2024 promises to be a great year for festivals in the South of France. This is the calendar of festivals & events taking place in France during 2024. The South of France has some excellent festivals that perfectly sum up the relaxed way of life in Southern France. Festivals in this part of the world are often centuries old and some performed important social functions such as enabling young people to meet up people from different villages, or celebrating working collectively. If you are visiting the South of France, then follow our guide to find the best festivals in southern France, month by month.

Visit France in 2024

Paris Olympics [Photo courtesy of https://www.paris2024.org/en/]

2024 is an exciting time to be in France. Paris is the host city of the Olympics. We were in Paris a few months ago and it seemed that every historic monument was clad in scaffolding. The buildings are all being spruced up in readiness for the Olympics. The Olympic games will take place from 26 July to 11 August: 2024, followed by the Paralympics from 

28 August – 8 September 2024. So I would say if ever you want to visit Paris, then just after the Olympics could be the time to go, as all the beautiful buildings will have been revealed to the World after their facelift.

South of France festivals - February 2024

Menton Lemon Festival

Menton Lemon Festival: 17 February-3 March 2024 

So how do you describe the Menton Lemon Festival?

Nice Carnival (Mardi Gras, parades and fireworks): 17 February-3 March 2024

The Nice Carnival 

Pezenas Le Poulain festival South France [Photo courtesy of http://portiragnespassion.over-blog.com/]

Le Poulain festival & Carnival, Pezenas South France: 9-14 February 2024

This boisterous South France festival takes place at the start of Lent in the Southern French town of Pezenas. The festival features a parade, led by the local totem-animal from Pezenas: Le Poulain. This is a mock horse, constructed of a cloth head draped over a wooden frame. It is pushed through the streets in a grand procession. The history of the festival dates back to 1226 when a foal was born to the favourite mare of King Louis VIII. The festival kicks off a three-day Mardi-gras carnival in the town.

Best festivals South of France - March 2024

Feria de Primavera festival, Nimes, Southern France

Held four weeks before Easter, this is the first Feria of the season in Nimes. Nimes knows how to do street festivals and it is definitely worth the trip to see it in action. This street festival also features music andthe obligatory tauromachie (bull fighting festival). See the Nimes Feria website for more details.

Festivals South France - April 2024

Monaco Tennis Open: 12-14 April 2024

Sommieres Medieval festival, South of France

It is well worth the visit to Sommiers at any time of the year, it is a beautiful little town. However, on the first weekend in April, the whole town is taken up with a street festival featuring costumed merchants and performers, markets and music. See the Sommieres town website for more details.

South of France festivals & events - May 2024

Night of Museums, throughout France (museums stay open late and for free): 11 May 2024

Cannes Film Festival: 14–25 May 2024 

Monaco Grand Prix: 23-26 May 2024

Cavalcade festival, Pezenas, South France

The Cavalcade is a popular local festival celebrating the golden age of Pezenas when it was the capital of Languedoc. The festival features a large handicraft market and a medieval costume procession through the streets.

Feria de Pentecost festival, Nimes, South France

This is the Nimes' most important festival, held on the fifth weekend after Easter. There is a heavy bullfighting emphasis (tauromachie), but there is also plenty of music, dancing and a large street market in the old town. There is also a great site with up to date information on the Ferias in Nimes.

Gypsy Fair, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Camargue

Saintes-maries-de-la-mer is situated on the Camargue coast and holds ahuge gypsy fair every year towards the end of May. This fair has a long old history. The story starts shortly after the Crucifixion of Christ, when Mary Magdalene left Palestine for France. Some of her companions built a small church in the Camargue and they employed a local gypsy servant girl called Sara, who has since been adopted as the patron saint of all gypsies. Click here for more information on the Gypsy Fair and Saintes-maries-de-la-mer itself.

Other notable events and festivals taking place in France during June 2024, include:

• Joan of Arc Festival, Rouen: 16-18 May 2024
• Fête de la Bretagne (cultural celebrations & events across Brittany): 17-26 May 2024
• Paris Beer Festival: 20-26 May 2024

Best festivals South France - June 2024

Chorégies d'Orange (Opera & music performances in the Roman amphitheatre): 17-22 June 2024

Fête de la Musique (free concerts and music in the streets throughout France): 21 June 2024

Jazz à Vienne festival, 35km south of Lyon: 26 June-11 July 2024

Tour de France (finishing in Nice): 29 June-21 July 2024

Beaucaire festival, Southern France

Beaucaire is a pretty little place, with parks situated all along the canal banks. The best time to visit Beaucaire is either during June's Fete du Drac, a traditional festival in honour of the town's dragon mascot; or during the Estivales in July, a reconstruction of the town's medieval fair (see the Beaucaire tourism website for more details).

Maguelone music festival, Pavalas, South France

The Maguelone music festival situated in the famous cathedral, features medieval and baroque music concerts taking place over a two week period. The Cathedral is on the site of some of the earliest Christian communities in the South of France and the place certainly has a special feel.

Le Printemps des Comediens festival, Montpellier, Southern France

This is a theatre, dance and music festival held in the gounds of the Chateau d'O, situated in the Northwest of the city. More information and dates can be obtained from Printemps des Comediens.

Festival National de Theatre Amateur, Narbonne, South of France

Held in late June and early July, free nightly performances are held on the Cours de la Madeleine at the Archbishop's Palace. For more information see the Narbonne festival website.

Other notable events and festivals taking place in France during June 2024, include:

• Festival of St. Denis, Paris (classical concerts by international artists): throughout June
• Nuits de Fourvière, Lyon (theatre and music in the Roman amphitheatre): throughout june
• 80th Anniversary of the Normandy D-Day Landing: 6 June 2024
• Le Mans 24 hour race, Le Mans, Loire Valley: 15-16 June

Best summer festivals France - July 2024

Carcasonne festival South France - 10th largest festival in France, 200,000 spectators and 120 events [Photo courtesy of https://www.tourisme-carcassonne.fr/]

Carcassonne festival, South of France: 28 June to 31 July 2024

Throughout July Carcassonne throws open its doors to dance, music and theatre, with nightly performances in the castle's amphitheatre and venues throughout the town. Carcassonne festival in South France is by all accounts the 10th largest festival in France, both in terms of number of spectators (over 200,000 over the month long programme) and by the number of events (over 120 concerts, theatre productions, dance events, plus the medieval jousting and the medieval faire).

The stunning amphitheatre within the walls of the famous castle, can hold up to 3,000 spectators and is an amazing space for a concert. Over the years we have seen both Artic Monkeys and Liam Gallagher perform here. The amphitheatre is called the Theâtre Jean-Deschamps and is named after the celebrated French actor and director, Jean Deschamps, who starred in Cyranno de Bergerac and was one of the founding members of Carcassonne festival.

The 2024 line up for the Carcassonne festival is still being finalised, but the confirmed acts so far include:

• Sting, formerly of The Police and an equally successful solo career, will be performing in the amphitheatre in Carcassonne Castle (30 July 2024 at 21:30)
• Christophe Maé, one of the most popular French singers in the last 25 years (13 July 2024 at 21:30)
• The National Orchestra of Toulouse will be performing from excerpts from Beethoven, Symphony No. 7, the overture to The Barber of Seville and Berlioz, Summer Nights (28 June 2024 at 21:30)
• The famous opera, Carmen, will be performed by the Lyric Opera Company from Spain and the Spanish Ballet of Murcia (5 July 2024 at 21:30)
• Toto, the celebrated American soft rock group famous for their songs "I'll be Over You", "Hold the Line" and the Worldwide hit "Africa" (headlining on 29 July 2024 at 21:30)
• The World famous international artist Mika will be headlining the festival on 25 July 2024 at 21:30
• There will be a Ballet performance from 10 dancers and soloists from the Paris Opera (Tuesday 2 July 2024 at 21:30)
• Status Quo and The Stranglers will be joint headlining on Monday July 15, 2024 at 20:30
• The legendary German rock group, Scorpions, will be playing Carcassonne festival on Tuesday 23 July 2024 at 21:30
• Louise Attaque, one of the biggest French rock bands from the 1990s and early 2000s (27 July 2024 at 21:30)
• The very popular French artist, Patrick Bruel, will be closing the Carcassonne festival (31 July 2024 at 21:30

Ticket prices for the headline acts in the Amphitheatre vary from €49 to €89 euros. Tickets can be purchased online at: Festival de Carcassonne

Aix Festival (classical music and opera), Aix-en-Provence: 2-22 July 2024

Jazz à Juan international jazz festival, Juan-les-Pins, Antibes: 8-19 July 2024

Bastille Day : 13/14 July 2024

Six nights International Fireworks Festival, Cannes:  12 July - 22 August 2024

Nice Jazz Festival: 15-19 July 2024

Festival de Jazz in Marciac, south-west France: 18 July - 4 August 2024

Yet another Jazz festival in Southern France and often with a line up as impressive as the Nice Jazz festival.

Montpellier Danse festival, South France

In late June and early July, Montpellier is home to a three week festival of traditional music and danse from around the world. The festival takes place in the old Ursuline convent, the Comedie, Le Corum and other venues around the city. For information please visit the Montpellier Danse website.

Festival de Radio-France, Montpellier, South of France

This international music festival has become a real fixture in the Montpellier calendar. Featuring all music genres from classical to Jazz. Held at various venues across the city. For more information and the artists appearing see the Festival de Radio-france website.

Les Jeudis festival, Nimes, South France

Every Thursday night in July there are street markets with live music through the centre of Nimes. Nimes is also a wonderful city to visit and the Pont du Gard is a must on any tour to the South of France (see our article on Nimes for more information).

Fete de la St-Pierre, Sete, Southern France

During the first weekend in July, the local fishermen of Sete hold their Fete de la St-pierre, a street festival and religous procession. Water jousting also takes place during the afternoon. There is an excellent local website detailing all the events of the various Sete Festivals.

Bastille Day fireworks, Narbonne and Carcassonne, South France: 13/14 July 2024

Fireworks are traditionally held throughout France on Bastille Day (14 July). But two of the best places to witness the fireworks in the South of France is in Narbonne and Carcassonne. To be fair, the firework display at Carcassonne Castle, is one of the best displays I have ever seen. But Narbonne perhaps out-does Carcassonne in terms of the whole after-party. Narbonne holds a huge four-day outdoor party in the Cours Mirabeau around Bastille Day. For further information see the Narbonne festival, South France website.

Fiesta de Sete, South France

Sete is a busy place for festivals in July & August. The Festival de Sete is a two-week long Mediterranean music festival covering folk and pop music from North Africa and Europe. The festival takes place in late July to early August. There is plenty of street theatre and parties going on, as well as nightly performance in the Theatre de la Mer. For more information visit www.fiestasete.com

Beaucaire Medieval Fair, Southern France

Beaucaire is also famous for its annual fair held since medieval times on the fourth week of July. This ten day fair dates back to 1217 when the town was granted an annual trade fair by the Count of Toulouse. This was in memory of a famous victory against Simon de Montfort's forces in the town. At its height this fair would attract upwards of 300,000 people and was famous throughout the South of France (see Beaucaire Medieval Fair for more details).

Festival du Thau, Meze, South France

In mid-july Meze holds a week long alternative World Music festival. There are usually three concerts a week, along the banks of the Basin du Thau. The festival is very popular and consistently attracts some of the best music acts from across the mediterranean and North Africa. For more information visit www.festivalduthau.com.

Festival d'Avignon, South France: 3-23 July 2024 

For lovers of theatre, dance and contemporary art, the Festival d'Avignon remains a major yearly event. Having celebrated its 60th year in 2007 this festival is becoming a major event for this beautiful city straddling the regions of Provence and Languedoc. From 6 to 27 July. For more information on the Festival d'Avignon, please visit Festival d'Avignon.

St-Guilhem-les-Desert festival, South of France

During July, St Guilhem holds its 'Musique Sacree'. This music festival performed in the abbey-church features religious and baroque music. Visit the St Guilhem website for more details about the Musique Sacree festival and sites to see in this beautiful village. From 21-23 July, St Guilhem-les-desert holds its local fete in the town (visit the St Guilhem website for more details). The fete fetures a big traditional market throughout the town as well as plenty of music and costume processions. St Guilhem is also a great spot to take children, with canoeing available up the Gorges du Herault (Best places for Kids in South of France)

Other notable events and festivals taking place in France during July 2024, include:

• Colmar International Festival (classical music), Alsace, eastern France: 5-14 July 2024
• Beaune International Festival of Baroque Opera, near Dijon: 5-28 July 2024
• Paris 2024 Summer Olympics: 26 July - 11 August 2024
• Cornouaille Festival, Quimper, Brittany (music and cultural festival): 17-21 July 2024
• Festival Paris l'Été (theater, dance, concerts): 8-28 July 2024
• Vieilles Charrues Festival (France's biggest music festival), Carhaix, Brittany: 11-14 July 2024

French festivals in August 2024

Summer festivals in South of France 2024 [Photo courtesy of https://www.tourisme-carcassonne.fr/]

Jasmine Festival, Grasse, South France: 2-4 August 2024

 (floats and flower-themed parades)

Corso de la Lavande, Digne-les-Bains, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence: 2-6 August 2024

(lavender festival)

Les Nuits d'Encens festival, Aigues-Mortes, Southern France

The town's 'Nights of Incense' offers a real mix of music and danse from European Chamber music to Arabic dance. Nightly performances are held in the courtyard of the Logis de Gouverneur. There is a good local website for Aigues-mortes that carries all the details on festivals and events in this picturesque medieval town.

Fête de la Saint-Louis, Sète, South France: 15-20 August 2024

Originating in Sete centuries ago, this sport is now a passionate fixture of Languedoc traditional culture. The season runs from late spring through the early autumn, with more frequent tournaments taking place in the summer. The most important championships are held here on 25 August, the fete de St-louis, with accompanying fireworks at night.

Feria de la Peche et de l'Abricot, Saint-Gilles, Camargue

Sitting on the edge of the Petite Camargue, the old town of Saint-gilles is a pleasant place to wander around, with its narrow windy streets. The biggest festival in Saint-gilles takes place in mid August, with the Feria de la Peche et de l'Abricot (Peach & Apricot Festival), which features street processions, dancing and the obligatory bull-fighting (see Feria de la Peche for more information).

Festivale de la Vallee de l'Orb, Southern France

Taking place in various town squares throughout the Orb valley, this festival features lots of wine and folk music activities.

La Feria, Beziers, South France

Without doubt the greatest festival in southern France. Beziers comes alive in spectacular fashion with fireworks, street entertainment and a daily Spanish corrida. There is also an important wine festival. See Beziers Feria for more up to date information on the programme of activities.

Fete de St-Louis, Aigues-Mortes, South France: 24-25 August 2024 

Held on the weekend closest to 25 August this medieval pageant features a reconstruction of St Louis' departure for the Crusades against the Muslims in North Africa. Read our article on Aigues-mortes for more information. Follow this link for specific information on the Fete de St-louis

Semaine Bavaroise festival, Narbonne, South France

This is Narbonne's version of the Munich Oktoberfest. Plenty of beer and entertainment. More information can be found at the Narbonne Festivals website

Other notable events and festivals taking place in France during August 2024, include:

• La Route du Rock Summer (rock festival), St-Malo, Brittany: 14-17 August 2024
• Silhouette Festival (short-film festival), Paris: 23-31 August 2024 
• Jazz at La Villette, Paris: 28 August - 8 September 2024
• 2024 Paralympics, Paris: 28 August – 8 September 2024

Best French festivals - September 2024

Journée du Patrimoine (special openings of monuments and other historical sites across France): 14-15 September 2024

Monaco Yacht Show: 25–28 September 2024 

Feria d'Automne, Palavas, South France

From 29 September to 1 October, Pavalas is home to a Camaguaise-style festival, featuring traditional horsemanship as well as the obligatory tauromachie.

Feria des Vendanges, Nimes, South France

This is the last of the three great ferias in Nimes. This one celebrates the wine harvest. It includes a tauromachie, parades, open-air concerts and a grand market

Camargue festival, Le Grau de Roi, South France

This fete is a major event on the Camargue calendar. This fete includes bull-running through the streets, camarguaises horsemanship and water-jousting, together with lots of street parties and general mayhem. The fete is held on the second week in September.

Other notable events and festivals taking place in France during September 2024, include:

• Braderie de Lille (world's largest flea market), Lille: 3-4 September 2024
• Festival Musica (contemporary classical music), Strasbourg: 13-29 September 2024
• Technoparade, Paris: 21 September 2024

Festivals South of France - October 2024

Festival du Cinema Mediterraneen, Montpellier, South France

This festival featuring feature-length films and short works, culminates in a symposium and award ceremony. There is an excellent website for Festival du Cinema that features full details of the films showing and the locations.

Aigues-mortes festival, South France

The three-day annual fete in Aigues-mortes is a great time to visit this medieval town on the edge of the Camargue. It features a tauromachie beside the walls of the town. Aigues-Mortes is a joy to visit at any time of the year, but during this festival you get to see all the local Camarguais dressed up in their distinctive costumes. Read our article on Aigues-mortes for more information.

Les Primeurs d'Oc festival, Beziers, South France

This is the premier wine festival in Languedoc. It features wine contests and awards, together with music, dance and theatre.

Other notable events and festivals taking place in France during October 2024, include:

• Festival de La Pomme, Trévières, Calvados, Normandy: 27 October 2024
• Dijon International and Gastronomic Fair: 30 October – 10 November 2024
• Fête des Vendanges (wine harvest festival celebrating the only vineyard in the centre of Paris at Montmarte), Paris: 9-13 October 2024

Festivals in South France - November 2024

Aix-en-Provence Christmas Market, Provence: 17 November - 30 December 2024 

Avignon Christmas Market, South France: 24 November - 30 December 2024

Other notable events and festivals taking place in France during November 2024, include:

• Les Trois Glorieuses (wine auction and festival), Beaune, Burgundy: 16-18 November 2024
• Colmar Christmas Market, Alsace, Eastern France: 23 November - 29 December 2024
• Strasbourg Christmas Market: 24 November - 24 December 2024

South of France festivals - December 2024

Sarlat-la-Canéda Christmas Market, Dordogne: 4-31 December 2024

Nice Christmas Market: 7 December 2024 - 7 January 2025

Pezenas: Occitan Christmas festival, South France

This festival features plenty of traditional Christmas festivities and customs from the Languedoc region.

Carcassonne: Marche au Gras

On 17 December, Carcassonne is home to a lively Christmas market featuring lots of regional produce and handicrafts.

Other notable events and festivals taking place in France during December 2024, include:

• Les Rencontres Trans Musicales (up-and-coming pop, rock, festival), Rennes: 4-8 December 2024
• Rise Festival (dance music at ski resort), Les Deux Alpes: 7-14 December 2024

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Where to next . . . ?

• Read our review on the 20 Best cities in South France to visit.
• See our reviews on the Best kids activities in South France to keep your children and grandchildren amused on holiday this summer.
• Discover the best Provence villas & apartments to eat at in 2024.
• Find the best Holiday Villas with private pools in South France to rent in 2024

Contact Iain by Email if you have any particular questions you would like to ask about visiting the South of France. I wish you a wonderful stay in the South of France.