April is a vibrant month in Bordeaux. The weather starts to warm up, flowers bloom, and many places reopen for the summer season. It’s also one of the best times to explore Bordeaux and its surroundings before the crowds arrive.
If you’re looking for ideas of what’s happening this month, you’ll find a curated list of the best events in Bordeaux and the region below. And if you want help planning your time in the city, my Bordeaux Map brings together my favorite spots to eat, drink, and explore. Let’s dive into the top things to do in Bordeaux this April.
The best events in the Bordeaux region in April 2026
Itinéraires des Photographes Voyageurs – photography festival
The 34th edition of the “Traveling Photographers Routes” festival will take place on April 1-26. During one month, 10 photography exhibitions will be presented at the main cultural institutions in the city, among them, the Rocher de Palmer in Cenon, the Bibliothèque in Meriadeck, Espace Saint-Rémi, and others. Get the full list of all artists and more info about the event here.
Treasure Hunt on Pâques Weekend
The first weekend of April is the long weekend of Easter in France, and the area of Bordeaux offers plenty of activities to entertain you and your kids. Egg hunting, visits to beautiful chateaux, and chocolate workshops are only some of the activities you could do this weekend.
You can find all the best events taking place on Easter weekend around Bordeaux in my article, as well as in my newsletter (subscribe here).
Festival Cinémarges
Festival Cinémarges is an annual independent and queer film festival that explores issues of gender and sexuality. This year, the festival takes place on April 1-8 in venues like the Utopia movie theater and the CAPC museum. Take a look at the program.
Adrenaline by L’Orangeade
The ADRÉNALINE festival (April 3-5) in Bordeaux features 30 artists, electrifying performances, and thrilling sports activities at Place des Quinconces. L’Orangeade is a collective of passionate music lovers who have been organizing some of Bordeaux’s best music events in the last few years. For more info click here.
Grande Brocante Antiquites À Rauzan
Every year, the village of Rauzan in the Entre-deux-Mers region hosts one of the best brocantes (an antiques/ flea market) in the SW of France. This year, the big market will take place on April 3-6. See all the details here.
Week-end des Vins Vivants
On April 4-5, the town of Monségur in Entre-deux-Mers is hosting a wine festival. The event is dedicated to organic and natural wines. See all the participating wineries here.
Le printemps de Soulac
Soulac Sur Mer, the beautiful village in the Medoc region, is celebrating the start of Spring on the long weekend of April 4-6. The program includes a flower market, concerts on the streets, a wine fair, and more. See the fool program here.
Territoires Sauvages – Nature Festival
Territoires Sauvages is a nature festival that will take place at the Halle du Port in Teich (Arcachon Bay) on April 3-6. You’re invited to spend your Easter weekend discovering the natural treasures of the region. For more info, click here.
Bobine de fil
A free kids theatre festival taking place at Salle des fêtes du Grand Parc in Bordeaux on April 9-12. See the program here.
The Blaye Spring Wine Festival
The Blaye Spring Wine Festival will take place on April 11-12 at the Blaye Citadel. The annual wine festival brings together more than 100 winemakers. The program includes discovery workshops (introduction to tasting, mixing, and food and wine pairing), guided visits to the citadel by train or horse, and more. For the full program here.
For more open-door events in Bordeaux, go to my Portes Ouvertes guide.
Fête les Vins kms de Saint-Emilion
Les Vins Kms de Saint-Emilion is a walking and running race of 12 km, 21km, and 42k, taking place around the stunning village of Saint Emilion. The event, taking place on April 12, starts at Château Soutard, one of Saint Emilion’s most popular wineries. See the full programhere. Check out my article aboutall the wineries I recommend visiting in Saint Emilion.
Les Grandes Heures de Saint-Emilion
Les Grandes Heures de Saint-Emilion is a series of concerts and exhibitions taking at different wine chateaux in Saint Emilion. The events always include wine tasting which makes them even more attractive :). . You can see the program and book your tickets here.
Printemps de la Forêt du Bourgailh
Like every year, the city of Pessac invites you to celebrate spring at the Forêt du Bourgailh. This year, the event will take place on April 18-19. See more details here.
Salon Nautique d’Arcachon
The big Salon Nautique d’Arcachon will take place the weekend of April 17-19 at the Port de Plaisance d’Arcachon. More than 170 exhibitors will participate in the Salon, with 450 boats stationed all over the port. For more details, click here.
Salon du Vintage
The annual vintage salon will take place in Darwin on April 25-26. This chic event will gather more than 50 exhibitors with a great selection of accessories, furniture, vinyl records, classic cars, jukeboxes, paintings, and more. For more details, check the website of the event.
Les Cogitations
Les Cogitations is a mocking art festival taking place in the L’entrepot in Le Haillan on April 23-25. Check out the full list of performers here.
Open doors at Lalande de Pomerol
An open-door weekend at the châteaux of the Lalande de Pomerol appellation will take place on April 25-26. During the weekend, the châteaux of this appellation will offer plenty of activities such as guided tours, tastings, and markets. The list of chateaux will be published here soon.
Festival Imagin’Ere
A creative festival will take place on April 24-26 at the little village of Captieux in South Girodne. The program includes plenty of concerts, spectacles, artistic makeup, and plenty of games. For more details, click here.
Fête de l’Asperge du Blayais
La Fête de l’Asperge du Blayais in Etauliers is a big event celebrating asparagus and its farmers. More than 8000 visitors are expected to stroll along with the 50 exhibitors of local delights and enjoy the activities offered to both adults and kids (make-up sessions, mini farm, pony rides, and more). The event is taking place on April 25-26 at the center of Etauliers. The full program will be published soon.
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 24 to May 10. For more info and the list of exhibitors, click here.
Big events in other parts of the SW of France
International Festival of Kites and Wind
Every year, Châtelaillon-Plage, the lovely beach town just next to La Rochelle, hosts a big kite festival. This year the festival will be taking place on April 4-6. See more details here.
Sidéral Festival
Sideral is an electronic music festival that is about to take place in Capbreton (Les Landes) on April 17-18. See more info here.
Marché aux Fleurs
The pretty town of Duras is hosting a big flower market on April 19. For more details, click here.
Foire au Jambon à Bayonne
Like every year, Bayonne will celebrate its famous ham with a big fair called, Foire au Jambon. The event will take place on April 23-26. See all the details here.
Winestock Festival
The Winestock Festival is a wine-gastronomic festival taking place in the villages of Monestier and Thénac in Dordogne. The program of the event includes concerts, tastings, workshops, a wine fair, masterclasses, and more. The event will take place on April 24-26. See all the details here.
Châteaux En Fête
Châteaux En Fête is one of the best events the Dordogne department has to offer. 90 castles all over Dordogne will open their doors to visitors and offer guided visits, activities, and festive evenings. The Châteaux En Fête event will take place from April 11 to May 3. See the list of chateaux and their programs 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.
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: