Major Events and Famous Festivals in France 2026

Article written by Elisa
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Through 6 January – Christmas at Disneyland Paris. You can buy your tickets to Disneyland Paris here.

6 January – Epiphany. Although it is not a holiday in France, the French celebrate this Catholic holiday with the Galette du Roi

7 January to 3 February – Winter Sales in all of France

10 January – Croissant National Day

10 to 22 January – Grande Odysée Savoye-Montblanc in Savoye and Haut-Savoye. This sled dog race is renowned for being one of the longest and most difficult in the world due to its altitude difference, which totals more than 25,000 meters!

11 to 15 February – Fête du Mimosa (Mimosa Festival) in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, located along La Route du Mimosa, Southern France

11 February to 1 March – Carnival of Nice

7 to 8 March – Sarlat Fest’Oie (Goose Festival) in Sarlat-la-Canéda (Dordogne)

8 to 15 March – The Paris‑Nice! One of France’s most iconic cycling races

13 March – World Riesling Day! This is the perfect excuse to travel to Alsace in March

20 March – Macaron National Day

12 April – Paris-Roubaix, considered one of the world’s most dangerous cycling races. You can check out the itinerary here

12 April – Marathon of Paris

14 April – World Tannat Day. Let’s celebrate this tannic red wine red by drinking a Madiran wine from the south-west of France

17 April – World Malbec Day. Let’s celebrate this grape born in south-west France and its bold, velvet flavors by drinking a glass of wine from the Bergeracois or Northern Gascogne wine production areas

25 April – World Viognier Day. World Viognier Day is always celebrated on the last Friday of the month, this year on 25 April. Let’s celebrate this French white grape, known for its luscious textures and exotic flavors, by drinking a glass of Château-Grillet or Condrieu in the Rhône Valley Wine Area

24 to 26 April – Journées Romaines de Nîmes (Nîmes’ Roman Days). For several days, the city of Nîmes is transformed into a real Roman camp, with historical re-enactments, entertainment, and shows.

TBD to TBD May – The Fête du Pain, the bread festival (Parvis du Notre Dame), promotes traditional French breadmaking and includes the Best Baguette contest

8 May – The Armistice (national holiday), end of the WW2 in France

9 May – Nuit des Cathédrales. For the Night of Cathedrals, the participating cathedrals open their doors until midnight and offer a varied cultural and spiritual program with concerts, exhibitions, conferences, shows, guided tours, meditations, prayers, and periods of silence

12 to 23 May – Cannes Film Festival

18 May – Nuit Européenne des Musées, when many museums in France stay open until midnight. Check out the full program

18 May to 7 June – Roland Garros (the French Open). This is the only Grand Slam tournament held on a clay court

21 to 24 May – Taste of Paris at the Grand Palais. Taste of Paris is one of the most famous food festivals in France.

22 May – World Chardonnay Day. International Chardonnay Day is celebrated annually on the Thursday before Memorial Day in the United States, which this year falls on 22 May. Let’s celebrate the most planted white grape variety with a Burgundy wine or a glass of champagne.

6 June – Nuit Blanche. The annual night-time arts festival in Paris

6 June to 19 September – Night Fountains Show in the Gardens of Versailles (Saturdays and holidays). You can buy the tickets here

13 to 14 June – 24 Heures du Mans (24 Hours of Le Mans) in the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans

13 to 14 June – Médievales de Provins. France’s most important Medieval Fair takes place in the lovely Medieval town of Provins

21 June – Fête de la Musique. This French festival celebrates music and the arrival of summer in France

21 June – World Chenin Day. The Chenin Blanc grape variety is celebrated annually on the third Saturday of June, which falls on 21 June this year. This day is a tribute to Chenin Blanc, a highly versatile grape variety known for producing a wide range of wine styles that thrives in the Loire Valley

24 June to 21 July – Summer Sales in all of France.

4 to 25 July – Avignon’s International Theater Festival

14 July – Fête Nationale (France’s National Day). The most spectacular celebrations and parades take place in Paris. If you are in Paris, here’s where to watch the Eiffel Tower fireworks on 14 July.

15 to 19 July – Fêtes de Bayonne. This is the most popular fair in the French Basque Country

26 July – Final Stage of the Tour de France. This year, the finish line will be again along the Champs Elysées.

31 July to 9 August – Festival Interceltique de Lorient (Inter-Celtic Festival of Lorient), during which artists from Celtic regions such as Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and even Canada, Australia, and Northern Spain are invited

5 to 6 September – The Grande Braderie in Lille is the biggest flea market event in France

19 to 20 September – Journées Européennes du Patrimoine (European Heritage Days), with many museums and other cultural buildings free to visit

22 September – Fall in France.

16 to 18 October – Nuit des Châteaux. Visit historic châteaux throughout France, all lit up at night. Check out the list of castles participating in the event here

24 October – World Champagne Day. Let’s toast to the world’s most festive drink, exclusively produced in the Champagne Wine Region. Known for its elegance and fine bubbles, here are some curious facts about champagne wine

25 October – Fête du Piment (Chilli Festival) in Espelette, Basque Country

31 October – Halloween.

N/A November – The town of Sables-d’Olonne will see the departure of the 11th Edition of Vendée Globe in 2028

11 November – The Armistice, end of WWI in France (national holiday)

19 November – The arrival of the Beaujolais Nouveau. This day marks the release of the Beaujolais Nouveau, a young, fruity wine made from Gamay grape variety in the Beaujolais Wine Region

24 November – International Carmenère Day. Originally from Bordeaux, where you can still find it in some blends, Carmenère found a second home in Chile, where it is the signature wine

From TBD November – Christmas Markets in all of France. The Alsace Christmas Markets are France’s most popular. The Strasbourg Christmas Market dates are from TBD November to TBD December. The Colmar Christmas Market dates are not confirmed yet

TBD November to TBD January 2027 – Christmas at Disneyland Paris. You can buy your tickets to Disneyland Paris here.

Events in France December 2026

TBD November to TBD January 2027 – Christmas at Disneyland Paris. You can buy your tickets to Disneyland Paris here

4 December – International Cabernet Franc Day. Let’s celebrate Cabernet Franc, a grape variety known for its elegance, medium body, and flavors of red berries, herbs, and floral notes, often with a touch of spice. Cabernet Franc is a key player in Bordeaux blends and shines as a single-varietal wine in the Loire Valley

21 December – Winter in France

5 to 8 December – Lyon’s Light Festival, one of the best French festivals in wintertime, which marks the beginning of the Christmas celebrations in Lyon

25 December – Christmas Celebrations in all of France (public holiday)

31 December – New Year’s Eve.

And there you have it, the list of the most famous celebrations and festivals in France this year. What French events you don’t want to miss?

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