Summer in Paris and the Ile-de-France region: 20 not-to-be-missed events

Published by Caroline de Sortiraparis · Photos by My de Sortiraparis · Published on July 3, 2023 at 02:40 p.m.
Summer is well and truly here in Paris and the Île-de-France region, and it's here to stay! The summer period is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a wide range of events and activities in and around the capital. Paris Plages, Lollapalooza and Rock en Seine, the film festival at La Villette, Jardin d'été at the Musée du Quai Branly, Classique au vert or the Arènes Lyrique and the Théâtre de Verdure festival... here are 20 events not to be missed this summer in Paris and the Ile-de-France region.

Every summer, the capital and the Ile-de-France region empty out, much to the delight of tourists and Parisians alike, who stay in Paris during the summer months. It's the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the many events and activities on offer throughout the Ile-de-France region. Music, art, cinema and theater... all disciplines will be in the spotlight during these two months!

This summer of 2023, the program promises to be packed once again, with Lollapalooza and Rock en Seine, cinema at La Villette, a canal festival, a classical festival in Montmartre and a monumental exhibition... So, to help you in your quest, here's a selection of must-see events to discover this summer in Paris and the Ile-de-France region.

Summer in Paris and the Ile-de-France region: 20 not-to-be-missed events

Walking and leisure activities

Paris Plages 2018Paris Plages 2018Paris Plages 2018Paris Plages 2018 Paris Plages 2024 expands, discover the free program of the 3 swimming and relaxation spots
A special edition awaits us this year for Paris Plage 2024. Not two, but 3 sites will brighten up the summer season. Here's the program for this special edition of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. [Read more]

L'été du canal, l'Ourcq en fête 2016L'été du canal, l'Ourcq en fête 2016L'été du canal, l'Ourcq en fête 2016L'été du canal, l'Ourcq en fête 2016 L'Été du Canal 2024, the unmissable festival of Parisian canals, is back!
L'Été du Canal is the must-attend summer event in Paris! And with good news, this Parisian summer hotspot is back from July 6 to August 11, 2024. On the program for this 17th edition are free workshops, floating concerts, street art, open-air cinema and strolls along the Canal de l'Ourcq and the Canal Saint-Denis, as well as the Bassin de la Villette. [Read more]

Garden Parvis à La Défense, les photosGarden Parvis à La Défense, les photosGarden Parvis à La Défense, les photosGarden Parvis à La Défense, les photos Garden Parvis 2023: La Défense's must-see summer event
Paris La Défense reopens its doors to Garden Parvis! Open free of charge to all from Thursday June 29 to Saturday July 29, 2023, and every day thereafter, Garden Parvis promises to be the must-see summer event in western Paris, with a new gourmet offering, the Table du Chef by Julien Sebbag, leisure areas not to mention concerts and dj sets... all spread over 6,000m². [Read more]


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Music and theater festivals

Lollapalooza Paris 2019, nos photosLollapalooza Paris 2019, nos photosLollapalooza Paris 2019, nos photosLollapalooza Paris 2019, nos photos Lollapalooza Paris 2023: the complete line-up and concert times
Lollapalooza Paris is back! Join us at the Hippodrome ParisLongchamp on Friday, July 21, Saturday, July 22 and Sunday, July 23, 2023 for live performances by Kendrick Lamar, Aya Nakamura, Damso, Kygo, Rosalía, Lil Nas X, as well as Stray Kids, OneRepublic, Central Cee, John Butler, Kaleo, Ava Max and Royal Republic! Click here for the full program and concert times! [Read more]

Festival du Théâtre de Verdure 2024 au cœur du Bois de Boulogne, le festival pour petits et grandsFestival du Théâtre de Verdure 2024 au cœur du Bois de Boulogne, le festival pour petits et grandsFestival du Théâtre de Verdure 2024 au cœur du Bois de Boulogne, le festival pour petits et grandsFestival du Théâtre de Verdure 2024 au cœur du Bois de Boulogne, le festival pour petits et grands Festival du Théâtre de Verdure 2024 in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne, the festival for young and old alike
Enjoy a unique theatrical experience at the Festival du Théâtre de Verdure 2024, located in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne in Paris. From June 1 to September 22, 2024, this festival offers a wide range of shows for all ages. [Read more]

Le Parc Floral en photos Le Parc Floral en photos Le Parc Floral en photos Le Parc Floral en photos Paris Jazz Festival at Parc Floral 2024: free concert program
The Paris Jazz Festival returns to the Parc Floral from June 26 to September 8, 2024, with just as many musical talents to discover in a bucolic setting. Here's the program of free concerts! [Read more]

Le Parc Floral en photos Le Parc Floral en photos Le Parc Floral en photos Le Parc Floral en photos Classique au Vert: the 2024 program for the free concert festival at the Parc Floral de Paris
The Classique au Vert Festival returns to the heart of the Parc Floral de Paris from June 26 to September 8, 2024. Classique au Vert invites music lovers and neophytes alike to enjoy a good tempo and good weather with established and up-and-coming artists. [Read more]

Festival Paris l'été 2022 : dates et programme ! Festival Paris l'été 2022 : dates et programme ! Festival Paris l'été 2022 : dates et programme ! Festival Paris l'été 2022 : dates et programme ! Festival Paris l'été 2023: dance, performance, installation... here's the program
As every year, the Paris l'été Festival enchants the capital during the summer season. Join us from July 10 to 30, 2023 in the four corners of Paris (and even further afield, in the suburbs) to discover a cutting-edge cultural program featuring dance, circus, theater, installation and music! [Read more]

Le Parc Floral en photos Le Parc Floral en photos Le Parc Floral en photos Le Parc Floral en photos Les Pestacles 2024, the music festival for kids in the Parc Floral
Les Pestacles at the Parc Floral de Paris is the must-see summer event for families from June 26 to September 4, 2024. Imagine concerts of all kinds, shows, dance, workshops and discovery trails, all set in the pleasant, flower-filled surroundings of the Bois de Vincennes. [Read more]

Visuel Paris Montmartre Sacré CœurVisuel Paris Montmartre Sacré CœurVisuel Paris Montmartre Sacré CœurVisuel Paris Montmartre Sacré Cœur Les Trois Beaux Days 2024: open-air concerts at the Montmartre Arena
Les Trois Beaux Days is the summer festival of choice for those staying in Paris. The famous concert hall Les Trois Baudets is organizing three evenings of not-to-be-missed open-air concerts at the Arènes de Montmartre. Join us in the 18th arrondissement on Thursday, July 4, Friday, July 5 and Saturday, July 6, 2024, to experience this summer event! [Read more]

Les Arènes Lyriques 2023 - image00002Les Arènes Lyriques 2023 - image00002Les Arènes Lyriques 2023 - image00002Les Arènes Lyriques 2023 - image00002 Les Arènes Lyriques 2024, the open-air classical festival, returns to the Butte Montmartre
The classical music festival Les Arènes Lyriques returns to Paris from July 26 to August 17, 2024. On the program? Open-air concerts at the Arènes de Montmartre all summer long: a chance to experience a privileged moment in the very private garden of the Arènes, for just one evening. [Read more]

Rock en Seine 2022Rock en Seine 2022Rock en Seine 2022Rock en Seine 2022 Rock en Seine 2024: the complete program and concert times
After a great edition in 2023, the Rock en Seine festival is back for five days of not-to-be-missed festivities on Wednesday 21, Thursday 22, Friday 23, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 August 2024 at the Domaine national du Parc de Saint-Cloud. On the program? Lana Del Rey for a concert-event, the talented PJ Harvey, the duo The Kills and the Italians from Måneskin, as well as The Offspring, Massive Attack, LCD Soundsystem, The Hives, Gossip, Kasabian, 2manydjs, Ghinzu, Thomas de Pourquery... Organizers have also announced the arrival of Pixies following the cancellation of The Smile. Click here for the full program by day and concert times! [Read more]

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Film festivals

Cinéma en plein air à la VilletteCinéma en plein air à la VilletteCinéma en plein air à la VilletteCinéma en plein air à la Villette Cinéma en plein air de la Villette, no edition in 2024, the film festival will return in 2025
La Villette's open-air film festival won't be taking place in 2024 due to the Olympic Games. We'll have to wait until summer 2025 to discover a month of free, open-air film screenings to watch while lounging on the great lawn of La Villette. [Read more]

Arsène Lupin et le secret de l'opéra, le jeu d'enquête immersif au cœur du Palais GarnierArsène Lupin et le secret de l'opéra, le jeu d'enquête immersif au cœur du Palais GarnierArsène Lupin et le secret de l'opéra, le jeu d'enquête immersif au cœur du Palais GarnierArsène Lupin et le secret de l'opéra, le jeu d'enquête immersif au cœur du Palais Garnier Opéra d'été 2023: free screenings in 3 Île-de-France departments
This year, Opéra d'été is (already) celebrating its 10th anniversary, and to mark the occasion we've put together a program of no fewer than 5 free screenings to be discovered in 3 departments of the Paris region. "The Marriage of Figaro", "Swan Lake" or "A Midsummer Night's Dream"... discover the 2023 Opéra d'été program! [Read more]

Balade sur la Petite Ceinture du 18e : le Hasard Ludique et la Recyclerie, les incontournablesBalade sur la Petite Ceinture du 18e : le Hasard Ludique et la Recyclerie, les incontournablesBalade sur la Petite Ceinture du 18e : le Hasard Ludique et la Recyclerie, les incontournablesBalade sur la Petite Ceinture du 18e : le Hasard Ludique et la Recyclerie, les incontournables Gare aux Docs 2024: a free, committed film festival on the tracks of the REcyclerie
Are you interested in an open-air film festival on the railroad tracks of Paris' Petite Ceinture? Then head for the REcyclerie, from August 23 to September 8, 2024, to enjoy documentaries on a wide range of subjects. [Read more]

Les Extatiques 2023, l'exposition contemporaine en plein air - La Défense - Seine Musicale  -  A7C6940Les Extatiques 2023, l'exposition contemporaine en plein air - La Défense - Seine Musicale  -  A7C6940Les Extatiques 2023, l'exposition contemporaine en plein air - La Défense - Seine Musicale  -  A7C6940Les Extatiques 2023, l'exposition contemporaine en plein air - La Défense - Seine Musicale  -  A7C6940

Free events

La roue de Charon : l'incroyable installation du Burning Man à voir à Paris et au Hellfest cet étéLa roue de Charon : l'incroyable installation du Burning Man à voir à Paris et au Hellfest cet étéLa roue de Charon : l'incroyable installation du Burning Man à voir à Paris et au Hellfest cet étéLa roue de Charon : l'incroyable installation du Burning Man à voir à Paris et au Hellfest cet été Charon's Wheel: Burning Man's incredible installation comes to Paris this summer
It's called "Charon's Wheel" and was created by American artist Peter Hudson for the Burning Man festival. This summer, this monumental installation is touring Europe, with a stopover in Paris from July 11 to 30, 2023. [Read more]

Les Extatiques 2020 à la Seine Musicale et à La Défense Les Extatiques 2020 à la Seine Musicale et à La Défense Les Extatiques 2020 à la Seine Musicale et à La Défense Les Extatiques 2020 à la Seine Musicale et à La Défense Les Extatiques 2024 take over Ile Seguin with circus, street art and contemporary art
Les Extatiques, the free contemporary open-air exhibition, is heading for the Ïle des Arts this year. From September 21 to November 21, the spot is transformed into a free artistic promenade combining contemporary art and live performance. [Read more]

Le Café Jacques au Musée du Quai BranlyLe Café Jacques au Musée du Quai BranlyLe Café Jacques au Musée du Quai BranlyLe Café Jacques au Musée du Quai Branly Jardin d'été 2023: launch of the Musée du Quai Branly's free, festive festival
The Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac invites you to plunge into the spellbinding world of Japanese summer festivals with its summer event, Jardin d'été, from July 8 to August 27, 2023. This edition features the Aubusson tapestry Ashitaka relieves his demonic wound, inspired by the famous Japanese animated film Princess Mononoké directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It's a unique opportunity to discover this spectacular work of art, and to enjoy a host of free events, including an open-air cinema. [Read more]

Formes olympiques 2023, le festival gratuit entre sport et art cet été à ParisFormes olympiques 2023, le festival gratuit entre sport et art cet été à ParisFormes olympiques 2023, le festival gratuit entre sport et art cet été à ParisFormes olympiques 2023, le festival gratuit entre sport et art cet été à Paris Formes olympiques 2023, the free festival between sport and art this summer in Paris
Concert, show, exhibition, sport: with the Formes olympiques festival, from June 23 to September 17, 2023, we're enjoying a host of free events, all over Paris. Here's a selection of not-to-be-missed events. [Read more]

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