Your guide to Paris / Music and Entertainment in Paris
Music and Entertainment in Paris
Paris is full of joie de vivre any time of year. But the atmosphere is livelier during events like Bastille Week, Rock en Seine festival and the Grand Tasting wine expo. Here is our guide on the most exciting moments in Paris' action-packed calendar.
Cultural events
Paris Fashion Week
Arguably the most stylish event in the world's most refined city, PFW is where fashion trends are born. Shows are held across the city four times a year and, while it's tricky to get tickets to the catwalk events, there are plenty of people-watching opportunities away from the runways. Hang around outside the Tuileries and you might just spot some celebs in their fashion-week finery.
Nuit Blanche
Prepare for an all-night celebration of culture on Nuit Blanche at the start of October. During this dusk-till-dawn event, immersive installations, art trails and exhibitions pop up across the city. Public transport runs all night to help visitors make the most of the activities.
Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain
During January, performers gather from across the globe for The World Festival of the Circus of Tomorrow. Watch in awe as the daring acrobats, tight-rope walkers and jugglers compete for medals. Even better – the show (with all it's flipping, balancing and catching) is suitable for kids.
Bastille Day
The French go all out for this national holiday, with patriotic military parades and stirring operas. The best part is the 30-minute fireworks display above the Eiffel Tower, at 11pm on July 14th. Head to the Champ de Mars Park for the best views of the dazzling show.
Music events
Fête de la Musique
In June, France's musicians descend onto Paris' streets for the Fête de la Musique. A mix of well-known bands and young artists hoping to make it big play music of all genres on stages in the city's squares.
Rock en Seine
With the heat of August comes Rock en Seine, a three-day event, across five stages and with more than 65 bands. Around 120,000 people attend this festival, to catch international rock, electro and folk acts on stage. In the past, it's welcomed the likes of Foo Fighters, MGMT and The Black Keys.
Solidays
Contributing to the fight against AIDS, Solidays is a fundraising music festival held at the ParisLongchamp Racecourse. Internationally celebrated artists appear annually at this June event – past performers have included crowd-pleasing EDM star David Guetta.
Sporting events
Arc de Triomphe Horse Race
If you fancy a flutter, head to October's Arc de Triomphe Horse Race. The stakes are high at this prestigious event, as jockeys battle it out for a prize pot of €5 million. Join the throng of spectators at Longchamp on the first Sunday in October – even if you're not into all things equestrian, you'll appreciate the electric race-day atmosphere.
Paris Marathon
Thousands of supporters cheer on 55,000 runners at the Paris Marathon in April, giving the event an uplifting feel. Add your voice to the crowd at landmarks along the route, like the Tuileries Garden and the Place de la Bastille.
The French Open
For a couple of weeks in mid-May and early June, the world's top tennis players battle it out on the courts at the French Open. Booking ahead is vital as this tournament, also referred to as Roland-Garros, is very popular. To limit the impact on your wallet, consider getting tickets for unseeded players' games – you could get first eyes on a star in the making.
Food and drink events
La Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre
There's much more to the La Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre grape-harvesting festival than artisanal wine tastings. This October event now also includes free music concerts, engaging art exhibitions and immersive street entertainment.
Le Salon du Chocolat
Hosted in autumn, Le Salon du Chocolat is the planet's largest cocoa-themed festival. A demo stage here welcomes a lineup of respected chefs, while models grace the catwalk wearing delicately crafted chocolate outfits at the famous fashion show. There's also a kids' area for little ones who are keen to learn more about their favourite sweet treat.
Paris lets you take the family to a circus show, jam to the latest hits at a summer festival or even boost your sommelier skills at an event for wine-lovers. Can't decide which one to go for? You might just need to book multiple trips.