As I mentioned in previous years, staying in Paris during the summer isn’t necessarily a punishment, as long as you know how to enjoy it, because there is an abundance of free events during this summer period.
Starting in June, various free Parisian festivals began to take over the capital, with some running until early October.
So, I’m picking up my idea to create a short guide to the free events and festivals you can discover this summer in the capital. Whether under the occasional pouring rain or sweltering heat, I’m sure that won’t stop you!
Anyway, I’m going to split this article into 2 parts; this first part will focus on music festivals, and the 2nd one will cover all the other remaining festivals, shows, and activities.
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The Paris Jazz Festival
The Paris Jazz Festival, now in its 25th year, will be held as always at the Parc Floral in the Paris Botanical Garden from June 30th to July 22nd, 2018.
On the program: concerts in a green setting, during the day every Saturday and Sunday in June and July; an opening under the banner of the France-Israel Season, concerts dedicated to the “blue note,” a weekend to the rhythm of big bands, and closing with performances by Armel Dupas and Ikui Doki, followed the next day by a unique marathon concert featuring the finest in French jazz, led by saxophonist Émile Parisien!
The Insider Tip: The concerts are free; only the park entrance fee (from €1.50 to €2.50) applies, which is still a great deal.
Paris Jazz Festival
Parc Floral – 75012 Paris
Park opening hours: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM
June 30th to July 22nd, 2018
Concerts at 4:00 PM
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La Plage du Glazart
Like every year, Glazart pours 50 tons of sand to set up its beach at Porte de la Villette, from June 7th until September 29th, 2018, with a Mediterranean vibe.
On the program: deckchairs, food trucks, free concerts every Wednesday for discoveries, showcases, techno/house days, after-work events with DJs, foosball & pétanque on the (rare!) days without concerts, Thursday nights with free clubbing, open-air clubs from Thursday to Saturday, and activities of all kinds.
A little new feature from recent years at LaPlage:
a portion is covered to compensate for any weather quirks (we wonder why? The weather is definitely not quirky at all)…
The Glazart
June 7th to September 29th, 2018
7-15 Avenue de la Porte de la Villette, 75019 Paris
Metro Porte de la Villette
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Mona Darlin’ at the Mona Bismarck American Center
Once again this year, the Mona Bismarck American Center (the American cultural center) is transforming into a summer house for all Parisians with a series of events and free concerts in its spaces or in its garden!
On the program: around thirty electro-acoustic and electronic live shows, dance performances, and DJ sets: from electro music to current African-American music and independent rock…
From May 4th to September 30th, 2018
Free
Reservation recommended: rsvp@monabismarck.org
Mona Bismarck American Center
34 Avenue de New York, 75116 Paris
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Bercy Village
From June 28th to August 30th, 2018, Bercy Village will offer 100% free concerts every Thursday of the summer through the Musiques en Terrasse festival, as well as theater, dance, and circus performances as part of the Paris L’été Festival.
This year, Bercy Village is partnering with Allo Floride and its exclusive line-up that weaves between pop, folk, soul, and electro.
Bercy Village Musiques en Terrasse Festival
every Thursday from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM from June 28th to August 30th, 2018
Bercy Village Stage, Cour Saint-Emilion, opposite the FNAC
The Opéra côté Cour festival, an open-air opera festival that is completely free, returns for its 7th edition to Bercy Village, every Sunday in September 2018, in the heart of the Cour Saint-Emilion.
Once again this year, the menu will be substantial and full of wonderful musical surprises.
approx. 40 minutes long, two performances at 3:30 PM and 5:00 PM
Bercy Village Stage, Cour Saint-Emilion
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The FNAC Live Paris Festival
The Fnac Live festival is returning for an 8th edition on the forecourt of the Paris City Hall for 3 evenings of free concerts with 28 concerts from July 5th to 7th, 2018.
Parallel to the Forecourt Stage, for the sixth consecutive year, Fnac Live will present more intimate concerts each evening, held in the exceptional setting of the City Hall Salons.
On the program for this event, a beautiful lineup that illustrates the diversity of musical genres including Vitalic, Gaël Faye, Petit Biscuit, Feder, Angus & Julia Stone, Asaf Avidan, Ibeyi, Dominique A, Sting & Shaggy, Françoise Fabian, Eddy de Pretto and L’Impératrice...
Forecourt of the City Hall 75004 Paris
July 5th to 7th, 2018
Metro Hôtel de Ville
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Classique au vert
The Classique au vert festival will take place at the Parc Floral every weekend from August 11th to September 2nd, 2018 with 8 open-air concerts.
On the program, classical music with a very beautiful schedule, just like every year.
Parc Floral – Paris Botanical Garden
from August 11th to September 2nd, 2018
Free admission after paying the park entrance fee (from €3 to €6)
Metro Château de Vincennes
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L’Estival in Saint-Germain-en-Laye
The new program for the Estival of Saint-Germain-en-Laye which will be held from September 21st to October 6th, 2018.
For over two weeks, the festival will host numerous artists, and since its creation in 1988, L’Estival has given top priority to young up-and-coming artists, who will share the bill with the great names of the French stage.
On the bill for this 31st edition will be Christophe, Nolwenn Leroy who will present her new album “Gemme” on the occasion of the festival, and finally, Bénabar who already won over the Saint-Germanois public in 2002, returns with his latest opus “Le début de la suite”. Among the many highlights of the festival, Catherine Lara and Laurent Voulzy will also perform, revisiting songs from their repertoire.
From September 21st to October 6th, 2018
Saint-Germain-en-Laye
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