March in Bordeaux is unpredictable, with sunny days perfect for sipping rosé on a square or even heading to the beach, contrasted by cold or rainy days. For colder weather, check out my guide to winter activities, and for rainy days, explore my list of indoor things to do in Bordeaux. First-time visitors should also read my articles on top attractions and the best districts for accommodation.
What to do in the Bordeaux region in March 2026
Matisse – Bassins de Lumières
One of the best things you can do in Bordeaux this March is see this amazing exhibition! Bassins de Lumières unveiled its new immersive exhibition dedicated to Henri Matisse.
This colorful show explores his bold use of colour, movement, and rhythm, projected across the monumental space and water reflections. The visit also includes a shorter immersive programme around Frida Kahlo.
Here’s a link to get your tickets.
Carnaval des 2 rives
Carnal des 2 Rives is Bordeaux’s main carnival, created in 1996 and celebrated on both sides of the Garonne river, with a big parade, creative costumes, live music, and dance performances across the city center. The 2026 theme is “Des fleuves et des mers” (Rivers and Seas), inspired by oceans, waterways, and aquatic worlds. The parade starts from Parvis Maison Écocitoyenne (Quai Richelieu), crosses the river by boat with circus performances, goes through Porte de Bourgogne, Cours Victor Hugo and Cours Pasteur, and ends at Place Pey Berland, where a Bal Maritime and dancing kick off the final party. See more details here.
Date & Time
📅 Sunday 1 March 2026
🕑 Parade starts at 14:30 (river crossing + circus animation 14:00–14:30)
🎉 Final party starts at 16:30 at Place Pey Berland
Fest’Armagnac 2026
Discover the world of Armagnac at La Grande Poste de Bordeaux (March 7). Enjoy tastings from 38 exhibitors, rare bottles in the pop-up cellar, masterclasses, and cocktails paired with traditional Gascon dishes. See details here.
Fête de l’Orange
Fête de l’Orange, the feast of the Orange, is celebrated every year in Podensac, the town of the famous Lillet liqueur. The program includes a big orange market and different orange specialties, a guided visit to the Lillet cellars, traditional dancing, and more. The event will take place on March 7-8. The full program can be found here.
Grand Salon Habitat De Bordeaux
Bordeaux’s big habitat fair will take place on March 6-8. The salon will include various stands and professionals specializing in construction, house renovation, interior design, and more. The event will take place at Hall 3 of le Parc des Expositions de Bordeaux – Hall 3. For more details click here.
Bordeaux Rock Festival
The Bordeaux Rock Festival is an annual event gathering independent and alternative bands in Bordeaux. This year the festival will take place on March 11-14 in different parts of Bordeaux. The program and more details will be published here soon.
The WOW Festival
The WOW Festival in Bordeaux is a multidisciplinary event celebrating women and gender minorities through performances, workshops, discussions, and artistic expressions. This year, the festival takes place on March 10-15, see the program here.
Salon des Vins des Vignerons Indépendants de Bordeaux
The Salon des Vins of the Bordeaux independent winemakers will take place on March 13-15 at the Parc des Expositions de Bordeaux (Bordeaux Lac -Hall 3). Wine producers from the region will present their wines and will invite you to a free tasting. This event is not geared toward professionals but rather toward all wine lovers. For more info click here.
Festival Bazar des Môme
Le Bazar des Môme is a kids’ festival taking place on March 17-29 in ten different towns and villages in Arcachon. The program includes music, theater, and circus spectacles, movies, exhibitions and more. The dates and the program will be published here.
Foire aux Plaisirs
Bordeaux’s spring fair at Place des Quinconces features thrilling rides, games, and treats like donuts and crêpes, perfect for all ages. The fair will take place from February 27 to March 22; see info here.
If you need more ideas for amusement parks check out my article about the best theme and amusement parks in the SW of France.
Swing Art Festival
Every March, Bordeaux hosts the Swing Art Festival (March 13-15), featuring swing dancing, live music, workshops, and vintage markets at Halle des Chartrons. Free entry! See info here.
Saint Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick’s Day is always a good opportunity to get drunk from an Irish beer or whiskey while listening to good music. Most Irish (and English) bars in Bordeaux have a big Saint Patrick’s Day celebration with music and a lot of drunk and happy people. Check out my list of Irish/English bars in Bordeaux and choose one for March 17!
Les Fous Rires de Bordeaux
Les Fous Rires de Bordeaux (March 18-21) is a very unique humor festival hosting more than 80 artists and different activities taking place all over the city. The festival is an opportunity to experience humor in different forms, such as live on stage, in pictures, and even through cooking! See info and tickets here.
Salon Abc Kidz
Salon Abc Kidz (March 21-22) is a fun, free event packed with workshops, activities, and expert talks for parents and little ones! This year, Darwin will be hosting this event. See details here.
The European Short Film Festival
The European Short Film festival (festival européen du court métrage de Bordeaux) is taking place on March 26-27 at the UGC Ciné Cité Bordeaux. The festival includes a program of about thirty movies from all over the world and a jury of famous personalities from the French cinema industry, from actors to directors and screenwriters. For more info and tickets, check out the website of the festival.
Open doors in Médoc
To celebrate the beginning of spring, the Maison du Tourisme et du Vin de Pauillac will hold an open-door weekend on March 28-29. During the weekend, you can visit plenty of châteaux in the Médoc region and taste some of the finest wines in the world. For details about all the participating chateaux, click here.
If you want to know more about the event, you should read my post about the Open doors weekend. For more open-door events in Bordeaux, go to my Portes Ouvertes guide.
Escale du livre
Escale du Livre is an annual book festival taking place in the center of Bordeaux. The program includes plenty of activities for kids and adults, such as interviews with writers, workshops for kids, poem reading, and more. The event is taking place on March 27-29 in Darwin (Bordeaux). See all the details and the full program here.
Portes Ouvertes des Châteaux de la Presqu’île
Le Presqu’il d’Ambes is located less than 20 minutes from Bordeaux, and you can find quite a few interesting wineries producing mostly AOC Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur wines. The open door event at the chateaux of this wine region will take place on March 28-29, with more than 10 family estates welcoming you to come and taste their wines. See all the details here.
Serial Kickerz Block Party
The Serial Kickerz Block Party returns to Le Haillan on March 28, bringing a vibrant Hip-Hop festival with graffiti, MC battles, freestyle sports, games, and street culture, followed by an epic international dance battle in the evening.
Marathon des 4 saisons
Marathon des 4 Saisons is the marathon of Arcachon that will be taking place on March 29 in all four parts of the city. You can find the details about the Marathon and the registration link here.
Just for context, the town of Arcachon is divided into four parts, each named after a season of the year, you can read about it in my Arcachon guide.
Vide-greniers des Bordelais
Vide-greniers des Bordelais is a cool series of garage sale events taking place every Sunday in different parts of Bordeaux from March 29 to September 20. See more details here.
Events taking place in other parts of the southwest in March 2026
Sarlat en Périgord Fest’oie (Goose Festival)
Every first weekend of March, the town of Sarlat is hosting the Goose festival. In the program, you find live music, great food, a big market, tours of the historic city, and more. The event will take place on March 7-8. See more details here.
South Town Jazz Festival
The South Town Jazz Festival is an annual festival taking place in Soustons, a charming beach town in the Landes department. The festival will take place on March 21-28. For more info and tickets click here.
Is it your first time in Bordeaux?
If it is you should definitely check out my ultimate guide to Bordeaux to get familiar with all the must-see places in the city. To help you choose a hotel I’ve gathered a list of the best hotels in the center of Bordeaux as well as a guide to the districts of Bordeaux to help you find your preferred AirBnB location.
If you need more tips for things to do in the SW of France I invite you to join my Facebook group ” Travel in the South West of France“. Also, every Friday I send a newsletter with plenty of additional events you can enjoy during the weekend, so hurry up and subscribe to my email list now 🙂
You can also get plenty of tips on things to do in the Southwest of France via lost in Bordeaux’s social media accounts and email list, check them out here:
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*Note – Some of the links in this article include affiliate links for which I earn a small commission. It adds absolutely nothing to your cost and helps me continue writing about this amazing region. Don’t worry, I’m not getting rich here, I’ll never recommend anything I don’t believe in 🙂
