May 2024 will be one of the best times to be in
Paris. For one thing, it's nearing the Paris 2024 Olympics so energy here is at an all-time high. The city is preparing for one of the biggest events they'll host in a long time, but at the same time, they're not so busy yet that things are already hectic. Overall, the French capital will remain calm but lively next month, as well as eventful! Apart from Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen performing here live, there's also Labor Day, Mother's Day, Le Châtelet Jazz Festival, and the French Bread Festival to look forward to.
International Artists Live in Paris
Paris has an impressive slate of global artists performing live this May 2024. The first is Taylor Swift, who will take her much-beloved “Eras” tour to the famous La Defense Arena near the
Paris Suburbs. The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter will take to the stage from May 9 to 12, 2024. After here will be Bruce Springsteen, who will also perform at the same arena. “The Boss” will perform at La Defense Arena on May 13 and 15, 2024. And in Paris's other popular concert venue, Accor Arena, English rock icon Eric Clapton will take to the stage from May 26 to 27, 2024.
Fête du Travail (May 1)
The liveliness in Paris this May 2024 will start as early as the first day of the month. Much like the rest of the world, the French capital will celebrate Labor Day, or
Fête du Travail, on May 1st. On this day, many of the city's workers get to enjoy some free time. Expect Parisians to go out and eat at popular restaurants, visit museums, play in the parks, and more. Some would even escape to the
French Riviera or nearby provinces just to take a break from the bustling metropolis.
Saint Germain des Prés Jazz Festival (May 10 to 17)
May 2024 might just be the most musical month in Paris. Apart from the handful of international artists who will perform live in the best concert venues, the city will also host a couple of jazz festivals. The first one will be in the beloved
Saint Germain des Prés district. From May 10 to 17, 2024, the popular Parisian neighborhood will liven up with all sorts of jazz performances. Clubs, cafes, bars, and more will feature many of the city's best musicians to perform live, as well as discuss the genre and its legacy in several conferences, forums, and exhibitions.
Fête du Pain (May 13 to 21)
Parisians love the
baguette more than the rest of the world probably knows. They've even made a whole festival about it—Fête du Pain—and it's usually celebrated every May. Set on the plaza in front of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, many of the city's bakers will gather and to sell and showcase their most delicious works. If you want to try an authentic French baguette in Paris, going here is your best bet. Though bread is the main star of the show, the festival actually commemorates Saint-Honoré, the patron saint of bakers, flour merchants, and the like.
La Nuit des Musées (May 18)
Tourists will want to be in Paris this May 18, 2024. Why? Because this is the day the city will host its annual “La Nuit des Musées,” or the Night at The Museums. Year after year, the French capital lets its most beloved galleries stay open much later in the night and invite people for free. If you want to see some of the most iconic artworks without paying a single dime, going to Paris during La Nuit des Musées is the way to go. This is the only time that the
best art museums in Paris will let you go in free of charge! What are you waiting for?
Le Châtelet Jazz Festival 2024 (May 22 to 27)
The second annual Le Châtelet Jazz Festival is the second jazz festival Paris will host this May 2024. Set in The Théâtre du Châteleton on Rue Edouard Colonne in the
1st arrondissement, this is another must-see for any jazz fan in the French capital at that time. This is the grander display of the genre than the more famous Saint Germain des Prés Jazz Festival that will happen earlier in the month. An eclectic group of jazz musicians are set to take to the stage in historic theater and will present different takes and variations of the genre.
Mother's Day (May 26)
Mother's Day is another of the many highly anticipated
holidays in France. The French are as appreciative of their mothers as the Spanish and the Italians are, so Mother's Day is often a big deal in the country. Especially in the capital city! You'll find that celebrating Mother's Day in Paris is a lot more exciting than you realize. You can take her to the city's best restaurants, the most charming cafes, visit museums together, stroll through its beautiful parks, and more. The holiday is set for May 26 since the French usually celebrate it on the last Sunday of May.
Spring Street Festival (May 27 to 28)
To end the month with a bang, Paris will host its annual Spring Street Festival from May 27 to 28, 2024. Spanning a variety of
arrondissements of Paris, the city will present artists, performers, and more to showcase their many talents for all the world to see. Creatives will craft their underground artworks out in public while musicians & dancers will display their talents on the street. This is the best time to see the French capital's true, contemporary creative spirit, a fair distance away from the more established industries.
You'd be pleasantly surprised at how eventful Paris will be this May 2024. From global artists performing here live to various jazz festivals throughout the city, the French capital is where it's at next month!
