What’s On in Paris – October 2026

Secrets of Paris Community Member Exclusive: Check Out the Full List of Temporary Museum Expositions in Paris

October 2-4
Artists across France open their studios to the public this weekend for the Journées Nationales des Artistes, a free celebration of the visual and graphic arts. Expect open ateliers, exhibitions, guided visits, and performances. The interactive map on the event website helps you find participating artists near you, but be warned it’s only in French. It’s a chance to meet artists in the spaces where they work. Bonus for Members: learn about other artist open houses taking place in and around Paris this fall in my updated article“Portes Ouvertes: Visiting Artist Studios in Paris“.

October 3-November 8
The Jour des Morts (aka Dia de los Muertos, aka Day of the Dead, aka Toussaint in France) is officially November 1st, but there are events all over Paris in the week leading up to it, from celebratory altars and music concerts to parades and “catrinas” contests, including special decorations and events for kids at the Jardin d’Acclimatation (which starts October 3rd). The closing parade is on the Esplanade at Trocadéro on November 1st, 7pm.

First Sunday – October 4
For this first Sunday of the month, many Paris museums and monuments are open free to the public, including the Musée du Quai Branly, Musée d’Orsay, Arts-et-Métiers, La Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, Musée Guimet, Musée Picasso, Cluny Museum, gardens of the Musée Albert Kahn, Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, La Monnaie de Paris, and l’Orangerie. But be forewarned: reservations are a must. Three chateaux don’t require reservations: Château de Fontainebleau, Château de Malmaison, and Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

October 4
The 7th annual Paris Sausage Walk of dachshunds takes place on the Champs-Elysées today from 11am-1pm, looping between the Arc de Triomphe and the Rond Point des Champs-Elysées. The event is free and open to everyone, with or without a dachshund, organized by the non-profit charity for abandoned dachshunds, Teckels Sans Doux Foyer, who will have some info stands set up near the Arc de Triomphe starting at 10am. Note the Avenue des Champs-Elysées is closed to traffic until 6pm for the usual “Paris Breathes” when the street is reserved for pedestrians and cyclists the first Sunday of the month.

Through – October 4
Escape to a little island on the edge of Paris for the Foire de Chatou antique market. Formerly known as the Foire Nationale à la Brocante et aux Jambons (Ham and Flea Market), this popular twice-annual market has a mix of over 800 stands selling antiques and bric-a-brac, with an entire section dedicated to regional French foods, particularly pork in all its varieties. The Ile de Chatou, just north of Paris, also known as the Impressionists Island, is accessible via RER A from Charles-des-Gaulle-Etoile station in Paris, then either walk five minutes or take the free shuttle. Open 10am-7pm, entry €10 (free for kids under 15).

October 7-11
Head up to Montmartre for the 93rd annual Fête des Vendanges, the wine harvest festival (yes, there is an actual little vineyard in Montmartre, just behind the Musée Montmartre and across from the Lapin Agile Cabaret). This year’s theme is “The 18th Sets the Rhythm”. This edition “celebrates music and its role in connecting generations, cultures and communities across the 18th arrondissement. Over five days, the festival brings together concerts, performances, talks, activities and culinary events, showcasing both popular and contemporary music. The programme takes place across the arrondissement, from streets and cafés to concert venues and neighbourhood spaces.” There will be grape stomping, food and wine tastings, a parade (on the 10th), live music, a dance party, and all kinds of fun throughout the “Butte“. Many events are free, some you have to reserve a spot, so get to the website or stop by the little Montmartre Tourism Office at 21 Place du Tertre (18th).

October 8
Inspirelle is hosting an evening at the American Church in Paris for women looking for support dealing with a divorce or a marriage in crisis, “Taking Back Control: Divorce and Other Midlife Changes“. Life coach Emmanuelle Beaufort helps you make sense of what you’re going through, while Barbara Diggs, a certified divorce coach and former attorney who has lived in Paris since 2001, shares practical steps for moving through separation in France with more confidence. Whether you’re weighing a decision, in the thick of it, or rebuilding afterward, you’ll find a supportive, come-as-you-are space with drinks and light snacks (tickets €30).

October 9-11
One of the biggest flower shows of the season, Les Journées des Plantes de Chantilly is taking place at the Château de Chantilly, just 30 minutes north of Paris by RER/TER. Over 200 exhibitors in a stunning setting with pretty flowers and plants, with a “bulb-o-mania” theme. Tickets online in advance: €14 (show plus château gardens), €18 (show plus château, gardens, stables) or €27 (show plus roundtrip TER train tickets from Paris). Getting to Chantilly by train isn’t hard, but it isn’t obvious, either. Read my tips here.

Through October 11
The Fête à Neuneu is a funfair in the Bois de Boulogne (Porte de La Muette, Metro 9 station Rue de la Pompe) with all of the usual carnival rides, Ferris wheel, games, and food stands. Musical parade every Saturday and Sunday at 4pm. Free entry, rides €2-€7. Open Mon, Tues, Thurs 4pm-midnight, Wed 2pm-midnight, Fri 2pm-1am, Sat noon-1am, Sun noon-midnight.

October 12-17
The second annual Pizza Week Paris, organized by the influential 50 Top Pizza guide, includes 19 pizzerias around the city (and a few in the suburbs) hosting special events all week. Expect guest pizzaiolos from Naples, Rome and beyond teaming up with local kitchens for collaboration dinners, wine pairings, live music, and limited-edition pizzas, with highlights including Gabriele Bonci of Pizzarium at La Manifattura on the 16th and a Festa del Vino at Eataly Marais on the 15th. Most events are tied to specific dates and venues, so check the full program before you go.

October 15-18
As part of the Journées Nationales de l’Architecture, Paris will host several activities, including tours of the historic Cité Falguière artist ateliers and the Atelier-musée Chana Orloff at Villa Seurat. Many architectural agencies will open their doors across Paris. More details: journeesarchitecture.fr.

October 16 – 31
The Parc André Citroën (entry at 56 rue Balard, 15th) transforms into Le Parc de l’Étrange, a 1.3-kilometre Halloween adventure of spooky lights, immersive sets, actors, and special effects. Wander through 13 themed zones—from the Valley of Lanterns to the Temple of the Damned—and stay for nightly fireworks. The “Soirées d’Enfer” on October 30 and 31 extend until midnight with extra shows and pyrotechnics. Family-friendly (which is rare for Halloween events in France!). Open nightly from 5:45pm until 11pm (until midnight on the 30th and 31st). Reservations recommended, tickets €24.90 (€19.90 for students, free for kids under 3).

Through October 17
Céline Dion has 16 concert dates in Paris (well, the suburbs of Paris) over two months. Tickets sold out instantly a long time ago, this is just a heads up because “Céline spotting” will be a thing; expect huge crowds of fans wherever she roams.

October 28– November 1
Stuff yourself with all kinds of chocolately goodies and monumental chocolate sculptures at the 31st annual Salon du Chocolat, at the Paris-Expo – Porte de Versailles (metro line 12), 10am-7pm. Entrance €16 (€20 on weekends, €30 for opening night), discounts for families and “end of night” tickets. You can get advance tickets online or ask at your favorite chocolate shop if they have any extra invitations. Avoid the weekend unless you’re a masochist!

October 29 – November 1
The 31st annual Salon International du Patrimoine Culturel returns to the Carrousel du Louvre, this year celebrating “Heritage in the Spotlight”. Organized by Ateliers d’Art de France, the fair gathers more than 300 exhibitors from France and abroad—cabinetmakers, glassmakers, stonemasons, restorers, designers, schools, and start-ups—showcasing the diversity of heritage professions and savoir-faire. Visitors can attend live demonstrations, talks, and workshops, including a spotlight on new talents. Tickets: €17/day (€35 four-day pass; discounts available online before Oct 23).