If you’re looking for things to do in Paris this weekend, from Friday May 8 to Sunday May 10, 2026, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Major exhibitions, festivals, musical experiences, contemporary cabaret performances, and parties on the Seine are all part of the lineup. Since May 8 is a public holiday in France, it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy cultural outings, long walks through the city, and late-night events. Here is our selection.
1. The exhibitions not to miss
If you’d like to spend the weekend exploring art and museums, Paris is hosting several exhibitions open throughout these three days. Six of them stand out this May weekend, offering a varied mix of photography, fashion, contemporary art, and design.
Renoir et l’Amour
Description: A major retrospective dedicated to the theme of love in Renoir’s work, this exhibition highlights scenes of Parisian life, moments of tenderness, and human relationships at the heart of 19th-century modernity. A must-see event for Impressionist art lovers.
Venue: Musée d’Orsay
Start date: March 17, 2026
End date: July 19, 2026
Lee Miller
Description: A major retrospective devoted to photographer Lee Miller, retracing her career through fashion, surrealism, portraits, landscapes, and war reporting. The exhibition brings together around 250 prints and showcases the diversity of one of the 20th century’s leading artists.
Venue: Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris
Start date: April 10, 2026
End date: August 2, 2026
Africa Fashion
Description: An exhibition exploring the creativity and influence of African fashion scenes, from textile heritage to contemporary styles and cultural identity. A great choice for visitors interested in fashion, design, and visual arts.
Venue: Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
Dates: Running during the May 8–10, 2026 weekend
End date: July 12, 2026
Clair-obscur
Description: A journey through works centered on the visible and the invisible, conceived as an experience of contrast and perception. Featuring around one hundred artworks, the exhibition offers both a contemplative and intellectual approach to contemporary art.
Venue: Bourse de Commerce
Dates: Running during the May 8–10, 2026 weekend
End date: August 24, 2026
Martin Parr, Global Warning
Description: A photography exhibition focusing on mass tourism, overconsumption, and climate change, presented with Martin Parr’s signature satirical humor. A sharp and often hilarious look at the contemporary world.
Venue: Jeu de Paume
Dates: Running during the May 8–10, 2026 weekend
End date: May 24, 2026
K-Beauty. Korean Beauty, the Story of a Phenomenon
Description: An exhibition placing the K-Beauty phenomenon in its historical and cultural context, in connection with Korean pop culture and Franco-Korean relations. Perfect for visitors interested in the links between tradition, aesthetics, and society.
Venue: Musée Guimet
Start date: March 18, 2026
End date: July 6, 2026
See also: the best things to do in Paris.
2. Festivals and music nights on Friday, May 8
Friday, May 8 kicks off the long weekend with several festive events. If you’re looking for a party or festival to start the weekend in style, Paris offers a wide range of experiences: contemporary cabaret, multi-stage music festivals, and immersive riverside parties. These events are all perfectly timed for May 8, 2026.
Jardin Rouge Festival – Wilderness Cabaret
Description: A contemporary cabaret festival described as free-spirited, multidisciplinary, and unconventional. Evenings combine live music, dance, burlesque, and performance art in an intimate and artistic setting.
Venue: Le Truc
Dates: May 7–9, 2026
Walk Up Festival
Description: A music discovery festival taking over La Bellevilloise for two days and two nights. The lineup highlights emerging artists, from indie pop to electronic music, with concerts, DJ sets, and an urban festival atmosphere.
Venue: La Bellevilloise
Dates: May 8, 2026 to May 10, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Walk Up Nights
Description: The club-oriented version of Walk Up Festival, focused on alternative electronic music, groovy house, and immersive trance sets. An excellent option for fans of late-night club culture.
Venue: La Bellevilloise
Dates: May 8, 2026 at 11:00 PM to May 10, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Eras Tour Paris Edition 2026 Party
Description: A fan event inspired by the world of Taylor Swift, featuring themed cocktails, costumes, photobooths, and music inspired by the Eras Tour. The organizer notes that the event is unofficial and not affiliated with the artist.
Venue: Le Flow
Dates: May 8, 2026 from 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM
La Madrague — London Boat
Description: A mini festival on the water in the heart of Paris, combining a cruise, DJ sets, and a festive atmosphere on the Seine. The event includes a boat departure, return to shore, and clubbing until dawn.
Venue: 4 Quai Saint-Bernard
Dates: May 8, 2026 from 7:00 PM to May 9, 2026 at 5:00 AM
3. Saturday, May 9: concerts, party cruises, and nightlife
Saturday is often the best day of the weekend to combine multiple experiences: sightseeing during the day, drinks in the evening, dinner, and late-night outings. In Paris, May 9, 2026 offers exactly that, with events that begin during the day and continue late into the night, sometimes until sunrise. It’s also the perfect opportunity to alternate between culture and nightlife.
La Madrague — Speed Boat
Description: A new and highly festive cruise concept by La Madrague, combining electronic music, river cruising, and a succession of DJ sets in a bucolic mini-festival atmosphere.
Venue: 4 Quai Saint-Bernard
Dates: May 9, 2026 from 7:00 PM to May 10, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Voyage Voyage Festival – Open Air + Club
Description: A two-part day-and-night event featuring an afternoon open-air session with DJ sets, live performances, markets, and food stands before transitioning into club mode after dark.
Venue: Between Le Barboteur and Dock B
Dates: May 9, 2026 to May 10, 2026 in the early morning
Jardin Rouge Festival – Wilderness Cabaret
Description: The second evening of this cabaret festival, ideal for visitors interested in hybrid performances blending singing, dance, experimental theater, and live art.
Venue: Le Truc
Dates: May 7–9, 2026
Walk Up Festival
Description: The second day of the festival at La Bellevilloise, focused on emerging music scenes and intimate urban festival vibes.
Venue: La Bellevilloise
Dates: May 8, 2026 to May 10, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Walk Up Nights
Description: The second night of the club-focused Walk Up format, dedicated to contemporary electronic music and discovery-oriented lineups.
Venue: La Bellevilloise
Dates: May 8, 2026 at 11:00 PM to May 10, 2026 at 5:00 AM
4. Sunday, May 10: ending the weekend on a cultural or festive note
Sunday, May 10 is ideal for ending the weekend at a slower pace: a walk through Paris, a museum visit, brunch, and perhaps one final night out if you still have energy left. Several events from this selection continue into Sunday morning, making them great options for night owls. If you prefer a calmer atmosphere, the exhibitions listed above remain the best way to wrap up the weekend on a softer cultural note.
Walk Up Festival
Description: The festival continues until early Sunday morning, offering a seamless experience between concerts, artistic discoveries, and festive nightlife.
Venue: La Bellevilloise
Walk Up Nights
Description: The club version of the festival also ends at 5:00 AM on May 10, making it a great option for finishing the weekend with electronic music and late-night energy.
Venue: La Bellevilloise
La Madrague — London Boat
Description: The May 8 party extends into the morning of May 9, fitting perfectly into a long weekend built around nightlife on the Seine.
Venue: 4 Quai Saint-Bernard
La Madrague — Speed Boat
Description: Another immersive nightlife format on the Seine, particularly suited to visitors who enjoy floating dancefloors and late-night parties.
Venue: 4 Quai Saint-Bernard
Voyage Voyage Festival – Open Air + Club
Description: The event wraps up during the night from Saturday to Sunday, making it a perfect way to start or end Sunday, May 10 for the most dedicated partygoers.
Venue: Between Le Barboteur and Dock B
A packed Paris weekend
Between the six selected exhibitions, music and cabaret festivals, and parties on the Seine, Paris offers the perfect opportunity to build a varied and balanced weekend itinerary without ever leaving the city. Whether you prefer museums in the morning, festivals in the afternoon, or clubs late into the night, the French capital has more than enough to keep these three days exciting and memorable.
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