Paris festivals. Part 2

Paris, the multicultural city

Throughout the year the Paris festivals and parties multiply around the city and a combination of art takes over the most unthought-of places in magnificent scenes of great atmosphere, whether it may be in the quays of Seine, the courtyards of outrageous hotels in Paris, in the woods or meadows; in parks, gardens or streets; or even museums transformed during a concert or presentation; Paris is filled with life and fun all year long. Be it in the Party of the Music, Paris Plage, Gay Pride, or the Techno parade, you’re in for an unforgettable experience.

As fall invades the city the rhythm of the party doesn’t slow down; instead, it welcomes the golden lights of the skies to make it partake in The White Night, Heritage Days, Paris Garden Parties, The Fall festival and many more.

International Festivals

As a multicultural city Paris also celebrates the Chinese New Year, the Ganesh Indian Party, or the amusing Ramadan Belles Nuits. With all the activities that take place in this city there’s always something to do and a place to be-in in Paris. It takes only a look in the Binnual Calendar of Events made by the tourist office to know where to go and when, just checking the lists of events in magazines like the Paris tourist guide, or the flyers and posters indicating the “open-doors” weeks that plenty Paris blocks have, in which many artists’ studios and festivals are available for free.

Here’s a list of the most popular festivals in Paris.

January

• La Grand Parade – January first
• La Fête des Rois or “The Epiphany” – First week of January.

February

• The Chinese New Year – in the 13th block or “arrondissement”.

March

• The Festival Exit of contemporary art and theater.
• The Street Springs of “Printemps des Rues” – end of March.
• The Blues District or “Banlieues Bleus,” an international jazz festival in the towns of Seine-Saint-Denis.
• Women’s Film Festival or “Festival de Films des Femmes.”
• Paris Film Festival “Festival du Film de Paris” with the best of film history
• Paris Fair “Foire de Paris” of Food and Wine.

April

• The Paris Marathon – A road race tournament. 
• The Throne Fair or “Foire du Trone.”
• April fool’s day or “Poisson d’Avril.”

May

• Festivities around the Bastille in “Fête du Travail” – May first.
• The Jazz festival in the Parc Floral.

June

• The “Festival Agora” of contemporary dance, theatre and music organized by the Pompidou Centre
• The “Festival de St-Denis” of Classical music concerts in the basilica.
• The Music Party or “Fête de la Musique” – June 21.
• The Saint John Party or “Feux de la Saint-Jean” in the Parc de la Villette.
• The Gay Pride Parade – on June 24.
• The St-Germain Fair or “Foire St-Germain” of exhibitions of poetry and music concerts.
• The “Villete Jazz Festival” in the park and Grande Halle at la Villette.
• The Chopin Festival of Piano concerts in the Orangerie de Bagatelle.
• The “Tour de la France Cyclistes” – the most difficult tournament for cycling professionals. It ends three or four weeks later in the Avenue des champs-Élysées.
• “The Golden Drop Party or “La Goutte d’Or en Fête” – a rap and reggae music festival on the first week of July.
• The Bastille Day – on July 14, commemorating the storming of the Bastille with bands and dance. 
• The Paris Summer Quarter or “Paris Quartier d’Été” of Dance, cinema and theater events.

September

• The “Fête de l’Humanité” with Music, food and drink from different places at a cheap price.
• The Heritage Days or “Journées du Patrimoine”, in which people visit important buildings like the Palais de l’Élysée, embassies and ministries that are not usually open to visitors.
• The Techno Parade – from  the Place de la République to Pelouse de Reuilly
• The Fall Festival or “Festival d’Automne” of theatre and music with visitors and participants from America, Japan and Europe.

October

• The “Nouveau Festival International de Danse de Paris” in the Théâtre du Châtelet.
• The “Nuit Blanche” – A night of music, video and contemporary creations.
• The Grape Harvest Party  or “Fête des Vendanges” – a wine festival in the Montmartre vineyard, on the first or second Saturday of October.
• The International Fair of Contemporary Art or FIAC for “Foire Internationale d’Art Contemporain” in the Porte de Versailles.

November

• All Saints’ Day – November first, when the living honor their dead.
• The FNAC Inrockuptible Festival known as “Festival FNAC-Inrockuptibles” – A rock festival featuring new names in venues across town.
• Champs-Élysées Christmas Lights or “Lancement des Illuminations des Champs-Élysées.” 
• The New Wine Party or “Fête du Beaujolais Nouveau” – on the third Thursday of the month.
• Mois de la Photo – All month there are photography exhibitions around town organized by the Maison Européenne de la Photographie.

December

• New Years Eve or “Le Nouvel An” – December 31 in the Champs-Élysées and the Parc de la Villette.