Summertime sees the City of Lights’ vibrant cultural scene illuminated by a diverse selection of festivals, each offering a unique way to experience Paris at its most joyful.
Long, warm days that stretch far into the evening help make Paris in summer a truly 24-hour city. Throughout these balmy months, the French capital plays host to a huge number of events that draw people outdoors, including several acclaimed cultural festivals. Whether your predilection is for music, art, theatre or film, there’ll be a summer festival in Paris to capture your imagination. We’ve picked out 7 of the best below.
We Love Green
Fans of indie and electro music will once again flock to the green expanse of Bois de Vincennes in Paris’s 12th arrondissement in early June for a festival that has gained widespread popularity since its inaugural edition back in 2011. Held over three full days, the festival will showcase a stellar line-up of musical talent, while revellers will also find plenty to explore beyond the stages, from its sustainability-focused Think Tank and startup incubator to design workshops and eco-minded food stalls.
June 5-7 / www.welovegreen.fr
Freestyle Villette
The green expanse of La Villette hosts street culture and alternative culture events throughout the year, but its summer programme brings a particularly celebratory energy to the park. Centred on Le Périphérique, a bustling meeting point between central Paris and its outer neighbourhoods, Freestyle Villette celebrates movement in all its forms. Visitors are treated to a high-energy mix of concerts, dance battles, shows, street art, parades, sports competitions and open jams, with family-friendly workshops and introductory sessions during the day before the atmosphere shifts towards clubbing after dark.
May-September / www.lavillette.com
Le Théâtre de Verdure
Amid the leafy environs of Paris’s Shakespeare Garden, set within the Bois de Boulogne in the 16th arrondissement, Le Théâtre de Verdure (“the theatre of greenery”) invites visitors to delve deep into the world of the Bard himself. Each year, the festival puts on a packed programme of stage shows – including puppet shows, story-telling, comedy, circus acts, recitals and more – all inspired by a different Shakespeare-related theme.
14 June-28 September / www.letheatredeverdure.com
Les Étés du Louvre
This renowned open-air summer arts festival takes place every year at the iconic Musée du Louvre, with events hosted throughout the complex. Highlights include dance, circus and concerts, with several events free to attend. Among the festival’s annual highlight’s are the incorporated Cinéma Paradiso Louvre film festival and a free concert by the prestigious Orchestre de Paris.
16 June – 20 July / www.louvre.fr
Solidays
Taking over the Hippodrome de Paris-Longchamp on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne, Solidays brings together music, activism and festival spirit for a high-energy weekend with a purpose. Organised by Solidarité Sida, the event combines major live concerts with talks, exhibitions and associations, all in support of the fight against AIDS and wider humanitarian causes. The 2026 edition runs across three days and two nights, with the line-up set to include notable artists such as Orelsan, Gims and Zara Larsson.
26-28 June / www.solidays.org
Rock en Seine
Hosted in the majestic Domaine National de Saint-Cloud just west of Paris, Rock en Seine is one of France’s biggest summer music festivals, drawing major international names to a spectacular 460-hectare park with historic gardens and expansive city views. Now a firm fixture on Europe’s festival calendar, the event combines pop, rock and alternative sounds with exhibitions, talks, creative projects and even a ‘Mini Rock en Seine’ for younger festival-goers. The 2026 line-up features distinguished names from the world of music including The Cure, Nick Cave, Deftones and more.
26-30 August / www.rockenseine.com
Jazz à La Villette
Since its first edition in its current form back in 2002, Jazz à La Villette has gained prominence as a top-class jazz festival. The original event actually stretches back much further – to 1986 – when its predecessor Halle That Jazz served as a platform for some of the biggest names that the legendary music genre has to offer. Its modern incarnation has continued that legacy, drawing even larger audiences and similarly eminent jazz artists, forging its place as a major European festival. Most recently, the event has incorporated forums, discussions and interviews to augment the live jazz performances.
28 August – 6 September / www.jazzalavillette.com
Days Off
Days Off is an annual festival of contemporary music where visitors can experience the cosy atmosphere of Parisian summertime. The festival was first launched in 2010, and has gained recognition through its eclectic program where pop, rock, folk, electronic, and contemporary music stand together equally. The line-up for the upcoming 2026 edition promises to be stellar and will include many notable names from the world of music such as Babyshambles, Tamino, Tomora, Smerz, Alela Diane, Yerai Cortés, and others.
27 June – 5 July / Philharmonie de Paris, Parc de la Villette
La Villette’s Open-Air Cinema
France has a rich cinematic history and this summer it will be celebrated once again at Cinéma Plein Air. Taking place at La Villette’s Open-Air Cinema, the event returns in 2026 after a one-year hiatus and is set to be bigger and better than ever. Film enthusiasts can rock up, lay down a blanket or settle into a deckchair for a busy programme of international screenings, with movies catering to all ages.
July 22 – August 16 / www.lavillette.com