This weekend the Christmas celebrations will officially start in Bordeaux with the inauguration of the Marché de Noël de Bordeaux and a few other alternative markets across the city. If you want to learn about the other markets taking place this month in Bordeaux, check out my top 10 Christmas markets list. But of course we’re not only about Christmas here, there are plenty of other events like the rum festival, the Well being Salon, a circus, the big Brocante of Bordeaux and more.
This is the list of things to do this weekend in and around Bordeaux (November 30 – December 2)
Rum Festival
This festival is the first big event in Bordeaux that is entirely dedicated to rum. While Bordeaux is mostly known for its wine, rum too has a long history in the city. The festival that will take place at La Grande Poste this weekend (December 1-2) celebrates the Bordelaise rum producers and merchants. Different masterclasses will take place during the festival, where you can learn to properly taste rum, match rum with food, mix rum cocktails and more. For more details and tickets click here.
If you want to learn more about the rum history of Bordeaux check out this super interesting post by Bordeaux Expat.
When: December 1-2
Where: 7 rue du palais gallien, 33000 Bordeaux
Marché de Noël de Bordeaux
The traditional Christmas market of Bordeaux will open its gates between November 30 and December 30. 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 30 – December 30 from 10:30 to 21:30
Where: Allées de Tourny, 33000 Bordeaux
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
When: December 1-2
Where: Port Ostreicole, 33510 Andernos-les
The Bassins a Flot Christmas Weekend
If you look for alternatives for the traditional Christmas market head north to the Bassins a flot. This weekend (December 1-2) all the cool places in this neighborhood will host Christmas related events. Among the participating places are: The Garage Moderne, Kfe des Familles, Les Vivres de l’Art, the IBOAT (see more info below), Musée Mer Marine Bordeaux and more. For all the details check out the Facebook page of the event.
When: December 1-2
Where: Different locations in Bacalan
Iboat – Christmas market on a boat
Le Super Marché de Noël is one of the coolest Christmas markets in Bordeaux. The Iboat is an old ferry that nowadays serves as a concert venue, frequently hosting funky events such as this one. The Iboat Christmas market is hosting 50 French creators and designers of textile, jewelry, kids toys, decorations and more. The market will also include a traditional touch such as food stands, hot wine and photo sessions with Père Noël (Santa Claus). You can see the full list of stands here. The event is free and will take place on December 1-2 from 11:00 to 19:00. For more info click here.
When: December 1-2
Where: quai Armand Lalande, 33300 Bordeaux
International Animation Films Festival
Les Nuits Magiques is an annual international festival of animation movies taking place at “Le Festival” cinema in Begles from November 28 to December 9. This is the 28th 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 the other details you need here.
When: November 28 – December 9
Where: 151 Boulevard ALBERT 1er, 33130 Bègles
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 fall edition of the brocante will take place from November 23 to December 9. Although it’s quite upscale, you can find some fine antiques and vintage pieces at a bargain price. For more info and the list of exhibitors check out the website of the event.
When: November 23- December 9
Where: Place des Quinconces
The Salon Bien-être
The big Well-being Fair of Bordeaux will take place this weekend (November 31- December 2) at the Palais des Congrès. The event has 120 stands and 65 conferences all focused on different ways of improving the quality of life. The exhibitors are varied and come from all aspects of daily life: food, home decor, therapies and beauty. For more info click here.
When: November 31- December 2
Where: Palais des Congrès, Cours J.-G. Domergue.33300 BORDEAUX
Bonjour Sneakers
Great news for sneakers addicts! This Sunday (December 2) a huge event all dedicated to sneakers will take place in Hangar 14. If you were looking for a special pair of sneakers or some cool accessories that goes with them, this is the event for you! Tickets are 13 euros and you can purchase them here. For more info click here.
When: December 2, 11:00-19:00
Where: 173 Quai des Chartrons, 33300 Bordeaux, France
New children’s book presentation
If you’re looking for a kids friendly activity in the center of Bordeaux, this is a nice one. Oriana Villalon is a young author who just published a beautiful kids book called “Lulu under the moon”. This Saturday (December 1) the painter Jean-Pierre Beyries will host her and the translator Pamela Ortega Joa (both living in Bordeaux) for a fun afternoon where they will present the book. If you’re looking for a nice Christmas gift, a beautiful book signed by the author could be a nice idea. See more details here.
When: December 1, at 14:00
Where: 43 Rue Sainte-Colom
Open Doors in the Chateaux of Pessac-Léognan
I know I’ve been writing quite a lot about Open doors at different Chateaux lately, but this week it’s really close to Bordeaux and its a great wine so I thought you wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity. This weekend (December 1-2) l’Appellation Pessac-Léognan 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.
When: December 1-2
Where: Bordeaux metropole (Check out the link above for the full list of events).
Free museums Sunday
Like in most cities in France, the first Sunday of the month is a free museums day. You have a free entrance to all the public museums and to most exhibitions. Check out the full list of the museums in Bordeaux that you can visit for free this Sunday.
L’Arche de Noël – creators market
L’Arche de Noël is a creators market taking place in the Chartrons neighborhood every weekend until Christmas (December 22-23 is the last event). Each week a group of local talented craftsmen and artists will present their original creations. This weekend (December 1-2) the stands will include jewelry, kids clothes, graphic designs, furniture and more.
See more details here.
When: December 1-2
Where: 23 Rue Minvielle, 33000 Bordeaux
Cirque Pardi! is Coming Back
Cirque Pardi! is a modern circus whose shows combine a lot of dance and humor and are very entertaining for both kids and adults. This year they are coming back to Bordeaux for the second time with their show BorderLand, which gained a great success on their last visit here in 2015. Cirque Pardi! will perform 15 shows from November 30 to December 22. The temporary circus will be located on Quai de queyries, just next to Darwin. For all the dates and tickets click here.
When: November 30- December 22
Where: 86 quai des Queyries, 33 100 BORDEAUX
Cirque de Noël de Bordeaux
If you’re looking for a family activity, the Christmas circus of Bordeaux will take place between December 1 and January 6. This impressive spectacle for kids and adults has more than 30 artists from 15 different countries. The shows will take place at the Hippodrome de Bordeaux in Le Bouscat. For tickets and more info click here.
When: December 1-January 6
Where: 8 Avenue de l’Hippodrome, 33110 Le Bouscat
marché du carnet de voyage
A very inspiring event for travelers will take place this weekend (December 1-2) in Marché des Douves. Marché du carnet de voyage is a traveling literature event which allows you to travel through words into different places and cultures. Throughout the weekend interesting meetings with take place with writers, illustrators, cartoonists and travelers who crossed the world and came back with fascinating stories. For more details click here.
When: December 1-2
Where: Halle des Douves, 4 rue des Douves, 33000 BORDEAUX
Le Grand Bazar des Créateurs
The Garage Modere in the Bacalan district will hold a very fun and creative event this weekend (December 1-2) called the Big Creators market. Around 20 local craftsmen and creators of clothing, jewelry, leather goods, accessories, sewing and photography, will offer their original products for sale. The event is free, for more details click here.
When: December 1-2
Where: 1 rue des Etrangers, 33300 Bordeaux
Union Saint-Jean Xmas Market
Here’s one more Christmas market that didn’t make it to my list. The Union Saint-Jean organizes its own market this year, that will include stands of local creators, a vintage clothing sale, a dj set, a relaxation area (with massages), a workshop to create your own little Christmas tree, a food truck and a bar. The event will take place this Saturday (December 1), for more details click here.
When: December 1
Where: 97, rue Malbec, 33800 Bordeaux, France
That’s it for this week my friends! if I made your weekend happier with some funky and interesting events, help this site thrive and share the post on facebook, tweeter or pinterest 🙂
As I promised, this week my mailing list subscribers will receive a special email with more tips about things to do in Bordeaux. So if you’ve already subscribed there’s something to wait for and if you haven’t, what are you waiting for? Subscribe here 🙂
Have a great weekend!
