2026 EVENTS CALENDAR

Below are some of the major (and most fun!) festivals, events and shows currently scheduled in the South of France for 2026, listed month by month. We do everything we can to get it right but it's always best to check before heading out! And new events are being added all the time. 

JANUARY 2026 

ARLES: Everyone knows about the big Saturday morning market in Arles. But lesser known is the twice-monthly flea market/brocante, held the first and third Wednesday of the month year round. It goes all day (8:30 am to 5 pm) on the Blvd des Lices. For more info: arlestourisme.com. 

AVIGNON: The new season at the Opera Grand Avignon runs from January to June 2026. The program includes opera and operettes, lyrique concerts, dance, musical theater, symphony, chamber music, baroque music and more. The 2026 season features  Verdi's Falstaff (Jan 17-18),  Mahler's The Song of the Earth (March 29-29), Puccini's Turandot (May 15-19) and Offenbach's La Belle Helene (June 12-14), alongside concerts and recitals, with performances extending from early 2026 into the spring/summer. operagrandavignon.fr

AVIGNON: The 40th edition of Cheval Passion will be Jan 14 to 18, 2026 at the Parc des Expositions. It's the 3rd biggest horse show in all of Europe and attracts riders, breeders and horse-lovers from all over the world. Expect 10,000m² of exhibition space, more than 1000 horses, 250-plus exhibitor stands and lots of competitions including Western, Clinic Xtrem cow-boy, cattle sorting, Iberian horses, horse 'n buggy, trick riding and more. The high point of the show is the Crinières d'Or Gala where new talent and confirmed artists outdo each other with dramatic and creative performances. https://avignon-tourisme.com/offres/40e-edition-cheval-passion-avignon-fr-4143839/

AVIGNON:  Every month, there's a large one-day Antiques Market for Professionals at the Parc des Expositions, organized by Avignon Antiquities. Thousands of professionals from around the world meet to buy and sell. International freight forwarders are on hand to arrange packing, shipping and customs formalities. Access is only to professionals and info on getting credentials is on the site here. The calendar of markets in 2025 is here.

EYGALIERES: This charming little village 15 minutes east of St. Remy holds a popular all day (7 am to 5 pm) brocante/antiques market the last Sunday of every month. https://www.alpillesenprovence.com/fiches/la-brocante-deygalieres/

LES BAUX DE PROVENCE: The Carrières de Lumières (Quarries of Light) is a magical space in a vast cave-like quarry at the base of the hilltop village of Les Baux. There in the cool darkness, 100 video projectors and 30 speakers generate the choreographed movement of 2,000 images over an area of more than 75,000 square feet, onto walls as high as 45 feet and onto the floor. The sound-and-light show changes once a year and is one of the most-popular, most-visited sites in Provence. The 2025/2026 program, features a fantastic projections about Monet and a shorter one, also great, about Rousseau. The features play on a continuous loop and you can expect to spend roughly an hour inside. For all the info: carrieres-lumieres.com

UZES: Jan 16 to 18, 2026: Annual Truffle Festival!  Come celebrate tuber melanosporum (black gold!) in all its delicious forms. The whole town comes alive this weekend with visits, tastings and much more. See the whole program here. 

FEBRUARY 2026 

BORMES-LES-MIMOSAS: February 14-15, 2026 is the Corso Fleuri, a beautiful,  traditional flower parade in coastal Provence. https://www.bormeslesmimosas.com/temps-fort/fete-du-mimosa/

CARRY-LE-ROUET: Every year, the popular Oursinade Sea Urchin Festival returns to this seaside village, on the first 3 Sundays in February so expect it around Feb 1, 8 and 15 in 2026. You'll find a market, exhibits, tastings, entertainment and more. This a beloved winter event featuring fresh oursins (sea urchins), local markets, music, and regional wines, All the info is here: Les Oursinades (otcarrylerouet.fr)  

MENTON: The 91st  annual Menton Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival) runs from February 14 to March 1, 2026. This year's theme is "Merveilles du Vivant" (Wonders of Life) and it features daily events like citrus displays, craft markets, and the iconic Golden Fruit Parades on Sundays (Feb 15, 22, Mar 1) and Night Parades on Thursdays (Feb 19, 26), showcasing giant lemon/orange sculptures and floats. Info here.  

NICE: The Nice Carnival 2026 will run from Wed Feb 11 to Mon March 1, 2026, with the theme "Long Live the Queen!" ("Vive la Reine!"), celebrating historical and fictional female figures with parades and events in Place Masséna and the Albert I Garden. Info is here or at: nicecarnaval.com.

NIMES: Registration is open for the next Nîmes Urban Trail, which takes place on Feb 15, 2026. It's a 24 km race or hike around the city taking you past or through impressive Roman monuments and landmarks but it also grants you access to many places normally closed to outsiders. Many of the runners wear costumes and it looks like great fun. Prices vary depending on distance, and whether you choose hike or run, but the 24km trail run is €38pp. It all sounds like great fun and you can read all about it in the Guardian here. 

VAISON LA ROMAINE:  Truffle Festival. Sun Feb 8 from 9:30 to 6 pm. The Vaucluse Association of Truffle Growers 'Le Diamant Noir' and the town of Vaison celebrate truffles! Tasting and sale of truffles by certified producers, cooking demos, wine and truffle pairings by Cave la Romaine, cavage demonstration (truffle-finding technique), brouillade tasting and more. https://diamantnoirvaucluse.fr/

MARCH 2026

AIX: At the museum known as the Hôtel de Caumont, the exhibition "A Collector's Perspective," featuring masterpieces by Caillebotte, Picasso, and Renoir from the Oscar Ghez collection, runs through March 22, 2026. caumont-centredart.com/fr

MARSEILLE: ''Don Quixote: A Madman's Tale, A Tale Worth Laughing At'' runs through March 30, 2026 at MUCEM (@mucem_officiel). The museum celebrates the universal hero created by Miguel de Cervantes through more than 200 pieces combining masterpieces, popular objects, and archives from the Spanish National Library, among others. The exhibit also highlights the vitality of contemporary perspectives, from Gérard Garouste's gouaches to Abraham Poincheval's performances, showing how the world's most famous antihero continues to inspire artists. mucem.org/en/

APRIL 2026

CASSIS: The Cassis au Jardin garden festival springs into bloom April 4 - 6, 2026 on the Place Baragnon. Enjoy a market selling local plants, garden decor, tableware, natural gifts, food and more. There will be experts on hand to lend gardening advice, farm animals for kids to enjoy and much more. Info: Cassis.fr

CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE: The 15th annual Printemps de Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a major wine fair, is April 10-12, 2026, offering tastings from numerous estates, a gastronomic market, workshops, and on-site services, organized by the local young winemakers. It's a key event for exploring wines from the renowned Rhone Valley appellation, featuring producers and local delights in a festive spring setting. lesprintempsdechateauneufdupape.fr/

NICE: La Vaisselle des Chefs (@lavaisselledeschefs) happens April 25 and 26, 2026 at Oceanice Convention Centre. Who could resist an enormous sale of tableware, kitchen utensils, linens and table decor...all from top chefs and restaurants? Not me! Chef @virginiebasselot, the Michelin-one-star chef (and Meilleur Ouvrier de France) who heads the kitchen of the Negresco Hotel (@hotel_lenegresco) will be godmother of this fundraising event, a first in Nice, following on the heels of the hugely successful one in Paris that happened in February. Info and registration are here.

MAY 2026

ALL OVER FRANCE: May 23, 2026 is the Night of Museums where many stay open late and offer free admission. https://nuitdesmusees.culture.gouv.fr/

ARLES: From May 22 to October 18, 2026, the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles (@fondationvincentvangogharles) presents “Suspects – Van Gogh, Tricksters & Co.,” an exhibit devoted to artists who, following van Gogh, have chosen dissidence over conformity and excess over restraint. Inspired by the anthropological figure of the ‘trickster’ — a mocking and subversive character found in the myths of every civilisation — the exhibit brings together the works of 33 ''disruptive'' artists. For more info click here.  

CANNES: The 79th edition of the world-renowned Cannes Film Festival (@festivaldecannes) is May 12-23, 2026. This major event for the film industry attracts scores of international stars to the French Riviera and often includes a few events or screenings open to the public. For all the info, click here. 

VAISON-LA-ROMAINE: Les Fleuralies Plant and Flower Festival, Friday May 8, 2026. vaison-la-romaine.com

VARIOUS CAMARGUE VILLAGES: The 18th Annual Camargue Festival happens May 13 to 17, 2026. festival-camargue.fr/

JUNE 2026

ALL OVER FRANCE: Fête de la Musique is June 21, 2026.  Day and night, free music will take over streets, cafes, music venues, historic sites, gardens, parks and churches all over France...and beyond. For info: Welcome (culture.gouv.fr)  

ALL OVER FRANCE: The Rendezvous au Jardins Garden Festival is June 5 to 7, 2026. Each year, more than 2,200 parks and gardens, public and private, in France open their doors and offer many activities and meetings with owners and professionals (botanists, gardeners, landscapers, owners, associations, etc.) guided tours, sensory or naturalistic walks, demonstrations of know-how, garden tours, musical walks, games/competitions, theatrical events, etc.

ARLES: From May 22 to October 18, 2026, the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles (@fondationvincentvangogharles) presents “Suspects – Van Gogh, Tricksters & Co.,” an exhibit devoted to artists who, following van Gogh, have chosen dissidence over conformity and excess over restraint. Inspired by the anthropological figure of the ‘trickster’ — a mocking and subversive character found in the myths of every civilisation — the exhibit brings together the works of 33 ''disruptive'' artists. For more info click here.  

MONACO: Monaco Grand Prix. The prestigious Formula 1 race (@automobileclubmonaco) is June 4–7, 2026. https://monaco-grandprix.com/en/

JULY 2026

ALL OVER FRANCE: The Tour de France is July 4 to July 26, 2026. https://www.letour.fr/en/

ALL OVER FRANCE: Bastille Day is July 14. Check local listings for celebrations including meals, music, fireworks and more.

AIX: A major exhibit of photos taken by Paul McCartney during the early years of The Beatles will be shown in France for the first time at the Musée Granet in summer 2026. Titled Paul McCartney, Photographer 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm, the show runs from July 4 to Nov 1 2026 and brings together more than 250 images taken by the former Beatle during the early years of the band’s rise to global fame. Shot between 1963 and 1964 with a 35mm camera, the show captures a pivotal moment when The Beatles moved from local success in Liverpool and London to international stardom, including their first trips to Paris and the United States. The selection was made from around 1,000 photographs rediscovered in Paul McCartney’s archives in 2020 and forms part of the celebrations marking 200 years of photography. https://www.museegranet-aixenprovence.fr/en/homepage

ARLES: The large international photography festival known as Les Rencontres d'Arles happens every summer; the next one is July 6 to Oct 4, 2026. In addition to photo exhibits in venues all over the city and beyond (most of which run for the duration of the fest), there will be panel discussions, evening talks, slide shows, workshops and pop ups (mostly during the first week). For visitors who want to partake, it can all be a bit daunting: how to get tickets, which are the best shows, how to map out the day, etc. But fear not, photo lover! I've lined up a few great local guides who know all the ins and outs, who are eager to help you and host you! For info on that: WhatToDoinProvence@gmail.com.

ARLES: From May 22 to October 18, 2026, the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles (@fondationvincentvangogharles) presents “Suspects – Van Gogh, Tricksters & Co.,” an exhibit devoted to artists who, following van Gogh, have chosen dissidence over conformity and excess over restraint. Inspired by the anthropological figure of the ‘trickster’ — a mocking and subversive character found in the myths of every civilisation — the exhibit brings together the works of 33 ''disruptive'' artists. For more info click here.  

CANNES: The International Fireworks Festival is July–August, on six nonconsecutive nights. https://www.festival-pyrotechnique-cannes.com/en/

CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE: The Fete de la Veraison celebrates wine and medieval style, July 31-Aug 2, 2026. https://www.lesprintempsdechateauneufdupape.fr/

DIGNES-LES-BAINS: Traditional lavender festival with parades and fireworks. July 31 - Aug 5, 2026. https://www.cdf-dignelesbains.fr/accueil.html

ORANGE The Choregies d'Orange offers up world-class opera and classical music in an ancient Roman theatre. This year, they'll feature a single major operaa, Verdi's La Traviata, performed in a concert version on July 4, 2026 at the historic Theatre Antique d'Orange. For official updates and ticket purchases, visit the Chorégies d'Orange official website. 

SEPTEMBER 2026

ARLES: From May 22 to October 18, 2026, the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles (@fondationvincentvangogharles) presents “Suspects – Van Gogh, Tricksters & Co.,” an exhibit devoted to artists who, following van Gogh, have chosen dissidence over conformity and excess over restraint. Inspired by the anthropological figure of the ‘trickster’ — a mocking and subversive character found in the myths of every civilisation — the exhibit brings together the works of 33 ''disruptive'' artists. For more info click here.  

MARSEILLE: The Foire Internationale de Marseille is a major end-of-summer fair with gastronomy and regional products, running from Sept 25 to Oct 5, 2026.