Which shows and plays debuting in May 2026 in Paris and the Île-de-France region? This guide brings together the month’s latest announcements, spanning premieres, revivals, new programming launches, and performances hitting the stage.
For a broader selection, also check out our guides to the theatre productions to see in Paris in May 2026 and to the shows to see in Paris in May 2026.
The Inseparables' Complex at the Apollo Theatre
The Inseparable Complex, a comedy by Simon Diken directed by Vincent Messager, is on at the Apollo Theatre in Paris until September 22, 2026, starring Alexandra Vandernoot and Paul Belmondo. [Read more]
Scenes from a marriage at the Odéon: a couple confronts violence
From May 20 to June 7, 2026 at Odéon Paris 6, Markus Öhrn revisits Bergman's Scenes from a Marriage in a radically offbeat version. [Read more]
Molière’s Tartuffe or the Hypocrite performed in its original version at La Grande Halle de la Villette
Tartuffe or The Hypocrite by Molière, directed by Ivo Van Hove, will be staged at La Grande Halle de la Villette from May 21 to July 11, 2026. [Read more]
Intra Muros by Alexis Michalik at La Pépinière in 2026
Entre Muros by Alexis Michalik continues at La Pépinière Théâtre in Paris in 2026. A contemporary play that interweaves prison, a choral narrative, and a theatrical mise en abyme. [Read more]
The Big Guys Are Skating Well at La Pépinière Théâtre in 2026
Les Gros Patinent Bien, the Pierre Guillois and Olivier Martin-Salvan show that won at the Molières, remains on the bill at La Pépinière Théâtre in Paris in 2026, bringing its trademark world of cardboard boxes and burlesque adventure. [Read more]
Big Mother extended at Les Béliers Parisiens through January 2027
Big Mother, Mélody Mourey’s political journalism thriller, has been extended at the Théâtre des Béliers Parisiens in Paris through January 3, 2027. [Read more]
Forget Me at the La Bruyère Theatre in Paris in 2026
Forget Me, a play adapted from Matthew Seager's In Other Words, is on at Théâtre La Bruyère in Paris in 2026. An intimate exploration of love, memory, and Alzheimer's disease. [Read more]
Dear Parents returns to the Théâtre de Paris in 2026
Dear Parents, the comedy by Emmanuel and Armelle Patron, directed by Anne Dupagne, returns to Théâtre de Paris from May 27 to July 5, 2026. [Read more]
The Imaginary Invalid: Molière’s Comedy-Ballet at the Porte Saint-Martin
Molière’s The Imaginary Invalid, directed by Claude Stratz, will run at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin from May 27 to July 12, 2026. [Read more]
Le Duplex returns to the Théâtre de Paris in May 2026.
The Duplex is back at the Théâtre de Paris from May 28 to July 5, 2026. Didier Caron's comedy brings together Anny Duperey, Francis Perrin, Corinne Touzet, and Philippe Lelièvre. [Read more]
FauxFaire FauxVoir: a magical, immersive, and interactive experience at La Grande Halle de La Villette
The Grande Halle of La Villette invites you to experience "FauxFaire FauxVoir," a captivating magic show blending cognitive science and technology, created by the Le Phalène company. Scheduled from May 5 to 9, 2026, this immersive journey challenges our perceptions and beliefs, offering a unique theatrical exploration. [Read more]
Family-friendly shows to see in Paris over the weekend of May 8, 2026.
The May 8, 2026 long weekend is a perfect excuse to plan a family outing in Paris: kid-friendly performances, magic, circus, musical comedies, and visual shows to discover from May 7 to 10. [Read more]
Foire du Trône 2026 in Paris: a 300-drone show this Friday
As the Foire du Trône is in full swing on the Pelouse de Reuilly in Paris, the huge fair will put on a 300-drone show this Friday, May 8, 2026. [Read more]
The Three-Eared Rabbits, an immersive tale by Michel Ocelot at the Cité des sciences
The Three-Eared Rabbits, Michel Ocelot's immersive musical tale, is projected under the Planetarium dome at the Cité des sciences in Paris on weekends until July 5, 2026. [Read more]
Spring Live Magazine: follow an investigation and a live, real-time diary from the Grand Rex
Forget your screens and the endless stream of social media: on May 11 and 12, 2026, information takes shape on the storied Grand Rex stage. The Spring Live Magazine offers a unique experience where journalists, photographers, and artists come to deliver stories in the style of a fleeting, living newspaper — not something you read, but something you feel. [Read more]
¡TANGO! at Théâtre Montparnasse, between Paris and Buenos Aires
¡TANGO! is playing at Théâtre Montparnasse in Paris until July 12, 2026. The show fuses dance, live music, singing, and texts to explore the bond between Paris and Buenos Aires. [Read more]
Swami: A Show Blending Magic, Mentalism, and Virtual Reality at Little Villette
Attention magic enthusiasts! Little Villette invites you to experience Swarmi, an immersive adventure created by Rémy Berthier that combines magic, mentalism, and virtual reality, running from May 12 to May 16, 2026. [Read more]
Kicking off the Ritz Paris' Starry Nights: opera and dance in the Grand Jardin.
We tested the Ritz Paris’s Starry Nights during its inaugural edition—the very first opera and dance festival hosted by the hotel in its Grand Jardin on Place Vendôme. Three exceptional evenings: June 13, 14 and 15, 2026. [Read more]
Monster Trucks, motorcycle freestyle and Transformers: the show has been extended near Paris — reviews and photos
Buckle up, it's going to be wild: the Hells Drivers Danglade Show is extending its run near Paris with monster trucks and spectacular stunts. From May 16 to 31, and then from June 5 to 14, 2026, head to Soisy-sous-Montmorency, just a stone's throw from the Enghien-Soisy Hippodrome, for this explosive family show. Read our review. [Read more]
Augmented Magic: Moulla’s Magical Show at La Grande Halle de La Villette
The Grande Halle of La Villette hosts an innovative magic conference and show centered on AI, titled Augmented Magic, presented by magician Moulla, from May 19 to May 23, 2026. Step into a truly immersive experience where illusions meet cutting-edge technology to amaze and astonish! [Read more]
So, Let's Dance: the family-friendly dance festival featuring performances and initiation sessions in Fontainebleau (77)
From May 19 to 24, 2026, the Théâtre Municipal de Fontainebleau transforms into a sprawling open-air dance floor for the fourth edition of "Alors, on danse ?". The festival invites kids and grown-ups alike to explore movement and dive into dance, blending performances with relaxed, beginner-friendly workshops. [Read more]
Festival Jogging 2026: arts and sports collide in a wild event at the Carreau du Temple
From May 21 to 24, 2026, the Jogging Festival returns indoors to the Halle du Carreau du Temple. The event shines a fresh, playful spotlight on exhibitions, performances, workshops, practices, or projects that sit at the crossroads of the arts and sports. [Read more]
Ercole amante: Antonia Bembo's baroque Hercules between power and desire at Opéra Bastille
From May 28 to June 14, 2026, Antonia Bembo's Ercole amante makes its debut in the Paris Opéra repertoire, supported by an original staging and singular Baroque vocal writing. [Read more]
Onze Bouge 2026, the outdoor arts festival, is making a mark again in the 11th arrondissement of Paris
The Onze Bouge festival is back for a new edition in the streets of the 11th arrondissement of Paris, from May 28 to 31, 2026. Expect a mix of dance, theatre, music, and comedy performances... Street arts take center stage in this free festival! [Read more]
DroneArt Show: A spectacular display of illuminated drones synchronized with classical music at this racecourse
The sky over Bois de Vincennes transforms into a giant stage on May 28 and 30, 2026: hundreds of drones will perform a mesmerizing dance above the Hippodrome, all synchronized with a live classical music concert. An immersive sensory experience blending cutting-edge technology with poetic artistry. [Read more]
This château in the Yvelines region will host a drone show, lanterns, and a grand fireworks display at the end of May.
Rosny-sur-Seine, in the Yvelines department, invites you on Friday, May 29, 2026, for the 7th edition of "Mille et un Feux." Set in the Château Park, the evening begins with a lantern procession before giving way to a drone-sculpted sky by 250 drones, followed by a spectacular fireworks display. A free, open-access event where the château’s heritage serves as the backdrop for an open-air show. [Read more]
Once Upon a Crime in Paris: the immersive show where you become the detective and rewrite the ending of the fairy tale
In Paris, at the Théâtre de l’Alliance Française, the immersive show Once Upon a Crime offers a one-hour interactive criminal investigation centered on Little Red Riding Hood. Audience members, all grown-up, get to vote and steer both the story's progression and its ending. This interactive theatre experience in Paris immerses viewers in a film noir atmosphere and provides a participatory adventure with multiple possible outcomes. [Read more]
Paris Queer Festival 2026: drag, music and LGBTQIA+ market at Kilowatt
The Paris Queer Festival is taking over Kilowatt in Vitry-sur-Seine, delivering drag shows, concerts, a queer market, workshops and panel discussions on May 30–31, 2026. Formerly known as the Drag & Queer Market, the event brings together artists, LGBTQIA+ collectives, and DJs for a cultural, festive weekend just outside Paris. [Read more]
Verdure Theatre Festival 2026 at Bois de Boulogne: the lineup for its fifth season
The Verdure Theatre at the Shakespeare Garden returns May 30 to September 27, 2026, in the Bois de Boulogne. Theatre, dance, music, and family-friendly programming mark the fifth season of open-air performances. [Read more]
Playin'Paris 2026: a 3x3 basketball tournament, DJ set, dance show, and dunk contest in the 18th arrondissement.
Playin'Paris is back for another edition! This event, where sport, dance and music come together, blends 3x3 basketball competitions with a DJ and hip-hop, and will take over the heart of the 18th arrondissement on May 31, 2026. [Read more]
HOLI 2026 at the Jardin d'Acclimatation: India's festival of colors is back in Paris — the date.
The Jardin d’Acclimatation lights up in a thousand hues for the 7th edition of Holi, the famous Indian festival of colors. On May 31, 2026, the must-attend spring event returns, offering artisan workshops, Indian food trucks, live performances, and a splash of pigment. [Read more]
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Dates and Opening Time
From May 1, 2026 to May 31, 2026
