This post lists the best things you can do in Paris in May, updated for 2024.
We include free events, cultural festivals, concerts, evening entertainment, family-friendly activities, and popular tours.
In May there are a couple of holidays taking place on the same day which might mean some businesses are closed.
They are La Fête du Travail (Labour Day) and La Fête du Muguet (Lilly of the Valley Day) or May Day, both of which take place on May 1st.
On May 8th there is Victory Day, a remembrance of the day the Nazis surrendered in 1945.
Those living in the city might also want to celebrate the annual Neighbours Day, which takes place at the end of the month.
Disclosure: While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the full text.
This list will include a variety of different family-friendly, nighttime, and free activities for audiences of all ages.
If you’re looking for even more ideas, check the following posts:
- Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tours
- Where to Store Your Luggage
- Bicycle Tours
- Versailles Tickets
- Tourist Attraction Passes
Don’t forget to check our top activities in Paris post for additional attractions available year-round.
We also have a post covering the weather in Paris in May.
1. See a Concert
Paris always attracts an interesting mix of performers from arena rock to indie bands.
Concerts
- Taylor Swift & Paramore | May 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
- Eric Clapton | May 26th, 27th
Music Festivals
- Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés Festival | May 13th-24th*
- Marvellous Island Festival | May 18th, 19th
- Cercle Festival | May 25th, 26th
*If you like jazz music, you might like a walking tour that takes you through the history of The Birth of Jazz and its main players.
Check here for even more concerts in Paris in May.
2. Attend a Sports Event
May is a quiet month when it comes to sports in Paris. Luckily, there's a football game and a major tennis tournament taking place.
Events in May:
- Paris Saint-Germain FC vs. Toulouse FC | May 14th
- The Roland Garros Tennis Championship | May 20th-June 9th
- The Grand Steeplechase | May 20th-21st
Check out other sporting events in Paris this month.
3. Enjoy a Cabaret Show
If you're looking for something that is a bit more stereotypically Parisian, why not see a cabaret?
The Moulin Rouge is known for its live music, extravagant costumes, and beautiful performers in a luxurious environment.
Performances run regularly year-round, and we recommend getting your tickets a few months in advance as they do tend to sell out.
Here are a few of the best cabaret venues hosting shows in Paris this month:
- Moulin Rouge
- Crazy Horse | This show is included at no extra cost with the Paris Passlib Prestige
- Paradis Latin
Note that the Crazy Horse also offers a combo package that includes a backstage experience.
If you’re looking for more evening activities or family-friendly entertainment, we have full posts with more ideas!
4. La Nuit des musées (Night of the Museums)
Like many European cities in mid-May, Paris holds an annual Night of the Museums when many museums stay open later than usual and offer free entry.
In 2024, the event is on May 18th. The event is more than just seeing art. There are also special events planned like music and dancing.
If you aren't in Paris on May 18th and can't take advantage of the free museum entry, there are other ways to save on museum tickets.
Some museums do not charge admission while others have free hours. Also, most of the top museums are included in tourist attraction passes.
5. Go to Disneyland Paris
May is a great time to visit the Disneyland Paris amusement park. The weather is warming and the sun is usually out.
Although it might be getting busier than usual in May, you can always use the Disney Premier Access app to schedule your day out and ensure you get on all the rides you want!
There are a lot of great attractions to enjoy including Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain, Twilight Zone: Tower of Terrorund Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril.
Purchase Disneyland Paris tickets or learn more.
NOTE: The Go City Paris Explorer Pass includes admission to Disneyland Paris!
6. Take a Sightseeing Tour
Since May marks the beginning of spring weather, it's a perfect time to take a pay-what-you-like walking tour.
If you're to see more quickly, consider a hop-on-hop-off bus tour. Tours make stops at Paris's most popular landmarks and have recorded commentary in multiple languages.
To see the lights in the City of Lights, take a night bus tour. These tours do not allow you to hop off in the middle, but you’ll get a great overview of Paris.
If you're looking for a tour with a topical focus, Street Art Tours have become quite popular in the last few years.
7. Attend the Throne Fair
Paris' Foire du Trone, which takes place in Pelouse de Reuilly, an area in Bois de Vincennes, dates back to the 17th century.
This is one of the biggest funfairs in Europe and it draws large crowds.
Here you'll find carnival rides, games, food and drink stalls, live entertainment such as clowns and fire eaters, and so much more.
In fact, there are some traditional French treats on tap such as crepes and roasted almonds, in addition to other treats.
This is a great place to take kids for a fun day in the city.
Events run from March 22 through May 21st, 2024. For more information, visit the Throne Festival website.
BTW, also taking place in Bois de Vincennes from May 31st-June 2nd is the We Love Green Festival.
8. Save Money with a Tourist Attraction Pass
On your visit to Paris, you might want to consider purchasing a tourist attraction pass. These passes offer savings on the cost of admission and can save you money.
They don’t just offer discounts – keep in mind that most of these passes offer skip-the-line access at several notable landmarks.
Here are a few of the more popular attractions included with various Paris tourist passes:
Depending on which pass you choose and how you use it, you could save anywhere from 15% – 50% off general admission prices.
For more details, please read our post covering Paris tourist passes.
9. Taste of Paris Festival
The annual Taste of Paris culinary festival will take place in May 9th-11th, 2024 at the Grand Palais.
The festival features an upscale farmers market with over a hundred artisan producers.
Top Parisian chefs will also give cooking demonstrations. You’ll be able to taste some of their signature dishes. There will also be free cooking classes!
An excellent selection of wines, beer, cocktails, and champagne will be available to purchase.
Read more about the Taste of Paris.
Foodies and others who want to try some of Paris’s best foods, consider taking a food tour.
10. Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés Festival
This annual prestigious jazz festival started in 2001 and is one of the best musical events in Paris during May.
In 2024, the Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés festival runs from May 13th - 21st.
Held in famous venues in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area, there will be dozens of concerts day and night.
Also, there are workshops, jazz chats, and master classes. You can buy passes for the whole festival or individual concerts.
This is a great way to spend an evening in the City of Lights. You can find other ideas from our post on things to do in Paris at night.
11. Take a Food Tour
Besides the Taste of Paris festival, you can discover the best of Parisien food and learn about the city's history through a Paris Secret Food Tour.
This 3.5-hour tour visits the historic Montmartre district and features six food stops. You can upgrade the food tour to include a wine tasting.
Your guide will tell you about the history of this spectacular neighborhood and take you to the best places to try Parisian cuisine.
Learn more about the Paris Secret Food Tour here.
12. Holi Festival of Colors
The Holi festival is back on May 26th, 2024! The famous, colorful Indian festival celebrates the arrival of spring with colored powder everywhere.
There will also be plenty of live music, dancing, henna, and a parade.
This festival is great for the whole family to attend! Everywhere you turn, there will be something entertaining.
It's also a great way to learn about Indian culture and enjoy Indian food.
Find more information on the website.
13. Onze Bouge Festival
You can see lots of free music, dance, street art, and theatrical performances at the annual Onze Bouge festival.
The festival takes place on the streets and in theaters in the 11th arrondissement.
The festival is scheduled to run from May 16th-20th.
All the performances at the Onze Bouge Festival are free but we recommend you reserve in advance.
For more activities that won't cost you anything, see our free things to do in Paris.
14. Printemps des Rues
The annual Printemps des Rues (Streets of Spring) takes place near the end of May
This free festival features street performers of all kinds - clowns, circus acts, magicians, puppet shows, music, theatre, and more!
You can see free performances in multiple districts of Paris, in the 18th, 19th, and 10th arrondissements (especially near the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin).
This festival is well-suited for kids of all ages. For more family-friendly activities see our post on things to do with kids in Paris.
15. Free Open Art Studios
This month you can attend 'Portes Ouvertes' (Open Doors) where artists welcome the public for free into their studios.
The main Open Doors event is the annual Belleville Open Studios.
100 neighborhood studios open up, with more than 150 exhibitors showing their paintings, photography, sculptures, etc.
Belleville Open Studios takes place May 23-26, 2024.
Some galleries may even have free wine and cheese you can snack on!
16. Even More Events
The biggest event taking place in Paris this year is the Olympics and Paralympics. It takes place in July and August.
However, events kick off with a Torch Bearers run in May. Read more about the run on the Paris 2024 website.
There is also the:
Fête du Pain | May 13th-21st | Head to the area in front of Notre Dame to learn about and taste all things bread (for free!)
Paris Beer Festival | May 20th-26th | Beer professionals and lovers gather to celebrate and promote craft beer
Foire de Paris | May 1st-12th | Crafts, home furniture, wine and food... and of could shopping.
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