All the outdoor places around Bordeaux are starting to open up, the Bordelais are already occupying the terraces of every coffee shop and Bordeaux just feels particularly lively these days. The summer season in Bordeaux is officially on!
In this article, I made a list of all the best events and ideas for things to do in Bordeaux in May 2022. If it’s your first time here don’t forget to check my article about the 50 best things to do in Bordeaux as well as my Bordeaux district guide (especially helpful for those looking for accommodation in Bordeaux). Also, I’m currently updating my article about the best terraces and outdoor bars in Bordeaux, so don’t forget to check the blog again in the next few days.
I also wanted to let you know that I’m back guiding tours, so if you want to get lost in Bordeaux with me check out the dates of my next group food tours or contact me for private tours at [email protected].
Now let’s see what’s waiting for us in Bordeaux this month!
Tous À L’opéra
The Opera of Bordeaux invites you to its annual event on May 6-8. The program includes public rehearsals, performances, workshops for kids, and more. Some of the activities require prior reservation. For more info check out the site of the Opera and the Facebook page of the event.
When: May 6-8 / Where: several location, check out the program
The opening of La Guinguette chez Alriq
The best place for sunny weekends in Bordeaux is about to reopen for its summer season. La Guinguette chez Alriq is a tavern at la Bastide neighborhood, on the rive droite of the Garonne. On a sunny day, you can enjoy a cold beer, nice food, and daily concerts with a magnificent view of the Garonne. The first concert will take place on May 5, see the full program for the month here.
When: Starting May 5 / Where: ZA Quai des Queyries, Port Bastide, 33100 Bordeaux
Open doors in the Côtes de Bourg appellation
Ô Chais is the annual open doors event taking place at the Côtes de Bourg appellation. It’s less known than the renowned Saint Emilion or Medoc appellations but it’s an excellent wine you should try when visiting the Bordeaux wine region. This year the event is taking place on May 7-8. See more details here. For other open doors events, check out my article about all the Portes Ouvertes in the wineries of Bordeaux.
When: May 7-8 / Where: wineries in Bourg
Sidéral Festival
Sideral is an electronic music festival that is about to take place in Bordeaux on May 5-8. The concerts will be hosted by three very cool music venues in Bordeaux: Les Vivres de l’Art, Iboat and the Salle du Grand Parc. To see the full program and for the tickets, click here.
When: May 5-8/ Where: Different locations in Bordeaux
Go on a wine trip in Medoc
May is probably one of the best months to do the Route des Chateaux in Medoc, a magnificent wine trail, which combines nature, history, and culture in one beautiful road. You can do it as a day trip from Bordeaux and visit wineries located not far from the city. Here are a few I can recommend: Chateau d’Arsac, (book a visit here), the charming family-run Chateau Siran (book a visit here) and Chateau Kirwan (book a visit here). If you prefer to go on a tour with a guide, here’s a great wine tour company that will take you on a half-day tour, with two winery visits – click here for all the details. However, if you have the time I recommend going there for at least 2 days and discovering the north part of Medoc. Read about my weekend in Medoc in this article.
Search for beautiful antiques at the Brocante
The big brocante of Bordeaux is hosted twice a year at place des Quinconces with 200 antique dealers, horticulturists, restaurants, and craftsmen. It’s the biggest brocante event in the area and the selection is huge, from vintage home decor to paintings, antique furniture, garden accessories, and more. The market is taking place from April 22 to May 8. For more info and the list of exhibitors click here.
When: April 22 – May 8 / Where: Place des Quinconces, Bordeaux
Carrousel de Curiosités – Marché de créateurs
Le Carrousel de Curiosités is a creators market taking place every year at the Garage Moderne in Bacalan. This year, the event will take place on May 14-15. For more details click here.
When: May 14-15/ Where: 1 rue des Etrangers, 33000 Bordeaux
Let your kids discover the art of circus at the Festival Jubil’à Jongle
The 14th edition of the Jubil’à Jongle festival will start with an inauguration evening on May 13, which will include magic and fire shows, and different activities for kids. The second day (May 14) of the festival will allow you and your kids to discover the art of circus and street entertainment through shows of Juggling, magic, games, and introductory workshops. The festival will take place at Parc de Fongravey in Blanquefort. See more info here.
When: May 13-14 / Where: Parc de Fongravey, Blanquefort
European Museums Night
On May 14 some of the best museums and cultural establishments in Bordeaux will open their doors to the public with free exhibitions and activities. Besides exhibitions, the museums will host lots of kids-friendly activities, concerts, and more. See the full list of museums and events here.
When: May 14 – 6pm until midnight / Where: Different museums around the metropole
Visit the smallest village in France
Did you know that the smallest village in France is located in the Entre Deux Mers sub-region of Gironde, less than an hour’s drive from Bordeaux? Castermoron d’Albret has only a few streets but each one of them is so beautiful, you can spend half a day just wandering in and around the village. Read more about Castermoron d’Albret in my article. If you go there on a Saturday, pass by the great market of La Reole and buy some stuff for a picnic 🙂
Les Cogitations
Les Cogitations is a mocking art festival taking place in the L’entrepot in Lehaillan on May 3-15. Check out the full list of the performers here.
When: May 3-15 / Where: 13 rue Georges Clémenceau – Le Haillan
Cathedral nights
The Cathedral of Saint André in Bordeaux invites you to the Cathedral Nights events that will include two nights of musical concerts (May 13-14). The beautiful lighting of the Cathedral at night will make this an unforgettable event. For more information click here.
When: May 13-14/ Where: Place Pey-Berland, 33000 Bordeaux
Le Mai talençais
A super fun and free event for kids will take place on May 13-22 in park Peixotto in Talence. The program includes concerts, a creators market, activities for kids, and fireworks on Saturday night. For more details click here.
When: May 13-22 / Where: Parc de Peixotto, 33400 Talence
PIK NIK ZIK – free concerts
Pik Nik Zik is a series of free concerts organized by Les P’tits Gratteurs association, that will take place on May 22 at the Quai des sports Saint-Michel. For more details click here.
When: May 22, starting 17:00 / Where: Quai des sports Saint-Michel, Bordeaux
Big Bang – Air and Space Festival
The Big Bang festival will take place on May 18-22 at the Aérocampus in Latresne. The program includes art and science exhibitions, conferences, films, concerts, and much more. Check out the full program of the event.
When: May 18 – 22 / Where: 1B Rte de Cénac, 33360 Latresne
Festival Escape Game et Imaginaire
An escape game festival will take place on May 21-22 in the charming village of Saint Macaire. The program includes plenty of different activities, escape games, and workshops. For more info click here.
When: May 21 – 22 / Where: the center of Saint Macaire
Fête de la Nature
Terres d’Oiseaux, the beautiful nature reserve, located on the board of the Gironde estuary invites you to a weekend of nature celebration. The event will take place on May 21-22, see more details here.
When: May 21-22 / Where: La Terre Promise, 33820 Braud-et-Saint-Louis
Foire international de Bordeaux
The big fair of Bordeaux is about to take place on May 21-29 at the Parc des Expositions. One of the themes of the event this year is Egypt with activities like Egyptian massage, dancing and street art taking place in the “Egyptian district”. Other than that you can enjoy an Agriculture Salon, a robotic show and more. See more details here.
When: May 21-29 / Where: Parc des Expositions, 33000 Bordeaux
Bordeaux Geek Festival
Comics, science fiction, video games, parallel worlds, creative industries – you’ll find all of these at the next Bordeaux Geek festival (BGF), taking place May 27-29 at Parc des Expositions. The goal of this festival is to experience geek culture and share knowledge on topics that are at the heart of the Geek community. The BGF brings together different players from these industries, among them: video artists, gamers, illustrators, designers, scientists, authors, comedians and more. For more details and tickets click here.
When: May 27-29 / Where: Hall 3 and 1 – Parc des Expositions, 33000 Bordeaux
Events in Dordogne
Fête de la Fraise
The annual celebration of strawberries is going to take place on May 8 in the village of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne. This region of France is known for amazing strawberries so they are right to celebrate it 🙂 For more details click here.
Les Floralies – Flowers weekend
On the weekend of May 7-8, you can also visit Saint-Jean-de-Cole, one of France’s most beautiful villages where a big flowers fair is about to take place. See more details here.
Exhibitions and concerts not to miss this month in Bordeaux
Picasso, l’effervescence des formes
From April 15 to August 28, Le Cité du Vin will be presenting a temporary exhibition, called Picasso, l’effervescence des formes. The exhibition will look into the role wine and alcohol, in general, played in Picasso’s works. For more info click here.
Read about my visit to the Cité du Vin to learn more about one of Bordeaux’s modern symbols.
When: April 15 – August 28 / Where: 134 Quai de Bacalan, 33300 Bordeaux
Venise, la Sérénissime – Les Bassins de Lumières
Les Bassins de Lumières is hosting a new exhibition and it’s very exciting! This time the exhibition is dedicated to the city of Venice and its cultural and architectural treasures. If you’ve been to the previous two exhibitions at the Bassins de Lumières you know that it’s an amazing experience and if you haven’t check out my video from the last exhibition. “Venise, la Sérénissime” will be presented from February 11 to January 2nd, get your tickets here.
When: February 11 – January 2nd / Where: Imp. Brown de Colstoun, 33300 Bordeaux
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:
