Paris Summer Music Festivals 2018

Experiencing the City of Lights in the Summer as a music lover and concert-goer

So it's finally summer in Paris! The rainy season, and even the snow, have left for good. Or at least for now. It's time to have those outdoor picnics in the beautiful gardens, walk the streets with your friends, and go to a fun music festival or concert, or both! Feel right where you're supposed to be, enjoying the sounds of familiar songs or discovering exciting new rhythms surrounded by people of all walks of life. Music is, after all, a universal feature of the human experience. Paris does not disappoint, one can find a musical festival for every taste right here in the City of Lights, from a relaxed stroll through the streets while jazz wafts through the air, to a night of rock and roll. June, July, and August in Paris are big months for music lovers and all those looking to appreciate a good tune and a unique bit of French culture. All that's left is to get a couple of friends together, because these will definitely make it on to everyone's summer things to do in Paris list.

Paris Jazz Festival

When: June – July 2018
Where: Parc Floral de Paris

The Paris Jazz Festival will celebrate its 25th year of joining music lovers and the effects of French culture together. Each of the 7 weekends of this festival aim to spotlight a certain geographic region and connect it to the impact that French culture in the area. Past festivals have featured jazz from Switzerland, Brussels, Spain, Africa, Afro-Cuba, and many more! Since every weekend is different, each experience is all its own. Be sure not to miss out on this opportunity, as the concerts are free and entrance fees only cost 2,5 € full price, with discounts for young adults under 25, and free for children under 7! Get the whole family in for this wonderful event, there is sure to be something for everyone.

Fête de la Musique

When: June 21, 2018
Where: all over Paris

All over Paris, international participants gather for a city-wide celebration of music. Held every year for the past 36 years on the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, is kicked off all over the world with this international music festival. All types of musicians, amateur and professional alike, are invited to share their music in each of the arrondissements in Paris. Any and all genres are meant to be celebrated here in order to help expose all types of people to the different musical expressions of the world. Throughout the day on June 21, the city comes alive and songs of all variety are heard wafting through the streets of Paris.The free concerts are held everywhere, from the sidewalks, train stations, public gardens, and other public spaces. These concerts are much less demanding in terms of planning, as audiences are most likely to run into musicians while just passing through. Take a walk through Paris and see how the City of Lights is lit up with music, and experience the Summer Solstice mingling with the locals. A truly unique experience for anyone visiting Paris, if you are in the City of Lights for this unique evening, you’re in for a truly unique Parisian experience.

Solidays

When: June 22-24, 2018
Where: Hippodrome de Longchamp

The Fète de la Musique will this year kick off the next annual music festival on our list, Solidays. Organized by Solidarité Sida, a French AIDS awareness group for the youth, Solidays is an annual festival and solidarity event. The proceeds from this festival are donated to different associations for the fight against AIDS, and especially focused in Africa. Performers for Solidays accept reduced payment and some even perform for free to show their support for the cause. Here, people gather together to enjoy the music and each other's company, and to educate themselves on prevention and the stigmas of AIDS. French and international artists gather every year for this annual event. This is definitely a festival you can feel good about going to, and will probably leave having not only enjoyed yourself, but learn something as well!

Lollapalooza Paris

When: July 21-22, 2018
Where: Hippodrome de Longchamp

Lollapalooza has for years featured popular hip-hop, alternative rock, punk rock, electronic music, and heavy metal, bands from all different global locations. For the first time, Paris joined the global Lollapalooza family last year in 2017, featuring headliners like The Weekend, Imagine Dragons, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. LollaParis 2018 will also feature Lolla Chef, where French gastronomy is highlighted through chefs personally chosen by Jean Imbert, Kidzapalooza, dedicated to family experiences for parents and their children, and Lolla Planète, a space to learn about sustainable development and bring awareness of environmental issues. This second edition of the Paris Lollapalooza event is really putting French culture and priorities center stage, to be able to please everyone.

Rock en Seine

When: August 24-26, 2018
Where: Domaine Nationale Saint Cloud

Rock en Seine is one of France's largest rock shows of the summer. Past artists that have participated include Arctic Monkeys, MGMT, Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead, The White Stripes, Foo Fighters, Portishead, Arcade Fire, Blink 182, and the list goes on. Every year, the festival gets bigger and better, uniting international pop-rock icons and enthusiasts. Rock en Seine also exhibits other types of art and even a youth festival, Le Mini Rock en Seine for children of all ages to enjoy and explore rock culture. End the Paris summer music season with a bang at Rock en Seine.

Still want more music?

Can't find something you like, or worried about the threat of rain? Check out our rainy day activities in Paris list here. Want to keep the tunes rolling, from the comfort of one of the city's hundreds of plush historical playhouses?