Traditional and Popular Festivals in France
France is a country rich in festive traditions, blending religious, historical, and cultural celebrations. In this article, we give an overview of the must-attend festivals in France. Some of these festivals are celebrated across the entire country, while others are regional and not celebrated everywhere. Knowing the traditional and popular festivals will make it easier for you to integrate into France and help you better understand its customs. Some events provide great opportunities to meet people, which is especially valuable when coming from a foreign country to live in France.
New Year’s Day (December 31st): New Year’s Day marks the beginning of the new civil year. In France, on New Year's Eve (Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre), it is common to gather around a festive meal, and when the twelve strikes of midnight ring, everyone exchanges New Year’s wishes.
Epiphany (January 6th): This Christian holiday commemorates the visit of the Three Kings (Balthazar, Gaspard, and Melchior) to the baby Jesus. The tradition is to eat a “Galette des Rois” on this day. The galette is shared among family members, and the youngest person goes under the table to decide who gets each piece. The person who finds the fève (a small figurine) in their slice becomes the king or queen for the day.
Candlemas (February 2nd): Originally a religious celebration, Candlemas in France has become particularly popular due to the tradition of eating crêpes. Sweet crêpes are often filled with treats such as Nutella, sugar, jam, whipped cream, or maple syrup, while savory crêpes (or buckwheat galettes) are filled with ham, cheese, eggs, or mushrooms.
Dunkirk Carnival (February): Dunkirk Carnival, the most famous in France, is accompanied by other carnivals in smaller neighboring towns. These festivities are marked by colorful parades, festive music, and the burning of the carnival king or queen. People generally dress up for the occasion. The Dunkirk Carnival, which dates back to the 18th century, is known for its long duration, numerous parades, masked balls like the Kursaal Ball (Corsair’s Ball), and its traditional herring toss, where smoked vacuum-packed herrings are thrown at the crowd by local authorities.
Saint Patrick’s Day (March 17th): Originally an Irish holiday, Saint Patrick’s Day is especially celebrated in Brittany, as well as in Nantes and Strasbourg, with parades and Celtic music festivals. This celebration honors Saint Patrick, who is believed to have brought Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century. Brittany and Ireland share strong cultural ties, and the color green symbolizes this holiday.
Easter (Between March 22nd and April 25th): A Christian holiday celebrated in March or April, Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which occurred three days after his crucifixion. Many traditions are associated with this celebration, such as Easter egg hunts in gardens for children, as well as attending Easter mass. Popular symbols of Easter include chocolate eggs and the Easter bunny.
Feria of Arles (April or May): The Feria of Arles is one of the most famous festivals in the south of France, taking place in April or May. It is marked by bullfights in the arenas and “course camarguaise,” where bulls are chased by “gardians” (Camargue cowboys). Numerous parades with decorated floats, traditional dances, tastings, and bodegas also enliven the event. Among the specialties served during these festivities are bull sausage and Arlesian cake.
Labor Day (May 1st): Labor Day is a public holiday that celebrates workers’ struggles and social rights. In France, the tradition is to offer lily-of-the-valley flowers, a custom dating back to the 16th century, when Charles IX decided to give bouquets of lilies of the valley to ladies of the court.
Feria of Nîmes (May): One of the most famous festivals in southern France, the Feria of Nîmes takes place in May, around the Ascension weekend. Locals and visitors are invited to wear traditional white clothing with red scarves, like in the Fêtes de Bayonne. During this feria, numerous bullfights are held in the famous Nîmes arenas, and several “bandas” (musical groups) animate the streets. Flamenco and Spanish music are also prevalent. Street bars (bodegas) are set up, where people can enjoy tapas, paella, local wine, and “costières de Nîmes,” typical gastronomic specialties of the event.
Music Day (June 21st): A cultural event that takes place on the first day of summer, celebrating music in all its forms. Numerous outdoor concerts and performances are organized in many large cities and small villages.
Saint John’s Day (June 24th): An ancient traditional celebration, both in France and other European countries, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. The emblematic tradition of Saint John’s Day is the bonfires around which people dance. This celebration is particularly popular in the Basque Country, Provence, Occitania, and Brittany.
Bastille Day (July 14th): Bastille Day is a national holiday in France, marked by fireworks organized in large cities and many small villages. This date commemorates the storming of the Bastille, a key event that started the French Revolution. In Paris, a military parade takes place every year on the Champs-Élysées, attended by the President of the Republic and other dignitaries. Participants include soldiers, firefighters, armored vehicles, and planes and helicopters from the French Air Force. The evening ends with a large fireworks display from the Champ-de-Mars, near the Eiffel Tower.
Fêtes de Bayonne (Late July): The Fêtes de Bayonne, held since 1932, aim to promote Basque culture. This event attracts many tourists each year. Visitors are invited to wear traditional attire, consisting of white clothing with a red scarf and belt. During these festivities, numerous parades are organized, with fanfares (bandas) and dancers performing traditional Basque dances like fandango and zortziko. The Grand Parade, which typically takes place on Saturday, is the highlight of the event. A large fireworks display is held over the Adour River, and various activities such as fishing contests and bull or cow races complete the celebration.
Halloween (October 31st): Halloween originates from the Celtic festival of Samhain, an ancient pagan celebration held by the Celts, especially in Scotland and Ireland. Although it is not a historical French tradition, Halloween is becoming increasingly popular in France, particularly due to Anglo-Saxon influence. Children dress up and go door to door saying “trick or treat.” Common costumes include witches, wizards, ghosts, and pumpkins. Typical decorations for the holiday include jack-o’-lanterns, skeletons, ghosts, spiders, and bats.
All Saints’ Day (November 1st): A holiday dedicated to the commemoration of saints, known and unknown, and the memory of the deceased. It is a public holiday in France, marked by visits to cemeteries and masses in honor of our deceased loved ones. The chrysanthemum is the symbol of this day and is often placed on graves as a remembrance of the departed.
Saint Nicholas Day (December 6th): Saint Nicholas is a regional holiday celebrated mainly in Alsace and Lorraine, honoring Saint Nicholas of Myra, the patron saint of schoolchildren, children, and sailors, known for rewarding well-behaved children. In the major cities of Eastern France, large processions and parades of floats are organized to mark the event. Saint Nicholas typically rides a float, sometimes accompanied by his “antagonist,” Father Whipper, who punishes naughty children. During this time, children receive treats such as candies, gingerbread, or “manalas,” small bread figures typical of the Alsace region.
Festival of Lights (December 8th): Celebrated during the period of the Immaculate Conception, this tradition dates back to 1852. At that time, the people of Lyon, filled with gratitude, decided to light candles in their windows to thank the building of a statue of the Virgin Mary on the Fourvière Hill. Today, every year on December 8th, Lyonnais light candles in their windows. The city is illuminated with light projections on its monuments, iconic buildings, parks, gardens, and bridges, along with outdoor performances.
Christmas (December 25th): A Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time of joy and sharing, during which families gather around festive meals and exchange gifts. For children, it is Santa Claus who delivers the gifts. Christmas traditions include decorated and illuminated house facades, Midnight Mass, Christmas markets, decorated trees, nativity scenes, and Christmas carols, all contributing to the warm and festive atmosphere of this season.
