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Music, dance, theatre, and performance art headline the cultural calendars in all of Night+Day’s cool cities. We combed through dozens of annual performing arts festivals worldwide, and here are the best of the best.
Best Performing Arts Festivals in....
Best Performing Arts Festivals
Paris
Festival d’Automne
Mid-September to late December, various venues, 01.53.45.17.00 festival-automne.com
The Draw: Avant-garde happenings all over Paris, with the best names in contemporary dance. The Scene: The Autumn Festival is a very well established affair that has become the highlight of the arts calendar. While the one-off events that take place over several months span opera, music, theatre, and the visual arts, the festival is best known for forecasting the rising stars of contemporary dance. Mercurial collaborators such as Merce Cunningham have helped to make this an international reference point since the early 1970s. Hot Tip: Sign up for the festival’s newsletter to keep track of the myriad events and their dates and locations.
Paris Jazz Festival
Early June to late July, Saturday and Sunday 3pm;
Parc Floral de Paris, Bois de Vincennes; 08.20.00.75.75 nemomusic.com
The Draw: Jazz in all its forms, fresh air, and picnics. The Scene: Seemingly miles away from the noise and stress of the city, Paris’ tranquil Parc Floral hosts a string of jazz, blues, and world music weekends where the emphasis is on fun. The laid-back crowds arrive mid-morning to make the most of the various jazz-themed exhibitions and activities on offer, while the brass brand warms for the afternoon’s concert. Best of all, it only costs the park’s tiny entrance fee. Hot Tip: Bring your dancing shoes! There are free swing lessons from 12:30–1:30pm in case you overindulge on your picnic.
Paris Quartier d’Eté
Mid-July to mid-August, various venues, 01.44.94.98.00 quartierdete.com
The Draw: A quirky mix of arts events, in practically each and every quartier of Paris, where anything goes as long as it pushes creative boundaries. The Scene: Expect anything but the mundane from this festival. While it’s impossible to make predictions here, there is a tendency for free outdoor events that capitalize on the weather and the city’s street culture. Previous years have seen theatre productions in a Bulgarian truck and a fascinating transparent beehive art installation.
Hot Tip: Be prepared to do some serious walking if you’re keen on making the most of this one. There are dozens of events strewn across the city every day.
