The weather may not be getting warmer but Bordeaux’s event calendar is definitely getting hotter. Plenty of activities are waiting for us in May, festivals, concerts, cultural events, music and more; there is an event for everyone. In this list I just want to give you a heads up on the 10 biggest events in and around Bordeaux this month, so that you could plan ahead and buy tickets if necessary. As usual weekly updates will be published in the following weeks to give you the full coverage of the events in 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), that will take place May 19-21 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 will bring together different players from these industries, among them: video artists, gamers, illustrators, designers, scientists, authors, comedians and more. The festival will also include four big contests where people can win quite impressive awards: BGF E-Sport, BGF Awards, BGF Makers and BGF Comics.
When: May 19-21
Where: Hall 3 and 1 – Parc des Expositions, 33000 Bordeaux
Take your picnic to the Vineyard
Wine activities and picnics are two favorite French activities, so why not combine them? Usually, the vines, owned by the different chateaux can only be visited as part of a guided tour in the chateau, however this month you have an opportunity to bring your picnic basket and spend a great day with your family and friends in the vineyards. The principle is quite simple: You bring your own picnic and the chateau will provide the wine and entertainment.
Around 400 different wine domains are participating in the event that will take place during the long weekend of May 19-21. More than 1000 activities are proposed to families by the participating chateaux, they will reflect the specialty of the chateaux and the area, among them: art workshops, concerts, bike tours and more.
There are 17 participating Chateaux in the Bordeaux area- See the list
Find a chateaux in other areas in France click HERE.
The places are limited so reserving a spot as soon as possible is recommended.
When:May 19-21
ODP Music Festival in Peixotto
This is the fourth edition of the ODP Festival, whose objective is to raise funds for the orphans of firefighters that have died on duty. The festival will take place on the long weekend of Ascension, May 18-20, in Park Peixotto in the center of Talence. Here is a list of some of the acts that will perform at the festival: – NTM, alt-J, Ibeyi, Coeur de Pirate, BALOJI, Dätcha Mandala, Laurent Lamarca, Da silva officiel, Gauvain Sers, Les Négresses Vertes –
The prices go from 35€ to 45€ for a day ticket, 60€ to 70€ for a two days pass and 100 € for a 3 days pass – see tickets.
For more details and tickets go to the website of the festival and the facebook page.
When: May 18- 20
Where: Parc du Château Peixotto, 33400 Talence
The Medieval Festival of South Gironde
The Medieval Festival of Gironde will take place in the Cabiros forest in Landiras (about 40 min south of Bordeaux) on May 12-13. This unique site, at the heart of the forest, creates a perfect atmosphere for this festival giving you the feeling that you have been transported to medieval times. The medieval village, the costumes and the sword fighting are only part of the activities that will help you discover the history and habits of those ancient times. A free fire show will be offered on Saturday night!
The ticket price for the whole festival is 10€ and it’s free to kids under 12. For more info check out the website of the festival.
When: May 12-13
Where: Landiras, 33720
Go to a secret event at the Festival de Caves
Festival de Caves (Cellars festival) is an underground theater festival, gathering a small number of spectators in cellars and other underground places throughout the city. In Bordeaux, the festival will take place on May 16-27 and will run the whole month of May in different cities in France. So where are those city cellars we are talking about you ask? Well that’s the whole idea, these events are being kept secret and the locations will be revealed to those who reserved their spot only on the day of the shows. The launching of the festival will take place on May 16 (7pm) at the Marché des Douves. The event is free and will include a concert, a buffet and the presentation of the artists taking part in the festival.
Check out the full program on the website of the event. For more details click here.
photo by: Compagnie GbouillonWhen:May 16-27
Where: locations are secret for now 🙂 , the lauching event: Marché des Douves. 4 Rue des Douves, 33800 Bordeaux
How much: full price is 12€/ reduced price is 10€. The launching event is free of charge.
Banzai Lab- an independent music festival
This is the 10th edition of the Banzai – Lab, the independent music festival of Bordeaux that takes place in Le Rocher de Palmer in Cenon on May 4-5. To celebrate its anniversary le Rocher de Palmer invites you to two full days of concerts of different genres: Hip-hop, Electro, Dub and more.
See the full program, the prices and buy tickets here.
For more info about the artists see the website of the festival.
When:May 4-5
Where:1 Rue Aristide Briand, 33152 Cenon
Learn how to dance at the Bordeaux Tango Festival
The 6th edition of the Bordeaux Tango Festival will take place May 8-13. This hot festival connects Bordeaux and the place where Tango was born, Buenos Aires. A variety of activities will be offered to celebrate the link between these two cities, such as music, art, cinema, literature and of course dance. Most of the event will take place in Espace St. Remi, except the events on Friday which will take place at the Rocher de Palmer in Cenon.
See the program of the festival.
When:May 8-13
Where: 4 Rue Jouannet, 33000 Bordeaux
Let your kids discover the art of circus at the Festival Jubil’à Jongle
The 12th edition of the festival will start with an inauguration evening on May 25, which will include magic and fire shows, different activities for kids and even a rock concert. The second day (May 26) 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 the Parc de Fongravey in Blanquefort.
For more info click here.
When: May 25-26
Where:4 Parc de Fongravey in Blanquefort
Last chance to see the Digital Abysses expo
If you still didn’t go to the incredible Base sous- Marine to see the currently running exhibition, this is your last chance. The Digital Abysses exhibition, by the digital artist Miguel Chevalier, will be presented until May 20, so hurry up. His fantastic work of art explores nature through underwater plants and wildlife. The characteristics of this unique place with the combination of fixed works and interactive digital installations makes it a special experience.
See more details.
photo by: Ira SzmukAddress: Boulevard Alfred Daney, 33300 Bordeaux
Brocante des Quinconces
The big brocante of Bordeaux is hosted twice a year at place des Quinconces with 200 antique dealers, horticulturists, restaurants and craftsmen. This spring is the 100th edition of the brocante and it will take place from April 20 to May 8.
When: April 20 – May 8
Where: Place des Quinconces
Hope the sun will soon be back with us!
If you know of any other interesting events in Bordeaux and the area, please let me know in the comments below and I will be sure to add them to my weekly list of things to do in Bordeaux.
