In August, summer comes to Paris with countless outdoor and open-air events. The weather is warm, and the sun reaches its zenith. There are plenty of ways to make the most of the long days and balmy evenings. For a great summer in the city, relax at Paris Plages and enjoy the capital's many music and film festivals!
In August, Paris is buzzing with the rhythm of the water... but also with gaming! Whether you’re a fan of lazing about on the quays, a lover of athletic performances in the pools or a fan of digital culture, the capital has plenty of unmissable events this summer.
Throughout summer (until September 2026), Paris turns into a seaside resort with the Paris Plages event. This year, the United States is in the spotlight in the French capital, to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, and Paris Plages, is taking on an East and West Coast look. Deckchairs, parasols and palm trees line the banks of the Seine in the Parc Rives de Seine, the Bassin de la Villette and the Canal Saint-Martin, to give everyone the chance to relax by the water. A wide range of free, fun activities are available for kids and adults alike, including sports lessons, pétanque, table football, a swimming area, water sports activities and open-air exhibitions.
From 1 to 16 August 2026, Paris and Saint-Denis will welcome the continent's elite for the European Swimming Championships. A true legacy of the Paris 2024 Games, this spectacular competition will take place at two major venues: the iconic Olympic Aquatic Centre (CAO) in Saint-Denis for swimming, diving and artistic swimming, and the Seine, at the Bras de Grenelle, for open water and high diving events. An exceptional event where you can cheer on the exploits of Europe's best swimmers in a historic setting.
Until 23 August 2026, the competition is in full swing at the Esports World Cup (EWC), which is being held for the first time in its history at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. During the first fortnight of the month, enthusiasts and curious visitors alike can get caught up in the excitement of the finals of legendary tournaments such as Call of Duty, Rainbow Six Siege and Counter-Strike 2. Alongside the elite matches crowning the world’s best clubs, the major public festival continues in full swing with free-play zones, immersive activities and ‘off-site’ events - perfect for a summer outing with family or friends.
Last days for the exhibition Matisse. 1941-1954 at the Grand Palais a tribute to the artist, until 2 August 2026 and for the exhibition Madame de Sévigné, Parisian Letters, that offers the public an insight into the life of the marquise on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of her birth Musée Carnavalet (until 23 August 2026). You have until 31 August 2026 to see Clair-obscur drawing on some twenty modern and contemporary artists at the Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection, and until 23 August 2026 to see the Exposition Générale de la collection of the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, tracing 40 years of contemporary art.
Until 30 August 2026, the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie offers you the chance to find out more about cats and dogs experience their sensations and decrypt their behaviour. Giovanni Segantini is the focus of an exhibition at the Musée Marmottan Monet until 16 August 2026.
The Grand Palais d'été, a unique venue for artistic and festive gatherings, is a must, with a series of events to animate the Nef and its surroundings throughout the summer Grand Palais to discover its exhibition Transparence until the end of August 2027, a poetic and sensory visit combining works of art, interactive installations, and optical effects.
Finally, don’t miss the exhibition Eugène Delacroix: a place, an artist, which runs until 11 September 2026 at the Musée Delacroix showcasing one of the famous French painters.
This is one of the last chances to experience the immersive installation The Sound of Pixels at the Philharmonie des enfants before it closes. Included in the admission ticket, this fun interactive experience ties in with the major exhibition Video games & music. The music where you are the hero that is bringing the Parisian summer to life. Young visitors explore the world of 8-bit consoles and experiment with the retro sounds that have shaped the history of video games. An interactive and refreshing stop in the heart of the Parc de la Villette, ideal for rounding off the August holidays before the start of the new school year.
This is one of the last chances to visit the special exhibition Beyond the Streets at the Grande Halle de La Villette before it closes on 30 August 2026. Spanning 3,600 m², this immersive exhibition brings together more than 100 internationally renowned artists to trace the evolution of urban counter-cultures. From monumental installations to rare archives, the exhibition echoes the summer news surrounding JR and his ‘Caverne’ on the Pont Neuf, whilst also featuring an exclusive concept store designed by Sarah Andelman. An unmissable visual and historical stopover to round off the August holidays before the start of the new school year.
Want to experience Paris differently this summer? Cruises on the Seine, panoramic rooftops, unusual tours, children's workshops... the capital has many original activities for all tastes and ages.
Book your tickets online in just a few clicks and make the most of your sunny days. The perfect selection for an active and memorable holiday in Paris!
Fancy some sport and sunshine in August? The Roland Garros Tennis Club is reopening its doors for a second session full of energy and entertainment.
Whether you're an experienced player, a beginner or just curious, enjoy an exceptional setting to hit the ball on your own, with friends or family. A great opportunity to experience Paris differently, to the rhythm of tennis! Dates to be announced
August is a great month to enjoy time outdoors in parks and gardens in Paris hosting music and open-air cinema festivals.
Enjoy live music with Rock en Seine, from 26 to 30 August 2026. Chappell Roan, London Grammar, Suki Waterhouse, Luvcat and many other guests will be on the bill at the Domaine national de Saint-Cloud.
Jazz enthusiasts are spoilt for choice with Paris Jazz Festival at the Parc Floral de Paris from June to early September 2026 and Jazz à la Villette from late August 2026, held in several music venues across Paris.
Fans of classical music have plenty to look forward to with the Classique au Vert festival at the Parc Floral de Paris (from late June to early September 2026) and the Arènes Lyriques which programme evening performances by young musicians and opera singers at night, in the garden of the Arènes de Montmartre (from late July to mid-August 2026).
A favourite with young audiences, Les Pestacles at the Parc Floral de Paris from June to early September 2026 features an eclectic programme of musical shows and concerts. And in the Bois de Boulogne, the delightful Jardin Shakespeare welcomes an eclectic festival of outdoor theatre performances, until September 2026.
Sitting beneath the stars and watching movies is also a highlight of summer at the La Villette outdoor cinema festival, which shows the greatest cinema classics on the largest inflatable screen in Europe, from end of August to beginning September 2026. Le Bar à bulles, perched on the roof of La Machine du Moulin Rouge, hosts the Cinema on the Roof X SoFilm festival, from mid-July to mid-September 2026. And the Silhouette short film festival takes place in the Parc de la butte du chapeau rouge (from late August to early September 2026) with screenings of international films and concerts.
August has plenty for families and friends to enjoy together.
The Canal de l’Ourcq is also celebrateing summer with its ‘Eté du canal, l'Ourcq en fêtes’ programme featuring cruises, mini-concerts and other festive and sporting events, until 10 August 2026.
Until the end of August 2026, the Tuileries Gardens will be the setting for the Tuileries funfair, with its many rides and attractions.
The dazzling Night Fountains Show provides an enchanting spectacle (until September 2026) and the Musical Fountains Show (jusqu’en octobre 2026), in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles whilst The Royal Serenade (de juin à septembre 2026) transports spectators into the sumptuous atmosphere of the court of Louis XIV. The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte lit by 2,000 bougies during the Candlelight Evenings (jusqu'au 26 septembre 2026) is a magical sight.
Take advantage of the late night opening hours at the Parc Zoologique de Paris, from 7pm and until the end of the month of August and observe the way animals behave at nightfall. Amazing!
Also worth noting on the nightlife scene, Paris’s unmissable cabarets remain open in August! They offer the public dazzling revues such as ‘Féerie’ at the famous Moulin Rouge, below the Sacré Cœur, ‘Totally Crazy’ at the Crazy Horse Paris and ‘L’Oiseau Paradis’ – an enchanting revue, both poetic and glamorous, directed and choreographed by Kamel Ouali – at the Paradis Latin.
