Updated September 24, 2026
October is an amazing month to visit the Bordeaux region and enjoy a variety of events and festivals. Some of the main events include a hot air balloon festival, open doors in wineries, a big art festival, and more. This article includes a list of the best events and things to do this October in the Bordeaux region and beyond. I hope it’ll help you plan the best stay in our beautiful area.
This list highlights the biggest events in the area, but if you’re looking for more, subscribe to my weekly email list to get all the best events in Bordeaux every weekend.
Best events in and around Bordeaux (Gironde) in October 2026
FAB – International Art Festival
FAB is the annual International Art Festival of Bordeaux Metropole taking place this year from September 26 to October 10. Two weeks with a rich program of dance and street art performances will take place in many locations in Bordeaux. Click here to see the full program of the festival.
Fête des Vignerons Indépendants
From October 2–4, the Fête des Vignerons Indépendants returns to Allées de Tourny for its second edition. The program includes wine tastings and direct sales, meetings with local winemakers, food stands, live music and DJ sets. For more info click here.
Nuit des Bibliothèques
La Nuit des Bibliothèques, the libraries’ night, taking place on October 3, is a great opportunity to discover the libraries across the city. 27 libraries in Bordeaux Metropole will participate in this event and will offer such activities as concerts, theater shows, science workshops, games for kids and more. See the full program here.
So Bad Fest
On October 2-3, the So Bad Fest comes back for its 4th edition at La Bergerie du Courneau, near Bordeaux. Two nights of powerful dub and international sound system crews will keep you dancing until dawn. Saturday also includes free daytime activities, food trucks, and camping. See more details here.
La Grande Transhumance Urbaine
The Grande Transhumance Urbaine is a fun event taking place on October 4 in Villenave d’Ornon (one of Bordeaux’s southern suburbs). The main idea is to connect city people to local agriculture with a big sheep march, passing through different farms. On the way, you can enjoy concerts and markets with local products. See details here.
La Semaine de l’Espace in Mérignac
From October 3–10, Mérignac hosts a full week dedicated to space, with family workshops, films, interactive shows, astronomy activities, video games, and talks across several venues. Highlights include the Astronaut Academy, a space-themed improv show, a family walk through the history of the Universe, and the Cosmo Show about dark matter. Most events are free, although some require registration. For more info click here.
Vibrations Urbaines Festival in Pessac
Vibration Urbaines is a cool urban festival taking place every year in Pessac (one of Bordeaux’s suburbs). The program includes events like an international BMX contest, a skating contest, a hip-hop dance battle, urban sports, workshops, street art exhibitions, and more. The festival is taking place from September 11 to October 11 in the campus area of Pessac. See all the events here.
Foire aux Plaisirs
This is the fall edition of the traditional Bordelais Fair that is taking place at Place des Quinconces from October 9 to November 1. It’s a perfect activity for kids and for those who are young in spirit as La Foire aux Plaisirs de Bordeaux has it all: a big wheel, roller coasters, ghost trains, bumper cars, donuts, crèpes, candyfloss and more. See more info about the fair here.
Village des Sciences
Cap Sciences (Bordeaux) will celebrate the Fête de la Science with its Village des Sciences on October 10-11. This year’s theme, “Saveurs savantes,” turns Cap Sciences into a giant culinary laboratory. The program explores food from field to plate, including its links with our health and ecosystems. Expect hands-on stands, experiments, exhibitions, workshops, games, and meetings designed for families and children from age five. Full program here
Festival Animasia
Animasia is a festival of Asian pop culture bringing together many elements like J-POP music, Yosakoi dance, karaoke, and Cosplay performances. The place will also include thematic areas with martial arts, video games, board games, and more. This year the events will be taking place on October 10-11 at the Parc des Expositions. For more info and tickets, check out the website of the festival.
Lire en Poche – books festival
Lire en Poche is a pocketbook festival that will take place in Gradignan on October 9-11. Besides a huge book sale, a wide range of activities are offered to the participants such as reading sessions, theater shows, music, games, workshops for kids, and more. For more info click here.
Foire aux Seconds Vins de Bordeaux
The Bordeaux Second Wines Fair takes place on October 10 at Hangar 14, where you can meet renowned wineries and taste their second wines while finding great deals. See all the details here.
* Learn more about the different Bordeaux wine regions in my article.
The Fête des Vendanges
The Fête des Vendanges is an exceptional weekend celebrating the Grands Crus Classés of Saint-Émilion. Held over two days, visitors can enjoy exclusive activities, vineyard tours, tastings, and workshops. It’s a weekend of discovery, conviviality, and celebration of wine and heritage in the heart of Saint-Émilion. The event will take place on October 10-11.
See the full program here.
It’s also a great opportunity to try my Saint Emilion self-guided audio tour 🙂
Le Pressoir – a festival in Entre deux Mers
Le Pressoir is an annual festival celebrating the end of the harvest season in the Entre-Deux-Mers wine region with plenty of concerts and fun activities. The event will take place on October 9-11 in Targon, Check out the program here.
Tremblez, tremblez! at the Musée d’Aquitaine
On October 16, the Musée d’Aquitaine will celebrate the opening of its new exhibition, “Tremblez, tremblez ! Les sorcières sont parmi nous !” with a special dance event. Inspired by the figure of the witch throughout dance history, the evening will feature surprising and fantastical performances by dancers from the Opéra de Bordeaux. Come dressed in your most frightening capes and costumes and discover the dances of the Sabbat. See more info here.
Sonora, an electro festival in Bordeaux
The Sonora Festival will electrify Bordeaux’s Parc des Expositions on October 16-17, with three nights of immersive electronic music. See info and tickets here.
Open doors in the Châteaux of Graves
On October 17-18, the Graves appellation, one of Bordeaux’s biggest wine areas, will hold an open-door weekend. During the weekend, you’ll be able to visit plenty of stunning chateaux and enjoy wine tastings, wine workshops, and activities for kids. See the full program here.
* Discover all the other open-door events in the Bordeaux wine region in my article.
Margaux Saveurs
The town of Margaux in the Médoc wine region is hosting its annual Margaux Saveurs on October 16-18. The idea of the festival is to help you discover the great wines of the Margaux appellation and to get to know the winemakers, merchants, and restaurants of this gourmet region. During the weekend, you can enjoy special workshops in the different wine domains and enjoy fun activities. For more details, click here.
If you’re attending this event, be sure to read about other places to visit in the area in my article about the Medoc region.
Celebrate Halloween
There are quite a lot of fun Halloween events taking place every year in the city and the different chateaux around the region. To see what’s planned for this year, go to my article about where to celebrate Halloween in Bordeaux.
Fête du Vin nouveau & de la brocante
Every year at the end of October, the lovely neighborhood of Chartrons in Bordeaux celebrates the autumn with the festival of new wine and Brocante. For two days, the main street, rue Notre Dame, will be transformed into a brocante (antique market) with wine stands, roasted chestnuts, and a lot of music and dancing. In 2026, the event will take place on October 24-25; see more info here.
Portes ouvertes dans les châteaux
Fronsac & Canon Fronsac wine appellations will hold their annual open-door weekend on October 24-25. Tens of wineries will open their doors to the public offering guided tours and wine tastings. The list of participating wineries will be published here.
See more open-door events in the region in my article.
Foire de La Toussaint
The big fair of Toussaint will take place from October 30 to November 1 on the banks of the Garonne River in La Reole. An ancient tradition in La Reole that brings together hundreds of local exhibitors and merchants. This is one of the biggest events in La Reole, fun for both kids and adults. For more info click here.
More events in the Southwest of France (October 2026)
Laruns La Foire Au Fromage / Hera Deu Hromatge
Every first weekend of October Laruns in the Pyrenees celebrates the end of the summer pastures grazing season with a big cheese fair. The event introduces the different cheese producers in the region and has an entertaining program for adults and kids. This year, the event will take place on October 3-4. See more details here.
Festival Toulouse les Orgues
Every year, Toulouse hosts the International Organ Festival. During the days of the festival, several churches in Toulouse are hosting daily Organ concerts. This year, the event will be taking place on October 7-18. See all the info here.
See all the best events taking place in Toulouse in my article.
Bastides en Fête
Celebrate the bastides of Lot-et-Garonne from October 24-25 with Bastides en Fête! Explore these historical gems through family-friendly activities, including an exciting investigation game, treasure hunts, local markets, concerts, and guided tours. Don’t miss out on this fun-filled weekend in the beautiful medieval bastides of the region! See more details here.
Armagnac en Fête
Armagnac en Fête is a fun festival celebrating the beginning of the distillation process in the Armagnac region. The event will take place on the main square of LaBastide d’Armagnac on October 25-25. See all the details here.
Labastide d’Armagnac is a beautiful little village in Les Landes, that’s really worth a visit if you’re traveling in the region. See my article about this part of the Les Landes department.
Fête du Piment d’Espelette
Piment d’Espelette is the red pepper that decorates every market in the Basque country and every shop selling Basque products. Like every important ingredient in the French kitchen, this little pepper needs a “fête”.
Fête du Piment d’Espelette is taking place on October 25-26 in the beautiful village of Espelette. The program includes a big parade, a huge market, musical concerts, activities for kids, a mass with the choir of Espelette, and more. For more details, click here.
Fête du Piment d’Espelette
Piment d’Espelette is the red pepper that decorates every market in the Basque Country and every shop selling Basque products. Like every important ingredient in the French kitchen, this little pepper needs a “fête”.
Fête du Piment d’Espelette is taking place on October 24-25 in the beautiful village of Espelette. The program includes a big parade, a huge market, musical concerts, activities for kids, a mass with the choir of Espelette, and more. For more details, click here.
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:
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
What to do and eat in Arcachon
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:
