What’s On in Paris – September 2026

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

Through September 4
The annual open-air summer concerts in the Bois de Vincennes’s Parc Floral include the free Paris Jazz Festival (with French and international jazz concerts) and the free Classique au Vert featuring up-and-coming classical music ensembles and orchestras. Even though concerts are free, entry to the park is €2.70 (free for kids under 7). Practical info on how to get there here.

September 4-6
Les Traversées du Marais returns for its 12th edition, transforming the district into a three-day cultural festival under the theme Dialogue(s). Five galleries and 27 cultural institutions—including the Hôtel de Sully, Archives Nationales, Musée Picasso, Musée Carnavalet, Maison de Victor Hugo, Institut Suédois, Carreau du Temple, and many others—will host free performances, concerts, workshops, exhibitions, readings, film screenings, and guided tours. Highlights include music by the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation at the Institut Suédois, a dance battle at the Picasso Museum, evening short film screenings at the International City of Arts, and an electro dance performance by Mexican dancer Roman Vargas at the Mexican Cultural Institute. Most events are free, though some museum activities are ticketed.

First Sunday – September 5
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.

September 5-6
The Musée de la Grande Guerre in Meaux (about an hour east of Paris) will host its 14th annual World War I historical reenactment this weekend, with nearly 300 civilian and military reenactors. The program includes period camps, demonstrations, cavalry displays, historic vehicles, the Saint-Chamond tank, and two parades through Meaux. Tickets also include access to the museum’s permanent collection and the “Couleurs de guerre” exhibition; admission costs €5 for one day or €8 for two days in advance, with free entry for children under 12.Worth the trek!

Through September 6
The Picasso Museum ‘s newest exposition is The Metamorphoses of Guernica, a 15-minute virtual reality experience exploring the creation and legacy of Guernica by Pablo Picasso. This immersive journey moves from the 1937 Paris International Exposition and the bombing of Gernika to Picasso’s studio and the painting’s later travels to Madrid, narrated through the voices of Juan Larrea and Dora Maar. Designed as both a sensory and historical experience, it offers a new way to understand one of the 20th century’s defining anti-war works. Tickets €7, in the museum auditorium during opening hours (Tue–Sun 10am–6pm).

September 8-13
Parcours des Mondes returns to the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district for its 25th edition. This is the most prestigious international fair dedicated to the arts of Africa, Oceania, Asia, the Americas, and archaeology, bringing together enthusiasts, dealers, collectors, researchers, and curators. Over 60 galleries along Rue Mazarine, Rue de Seine, Rue Bonaparte and side streets will present their works from 11am-7pm, with extended hours until 9pm on September 8th. Free entry. 

September 9, 12-13
The theme of the 4th Fête de Paris, a celebration of the city’s long and illustrious history, is “1876, le Boulevard du Crime” celebrating the lively theatre scene of the time. It begins on September 9th with the Bal de Josephine Baker, a costume ball with live music, dance, and a buffet at the Town Hall of the 6^th arrondissement (tickets €70). On Saturday and Sunday, the Jardin des Grands Explorateurs (the small park immediately south of Jardin du Luxembourg) transforms into a festival village with artisans, food stalls, and continuous performances including medieval combat, swing lessons, jazz, puppet theatre, and street shows. A giant guinguette with live accordion, dancing, and communal tables runs into the evening. The highlight is the grand historic parade Sunday at 2pm, when more than a thousand participants in costume will march from the Panthéon to the Luxembourg Gardens, presenting 15 centuries of Parisian history in living tableaux. Entry to the parade and village is free. Open 11am until midnight on Saturday, until 8pm on Sunday. Note that the website still hasn’t been completely updated for 2026, but the tickets can be reserved here: https://www.helloasso.com/associations/paris-genevieve/evenements/la-fete-de-paris-2026

September 10
Le Food Market, a monthly open-air food market in Belleville along the boulevard between metros Ménilmontant et Couronnes, is celebrating its 100th event this month. Unlike most food markets, this one isn’t for purchasing ingredients to take home and cook up, but is a market of food stands with chefs from local restaurants. For this 100th edition, they’re featuring new restaurants, returning favorites, recipes created especially for the occasion, music, surprises, and the same great energy. There are seating areas to sit and enjoy your food or you can order to go. From 6-10:30pm

Through September 10
Every Thursday evening, enjoy free Summer Nocturnes at the Palais de Tokyo (13 avenue du Président Wilson, 16th arrondissement) from 7pm to midnight. Access all exhibitions for free, including the Normes Corps season, whose exhibitions – by Jesse Darling, Cathy de Monchaux, Benoît Piéron, Lassana Sarre, Pauline Curnier Jardin, Joseph Grigely, Cheryl Marie Wade and Neïla Czermak Ichti – reflect on the question of the “norm”.

September 10-13
The Village International de la Gastronomie takes over the Place de la Concordefor its 10th edition, celebrating the cuisines of 73 countries and French regions. Each day from 10am to 10pm, visitors can enjoy tastings, cooking demonstrations, and cultural performances. Italy is this year’s guest of honor, celebrating the exclusive twinning of Paris and Rome, with Chef Alain Ducasse as the official sponsor. Over 400 chefs are expected to participate, with an average of 42,000 visitors each year. Tickets €7 per day (free for children under 12).

September 10-19
Paris Design Week is a citywide design festival where designers, galleries, museums, department stores and historic buildings across the capital host exhibitions, installations and special events. For visitors, it offers a chance to see high end contemporary furniture, interiors, crafts and art installations in settings ranging from the Grand Palais and Hôtel de la Marine to the Musée Bourdelle and Place de la Bastille, making it easy to combine with regular sightseeing. The program spans several neighborhoods organized in nine “promenades”, with a particular focus this year on collectible design, craftsmanship, emerging creators and international design scenes. Most are free, but a few require tickets, see the full program here: https://www.maison-objet.com/en/paris-design-week/promenades-pdw

September 11-20
Village de Cirque #22 brings a vibrant festival of contemporary circus to the Pelouse de Reuilly (12th arrondissement). It presents 10 circus works across four tents, a yurt, outdoor spaces and a caravan, with 35 performances plus workshops, food and a bar. The program mixes paid shows with free outdoor performances, including acrobatics, clown acts, workshops, and live shows by top international circus troupes. Tickets €12-€20.

September 12-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.

September 13
The 25th edition of the Lavage de la Madeleine brings Brazil to the heart of Paris with its traditional parade and ceremonial washing of the church steps. The festivities begin at 11am with a colorful procession for peace, setting off from Place de la République and filling the streets with dancers, drummers, and Brazilian music before arriving at Place de la Madeleine. At 2pm, the symbolic washing of the Madeleine’s steps will be performed by Bahian women in white, a ritual of purification and celebration that has become a Parisian tradition since 2002.