Seasonal events in Paris

Dancing to the beat of baroque music, the fountains and groves put on water “performances” from April 1 to October 31. In the summer, Musical Fountain shows take place on weekends; the Musical Gardens run Tuesday to Friday; and the Fountains Night Show with lasers and fireworks in front of the Grand Canal is held Saturday evenings. If you’re visiting on August 15 (Fire Night Show) or September 23 (Electro Night Fountains Show), you’ll be treated to a themed version of the event.

The two-week tennis tournament (also known as the French Open) takes place at the Stade Roland Garros, in the 16th arrondissement, with top players competing on two main clay courts. As with most French events, food and wine are just as much a draw as the actual players, and stadium food here isn’t your average burgers and fries. Expect oysters and lobster rolls at the bar and plenty of shaded terrace seating to post up at when you’re ready for a break.

Since launching in 2002, Nuit Blanche has championed more than 4,000 French and global artists—both emerging and internationally recognized. During the free event, stroll through the city’s streets and discover nearly 200 artistic projects revolving around the theme of the year, with some projects returning from previous years. Each stretch of the city will lead you to a different experience, from a psychedelic scene at Piscine Molitor in the south to concert animations at the Philharmonie de Paris and the Street-Art Avenue along the Saint-Denis canal. Playing on the idea of “white,” light-filled summer nights, sculptures, temporary installations, concerts, and more are on display from dawn to dusk.

The three-day music festival takes over Bois de Vincennes with multiple stages and tents featuring big-name acts like Phoenix, Skrillex, and Bon Iver, plus a Think Tank ideas lab with multiple speakers, including activists, artists, sociologists, and other leading figures in their field discussing some of the key environmental issues affecting us right now. The Innovations Village—which continues growing—brings together start-ups and NGOs with projects highlighting social and environmental innovation. Even the restaurants have a green focus and are chosen for their commitment to sourcing organic and locavore produce.

A city-wide street party that has been celebrated for more than 40 years, the annual Fête de la Musique coincides with the summer solstice on June 21. Musicians and DJs take over every stretch of the city’s streets and squares, so you never know what you’ll stumble upon. From big brass bands to outdoor karaoke and electronic artists, nearly every musical genre is covered. A majority of the street music is impromptu, but there is a selection of planned events like a masked ball, orchestra under the Louvre’s iconic pyramid, and concerts in the ancient Roman ruins of Arènes de Lutèce. Some events require tickets, but there are thousands of free concerts throughout the day.

With shows across the world from namesake Basel in Switzerland to the annual blow-out in Miami, the event in Paris brings together more than 150 galleries from 30 countries and territories to the Grand Palais Éphémère in the Champ de Mars. Outside of the main fair, you’ll find sculptures and installations exhibited in iconic sites across the city, from Place Vendôme to the Jardin des Tuileries. In between browsing the artwork, pop into the Bal de la Marine, a boat docked across from the Eiffel Tower, where the curated Conversations program takes place. Listen to dialogues between leading figures in the art world and then continue exploring other exhibitions coinciding with Paris+ par Art Basel at museums across the city, including Musée de l’Orangerie and the Louvre.

The traditional holiday markets that started in Germany and Alsace are now just as much of a staple in Paris, with stalls set up all across the capital. The markets open in November and run until mid-December, up until Christmas, or through the first week of January. You’ll find wooden chalets in neighborhoods and gardens throughout Paris, with some of the most over-the-top being Les Tuileries and the Christmas Village on La Défense Esplanade.