A happy new year to all my wonderful readers! It’s the first month of the year, a moment for new resolutions and some fresh energy!. And what better way to do it than a good shopping session and a lot of music ;). The winter sales are taking place this month together with several music events and beautiful spectacles. If you want to go to one of the shows mentioned on my list, be sure to book now! If you’re looking for more recommendations of things to do in the Southwest of France region, you can join my new and very active Facebook group, Travel in the Southwest of France – join here. Here’s what you can do in Bordeaux in January 2020. Enjoy!!!
Winter Sales
Who cares if it’s raining and cold? January is the winter sales month!!
Soldes d’hiver are several weeks in the winter during which you can find really good deals on clothes, shoes, appliances, toys and more. This year the winter sales were shortened to 4 weeks from the previous six weeks period. But from my experience even if you come to Bordeaux a week or two after the sales many shops will still have a lot of items on discount. Les soldes d’hiver will take place from January 8 to February 4.
Arcachon still celebrated Christmas
If you’re moody about Christmas being over there is one place that continues the Christmas spirit just a little bit longer. The Christmas market in Arcachon will be open until January 5th and it even has an ice skating rink, so it’s a great place to go to with kids. For more details click here.
When: December 14 – December 5 / Where: Place Thiers, Arcachon
Trial Indoor International de Bordeaux
This is a great show for motorbike and action lovers. Trial Indoor International de Bordeaux will take the stage of Arkéa Arena this Saturday (January 10). The show will include plenty of acrobatic stunts and amazing urban decorations. For tickets and more details click here.
When: January 10, 20:30 / Where: Arkéa Arena, 48-50 avenue Jean Alfonséa, 33270 Floirac
Tremplin de 2 Rives
This is the 7th edition of the Tremplin de 2 rives festival which aims to promote the musical talents of Bordeaux. The festival includes eight evenings from January 10 to February 8 in different districts of Bordeaux. For more details click here.
When: January 10- February 8 / Where: See location in the program of the festival
Le Salon du Livre Ancien de Bordeaux
Le Salon du Livre Ancien de Bordeaux brings together more than 40 French exhibitors for the biggest ancient books event in the Southwest of France. Every year more than 3000 people attend this event to look for rare pieces of literature and discover old books from every genre: fiction, kids’ books, old magazines and more. The event will take place at Cours Mably on January 18-19. Read more about the book fair here.
When: January 18 -19 / Where: Cours Mably, 33000 Bordeaux
Le monde des dinosaures au parc des expositions de bordeaux
If your kids love dinosaurs they will be happy to hear that this month the exhibition “The world of Dinosaurs” is coming to Bordeaux. The exhibition will present 25 species of dinosaurs, among them the huge T-REX measuring 13/5 m long and 4.5 m tall. The exhibition will take place on January 18-19 at the Parc des Expositions de Bordeaux. For more info click here.
When: January 18 -19 / Where: Parc des Expositions de Bordeaux, Cours Charles Bricaud, 33000 Bordeaux
Trente Trente – Emerging arts Festival
Trente Trente is an annual festival, created to promote emerging artists in Bordeaux and Nouvelle Aquitaine in general. The festival includes more than twenty performances by artists from all genres, with some experimenting with interdisciplinary arts. Check out the full program that includes dance, music, theater, circus and more. The festival takes place on January 21-February 1st in different theaters and cultural spaces across the metropole (see the full list here).
When: January 21 – February 1st / Where: Different venues in the Bordeaux area (check out the full program)
Bordeaux rock Festival
Bordeaux Rock festival is the big gathering of independent and alternative bands that takes place every year in Bordeaux. This year it will take place on January 22-26 in different music venues in Bordeaux like the Iboat and Salle des fêtes du grand parc. For the full program and tickets click here. Some of the events are free.
When: January 22-26 / Where: Different venues in the Bordeaux area (check out the full program)
International magic festival
The international magic festival will take place in Théâtre Fémina on January 25-26. This year seven world-class artists (magicians and illusionists) will offer you breathtaking spectacles that you wouldn’t want to miss. For more info and tickets click here.
When: January 25-26 / Where: 10 Rue de Grassi, 33000 Bordeaux
Hostens Trails 2020
Every year the Gironde department organizes plenty of sporting events that are open to the public. The first one in 2020 will take place on the weekend of January 25-26 in Hostens. The event offers several trails for both runners, walkers and Nordic walkers. The price varies according to the trail and prior registration is mandatory. For more info click here.
When: January 25-26 / Where: Secteur de la Base Nautique Hostens
La nuit des conservatoires
This Friday (January 31) le Conservatoire de Bordeaux invites you to a special night with concerts and performances from all the disciplines taught at the conservatory. Besides concerts, the night includes workshops and lectures. The concert is free and open to all. For more info click here.
When: January 31 / Where: Jacques Thibaud 22 quai Sainte-Croix, Bordeaux
Coulisses des Sciences
Coulisses des Sciences is a week dedicated to different scientific themes, organized by Dealers de Science. The program of the event includes debates, conferences, a movie and debate night and more. As usual, the event will end with the Marché des Connaissances, a special fair taking place at Cour Mably that will reunite different scientific associations and players in the cultural scientific scene in Bordeaux. The event will take place on January 21-25. For more details click here.
When: January 21-25 / Where: Different locations in Bordeaux
Truffles markets in Dordogne
January is the middle of winter truffles season with many truffles markets in the region taking place during the month. Dordogne is known as the capital of truffles of the Southwest of France and starting mid-December it hosts several truffles markets in its different villages. You can see the full list of truffles markets taking place from December to the end of January here.
Festival Bouche à Bouche – Bordeaux
Following the success of the event in Paris, the Bouche à Bouche festival is arriving this year to Bordeaux for the first time. During the two nights of the event you will discover the signature dishes of five Bordeaux chefs like Jérôme Billot from Madame Pang and Julien Camdeborde of L’avant comptoir du palais. The event that will take place on January 17-18 also includes a lot of music, shows and street art. For more info click here.
When: January 17-18 / Where: See the program of the event
Go to the Opera
This January the Opera of Bordeaux invites everyone to come and enjoy a big variety of concerts from dance, to Jazz and Classical music. See the full list of January concerts and shows here.
When: January / Where: Place de la Comédie, 33000 Bordeaux
Black History Month in Bordeaux
The third edition of the Black History Month in Bordeaux will take place from January 9 to February 18. It is a month of reflection on the dark history of slavery that Bordeaux was part of as well as a celebration of black culture in France and around the world. The program of the Black History month includes conferences, music concerts, exhibitions and more. This time the main two themes are the one hundred years mark to the sinking of the “French Titanic” with 192 Senegalese workers onboard and the role Boxing played in the Black liberation. For more info and the full program click here.
EXHIBITIONS:
La déferlante surf – last chance to see it
The Atlantic coast of the south-west of France is a popular destination for surfers these days and it looks like this sport has always been here. But did you know that surfing was actually introduced to Europe through our region in the 50s? Thus it only makes sense that Musée d’Aquitaine, which explores the history of the region, will also explore the surfing culture in Aquitaine. The déferlante surf exhibition deals with different aspects of surfing from the sport itself to its economic and environmental influences. Among others, the items presented include videos, sounds, different traditional objects, images from different beaches and more. The exhibition will be presented until January 5th. If you go to the museum on January 5th the entry will be free. For more details click here.
When: Until January 5th / Where: 20 Cours Pasteur, 33000 Bordeaux
Muséum de Bordeaux – Rire!
According to scientific research, we laugh 18 times a day on average. Laughter, however, is not unique to us human beings, different animal species also have different expressions of laughter in their language. The super fun exhibition at the natural history museum in Bordeaux offers different activities that provoke laughter. It’s a very interactive and kids friendly exhibition that includes videos, sounds, games, and painting. This is your last chance to see the exhibition as it ends on January 26! For more details click here.
When: until January 26 / Where: 5 Place Bardineau, 33000 Bordeaux (in Jadin public)
Robots in Cap Science
Robots is a cool exhibition for kids presented these days at the Cap Science, the children science museum in Bordeaux. The exhibition is dedicated to robots and their functions in our lives. It will be presented until May 3, 2020. For more details and tickets click here.
When: Until May 3, 2020 / Where: Cap Sciences Hangar 20
Finally, if you are looking for a fun and delicious activity in Bordeaux, check out my food tours in which I’ll take you through a three hours journey in the culinary scene of the Southwest of France.
Is it your first time in Bordeaux? If it is you should definitely check out my ultimate guide to Bordeaux to get familiar with all the must-see places in the city. To help you choose a hotel 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 find your preferred AirBnB location.
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