With its fascinating culture, delectable food, and lengthy history, France has a 365-day calendar of intriguing and varied celebrations and activities. 2024 looks like a fantastic year for both seasoned travelers and first-time visitors to France who are preparing the ideal vacation, with everything from internationally recognized music events to france evensts france festivals regional food celebrations. This is your comprehensive guide to the French festivals and events in 2024 that you shouldn’t miss.
January
La Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc
- Location: Savoie Mont Blanc region
- Highlight: This is one of the world’s most challenging international dog sled races, attracting mushers from around the globe. The breathtaking landscapes of the French Alps serve as the backdrop for this unique event.
February
Nice Carnival
- Location: Nice, Côte d’Azur
- Highlight: One of the oldest and most famous carnivals in the world, the Nice Carnival is a two-week-long celebration featuring parades, flower battles, and a plethora of events that light up the city with colors and festivity.
March
Paris Book Fair (Salon du Livre)
- Location: Paris
- Highlight: A must-visit for book lovers, the Paris Book Fair is one of the largest international book fairs, attracting publishers, authors, and readers from around the world for signings, discussions, and presentations.
April
Paris Marathon
- Location: Paris
- Highlight: Join thousands of runners from across the globe in one of the most scenic marathons, winding through the heart of Paris and passing iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame.
May
Cannes Film Festival
- Location: Cannes, Côte d’Azur
- Highlight: The glitzy and glamorous Cannes Film Festival is where the world’s film industry elites gather to premiere new films and celebrate cinematic achievements. It’s a prime spot for celebrity sighting and film enthusiasm.
June
Fête de la Musique (Music Day)
- Location: Nationwide
- Highlight: Celebrate the summer solstice with music as cities, towns, and villages across France come alive with free performances spanning all music genres, from classical and jazz to rock and electronic.
July
Tour de France
- Location: Various locations, finishing in Paris
- Highlight: The world’s most famous cycling race covers some 3,500 kilometers over 3 weeks, offering spectators the chance to see elite cyclists compete across the diverse landscapes of France.
Bastille Day
- Location: Nationwide, with spectacular celebrations in Paris
- Highlight: Commemorating the French Revolution, Bastille Day on July 14th is marked by magnificent fireworks, military parades, and parties throughout France.
August
La Fête de la Mirabelle
- Location: Metz, Lorraine
- Highlight: Celebrate the harvest of the Mirabelle plum in Metz with tastings, concerts, parades, and a crowned Mirabelle Queen, showcasing the region’s rich gastronomic heritage.
September
Journées Européennes du Patrimoine (European Heritage Days)
- Location: Nationwide
- Highlight: For one weekend, France opens the doors to thousands of monuments and cultural sites, many of which are normally closed to the public. It’s a unique opportunity to explore France’s rich heritage.
October
Nuit Blanche
- Location: Paris
- Highlight: Experience art in a new light as Paris transforms into an all-night open museum. Art installations, performances, and interactive exhibits take over the city streets, parks, and museums.
November
Beaujolais Nouveau Day
- Location: Nationwide
- Highlight: The third Thursday of November marks the release of Beaujolais Nouveau wine. Wine enthusiasts and novices alike celebrate with tastings and parties in bars, pubs, and wineries across France.
December
Strasbourg Christmas Market
- Location: Strasbourg, Alsace
- Highlight: Experience the magic of Christmas in the “Capital of Christmas.” Strasbourg’s market is one of the oldest and largest in Europe, with hundreds of stalls selling crafts, food, and mulled wine amidst festive decorations.
Arranging your vacation around these celebrations and occasions will enhance your encounter and provide you a better comprehension of French customs and culture. Your trip to France will be nothing less than ideal because each event provides a special opportunity to take in the diversity and beauty of the country.
Ultimate List of France Events & Festivals in 2024
France’s calendar is teeming with festivals and events that showcase its cultural richness, gastronomic prowess, and historical depth. Whether you’re drawn to the arts, sports, or culinary experiences, France in 2024 has something spectacular for everyone. Here’s your ultimate list of events and festivals across France to make your trip unforgettable.
January
- International Kite and Wind Festival (Festival International de Cerf-Volant et du Vent)
- Location: Châtelaillon-Plage
- What to Expect: A visually stunning celebration of kites of all shapes and sizes, alongside wind sports demonstrations.
February
- Menton Lemon Festival (Fête du Citron)
- Location: Menton, Côte d’Azur
- What to Expect: A unique festival celebrating the lemon in all its forms, with magnificent citrus sculptures, parades, and gardens.
March
- Dunkirk Carnival (Carnaval de Dunkerque)
- Location: Dunkirk
- What to Expect: One of the most eccentric and lively carnivals in France, featuring traditional fisherman’s songs, costumes, and the famous umbrella dance.
April
- Paris Roubaix Cycling Race
- Location: Compiègne to Roubaix
- What to Expect: Known as the “Hell of the North,” this one-day professional bicycle road race is famed for its rough terrain and cobblestone sections.
May
- French Open (Roland-Garros)
- Location: Paris
- What to Expect: One of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, held at the Roland Garros Stadium and attracting the world’s top tennis players.
June
- Normandy D-Day Festival
- Location: Normandy
- What to Expect: Commemorating the D-Day landings, this festival features military parades, reenactments, and ceremonies at historic WWII sites.
July
- Avignon Festival (Festival d’Avignon)
- Location: Avignon
- What to Expect: One of the oldest and most famous theater festivals in the world, presenting a variety of performances from traditional theatre to avant-garde dance and art.
August
- Rock en Seine
- Location: Paris
- What to Expect: A three-day rock music festival held in the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud, featuring international and French music acts.
September
- La Braderie de Lille
- Location: Lille
- What to Expect: France’s largest flea market, attracting millions of visitors. A weekend of bargain hunting, moules-frites (mussels and fries), and festive atmosphere.
October
- Montmartre Grape Harvest Festival (Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre)
- Location: Paris
- What to Expect: Celebrating the harvest of Paris’s last vineyard, this festival offers wine tastings, parades, and cultural events in the scenic Montmartre district.
November
- Paris Photo
- Location: Paris
- What to Expect: The premier international art fair dedicated to the photographic medium, held at the historic Grand Palais.
December
- Lyon Festival of Lights (Fête des Lumières)
- Location: Lyon
- What to Expect: A magical light festival where the city turns into an open-air canvas for light installations, projections, and performances.
This lineup of events and festivals offers just a glimpse into France’s diverse and vibrant cultural scene. Each event not only celebrates French tradition and innovation but also invites visitors from around the globe to partake in unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re planning a trip around a specific festival or hoping to stumble upon a jobs local celebration, France in 2024 will surely captivate your heart and senses.
