I’m writing this article in May because I’m just too excited about all the events taking place in Bordeaux in July to keep this info to myself! So what’s happening in the Bordeaux region in July 2023, you ask? Events like Bordeaux Open Air, Dansons sur les Quais, and La Bataille de Castillon are only part of the long list you’ll find in this article.
As usual, most of this list includes specific events, so if you want to see fun places to visit during the summer, check out the article about the best things to do during summer in Bordeaux. Also, every Friday I give updates about other events taking place in Bordeaux in my newsletter, so don’t forget to subscribe to my email list if you’re not on it yet.
If it’s your first time in Bordeaux and you want to get more tips about traveling in Bordeaux and the Southwest of France feel free to join my Travel in the Southwest of France group on Facebook or follow me on my Facebook/ Instagram accounts. This time the list is long so I divided the list into things to do in Bordeaux and things to do in Gironde and other parts of SW in July 2023. Let’s start!
The best events in Bordeaux (and Gironde) in July 2023
Go for a drink in one of Bordeaux’s summer bars
Plenty of rooftops, terrace cafes, and open bars are surging all over the city starting at the end of May/beginning of June. Some are more posh and chic, others simple and chill but they are all super fun to hang out in during the summer in Bordeaux. Check out the list of the best summer bars in Bordeaux.
Summer of Music in Medoc
Les Estivales de Musique en Medoc is the only music festival in France dedicated exclusively to young laureates of international competitions.
The festival was created in 2003 to discover new talents in classical music. The concerts are hosted in some of the most prestigious châteaux in the Medoc area and are followed by wine tastings. The festival is taking place from June 29 to July 12. See the full program here.
When: June 29 – July 12 / Where: Different locations, see program above
Before going check out my guide to the Medoc region to discover other places that are worth a visit on the way to your concert 🙂
Le Festival des Hauts de Garonne
This is an annual music festival taking place on the rive droite of the Garonne. On June 30 and July 1,6,7, plenty of music concerts will take place in different parks in four towns in Bordeaux Metropole (Floirac, Lormont, Bassens, and Cenon). See all the details here.
When: June 30 and July 1,6,7 / Where: Rions
Les Escapades Musicales
Les Escapades Musicales is a big classical music festival taking place in different natural and historic sites around the Bassin d’Arcachon. During five weeks (from June 22 – to July 22) plenty of international musicians will take part in this festival, aiming to concert the unique sites of Arcachon with the elegance of classical music. See the program here.
When: June 22 – July 22 / Where: Different locations around Arcachon
Don’t miss all the other amazing places to visit in Arcachon – it is the perfect summer destination.
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 27 to July 6. See the full program of concerts here.
When: June 27- July 6 / Where: Different chateaux in South Gironde
Festival Rues et Vous
This is the 16th edition of Festival Rue et Vous, a performance art festival taking place every year in the charming medieval town of Rions. This year the festival will take place on July 7-9 and will include a rich program of theater, dance, circus, and music shows for both adults and kids. For tickets and the full program check out the website of the festival.
Rions is one of the most beautiful villages around Bordeaux and is totally worth a visit.
When: July 7-9 / Where: Rions
Jalles House Rock
Le Jalles House Rock is one of the biggest rock festivals in Gironde that annually proposes a rich program of local and international acts. The goal of the festival is to share the love for rock music with as many people as possible and that’s why the entrance is free. They do however encourage you to donate to the Estran association that organizes the event.
This year the festival in Saint-Médard-en-Jalles takes place on July 7-8. For more details check out the website of the festival.
When: July 7-8 / Where: 1, chemin de Cantelaude, 33160 Saint-Médard-en-Jalles
Les 24h du Swing
This is the 33rd edition of ‘les 24h du Swing’, a swing festival taking place this weekend (July 7-9) in Monségur. More than 40 concerts will take place at different locations like Bastide Monséguraise, des Tilleuls à la Halle, and different bars and restaurants in Monségur. For more info and tickets click here.
When: July 7-9 / Where: several locations in Monségur
Les Nouvelles Saisons – music festival
Les Nouvelles Saisons is a classic music festival taking place in Bordeaux on July 9-19 at Cour Mably, la Cathédrale de Bordeaux, and the main library of Bordeaux. The festival was created by the violoncellist Jeremy Genet and the composer Christian Lauba offering a great variety of musical styles (baroque, romantic, modern, and more). For more details and tickets click here.
When: July 9-19 / Where: Different location in Bordeaux
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 28 to July 25.
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 update you about specific events taking place in Bordeaux during the long weekend of July 14 in my newsletter. Subscribe here if you’re not on my list yet!
Dance on the Quai
Dansons sur les Quais is a series of dancing classes and events where people gather to dance together and learn a variety of dancing genres like Tango, Salsa, Bollywood, Forro, Hip Hop, Street Jazz, Zumba, and more.
All the dance classes will be guided by professional dancers from different dance schools in Bordeaux. The classes are completely free, so this is a great opportunity you don’t want to miss. The event will take place on the quai almost daily on July 12-30. Many of the lessons and events this year require prior reservation, for more details and the full program see here.
When: July 12-30 / Where: Quai Louis XVIII, 33000 Bordeaux
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 17 and August 27, more than 100 activities of music, dance, public reading, theater, circus, and gastronomy will take place around the metropole. Check out the full program of events here (the program will be updated soon).
When: Daily from July 17 to August 27/ Where: Bordeaux Metropolitan – check out the exact location of every event in the program.
Bordeaux Open Air
Bordeaux Open Air is a series of free summer electronic music events, all set in different locations and with a great city vibe to them. The program of all the summer events will be published here.
When: Sundays in July, August, and September / Where: Follow the website for the exact location
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.
When: July 20 – August 19 / Where: Association 1453, Mairie de Castillon, 33350 CASTILLON-LA-BATAILLE
Andernos Jazz Festival
One of the best Jazz festivals in the Gironde region is taking place this weekend (July 28-30) in Andernos les Bains. This is the 50th edition of the festival so it’ll be bigger and happier than ever. For more details about the Andernos Jazz Festival click here.
Andernos les Bains is one of the best destinations to visit in Arcachon.
When: July 28-30 / Where: the center of Andernos les Bains
Nuits Atypiques Festival
This multidisciplinary festival in south Gironde has been taking place every summer since 1992. From June 4 to July 22, 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.
When: June 4- July 22 / Where: South Gironde- check out the exact location of every event in the program.
Big events in other parts of the SW of France – July 2023
Festival Garorock
Let’s start the list with one of the biggest music festivals in our region, the Garorock! The popular festival is about to take place from June 29 to July 2 in Marmande (about an hour’s drive from Bordeaux). Garorock is an international festival with 5 big stages that usually hosts more than 50 French and international artists. Click here for more info.
When: June 29- July 2 / Where: Plaine de la Filhole 47200 Marmand
If you want to discover other festivals taking place in the region, check out my post about the best music festivals around Bordeaux.
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 4-9, includes some of the biggest names in the Blues world in its program. See the full program here.
When: July 4-9 / Where: Boulevard Denfert-Rochereau, Cognac
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 6) and has a very impressive lineup of international Jazz artists. Check out the full program here.
When: July 20 to August 6 / Where: Marciac
Fêtes de la Madeleine
Fêtes de la Madeleine is the big festival of Mont de Marsan, in the Landes department, celebrating the Gascogne culture. The five days 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 19 – 23. Check out the long list of events here.
When: July 19-23 / Where: Mont-de-Marsan
Festival FreeMusic
Freemusic is a big music festival taking place this weekend (June 21-23) at Lac de Montendre (about an hour’s drive from Bordeaux). The festival includes a long lineup of artists that will take the stage on this beautiful beach in the Charente-Maritime department. For the full program and tickets click here.
When: July 22-24 / Where: Lac Baron Desqueyroux, 17130 Montendre
Jazz in Sanguinet
Another cool festival this weekend (July 20 -23) will take place in Sanguinet, just next to Biscarrosse Lake. This is a fun and free event with plenty of concerts and exhibitions. For more info click here.
When: July 20-23 / Where: Espace Gemme, Avenue du Born, 40460 SANGUINET
Festival Musicalarue
The Musicalarue is a big music festival taking place in Luxey (about an hour’s drive from Bordeaux) on July 28-30. See the lineup and ticket prices here. More info here.
When: July 28-30 / Where: Les Cigales – 273 rue des écoles, 40430 Luxey, Aquitaine
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 27-29 in the center of Cognac. See the full program here.
When: July 27-29/ Where: the center of Cognac
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 5 and August 12 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.
When: July 5- August 12 / Where: Different locations around Brive
Is it your first time in Bordeaux?
Be sure to check up 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:
