If you don’t have a car and you feel you’ve been missing out on all the open doors events in the wineries of Bordeaux, this weekend you can finally take part in one. This weekend the chateaux of Pessac-Leognan will open their doors to the public and some of them are accessible by public transport. Other than that are plenty of Christmas markets taking place this weekend and other cool events that will make you go out even if it’s raining. If you still need help with ideas for a rainy weekend check out my list of things to do when it’s raining in Bordeaux. You can also plan ahead and see what other events are on this month in my December list. If you missed my latest article on the blog, it was about the best things to do in the Chartrons district, you can read it here.
Here’s the list of things to do this weekend in Bordeaux (December 6-8)
Open Doors in the Chateaux of Pessac-Léognan
There are plenty of open doors weekends in the wineries of Bordeaux in December. This wine region is really close to Bordeaux and offers some great wines so I had to put it on my list. On December 7-8 the Pessac-Léognan appellation is holding an open doors weekend with 34 chateaux hosting you for wine tastings, tours, gourmet food and plenty of activities for kids. Some of the participating chateaux are Château de Léognan, Château Pape Clément and Château Haut-Lagrange , for the full list of Chateaux and more info about the open doors weekend click here and here.
When: December 7- 8 / Where: Bordeaux metropole (Check out the link above for the full list of events)
Cabanes en fête
This is one of the most anticipated events in Bassins d’Arcachon. Cabanes en fête is the oysters and wine celebration taking place in Andernos-les-Bains on December 7. Come to the Bassins to discover its oysters and celebrate Christmas with concerts and plenty of activities. The program also includes a music concert, a flash-mob dance, exhibitions, fireworks and more. For more info click here and for the full program here.
When: December 7 / Where: Port Ostreicole, 33510 Andernos-les-Bains
International Animated Films Festival
Les Nuits Magiques is an annual international festival of animated movies taking place at “Le Festival” cinema in Begles on December 4-15. This is the 29th edition of the festival, which over the years gained a reputation in the animation and special effects world. The rich program includes plenty of events and activities for both kids and adults: premiers of new movies, workshops, meetings with film creators and more. Check out the full program here and all other details you might need here.
When: December 4-15 Where: 151 Boulevard ALBERT 1er, 33130 Bègles
Portes Ouvertes au Château Pape Clément
Pape Clement, one of the most interesting wine chateaux in Bordeaux Metropole is opening its doors to the public as part of the open doors weekend of the Pessac-Leognan appellation. During the weekend (December 7-8) the chateau will hold guided tours and an organic market. For more info click here.
When: December 7-8 / Where: 216 Avenue Docteur Nancel Penard, 33600 Pessac
Emmaüs Salon in Darwin
This Saturday (December 7) Darwin invites you to the 8th edition of the Emmaüs salon. Emmaüs is an international solidarity movement that has a big second-hand store in Darwin. For more info click here.
When: December 7 / Where: 87 quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux
Bassin Geek Festival
If you enjoyed the Bordeaux Geek Festival a few months ago, it’s time for the winter edition with the Bassin Geek Festival. The program includes all the things the geek community loves: comics, sci-fi, web culture, video games, parallel worlds, creative industries and more. The festival will take place at the Parc des Expositions de La Teste De Buch on December 7-8. Check out the full program and all the details here and ticket prices here.
When: December 7-8 / Where: 940 Avenue de l’Europe. 33260 La Teste-de-Buch
Last weekend of the big brocante of Bordeaux
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. While some items can be pricey, you can still find plenty of affordable pieces at this antiques market. The merchants are very nice and are open to negotiations. The brocante is taking place until December 8. For more info and the list of exhibitors click here.
When: Until December 8 / Where: Place des Quinconces
Marché des Créateurs Recycleurs
Recyclerie Atelier D’éco Solidaire is hosting this weekend (December 7-8) a market of recycling artists and creators. At the market, you will find plenty of interesting stands of accessories, pictures, toys for kids, furniture and more, all made from reused objects and materials. The program also includes workshops for kids and adults. For more info click here.
When: December 7-8 / Where: 7 rue de la Motte Picquet, 33300 Bordeaux
Piano Festival
Festival L’esprit du Piano is taking place at the Auditorium of the Opera of Bordeaux on November 13 – December 7. This magnificent festival hosts some important pianists (Grigory Sokolov, Jacky Terrasson and others), some of whom will collaborate with the National Orchestra of Bordeaux and the choir of the Opera of Bordeaux. See the program of the festival here and info about the tickets here.
When: November 13 – December 7 / Where: Grand Théâtre, Place de la Comédie – 33000 Bordeaux
La Première Bougie des Halles
Les Halles de Talence is celebrating its first birthday with a weekend of Pintxos, tastings, cooking classes and a lot of music. You can see the full program of the weekend here.
When: December 6- 8 / Where: Place Alcala de Henares, 33400 Talence
IBOAT – Domingo!
Domingo is a line of events taking place every Sunday at the IBOAT to celebrate the end of the weekend. This Sunday (December 8) is the first event of the line with Dj sets by Bordeaux Open Air, SUPER Daronne and Amplitudes. For more details click here.
When: December 8m 16:00-23:00 / Where: Bassin à Flot n°1, Cours Henri Brunet, 33300 Bordeaux
CHRISTMAS MARKETS THIS WEEKEND
Marché de Noël de Bordeaux
The traditional Christmas market of Bordeaux is taking place between November 27 and December 29. This is one of the biggest Christmas markets in the region with 150 pavilions selling all the traditional Christmas merchandise such as clothes, decorations, jewelry, toys and local products. Even if you don’t intend to buy any gifts at the market you can still enjoy the Christmas spirit with some hot wine and roasted chestnuts. For more info click here.
When: November 27 – December 29 from 10:30 to 21:30/ Where: Allées de Tourny, 33000 Bordeaux
Le Grand Bazar des Créateurs
The Garage Modere in the Bacalan district will hold a very fun and creative event on December 7-8 called the Big Creators market. Around 20 local craftsmen and creators of clothes, jewelry, leather goods, accessories, sewing and photography, will offer their original items for sale. The event is free, for more details click here.
When: December 7-8 / Where: 1 rue des Etrangers, 33300 Bordeaux
Christmas Market in Saint Emilion
The traditional marché de Noël (Christmas market) of Saint Emilion is about to take place this weekend (December 7-8). So if you plan to visit Saint Emilion anytime soon, this would be the perfect weekend for that. For more details click here.
When: December 7-8 / Where: Center of Saint Emilion
Marché de Noël du Fleuve (anciennement Pey Berland) 2019
If the traditional Christmas market of Bordeaux is a bit too crowded for you, there’s a nice alternative on the riverfront. For three weeks (December 6-24) the Maison écocitoyenne de Bordeaux is hosting the annual Marché de Noël du Fleuve with 20 craftsman stands, each one making unique handmade objects you can buy as Christmas presents. For more info click here.
When: December 6-24 / Where: Maison écocitoyenne de Bordeaux, Quai Richelieu, 33000 Bordeaux
Salon des Loisirs créatifs – édition de Noël
Boesner, Bordeaux’s big arts materials shops, is hosting a Christmas creative market this Friday and Saturday (December 6-7). The event includes 15 stands with art and design products and plenty of demonstrations. For more details click here.
When: December 6-7 / Where: 170 crs Médoc, Galeries Tatry, 33300 Bordeaux
GREEN Market de Noël, marché local et 100% végétal
This Sunday (December 8) le Bouscat will host the Green Christmas market, with plenty of stands of organic food and recycled items. For more info click here.
When: December 8 / Where: 246 Avenue de la Libération-Charles de Gaulle, 33110 Le Bouscat
Marché de Noël d’Eysines
The Christmas market of Eysines will take place on December 6-7 at the Grand Place du Bourg. For more details click here.
When: December 6-7 / Where: Grand place du bourg, Eysines
Marché de Noël – Duras
The big Christmas market of Duras will take place this Sunday (December 8) at the center of Duras. For more details click here.
When: December 8 / Where: Duras, Lot et Garonne
Marché de Noël à Sarlat
If you’re in the mood to travel a bit this weekend, why not go to one of the most impressive Christmas markets in the South of France, the Sarlat Christmas market. Sarlat is a magical place that is worth a visit any time of the year, but this market makes it even more worthwhile. The village includes 70 chalets selling local products, clothes, decorations, hot wine and more. For more info click here.
When: December 4-30 / Where: Place de la Grande Rigaudie , 24200 Sarlat-la-canéda
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.
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