July in Bordeaux is full of energy—think jazz festivals in village squares, dance classes on the riverfront, fireworks by the Garonne, and unique events you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, there’s plenty to keep your summer calendar full.
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The best events in Bordeaux (and Gironde) in July 2026
Jalles House Rock
Jalles House Rock is one of Gironde’s biggest rock festivals, bringing together local and international bands for two days of pure energy. Held in Saint-Médard-en-Jalles on July 3–4, the festival is all about sharing a love for rock music—and it’s totally free to attend! For the full lineup and info, visit the festival’s website.
Festival Confluent d’Arts
From July 3-4, the stunning Château de La Rivière in Fronsac hosts the Festival Confluent d’Arts. Expect a mix of music, street theater, visual arts, and local wine—all in a beautiful riverside setting. Some events are free, others require tickets. More details on the festival’s website.
Festival Rues et Vous
Festival Rues et Vous is a lively performance art festival held every summer in the beautiful medieval town of Rions. From July 3 to 5, the village fills with theater, dance, circus acts, and music—something for both kids and adults to enjoy. For tickets and the full program, head to the festival’s website.
Rions is one of the prettiest villages near Bordeaux, and the festival is the perfect excuse to explore it.
Les 24h du Swing
Les 24h du Swing is a joyful swing festival filling the charming town of Monségur with music on July 3-5. With over 40 concerts across venues like the Bastide, Place des Tilleuls, the covered market, and even local bars and restaurants, the whole village comes alive with rhythm.For tickets and the full program, head to the festival’s website.
Les Nouvelles Saisons – music festival
Les Nouvelles Saisons is a classic music festival taking place in Bordeaux on July 2-9 at Cour Mably, la Cathédrale de Bordeaux, and the main library of Bordeaux. For more details and tickets, click here.
Le Festival des Hauts de Garonne
This is an annual music festival taking place on the rive droite of the Garonne. On July 2,3,9,10, plenty of music concerts will take place in different parks in four towns in Bordeaux Métropole (Floirac, Lormont, Bassens, and Cenon). See all the details here.
Summer of Music in Medoc
Les Estivales de Musique en Médoc is the only music festival in France dedicated exclusively to young laureates of international competitions. The concerts are hosted in some of the most prestigious châteaux in the Médoc area and are followed by wine tastings. The festival is taking place on July 3-17. See the full program here.
Before going, check out my guide to the Médoc region to discover other places that are worth a visit on the way to your concert 🙂
Caraïbos Lacanau Pro
The Caraïbos Lacanau Pro is one of the top surf events in France, held every summer in Lacanau-Océan. On August 8 -14, pro surfers from around the world hit the waves for this epic competition. But it’s not just about surfing—it’s a full-on beach festival with concerts, food trucks, craft stands, sports activities, and even surf lessons. For more info, click here.
Baroque Festival
Festes Baroques is a Baroque music festival taking place at different wine chateaux in South Gironde. So if you want to enjoy wine, beautiful music, and some of the most interesting patrimony in this region, this event is for you. The event will take place from June 24 to July 4. See more details here.
Les Escapades Musicales
Les Escapades Musicales is a big classical music festival that takes place in different natural and historic sites around the Bassin d’Arcachon. During five weeks (from June 18 – to July 18), plenty of international musicians will take part in this festival, aiming to celebrate the unique sites of Arcachon with the elegance of classical music. See the program here.
If you need more ideas on things to do in Arcachon, check out my article about a day trip to Arcachon.
Don’t miss all the other amazing places to visit in Arcachon – it is the perfect summer destination.
Osmose Festival at Château Formont
On July 11-12, Château Formont turns into an open-air playground for electro lovers. Expect 40+ DJs, a sunset amphitheater, forest raves, a pool stage, and afterparties until sunrise. You can even camp on-site for the full experience. See all the info here.
Summer sales
Summer sales are a great opportunity to enjoy good deals on clothes, shoes, electronics, toys, and more. This summer Les Soldes d’été will take place from June 24 to July 21.
Dance on the Quai
Dansons sur les Quais is a fun, free dance event taking over the Bordeaux riverfront from July 14 to August 2. Learn styles like Salsa, Tango, Hip Hop, Zumba, and more—taught by pros from local dance schools.
Some classes require booking this year, so check the full program here.
Celebrate the French National Day
July 14th is the French national day, which is celebrated in every city in France. Like every year, Bordeaux will hold a series of popular events and parties. Apart from the traditional national day events, plenty of other parties will take place on July 13-14 in many parts of Gironde to celebrate this day. I will publish a list of the best events taking place that day in this article closer to July.
Musique en Graves
From July 19 to 26, the Musique en Graves festival brings classical and contemporary music to the heart of the Graves and Sauternes vineyards. Concerts take place in stunning châteaux like Rochemorin, Carbonnieux, and Domaine de Chevalier—offering a magical mix of music, culture, and wine. See more info here.
Bordeaux Metropolitan Summer
Like every year, Bordeaux Metropolitan invites you to discover the city and the area around it through a series of cultural events and activities. Between July 15 and August 28, more than 100 activities of music, dance, public reading, theater, circus, and gastronomy will take place around the Metropole. The full program of events will be published here.
Nuits Atypiques Festival
This multidisciplinary festival in the south Gironde has been taking place every summer since 1992. From June 6 to July 19, plenty of events will take place in 12 towns in the Gironde department. The program includes a variety of activities such as concerts, theater, films, debates, tours to discover the towns, and more. Check out the full program here.
La Bataille de Castillon
La Bataille de Castillon is a spectacle taking place during the course of several weeks in the summer, replicating the famous fight from 1453. Castillon-la-Bataille, the town where the show takes place, also hosts many activities and events revolving around the big show: tours of the city, exhibitions, workshops of medieval art, and more. For more info and tickets, click here.
Andernos Jazz Festival
One of the best Jazz festivals in the Gironde region is taking place July 24-26 in Andernos les Bains. For more details about the Andernos Jazz Festival, click here.
Reggae Village
From July 24 to 26, the town of Bourg will come alive with reggae beats. A full weekend of sunshine, music, and good vibes in a beautiful setting. See more details here.
Relache Festival
Relache Festival, created by the Allez les Filles association, is a series of concerts taking place at Square Dom Bedos in Bordeaux over the summer. See all the events this summer here.
Big events in other parts of the SW of France – July 2026
Blues Passions in Cognac
Every July, Cognac hosts one of the biggest music festivals in the region called the Cognac Blues Passion. The festival, which will take place on July 1-4, includes some of the biggest names in the Blues world in its program. See the full program here.
Le Festival de Saintes
This big music festival is taking place in the famous Abbaye-aux-Dames ( la cité musicale) in Saintes, a pretty town in Charentes Maritime. Le Festival de Saintes is an established classical music festival, bringing all the biggest names in the genre to one magical weekend every year. This year the festival will be taking place on July 11-18, See the program here.
Jazz in Sanguinet
Another amazing Jazz festival in our region takes place in Sanguinet, just next to Biscarrosse Lake. This is a fun and free event with plenty of concerts and exhibitions. This year the event will take place on July 13- 19, for more info, click here.
Fêtes de la Madeleine
Fêtes de la Madeleine is the big festival of Mont de Marsan, in the Landes department, celebrating the Gascony culture. The five-day event transforms the city into a big carnival with plenty of concerts, traditional food, and activities for kids. The festival is taking place on July 22 – 26. Check out the long list of events here.
Jazz in Marciac
Marciac is a nice little village in the Gers department (about 2 hours’ drive from Bordeaux) that hosts one of the biggest Jazz festivals in the region. The festival takes place for three weeks (from July 20 to August 5) and has a very impressive lineup of international Jazz artists. Check out the full program here.
Festival Musicalarue
The Musicalarue is a big music festival taking place in Luxey (about an hour’s drive from Bordeaux) from July 31 to August 2. More info here.
Fête du Cognac
The Cognac festival celebrates the spirits of the region, the Cognac, Pineau des Charentes, and wines of the region. This is a fun and happy event with plenty of drinks and good music. And it’s an opportunity to discover one of the best destinations in the region, the town of Cognac.
The event will take place on July 22-25 in the center of Cognac. See the full program here.
Vesere Festival
The Vezere festival is a classical music festival taking place every summer in the Brive region. A long list of concerts will take place between July 7 and August 11 in the different theatres and chateaux in the region. See the program here.
Brive is located on the border between the Corezze and the Dordogne departments and is a great destination for anyone traveling in the region in the summer.
The Sarlat Theatre festival
The Sarlat Theatre Festival is one of the biggest theatre festivals in the region. From mid-July to the beginning of August, the medieval town turns into a big theater stage with plenty of performances in different parts of the city center. This year, the festival will take place from July 18 to August 3. See the program here.
Is it your first time in Bordeaux?
Be sure to check out my ultimate guide to Bordeaux, which will get you familiar with all the “must” places to visit in Bordeaux. To help you to choose a hotel in Bordeaux 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 choose your preferred location.
If you’re looking for more ideas for day trips in the Bordeaux region here are a few other articles you might want to read:
The best beaches around Bordeaux
Day trips around Bordeaux – wine, beaches and villages
10 day trips from Bordeaux by Public transport
A weekend in Medoc – Bordeaux wine tours
What to do and eat in Saint Emilion
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: