Cinema, concerts, shows: the best back-to-school festivals in Paris and the Île-de-France region

If you're looking for the bestmusic, film or street festivals in and around Paris this September 2023, you've come to the right place! We take a look at the major events, free outings and good deals to try out to make the most of this autumn in the Paris region, so that you can digest the end of your vacations in style!

September promises to be another fine month, after a summer of mixed fortunes. Throughout the Paris region, you'll be able to extend the fun of the summer months for a few more days, with concerts, open-air cinema screenings, fun sports activities and even video games! There's something for everyone, from young professionals to families. Discover our selection of the best September festivals to keep the fun going!

• To be read
• Fêtes des Plantes, marchés et Jardins in Paris and Ile-de-France 2024
• In less than 100 days, Paris will unite the world! A historic chapter, to be written together

September's hot festivals

The Cour Jardin, the Plaza Athénée's summer terrace, is back with its open-air cinema
La Cour Jardin, the Plaza Athénée's summer restaurant, will reopen its doors in Paris on May 9, 2023 to allow us to enjoy its magical setting once again. For an idyllic lunch or dinner in a flowery and green setting and why not a movie in June, this is the place to be. [Read more]

Hotel Paradiso and its rooftop with open-air cinema
Cinephiles beware: here's THE terrace not to be missed in Paris this summer 2023! For a new season, the Hôtel Paradiso unveils its green rooftop with open-air cinema and cocktail bar! [Read more]

Formes olympiques 2023, the free festival between sport and art this summer in Paris
Concert, show, exhibition, sport: with the Formes olympiques festival, from June 23 to September 17, 2023, we're enjoying a host of free events, all over Paris. Here's a selection of not-to-be-missed events. [Read more]

Ciné sous les étoiles: Seine-Saint-Denis open-air film festival unveils program
The latest edition of the "Ciné sous les étoiles" open-air film festival runs all summer long, from June 30 to September 1. In nine Seine-Saint-Denis towns, free screenings of popular films await you. [Read more]

Ciné-Jardins: the outdoor film festival in the gardens of Paris returns this summer
Now in its ninth year, the Ciné-Jardin open-air film festival unveils an exciting program of films on the theme of "documentaries and ecology". Join us in the gardens of Paris and its inner suburbs from August 17 to September 9 for a series of free evenings. [Read more]

Les Yvelines font leur cinéma 2023: the open-air cinema program
Yvelines is going into open-air cinema mode with a series of free screenings of mainstream films from August 18 to September 9, 2023 in some 40 communes. Whether you're in Plaisir, Chatou or Mantes-la-Jolie, you'll be able to enjoy a film under the stars! [Read more]

Festival Silhouette 2023: a festival of free outdoor short films and concerts
The Silhouette festival returns for its 22nd edition to the Parc de la Butte du Chapeau Rouge in Paris, from August 25 to September 2, 2023. On the program? 9 evenings of free screenings, preceded by open-air concerts at aperitif time, with a daytime program for children and debates. [Read more]

Les Traversées du Marais 2023: 32 cultural events in 27 institutions
Les Traversées du Marais is a street arts program to be discovered in the Marais' most beautiful venues from September 1 to 3, 2023. 27 emblematic locations in the Parisian district offer some thirty artistic formats of all kinds, featuring dance, music and performances, most of them free and open to all. [Read more]

Festival Paradisio 2023: drive-in, ciné-concert and film sets in Moret-sur-Loing
For cinema and heritage enthusiasts, come and discover the Paradisio festival, with the region's only drive-in, cine-concerts, and a host of events, in real film sets, from September 1 to 3, 2023. [Read more]

Open-air cinema at the Swedish Institute: a little-known film to discover in September
The Institut Suédois invites you to an open-air screening as part of the "Traversées du Marais" multicultural festival. Join us in the beautiful garden of the Institut on September 1, 2023, to discover "Beyond Dreams", by Rojda Sekersöz. [Read more]

Les Soleillades de Montrouge 2023, a festival of shows, rides and street art
The Fête des Soleillades returns to Montrouge's Allées Jean Jaurès on September 2 and 3, 2023. Come and enjoy a weekend of entertainment for young and old, with shows, music and street art! [Read more]

Chapelle XIV Music Festival 2023: concerts, workshops and technology in an art gallery in Paris
Chapelle Music Festival returns for its third edition in the heart of Paris's 18th arrondissement, from September 7 to 9, 2023. Get ready for three days of overflowing creativity filled with live performances, art installations and electrifying DJ sets featuring legendary and emerging artists from the eponymous label. A 360° arty-cool experience, from the gallery to the electrifying nights of Point Éphémère and FGO Barbara. [Read more]

Paris Design Week 2023: our selection of free decorating and design events to discover
Paris Design Week, the event for lovers of design and ultra-stylish decor, returns to the capital from September 7 to 16, 2023! For 10 days, explore the capital and discover the latest trends in the field, at the heart of galleries, prestigious institutions and unusual venues. It's a truly arty journey, entirely free of charge, and we'd like to share our picks with you ... [Read more]

Paris Design Week 2023: free opening night at Bon Marché Rive Gauche
Paris Design Week 2023 returns to the capital this autumn, choosing the Bon Marché Rive Gauche as the venue for its opening evening on September 7, 2023. Featuring an exhibition, fascinating meetings with key players in the world of design, and a convivial cocktail reception, this not-to-be-missed event on the Parisian calendar kicks off with great fanfare, and for the first time in the privileged setting of the world's oldest department store. [Read more]

The free Lumières Impressionnistes Festival in Chatou 2023 transports us to Japan
The Lumières Impressionnistes festival returns for a 3rd edition from September 7 to 9, 2023, on the theme: A Dream in Japan! This free, festive event will once again take over the Hameau Fournaise in the Yvelines region (78), with an exceptional program including sound and light shows, nocturnes and a Japanese pavilion. [Read more]

Paris Paradis 2023 Festival: complete program and concert times
Paris Paradis, the festival organized by Le Parisien in association this year with Live Nation France, returns to the capital from Friday, September 8 to Sunday, September 10, 2023 with a new and fifth edition to be discovered in the Parc de la Villette. On the program? Concerts, comedy and entertainment, with Zaho de Sagazan, Kerchak, Joé Dwèt Filé, Julien Clerc, Martin Solveig, Le Juiice, Patrice, as well as Thomas Ngijol, Manu Payet and Fanny Ruwet. Click here for the full program and concert times! [Read more]

Paris is worth a party: the historical festival with medieval banquet and Belle Époque ball
If you're a history buff and a lover of the city of Paris, this is the festival for you! With a historical parade, medieval banquet and village, the atmosphere is one of a journey into the past, from the Middle Ages to the Liberation, via the Belle Époque! [Read more]

Pot au Print, the back-to-school festival dedicated to the graphic arts and culinary arts at Cité Fertile
From September 15 to 17, a micro-festival as unusual as it is unusual arrives at Cité Fertile for a long weekend dedicated to the graphic and culinary arts, cleverly combining cooking and magazine creation workshops, exhibitions and a creators' market. [Read more]

Play Sorbonne U, the video and board game festival on the Pierre & Marie Curie campus
Sorbonne Université's Pierre et Marie Curie campus is hosting its video and board game festival, the Play Sorbonne U Festival, on Saturday, September 16, 2023! [Read more]

Brunch Electronik 2023: two days of electro dancing at the Hippodrome de Longchamp, the program
Good news for electro music lovers, as the Brunch Electronik is back in Paris this fall! Let's meet on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September 2023 at the Hippodrome de Longchamp for two musical and friendly days punctuated by the sounds of Carl Cox, Paul Kalkbrenner, Nicole Moudaber or Mathame and KAS:ST. [Read more]

L'Estival 2023 in Yvelines: Camille Lellouche, Louis Chedid & Yvan Cassar... the program
Attention francophone music fans! L'Estival is back in the Yvelines with a new, 36th edition from September 16 to October 7, 2023 in Poissy, Houilles and Achères! On the program? Concerts by Camille Lellouche, Suzane, Louis Chedid & Yvan Cassar and Chimène Badi! [Read more]

Paris New-York Heritage Festival 2023: concert program at Parc André-Citroën
Extend your summer vacations in the Parc André Citroën, not far from the Eiffel Tower, for the latest edition of the Paris New-York Heritage Festival. The Parisian version of the festival of the same name, this event awaits you on Saturday September 16 and Sunday September 17, 2023, in a playful, pastoral setting. On the program? DJ sets, breakdancing, a skatepark, a hot-air balloon trip, round-table discussions and open-air concerts, to be discovered on a unique straw-bale stage! [Read more]

Demain le sport, the free festival at the Maison de la Radio et de la Musique
On September 19, 2023, France Info, L'Équipe and France Télévisions are organizing a day dedicated to the future of sport, with round tables, sports workshops and an exhibition, less than a year before the Olympic Games. [Read more]

Festival du Film Merveilleux returns to Paris for 13th edition at Christine Cinéma Club
From September 20 to 22, the Christine Cinéma Club will be hosting the Festival du Film Merveilleux 2023. On the program: screenings of short films by young talents focusing on magic and imagination. [Read more]

La Fête des Jardins 2023 in Paris: Rediscovering nature in the heart of the city
La Fête des Jardins is back from Wednesday September 20 to Sunday September 24, 2023! Something to delight all lovers of nature and green spaces. During these 5 days, workshops, educational games and exceptional openings await you in and around Paris. [Read more]

Food Temple Végétal at Carreau du Temple, a festival of cuisines with market and workshops
To celebrate the return to school in style, the Carreau du Temple is once again transformed into a Food Temple for a weekend. From September 22 to 24, 2023, the spotlight is on plants. You're invited to join us for chefs' dishes, masterclasses and a produce market! [Read more]

Techno Parade 2023: the float parade returns to the streets of Paris this weekend
After a great edition in 2022, the Techno Parade announces its return to the streets of Paris! The free musical event, which puts electronic music and culture in the spotlight every year, returns this Saturday, September 23, 2023. For the occasion, the traditional parade of floats will set off from the Place de la Bastille. Find out what's in store this weekend to celebrate the 25th anniversary of this not-to-be-missed event dedicated to electronic music. [Read more]

Press Start 2023: the program for the free video game festival at the Centre Pompidou
The Press Start festival dedicated to video games returns to the BPI at the Centre Pompidou, for its 11th edition, from September 27 to October 2, 2023. This year, the free festival introduces us to sports in video games. On the program: workshops, meetings and video games! [Read more]

Saint-Germain en Live 2023: Benjamin Biolay, Izïa, Electro Deluxe... here's the line-up
Mark your calendars! Île-de-France hosts the third edition of the "Saint-Germain en live" festival. Not to be missed in the Yvelines from Thursday September 28 to Sunday October 1, 2023, this multi-disciplinary festival offers 4 days punctuated by a series of performances, including those by Benjamin Biolay, Izïa, Electro Deluxe, Laura Cahen, Peter Doherty & Frédéric Lo and DakhaBrakha. [Read more]

Facets Festival, the first event on youth mental health is back
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the mental health of students and young workers has deteriorated. On September 30 and October 1, 2023, the Facets festival returns and offers workshops and many free activities on the subject. [Read more]

Festival de la Lune 2023 in Belleville: Asian street food, lion dance and calligraphy
The second edition of the Festival de la Lune takes place in Belleville on September 30, 2023. On the program: an avalanche of Asian street-food and the traditional lion dance to kick off the festivities! [Read more]

Paris Fashion Week 2023: DRP, the free festival dedicated to drop culture, is back!
The 1st DRP drop culture festival arrives at the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, to coincide with SS24 Women's Fashion Week. From September 30 to October 1, 2023, join communities of fashion, sneaker, gaming, sports and music enthusiasts, in a hype and festive atmosphere! [Read more]

Moon Festival 2023 at the Mairie de Paris Centre, moon cake tasting and entertainment
The Moon Festival, a traditional Chinese holiday, is being celebrated in Paris, and particularly in the 3rd arrondissement this Saturday, September 30, 2023. All day long, you can enjoy moon cakes over tea and take part in the various free activities organized by the Mairie de Paris Centre. [Read more]

Fête de la Vigne à Suresnes 2023: escape game, games, concert and tasting!
The Fête de la Vigne awaits you from September 30 to October 1, 2023 in Suresnes. This event celebrates the unique vineyards of the Île-de-France region, while spotlighting the painter Pierre-Joseph Redouté, nicknamed the "Raphael of Flowers". Discover the free program. [Read more]

So, shall we treat ourselves to a festival?

And for more back-to-school goodies

The 5 must-see musicals for the start of the 2023 season
How about a little musical comedy to kick-start the new school year? All year round, the capital offers a superb program, but for the end of the vacations, here are the best ones! [Read more]

Art: 10 not-to-be-missed back-to-school exhibitions in Paris and the Île-de-France region
Now that the vacations are over, it's time to get back to good habits: head off to the museum, and take advantage of the great exhibitions to be seen in Paris and the Île-de-France region this autumn. [Read more]

Cinema: the most anticipated films of the 2023 season
What better way to avoid the new year blues than to go see a good movie? It's a good thing, because the new school year has a lot of good movies in store for you. We propose you to discover the movies we are waiting for the most for this period. [Read more]