Paris in May 2025: What to Expect

Believe me when I say that you'll want to be in Paris this May 2025. Not only is spring in full swing by this time, but the city is chock-full of exciting events you wouldn't want to miss! For starters, there are famous holidays like Labour Day and Mother's Day, which aren't always the biggest events but are nonetheless fun. The Saint-Germain-des-Prés Jazz Festival is always a good time, too, whether you're a fan of the genre or not. And if you're a huge bread fan like me, you'll never want to miss Fête du Pain, be it this year or any other year!

Celebrate Labor Day in Paris

It's worth noting that Labor Day in Paris is on May 1st, the same as the rest of the world. There really isn't anything out of the ordinary that happens in the city during the holiday, but it's still worth mentioning. Paris is a massive metropolis with lots of workers and employees, after all, so the holiday that celebrates them is not to be overlooked. If you plan to step out on May 1, 2025, you can also expect many people out and about.

When: May 1, 2025

Observe The Very Unique May Day in France

Those who aren't French might not know that the country also celebrates May Day on May 1st. It's not exactly an official public holiday, but there is a unique tradition behind it. It was said that King Charles IX of France received a lily of the valley on May 1st and liked it so much that he made it a practice to give said flower to all the court ladies on this day. Hence, even to this day, Parisians also give this flower to women every May 1st.

When: May 1, 2025

Don't Miss Fête du Pain

If there's a time when you should check out the iconic Notre Dame in the 4th arrondissement, especially since it has reopened after years of reconstruction, it's this May. I certainly will be there and do you know why? Fête du Pain! Paris's annual bread festival—yes, you read that right! Paris has an annual bread festival!—is held on the public square in front of Notre Dame every May. This year, the event will take place from May 8 to 18, 2025. And yes, it's exactly as it sounds! It's an entire oasis of baguettes, sandwiches, pastries, and more.

Where: Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul II

When: May 8 to 18, 2025

Dance at The Saint-Germain-des-Prés Jazz Festival

Saint-Germain-des-Prés is one of the best neighborhoods in Paris, and it will get even better this May 2025! The beloved district will host its annual Saint-Germain-des-Prés Jazz Festival from May 13 to 20, 2025. True to its name, it's a week-long jazz extravaganza, complete with small concerts, parties, shows, and more. It's held throughout jazz clubs, music halls, theaters, and more throughout the neighborhood, so you can't miss it even if you tried! I often attend many of the festival's events every year, and it's always a good time!

Where: Saint-Germain-des-Prés

When: May 13 to 20, 2025

Catch La Nuit des Musées This Year

What I'm especially looking forward to in Paris this May 2025 is La Nuit des Musées, which will be on May 17, 2025. This is the one time of the year when the best museums and art galleries in Paris stay open later at night. The Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Centre Pompidou, Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris—you can visit all of these amazing places after dark! And the best part? Most of them will also be free! It's not exactly that expensive to get tickets to many of these museums, but it's still a bit more fun to go without paying anything!

When: May 17, 2025

Watch The Paris Saint-Germain vs Auxerre Game

Football fans rejoice! The Paris Saint-Germain vs Auxerre Game will happen on May 18, 2025, at Parc des Princes in the 16th arrondissement. I admit I'm not exactly a huge sports fan, so I'm not sure how big of a deal it is, but I know that this is still worth mentioning. The French, especially Parisians, love football, so I'm sure this stadium will be packed on game day. I hope you guys have a good time when you watch the game!

Where: Parc des Princes, 24 Rue du Commandant Guilbaud, 75016 Paris, France

When: May 18, 2025

Enjoy The Paris Beer Festival

I know we Parisians stereotypically love wine and champagne, but we love beer too, so much so that we have an annual festival for it! The Paris Beer Festival will happen from May 19 to 25, 2025, in various parts of the city. It's exactly what it sounds like: bars and pubs with free-flowing beers, bites, and a whole lotta good times! I'm always in Paris for this because I love beer! Thank God I have a high tolerance for alcohol because I always down it during this time of year.

When: May 19 to 25, 2025

Visit Belleville Artists' Open Studios

Belleville deserves more recognition as an amazing neighborhood in Paris. I think it's because it's all the way in the 20th arrondissement that people usually overlook it. Most of the action is right at the center of the city, namely the 1st, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 18th arrondissements. Belleville, however, is a beautiful place where many artists live. And this May 2025, you can check out their awesome ateliers and find out what they've been working on. It's a pretty cool event, and I go there every year!

Where: Belleville, 20th Arrondissement

When: May 23 to 26, 2025

See Printemps des Rues Throughout Paris

If you haven't had enough art yet, you can check out Printemps des Rues (Spring Street Festival) in Paris this May 24 to 25, 2025. True to its name, the entire festival will feature street art, performers, and all sorts of other exhibitions throughout different parts of the city. The main center of it will be the areas near Canal Saint-Martin in the 10th arrondissement, but some artists and performers will usually venture a little bit beyond.

When: May 24 to 25, 2025

Take Your Mom Out on Mother's Day

Of course, we can't forget about Mother's Day! This is practically what May is known for! Every year, the world reserves a special Sunday to celebrate mothers everywhere. While other countries hold theirs on the second Sunday of May, France usually holds it on the last Sunday. So this year, Mother's Day in Paris will be on May 25, 2025. It's not necessarily an official holiday where places are closed and such, but the city will be busy just the same!

When: May 25, 2025



From many holidays to fun festivals and even a highly anticipated football game, there’s a lot in store in Paris this May 2025! You’ll want to be in the city at this time of year because the city doesn’t always get to be this lively!