So You’re on the verge of planning your dream trip to France, but you have no clue where to start. How would you even know the best time to go? And what the best France festivals and events are?
That’s where my “France Festivals and events” calendar steps in. No more sifting through endless information. I’ve combined all the major France events here- just straightforward information to help you plan a trip that aligns perfectly with your dreams.
It includes events in Paris, France and passes through events in Lyon and all over France.
Paris Travel Checklist
Are you ready for your trip to Paris? Check this off your list. Did you book your:
France is so much more than visiting landmarks. It’s about fully engaging in the local culture, experiencing the energy from lively festivals and bringing back home a treasure trove of experiences.
Top tip: I definitely recommend building your trip around the France festivals and events. You should also be aware of the bank holidays in France (public holidays), as well as key dates like when sales start (wohoo shop till you drop), plus considering the weather never hurt.
Start your stress-free trip planning here!
Head’s up: this is a long guide PACKED with information, if you’re short on time save it for later by pinning it here!
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For an even better trip, check which concerts and shows are playing on TicketMaster and see if you can catch the next Coldplay or Beyonce.
Ultimate List of France Events + France Festivals in 2024
January 2024:
⭐ Jan 1: New Year’s
Jan/Feb: Carnaval de Guadeloupe (Antilles celebration), Location: Guadeloupe
Jan: Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc (Int’l sled dog race), Location: French Alps
⭐ Jan 10-Feb 6: Winter Sales in France
Jan: Fête de la Truffe (truffle event), Location: Sarlat-la-Canéda
Jan: Premiers Plans (Young talents in European cinema), Location: Angers
February 2024:
Feb: Grand Corso du Mimosa (Flower fireworks in winter), Location: Bormes-les-Mimosas
Feb/Mar: Festival International des Jeux (gaming event), Location: Cannes
Feb: Carnaval de Dunkerque, Location: Dunkerque
Feb/Mar: Fête du Citron (citrus festival), Location: Menton
Feb: Nuits Caraïbes (Classical music concerts), Locations: Guadeloupe & Martinique
Feb: Strasbourg Mon Amour (lovey-dovey event), Location: Strasbourg
Feb: Paris Face Cachée (Discover unusual Paris), Location: Paris
Feb: Carnaval Vénitien d’Annecy, Location: Annecy
Feb: Salon International de l’Agriculture (agriculture fair), Location: Paris
Feb/Mar: Carnaval de Mulhouse, Location: Mulhouse
Feb/Mar: Carnaval de Nice (First carnival of France), Location: Nice
Feb/Mar: Jumping International de Bordeaux (equestrian event), Location: Bordeaux
Feb: Festival International du Court Métrage (short film event), Location: Clermont-Ferrand
Feb: Percée du Vin Jaune (wine festival), Location: Lons-le-Saunier
March 2024:
Mar: Salon du Livre de Paris (Book fair), Location: Paris
Mar: Fête des Violettes (flower parade dedicated to the violet), Location: Tourrettes-sur-Loup
Mar/Apr: Biennale Internationale Design de Saint-Étienne (design world meeting), Location: Saint-Étienne
Mar/Apr: Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo (Festival of classical music), Location: Monaco
Mar 22- Sep 22: Festival Normandie Impressionniste (Impressionism festival), Locations: Normandy
29 Mar: Good Friday
April 2024:
⭐ Apr 1: Easter Monday
Apr: Festival de cerfs-volants et du vent (kite festival on the beach), Location: Châtelaillon-Plage
Apr: Marathon de Bordeaux Métropole (nighttime marathon), Location: Bordeaux
Apr: Marathon de Paris, Location: Paris
Apr: Printemps de Bourges (music festival), Location: Bourges
Apr: Quais du Polar (Lyon festival of crime books and films), Location: Lyon
Apr: Festival de l’Oiseau et de la Nature (Bird and Nature Festival), Location: Abbeville
Apr: Foire Internationale aux Fromages et aux Vins (cheese & wine fair), Location: Coulommiers
Apr: Foire Internationale de L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (antiques and flea market), Location: L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Apr: Paris-Roubaix Challenge (Bike ride course), Location: Roubaix
Mar/Apr: Biennale Internationale Design de Saint-Étienne (design festival), Location: Saint-Étienne
Mar 22- Sep 22: Festival Normandie Impressionniste (Impressionism festival), Locations: Normandy
May 2024:
⭐ May 1: Labor Day
⭐ May 9: Ascension Day
May 7- May 12: Nuits Sonores (music festival), Location: Lyon
⭐ May 8: Victory Day
May 14: Festival International du Film de Cannes, Location: Cannes
May 18: Nuit Européenne des Musées (European museum night-free museums), Location: Throughout France
May/June: Festival de Sully et du Loiret (Music at the heart of heritage), Location: Sully-sur-Loire
May/June: D-Day Festival Normandy, Locations: Normandy
May: Grand Prix de France Moto (motorcycle event), Location: Le Mans
⭐ May 19: Whit Sunday
⭐ May 20: Whit Monday
May: Étonnants-Voyageurs (lit- lovers event), Location: Saint-Malo
May: Terre de Blues (Blues and reggae music), Location: Saint-Louis
May: Coutellia (knives exhibition), Location: Thiers
May: VitiLoire (festive wine tourism event), Location: Tours
May/June: Roland Garros (tennis tournament), Location: Paris
May: Marathon du Mont Saint-Michel, Location: Mont-Saint-Michel, Cancale
May: Journées Romaines de Nîmes (Roman days in Nîmes arenas), Location: Nîmes
May: Jazz sous les pommiers (music festival), Location: Coutances
May: Grand Prix de Monaco (Famous car race), Location: Monaco
Mar 22- Sep 22: Festival Normandie Impressionniste (Impressionism festival), Locations: Normandy
June 2024:
June: Roland Garros (tennis tournament), Location: Paris
June: Festival de Saint-Denis (classical music festival), Location: Saint-Denis
June: Alps Bike Festival (VTT takes center stage in the Aravis massif!), Location: La Clusaz
June: Festival du Film de Cabourg (Romantic film festival), Location: Cabourg
June: Prix de Diane (Most elegant horse race of the year), Location: Chantilly
June: Les 24 Heures du Mans (motorsports event), Location: Le Mans
June: Étoiles de Mougins (Annual gastronomy event), Location: Mougins
June: Rendez-vous aux Jardins (Meeting place for nature and plant lovers), Location: Throughout France
June/July: Festival d’Anjou (Theatrical event of the Grand West), Location: Angers
June: Festival international du Film d’animation (animation film festival), Location: Annecy
June: Festival Garorock (rock and electro music), Location: Marmande
June: Festival du Film de Cabourg (Romantic film festival), Location: Cabourg
June: Marathon des mots (international literature festival), Location: Toulouse
June: Fête de la Musique, Location: Throughout France
June: Hellfest (Meeting place for all metal music enthusiasts), Location: Clisson
June: Main Square Festival (Three days of live music in the heart of a citadel designed by Vauban), Location: Arras
June: Sakifo (music festival on the island of La Réunion), Location: Saint-Pierre
June: Festival international du Film d’animation (Global meeting for film enthusiasts and animation aficionados), Location: Annecy
June: Médiévales de Provins (One of the largest medieval festivals in Europe), Location: Provins
June: Les 24 Heures du Mans (motorsports event), Location: Le Mans
June: Festival Solidays (Musical solidarity event against AIDS), Location: Paris
June/ July 2024:
June/July: Montpellier Danse, Location: Montpellier
June/July: Jazz à Vienne, Location: Vienne
June 26- July 16: Summer Sales in France
June/July: Paris Jazz Festival (True institution of jazz in the capital), Location: Paris
June/July: Festival International d’Art Lyrique (One of the great European lyrical festivals), Location: Aix-en-Provence
June/July: Open de France (golf tournament), Location: Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines
Mar 22- Sep 22: Festival Normandie Impressionniste (Impressionism festival), Locations: Normandy
June/July: Nuits de Fourvière (festival in a Roman ancient theater), Location: Lyon
Jun-Sep: Festival International des Jardins, Location: Chaumont-sur-Loire
June/July: Flâneries Musicales de Reims (classical music festival), Location: Reims
June/July: Enghien Jazz Festival (Celebration of all jazz on the shores of Lake Enghien), Location: Enghien-les-Bains
July/August 2024:
⭐ Jul 14: Bastille Day
July: Chorégies d’Orange (lyric art festival), Location: Orange
July: Festival de Nîmes (concerts in the arenas of Nîmes), Location: Nîmes
July: Eurockéennes de Belfort (open ari music festival), Location: Sermamagny
July: Foulées du Gois (Sea race), Location: Beauvoir-sur-Mer
July: Festival International du Film de La Rochelles, Location: La Rochelle
July: Calvi on the Rocks (music festival), Location: Calvi
July: Tour de France (world cycling tournament), Location: Throughout France
July/August: Voyage à Nantes (urban trail through art), Location: Nantes
July: Festival de Carcassonne (Concerts and entertainment), Location: Carcassonne
July: Les Z’accros d’ma rue (Street performances), Location: Nevers
July/Sep: Rencontres d’Arles (photography festival), Location: Arles
July: FID Marseille (cinema event), Location: Marseille
July: Festival International de Colmar, Location: Colmar
July: Musilac (Pop-rock event in Savoie), Location: Aix-les-Bains
July: Festival d’Avignon (International event for contemporary performing arts), Location: Avignon
July: Les Tombées de la Nuit (Nightfall’s Festival), Location: Rennes
July: Déferlantes (Festival of contemporary music), Location: Argelès-sur-Mer
July: Festival du Lin et de l’Aiguille (Largest European event dedicated to linen), Location: Le Bourg-Dun
July: Terres du son (musical and ecological festival), Location: Monts
July: Jazz à Juan, Location: Juan-les-Pins
July 12-July 17: Fêtes Maritimes Internationales de Brest (huge boat gathering in the harbor of Brest), Location: Brest
July: Francofolies de La Rochelle (Summer showcase of French-language song and contemporary music), Location: La Rochelle
July: Idéklic (International festival of the child as actor, spectator, and creator), Location: Moirans-en-Montagne
July: Festival des Vieilles Charrues (music festival), Location: Carhaix-Plouguer, July.
July: Fêtes du Grand Fauconnier (medieval festival), Location: Cordes-sur-Ciel, July.
July: Journées de la Rose (Rose Days), Location: Doué-en-Anjou, July.
July 14: Fête Nationale Française, Location: Throughout France.
July/Aug: Festival d’Art Pyrotechnique (Cannes illuminating joust).
July: Electrobeach (electro music festival), Location: Le Barcarès.
July: Estivoce (Crossroads of voices), Location: Pigna.
July: Festival Sim Copans (Jazz festival by Romanesque abbey), Location: Souillac.
July: Nice Jazz Festival, Location: Nice.
July: Equestria (Equestrian festival), Location: Tarbes.
July: Festival de Cornouaille (City and culture festival), Location: Quimper.
July: Festival Messiaen au Pays de la Meije (contemporary music festival), Locations: La Grave, Villar-d’Arêne.
July: Fête du Cognac (Cognac discovery in music), Location: Cognac.
July/Aug: Festival Pablo Casals (Prestigious chamber music), Locations: Pyrénées-Orientales
July/Aug: Festival du Film de Lama (Outdoor cinema in unusual setting), Location: Lama.
July/Aug: Festival de Saint-Céré (Lyrical art festival), Location: Saint-Céré.
June/July: Open de France (Oldest continental Europe golf tournament), Location: Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.
July: Festival de Saint-Riquier (Grand musical celebration), Location: Saint-Riquier.
July-Oct: Festival Photo La Gacilly (Open-air photo festival), Location: La Gacilly.
June-Sep: Festival International des Jardins (Ephemeral landscape creations), Location: Chaumont-sur-Loire.
Aug: MiMa – Festival des Arts de la Marionnette (Puppetry festival), Location: Mirepoix.
July/Aug: Festival 1001 Notes (classical music event), Location: Limoges.
August 2024:
⭐ Aug 15: Assumption Day
Aug: Festival de Saint-Céré (lyrical art festival), Location: Saint-Céré
Aug: Festival Berlioz (festival of symphonic and romantic music), Location: La Côte-Saint-André
Aug: Festival du Bout du Monde (crossroads of world and mixed music), Location: Crozon
Aug: Festival de Folklore de Confolens (festival of arts and popular traditions), Location: Confolens
Aug: Festival de La Chaise-Dieu (celebration of classical music), Location: La Chaise-Dieu
Aug: Festival des Filets Bleus (traditional festival of Brittany), Location: Concarneau
Aug: Festival de Musique de Menton (Classical music under stars), Location: Menton
Aug: Festival du Chant de Marin (port celebration, music, and boats), Location: Paimpol
Aug: Festival de Théâtre de Rue (space for artistic freedom), Location: Aurillac
Aug: Festival Darc (dance workshop in Europe), Location: Châteauroux
Aug: Fêtes de la mirabelle (fruit event), Location: Metz
Aug: Cultures du Monde (festival of folk dances and music), Location: Montoire-sur-le-Loir
Aug: Fêtes d’Arvor (major folk event), Location: Vannes
Aug: Festival du Film de Lama (film festival), Location: Lama
Aug: Festival Interceltique de Lorient (grand gathering of Celtic cultures), Location: Lorient
Aug: Corso de la Lavande (five days of popular lavender festivities), Location: Digne-les-Bains
Aug: Font’Arts (friendly festival of street arts and circus), Location: Pernes-les-Fontaines
Aug: Les Escales (Traditional and contemporary world music), Location: Saint-Nazaire
Aug: Festival Pablo Casals (chamber music), Location: Pyrénées-Orientales
Aug: Jazz à Ramatuelle (Jazz festival), Location: Ramatuelle
Aug: Festival de Folklore de Confolens (festival of arts and popular traditions), Location: Confolens
Aug: Festival de Saint-Loup (Breton dance enthusiasts’ rendezvous), Location: Guingamp
Aug: Jazz in Marciac (Musical event), Location: Marciac
Aug: Rock en Seine (last great rock event of the summer), Location: Saint-Cloud
Aug: Fêtes de la Saint-Louis (traditional nautical jousts), Location: Sète
Aug: Festival du Film de Lama (film festival), Location: Lama
Aug: Fêtes d’Arvor (major folk event), Location: Vannes
Aug: Route du Rock (independent music festival), Location: Saint-Malo
Aug: Cabaret Vert (eco-rock festival), Location: Charleville-Mézières
Aug: Festival de la Saint-Loup (Breton dance enthusiasts’ rendezvous), Location: Guingamp
Aug: Festival de Folklore de Confolens (festival of arts and popular traditions), Location: Confolens
Aug: Fêtes de la Saint-Louis (traditional nautical jousts), Location: Sète
Aug: Festival de La Chaise-Dieu (celebration of classical music), Location: La Chaise-Dieu
Aug: Festival Berlioz (festival of symphonic and romantic music), Location: La Côte-Saint-André
Aug: Festival de Théâtre de Rue (space for artistic freedom), Location: Aurillac
August/Sep: Grand Pruneau Show (prunes festival), Location: Agen
Aug: Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (spectacular trail race on the highest peaks in Europe), Location: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Mar 22- Sep 22: Festival Normandie Impressionniste (Impressionism festival), Locations: Normandie
September 2024
Sep: Grand Pruneau Show (prunes festival), Location: Agen
Sep: Marathon du Médoc (marathon though castles and vineyards), Locations: Bordeaux region
Sep/Oct: Zébrures d’automne (Francophone artistic creation festival), Locations: Nouvelle-Aquitaine region
Sep: Festival international de cerf-volant de Dieppe (kite festival on the beach), Location: Dieppe
Sep: Techno Parade (The grand gathering of electronic and techno music fans), Location: Paris
Sep: Festival du Cinéma Américain (American cinema festival), Location: Deauville
Sep: Nuits de Sologne (pyrotechnic show with music), Location: Nouan-le-Fuzelier
Sep: Festival des Correspondances (literature in dialogue with other forms of creation), Location: Manosque
Sep: Marathon Touraine Loire Valley (A marathon accessible to all along the Loire), Location: Tours
Sep: Rencontres Polyphoniques (voices expressing the diversity of world peoples), Location: Calvi
Sep: Vignes, Vins et Randos en Val de Loire (wine tourism event), Locations: Nantes, Angers, Saumur, Tours, Blois
Sep: Grand feu de Saint Cloud (largest fireworks display in Europe), Location: Saint-Cloud
Sep: Braderie de Lille (flea market), Location: Lille
Sep: Bol d’Or (motorcycle race), Location: Le Castellet
Sep: Fête de la Gastronomie (French culinary heritage celebrated!), Locations: Throughout France
Sep: Festival Mondial des Théâtres de Marionnettes (The largest gathering of puppets in the world), Location: Charleville-Mézières
Sep: Evian Championship (one of the biggest events in women’s golf), Location: Évian-les-Bains
Sep: Fêtes d’Arvor (major folk event), Location: Vannes
Sep: Les Escales (Traditional and contemporary music), Location: Saint-Nazaire
Sep: Festival de la Saint-Loup (Breton dance enthusiasts’ rendezvous), Location: Guingamp
Sep: Jazz à Ramatuelle (100% Jazz festival), Location: Ramatuelle.
Sep: Journées Européennes du Patrimoine (The cultural event of the season revealing the diversity of the country’s heritage), Locations: Throughout France
Sep: Festival Berlioz (festival of symphonic and romantic music), Location: La Côte-Saint-André
Sep: Journées de la Rose (Rose Days), Location: Doué-en-Anjou
Sep: Jazz in Marciac (Music event), Location: Marciac.
Sep: Festival de Saint-Céré (lyrical art festival), Location: Saint-Céré
Sep: Festival de Théâtre de Rue (theatre street festival), Location: Aurillac
Sep: Grand Pavois (boat show), Location: La Rochelle
Sep-Dec 2024: Festival d’Automne (contemporary artistic creation), Location: Paris
Sep-Dec 2024: Biennale d’Art Contemporain (contemporary artistic creation), Location: Lyon
Sep-Dec 2024: Festival Photo La Gacilly (photo festival), Location: La Gacilly
Sep/Oct: Festival Musica (classical music festival), Location: Strasbourg
June-Sep: Festival International des Jardins (garden international festival), Location: Chaumont-sur-Loire
October 2024:
Oct: Nuit Blanche (A nocturnal artistic journey in the capital), Location: Paris
Oct/Nov: Salon du Chocolat (Chocolate fair), Location: Paris
Oct: Mondial de l’Automobile (Paris Motor Show), Location: Paris
Oct: Festival du Film Britannique (film festival), Location: Dinard
Sep/Oct: Festival Musica (int’l contemporary & classical music festival), Location: Strasbourg
Oct: Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (equestrian event), Location: Paris
Oct: Jazz Entre Les Deux Tours, Location: La Rochelle
Oct: Grand Raid (Race on the island of La Réunion), Locations: Saint-Pierre, Cilaos, Saint-Denis
Oct: La 25e Heure du Livre (Book fair), Location: Le Mans
Oct: Fête du Piment (Chili peppers festival), Location: Espelette
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):
1. How many bank holidays does France have?
Officially France has 11 public holidays- also known as bank holidays. These include New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, Labor Day (May 1st), Victory in Europe Day (May 8th), Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Bastille Day (July 14th), Assumption of Mary (August 15th), All Saints’ Day (November 1st), Armistice Day (November 11th), and Christmas Day.
2. What are the 5 main French festivals in French?
The five main French festivals include: Festival de Cannes (Cannes Film Festival), Festival d’Avignon (Avignon Theatre Festival), Nice Carnival, La Fête de la Musique (Music Day), and Le Festival Interceltique de Lorient (Lorient Interceltic Festival).
3. What is the famous festival in Paris?
A famous festival in Paris is the “Bastille Day” celebration on July 14th. This day honors the French National Day and the storming of the Bastille prison.
4. What festivals or events take place in France?
Many festivals and events take place in France. Some popular examples include the Cannes Film Festival, Paris Fashion Week, the Tour de France, and the French Open (Roland Garros).
5. What are popular events in France?
France is known for its collection of events that attract both locals and visitors. These events range from cultural festivals, to sports events and celebratory occasions. Examples include the Cannes Film Festival, the Tour de France cycling race, as well as the Nice Carnival and the Mont Saint Michel Marathon.
6. What event do the French celebrate?
The French people have a tradition of celebrating events throughout the year. These include holidays such as Bastille Day, religious observances and cultural festivals. They also partake in festivities, like Mardi Gras.
7. What is the big celebration in France?
One of the biggest celebrations in France is Bastille Day (La Fête Nationale or le 14 Juillet), which marks the French National Day and commemorates the storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution. It’s a major celebration with fireworks, parades, and parties throughout all of France.
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