buses (Open Tour and Big Bus lines) run at a slower-than-normal speed. Find out more about hours, locations, and additional car-free days on the City of Paris's website
Best Things to Do Each Month in Paris
Looking for the best things to do in Paris during a specific month? You'll find fun suggestions in these articles:
- 22 Best Things to Do in Paris in February
- 22 Best Things to Do in Paris in March - coming soon!
- 22 Best Things to Do in Paris in April
More Fun Things to Do & See in Paris
- Disneyland Paris - Visit everyone's favorite theme park - Disneyland Paris tickets - Entry tickets + private coach transport
- Versailles - Explore the magnificent palace, Hall of Mirrors, and lush gardens - Skip-the-Line Entry with Private Tour - More about best ways to tour Versailles
- Arc de Triomphe Rooftop Terrace - View all of Paris from the top of this iconic monument - Skip the line entry tickets
- Musée d'Orsay - See Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces in this former train station - Priority tickets - Private tours
- Seine River Cruise - Enjoy panoramic views of top Paris monuments & landmarks - Evening dinner cruise - Hop On Hop Off "Batobus" cruise
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Booking.comMore Paris Events & Attractions Articles
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- Easy Day Trips from Paris - Versailles, Giverny, Mont Saint Michel, D-Day Normandy Beaches, Disneyland Paris, Champagne tastings, Loire Valley castles, London, Bruges, & more!
- Best Paris Christmas Markets - Looking ahead to these seasonal pop-up attractions
- First Day in Paris - What to do and see (even though you're jet lagged)
