September is hands down the best month to visit Bordeaux! It’s still hot enough to go to the beach, many summer bars are still open, and don’t even get me started with how beautiful the vineyards are this time of the year. So you don’t really need events to enjoy the SW of France in September, but I’m going to tell you about them! And that’s because I believe it’s the best way to discover the hidden gems of Gironde.
So this September we have everything from the Medoc Marathon to the European heritage days and Latin music festival. If you’re reading this in August, don’t forget to check out my article about the best things to do in August as well.
Also, I update about many more events taking place every weekend 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 free to also join my Travel in the southwest of France group on Facebook or follow me on my Facebook/ Instagram accounts.
Here are some of the best things you can do in Bordeaux in September 2022!
What to do in Bordeaux Metropole in September 2022?
Discover the Chartrons neighborhood
There’s no specific event taking place here in September, but I dind’t want you to miss one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Bordeaux on your visit. Elegant buildings with flower-covered balconies, chic coffee places, some of the best pastry places in Bordeaux, and many antique shops are only some of the things you can find in Chartrons. See all the best things to do in Chartrons in my article.
Ouvre La Voix Festival
Ouvre La Voix Festival gives you the opportunity to discover the beautiful Entre-Deux-Mers region in Gironde in a special way. The three-day program of the festival (September 2-4) combines concerts, wine, and gastronomy with biking routes taking you to places like Créon, Frontenac, Sauveterre de Guyenne and more. See more details here.
When: September 2-4 / Where: Different places at the Entre-Deux-Mers region (check out the program)
Get to know your neighbors at the Pique-nique des Quartiers
Do you ever feel like you have no idea who is living around you? Pique-Nique des quartiers, taking place on September 2 will give you the chance to socialize with your neighbors. The picnics are organized by the local associations operating in the neighborhoods. Find the event near you in the list published by the town hall and on the Facebook page of the event.
When: September 2 / Where: Different locations in Bordeaux, check out the program
Climax Festival
Darwin will host its annual Climax festival on September 9-11. The festival focuses on environmental issues and climate change and its program include conferences debates and many cultural events and concerts. This is one of the biggest festivals in the center of Bordeaux located in one of the hippest places in the city. Take a look at the site of the festival for the full program.
When: September 5-8 / Where: 87 Quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux
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. For more details and the full summer program click here.
When: August 7, 21, 28 Sept 11, 18 / Where: Follow the website for the exact location
ODP Music Festival in Peixotto
ODP is an annual music festival taking place in Parc Peixotto in Talence. This year the festival will take place on September 8-11. That’s one of the best music festivals in Bordeaux metropole and always has a great lineup. For more details and tickets go to the festival’s website and their Facebook page.
When: September 8-11 / Where: Parc Peixotto, Talence
The Big Scooter Race
The Nire Laguna Thomas association organized a wonderful event to help raise funds for research on pediatric cancer. A kid’s scooter race will take place on September 10 on the Quai of Bordeaux, starting from la Maison Eco-citoyenne. The race is open to kids aged 5 -10 years old, register here.
When: September 10 / Where: la Maison Eco-citoyenne , 33000 Bordeaux
Journées Européennes du Patrimoine
The European Heritage Days are a great opportunity to discover some of Bordeaux’s most beautiful and interesting buildings. During the weekend of September 17- 18, many public and private places will open their doors and allow you to peek into parts of this city’s history otherwise hidden from our daily view. Some of the most interesting places to visit during the weekend are the Opera of Bordeaux, the Grosse Cloche, and many more. You can see the full list of the places that will be open for visits here.
You can also see the program all over France here.
When: September 17-18 / Where: Many places across the city, check out the program above.
Echo a Venir – an electronic music festival
The big visual art and electronic music festival will take place this weekend in Bordeaux (September 15-18). The program of the festival includes a lineup of DJs, a screening on one of Bordeaux’s churches, an exhibition, and more. See all the details here.
When: September 15-18/ Where: several locations in Bordeaux
Summer Rock in Bouliac
The annual “Bouliac on the Rock” event will take place this year on September 17. The program of the event includes an American car exhibition, a rock concert, a raffle, vinyl discs, and food stands. The festival is free, see more info here.
When: September 17 / Where: Parking du stade, Bouliac
Latin Music Festival
Corazon Latino, a Latin Music and dance festival will take place this weekend (September 23-25) in Rocher de Palmer in Cenon. The Program includes music concerts, dance shows, three Latin parties and international dancers that came especially to teach you some moves. For more info and tickets to some of the concerts check out the website of the event.
When: September 23-25 / Where: 1 rue Aristide Briand, 33150 Bordeaux, France
Festival Arts Mêlés
Arts Mêlés is a festival of magic and supernatural experiences organized by the town of Eysines. As always the program is full of magic shows, illusionists, acrobats, and more, making it super fun for kids. The event is free and will take place on the weekend of September 24-25. Check out the full program here.
When: September 24-25 / Where: Different locations in the center of Eysines
Vélotour Bordeaux
Discover Bordeaux by bike through places where bicycles are usually not allowed: museums, sports centers, cultural and historic places and more. More than ten places have opened their doors for this unusual experience. The tour will take place on September 25 and will start at the Maison Écocitoyenne Bordeaux. For tickets click here and for more info about the event click here.
When: September 25 / Where: Quai Richelieu, 33000 Bordeaux
A similar event will take place in Saint Emilion on September 10, see all the details here.
See other things you can do in Saint Emilion in my article about a day trip to Saint Emilion.
Go for a drink in one of Bordeaux’s summer bars
Many of the outdoor bars of Bordeaux are still open this month and many of them have fun musical programs over the weekend. Don’t miss the last month of a proper Bordolais summer! Check out the list of the best summer bars in Bordeaux.
Dance at la guingette chez Alriq
La Guinguette chez Alriq is a tavern in the Bastide neighborhood, on the rive droite of the Garonne. During the summer the place is full with locals who escape the more touristy rive gauche and come to enjoy live concerts on the river bank. The Guinguette is open from Thursday to Sunday. For the concert program for September click here.
When: every weekend during September / Where: ZA Quai des Queyries, Port Bastide, 33100 Bordeaux
What do in September in Gironde and other parts of SW France?
Visit the Vineyards of Sauternes and Barsac
Bordeaux is mainly famous for its red wines but a small part of this huge wine region is actually dedicated to white sweet wine. The Sauternes and Barsac AOC produce some of the most prestigious sweet wines in the world. But what makes the visit there even more interesting are the beautiful chateaux in which these wines are produced. See my latest article about wineries to visit in Sauternes and Barsac.
The Medoc Marathon
Running 42km is only a small part of the Medoc Marathon experience. It’s mostly about enjoying the amazing scenery accompanies by great wine and food. This year the celebrated Marathon will take place on September 10.
You don’t have to run to enjoy this event, many activities will take place on the day of the marathon and the day before, follow the program here. For more info check out the website of the marathon.
See all the other things you can do in Medoc in my article about a weekend in Medoc.
When: September 10 / Where: the Marathon will start in Pauillac
Festival Teste à Têtes
The Teste à Têtes festival, organized by the circus school Komonò Circus, will take place on September 9-11 in La Teste de Buch. For three days you can enjoy plenty of activities dedicated to street arts and music concerts. For more details click here.
When: September 9-11 / Where: Different locations in La Teste de Buch, see the program.
See my other recommendations about places to visit in Arcachon in my article about a day trip to Arcachon.
The Vino Voce festival
The vino festival in Saint Emilion is a celebration of voices in all forms, from singing voices to the voice on the radio, voices of actors, and more. The festival (September 9-11) includes a rich program of music concerts, movie screenings, singing master classes and other platforms where voice plays an important role. For more info about the festival click here.
When: September 9-11 / Where: Different locations in Saint Emilion
Anglet Jazz Festival
If you don’t mind traveling a bit south, don’t miss the Anglet Jazz festival which will take this place on September 15-18. This big festival attracts every year many people to this beautiful area. Anglet is just a few minutes drive from Biarritz so you can enjoy some amazing beaches on the way. For more details and ticket prices click here.
When: September 15-18 / Where: Different locations in Anglet
Festival Cadences d’Arcachon
Festival Cadence is a dance festival taking place every year in Arcachon. The program of the festival is known for its diversity including classic, contemporary, hip-hop, flamenco, and more. The festival will take place on September 21-25, for the full program click here, and see more info here.
When: September 21-25 / Where: Arcachon
A day of Harvest at Château Grand Baril
Come spend a beautiful day in the vineyards at the heart of the Montagne Saint-Emilion appellation and participate, just for a little bit, in the harvest season. The event will take place on Saturday 24 at the Lycée Viticole de Montagne Saint Emilion. To see the full program and the registration form click here.
When: September24 /Where: Lycée Viticole de Montagne Saint-Emilion, 38 route de Goujon, 33570 MONTAGNE
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:
