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Last Updated: June 20, 2025
Will you be in Paris this summer? There are always tons of fun events and performances in the city for locals and tourists alike, and I’ve put together a round-up of the best ones. You’ll definitely want to mark down these fun activities so that you stay up to date on what’s happening in the French capital this summer 2025.
Fête de la Musique
21 June 2025
Held on the summer solstice, World Music Day kicks off the start of summer with a celebration of music. Organized concerts take place in museums, theaters, cultural centers, town halls, and other venues throughout the city. Live music can be heard in bars and restaurants, in parks and squares, on street corners, and along the Seine. It’s a big party everywhere that lasts long into the night.
If you’re overwhelmed by all the options, I recommend going with no plan at all and just having fun! Great starting points for the night include the Marais, Canal Saint-Martin, and Montmartre. Let your ears do the work and guide you through the night!
Fête des Tuileries
21 June to 24 August 2025
A traditional funfair installs itself in the Jardin des Tuileries every year in Paris—La Fête foraine des Tuileries. There are 60 or so attractions, including many classics that you’ll recognize, like a Ferris wheel, a merry-go-round, bumper cars, chair swings, and game booths to win prizes. There’s plenty to snack on as well: cotton candy, churros, waffles, and more. Access to the fairground is free, but you do need to pay for the attractions, food, and drinks.
Olympic Cauldron
21 June to 14 September 2025
The Olympic Cauldron (la vasque) is being reinstalled in the Tuileries gardens this summer (and every summer until the Los Angeles Games in 2028). Free and open to the public during the day, you can get up close to the flame, which is an optical illusion of mist and beams of light, giving the impression of fire. Like during the Paris Olympic Games, the hot-air balloon will rise into the sky every evening at sunset, weather permitting.
Summer Sales
25 June to 22 July 2025
There are two major sales periods in France: the summer sales and the winter sales, each lasting four weeks. Known simply as Les Soldes, during these periods, you can find major discounts on clothing (and more!). As you can imagine, with as much as 70-80% off prices, it can be a crazy time to visit the crowded stores, but it can often be worth it. This is especially true if you’re in the market for high-end fashion! I always find a number of pieces for myself and my husband at our favorite clothing stores.
Marche des Fiertés
28 June 2025
Happy Pride Month! A week’s worth of events culminates in the famous Paris Pride Parade, a festive, annual event held in June every year. Marchers take to the street to celebrate self-expression, bring visibility to the community, and continue the fight for equal rights. With energetic dancing and loud music, the upbeat atmosphere brings tons of people out in solidarity. The 2025 parade route starts at Métro Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre and ends at Place de la Nation.
Follow interlgbt on Instagram for more info!
Fête du Cinéma
29 June to 2 July 2025
Organized by the Fédération Nationale des Cinémas Français, la Fête du Cinéma is your chance to see a movie in theater for only 5€. Film screenings in all participating movie theaters throughout France are at this low price for these four days only. Such a great deal!
Paris Plages
5 July to 31 August 2025
An annual event, Paris Plages transforms parts of the Seine riverbanks and areas along the Canal de l’Ourcq into a sandy resort. Complete with beach chairs, parasols, and palm trees, you’ll find a variety of activities, water sports, and refreshments. Even if you’re not into sunbathing, you can also cool off at the misting stations. It’s a must during the summer heatwaves!
Carnaval Tropical
6 July 2025
The biggest carnival festival in Paris, Carnaval Tropical, incorporates music, dancing, colorful costumes, and imaginative floats. It’s a high-energy event. Every year, there is a new theme. Last year’s theme was Europe and the 3 Oceans. The parade route is along the famous Champs-Élysées.
Bastille Day Fireworks
14 July 2025
Bastille Day is a national French holiday. Known as La Fête nationale, Bastille Day is on July 14. Many stores are closed or operate with reduced hours on this day of celebration. It is a fun day filled with picnics, parties, and an overall festive atmosphere.
Much anticipated is the annual fireworks display at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, which begins around 11 pm. You have a number of options to view the fireworks. Popular viewing spots include Champs de Mars right in front of the monument itself, on a Seine river boat cruise, up the hill at Sacré-Cœur, and from a rooftop bar.
Many people may begin securing their spot for the fireworks as early as the late afternoon, so it’s best to plan ahead! Anticipate road and metro closures in the late afternoon and evening.
Cinéma en Plein Air
23 July to 17 August 2025
After pausing this annual event during the Olympics, Cinéma en Plein Air is back!
For a few weeks, le Parc de la Villette turns into an outdoor movie theater. These movie screenings are completely free and therefore, quite popular! They sometimes limit the number of people who can enter the area, so be sure to get there on the early side to set up a spot for yourself and your picnic.
Thanks to a newly installed screen, the films can now start before sunset. So for the first time this year, there are two sessions each evening. The 6pm session is aimed at a younger crowd, offering a selection of intergenerational movies. The 9pm session has a bigger range of films.
Tour de France
27 July 2025
The Tour de France is a well-known men’s bicycle race and a multi-stage event that travels throughout France and sometimes through neighboring European countries. Every year, the final leg of the Tour de France brings the cyclists into Paris, ending with a couple of circuits up and down the Champs-Élysées before the finish line.
You can catch the peloton racing through Paris for Stage 21 on July 27, 2025. Find a spot on the Champs-Élysées or somewhere else along the route if you don’t want to deal with as many crowds. The peloton will be passing through Montmartre this year!
Read More: Tips for Watching the Tour de France in Paris
