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What to do in Paris in May? 9 events you can't miss!

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The Editor

© Foire de Paris 2023

The biggest fair in France, the return of the iconic Boiler Room, film, dance, and opera festivals: in May, a wonderful series of events will once again take place in your favorite art and cultural venues. Here are 9 must-see events not to miss!


The Plant Days of Chantilly 

From May 16 to 18, the Château de Chantilly invites all nature and gardening lovers to the new edition of its Plant Days, an event that transforms the château and its gardens into a true treasure trove of plant surprises every year. Over three days, under the theme "Unexpected Gardens", more than 200 exhibitors, nurserymen, authors, botanists, and landscapers from all over Europe will gather to share their love for plant beauty.

Unique strolls, activities around the vegetable garden and orchard, beekeeping, eco-grazing: this event combines discovery and wonder, with activities for everyone! Children can enjoy giant wooden games and creative workshops, while enthusiasts of...Gardening enthusiasts can dive into the wonderful world of kokédama or explore the beauty of watercolor. It's a perfect way to escape to a magical world for a weekend!

Chantilly Plant Days
Château de Chantilly Park (60) 
From May 16 to 18, 2025, from 10 AM to 7 PM 
Price: €14, reduced €10 
More info and reservations 


The S.W.A.G. Artistic and Activist Festival 

S.W.A.G. Outside is the militant relocation of the SWAG urban dance studio, which stands for Share What Art Gives. After bringing the famous Marseille Plain to life at the end of April, the dancers continue the festivities in Paris, always with the goal of discussing  the welcoming of foreigners in France  by showcasing dance as a political tool. To enjoy a multitude of inclusive shows, join us on May 24th at the traffic circle of Boulevard de Belleville, where workshops, a community village, a street market  and DJ sets will carry you away until sunset. 

S.W.A.G.* Outside 2025 - Paris 
59, boulevard de Belleville – 11e 
On May 24, 2025, from 2 PM to 9 PM
Price: starting from €8
More info and reservations 


The Paris Fair 

The most anticipated shopping event in the capital  is coming back soon after celebrating its 120th anniversary last year ! For 12 consecutive days, over 1,250 exhibitors from all over the world will gather in the six exhibition halls of Porte de Versailles to create the biggest fair in France.  On the agenda: shopping, of course, but also all kinds of activities – concerts, workshops, parades, competitions, shows – a fantastic food offer, and a very special late-night event on Saturday, May 10. See you there?g> 

La Foire de Paris
Exhibition Center
Porte de Versailles – 15th
From April 30 to May 6, 2025
More info and reservations 


The Boiler Room of Paris  

Get ready to experience an electrifying weekend: on May 2nd and 3rd, the Boiler Room, the global giant of streaming parties, is coming back to Paris for 12 hours of pure electronic bliss. While the venue remains a secret, the full lineup has been revealed: it kicks off on May 2nd with the masters Palms Trax, Young Marc, DJ Deep, Jennifer Cardini going b2b with Pablo Bozzi, alongside the duo X Club and the emerging scene featuring Beatrice M, Maï-Linh, Amor Satyr... Expect a delightful mix of house, disco, bass music, italo, and techno. 

The next day, Boiler Room is back for another 12 hours of partying, inviting the legendary DJs Richie Hawtin, Boys Noize, and techno professionals with a hardgroove twist Lacchesi, David Löhlein, and JakoJako...

You can finally catch Absol8te, DJ Babatr doing a b2b with Teki Latex, Miley Serious going b2b with DJ Fuckoff, the sunny Mall Grab, and the queen of trance herself, TDJ. 

Paris Boiler Room 
Parc Floral de Paris
Route de la Pyramide – 12th
On May 2nd and 3rd, 2025, from 6 PM to 6 AM
Tickets: starting at €58
More info and reservations


The Afrofem Ball at Point

Éphémère 

On May 16th, head over to Point Éphémère for The Afrofem Ball, the most vibrant evening of spring! In collaboration with the Decolonial Film Festival and Ẅ XOOL, a program featuring short films by afro-descendant cisgender and transgender women directors, this Afrofem ball celebrates afro-descendant creativity with screenings, concerts, performances, and a fiery dancefloor. Among the must-see acts, we have the soulful concert by Leonie, a powerful performance by Nadège Beausson-Diagne, and the electrifying live set from Niariu. The night will continue with high-energy DJ sets from Kali Kalité and Cheetah.

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Afrofem Ball
Pop-Up Point
200, Quai de Valmy – 10th
On May 16, 2025
More info and reservations


A sports flea market at Ground Control 

After .three éditions mémorables, So Foot and TrashTalk are at it again with the coolest flea market dedicated to sports, happening at Ground Control (12th) on Sunday, May 18th. A true marathon of sports treasures, you'll find legendary football jerseys, collectible sneakers, old school posters, rare Panini cards, and vintage magazines… thanks to 50 exhibitors who turn the cultural center into the ultimate fan paradise. Entry is free, with bonus talks, signings, and loads of activities to spice up your treasure hunt.

The Amazing Sports Flea Market
Ground Control
81, Rue du Charolais – 12th
Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 9 AM to 7 PM
More info and reservations


The Brazilian Film Festival in Paris

L’Arlequin (6th) is dedicating a week to explore Brazil through the eyes of its filmmakers. As part of the France-Brazil Season 2025, the iconic cinema will host the 27th edition of the Brazilian Film Festival in Paris and showcase around thirty films – fictions and documentaries – mostly new to France, and some even never released in Brazil.  On the agenda: screenings in the original version with subtitles, debates, meetings with Brazilian and French artists and strong themes such as environmental struggles, queer identities, collective memory, social injustices, family legacies, and protest music. With a special guest of honor:  the actress Dira Paes, a key figure in Brazilian cinema known for her roles in Amores Roubados (2014) and Pureza (2019). 

Brazilian Film Festival in Paris 
Cinema L'Arlequin
76, rue de Rennes – 6th 
From April 29 to May 6, 2025
More info and reservations 


Everyone to the Opera 

What if you discovered opera like you've never seen it before ? From May 9 to 11, about twenty opera houses and lyric companies are opening their doors for free to the public for the initiative Everyone to the Opera, including 4 in Île-de-France : the Palais Garnier, the Opéra Comique, the Royal Opera of Versailles and the Opéra de Massy. An 18th edition subtitled Melting-pot to highlight.the fusion of influences at the heart of this little-known art with, on the program, public rehearsals, costume and makeup workshops, backstage tours, endless shows and concerts. Marina Viotti, mezzo-soprano, and François Chaignaud, dancer-choreographer, will be the ambassadors of the event.

Everyone at the Opera
From May 9 to May 11, 2025
Free
More info & reservations


A gathering around Black feminism at the Pavillon des Canaux 

On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, starting at 7 PM, the Pavillon des Canaux (19th arrondissement) will host a new edition of Seasoned Chit-Chat for an evening dedicated to discussions on Black feminisms. Led by the Afro-French artist-painter Hiembi, this gathering offers a exploration of the struggles and perspectives of Black women through art and conversation.​ In a friendly and inclusive atmosphere, participants are invited to share their thoughts on questions and quotes prepared by the facilitator, all while enjoying complimentary drinks. The event is open to everyone, with a limit of 20 people to promote meaningful exchanges. ​

Seasoned Chitchats 
Pavillon des Canaux 
39, Quai de La Loire – 19th 
Tuesday, May 6, 2025, starting at 7 PM
More info and reservations