The annual Carnival of Bordeaux is happening this Sunday and let’s just pray that they won’t cancel it due to bad weather because it’s a really cool event for both kids and adults. This weekend also has vintage vibes with events like the Vintage Salon and the Swing Festival. If you just want to take it easy and explore the city, you can read my new article about the cycling route on the riverfront of the Garonne river. I assume that now with Coronavirus uncertainty some of you are canceling your trips abroad? Well, then it’s a good opportunity to discover the southwest of France. Join my “Travel in the southwest of France” for the best tips of things to do in the region. If you want to see what else is taking place in March in Bordeaux, check out my March list. Here’s the list of things to do this weekend in Bordeaux (March 6-8).
Le Carnaval des 2 rives
Le Carnaval des 2 rives (March 8) takes place on both sides of the Garonne river. This is a modern festival (created in 1996) that has all the best features of a traditional carnival such as costumes, shows, and a big parade. The parade will start at 14:00 at the Allée Serr, on the right side of the river and will pass to the other side through Pont de Pierre ending at the Village Carnival at Place Pey-Berland at 16:00. The Village Carnival will be open until 18:00 with a big scene including dancers and demonstrations of augmented reality. For more details click here.
When: March 8 / Where: Starts at Allée Serr, Bastide, Bordeaux
Les Toiles Filantes – kids cinema festival
Les Toiles Filantes is a cinema festival that invites kids aged 3-12 years old to discover cinema through screenings, meeting with people from the industry, new movie contests and more. This year the Festival’s theme is “Sur la route”, meaning that all the movies and animation films will be in some way related to traveling journeys. The festival takes place at Cinéma Jean Eustache in Pessac from March 2-8. For more details see the website of the festival.
When: March 2-8 / Where: 7 rue des Poilus 33600 Pessac
Salon du Vintage
The annual vintage salon will take place this weekend (March 7-8) at Hangar 14 (Quai des Chartrons). This chic event will gather more than 150 exhibitors with a great selection of accessories, furniture, vinyl records, classic cars, jukebox, paintings and more. Just outside of Hangar 14, plenty of food trucks will wait for you during lunch. For more details check the Facebook page and the website of the event. Entry is 5€ and free for kids under 8 years old.
When: March 7-8 / Where: 173 Quai des Chartrons, 33300 Bordeaux
Swing Festival
Every March, for more than a decade now, Bordeaux has been hosting the Swing Art Festival with swing dancers from all around the globe coming to teach the dancers of Bordeaux their art of Swinging. This festival is much more than just swing dancing, it’s three days of live music, art, vintage markets, workshops, and a get together of many people from all around the world to celebrate this sweeping dance. The event is taking place this weekend (March 6-8) at le Halle des Chartrons and it’s Free! For more details click here.
When: March 6-8 / Where: 10 Place du Marché Chartrons, 33000
Fête de l’Orange
Fête de l’Orange, the feast of the Orange is celebrated every year in Podensac, the town of the famous Lillet liqueur. The program includes a big market dedicated to the fruit and different orange specialties, a guided visit in the Lillet cellars, traditional dancing and more. The event that will take place this weekend (March 7-8), you can read more about it here.
When: March 7-8 / Where: the center of Podensac
Voir & Avoir – handmade fair
This Voir & Avoir is a handmade fair taking place every year in Talence. The event will take place this weekend (March 7-8) in château de Thouars. For more details click here.
When: March 7-8 / Where: avenue de Thouars, 33400 Bordeaux
Foire aux Plaisirs
The spring edition of the traditional Bordelaise Fair is taking place at Place des Quinconces from February 21 to March 23. 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, barbes à papa and more. The fair is open daily from 14:00, you are not required to pay any entry fee, only for some of the attractions. See more info about the fair here.
When: February 21 to March 23 / Where: Place des Quinconces , 33000 Bordeaux
Bacalan au féminin
To celebrate women’s international day, Halle de Bacalan invites you ladies for a special weekend (March 7-8) with workshops and conferences dedicated to the wellbeing and success of women. For the full program and registration details click here.
When: February 7-8 / Where: 10 esplanade de pontac, 33300 Bordeaux
Vide-dressing for charity
This weekend (March 7-8) a big second-hand sale will take place at Cours Mably. The sale will include everything from clothing to bags, shoes, stylish accessories and more. The profits from the sale will go to La Maison Rose, an association supporting women diagnosed with cancer. For more details click here.
When: March 7-8/ Where: Cours Mably, 33000 Bordeaux
Arnaud Rebotini et le Don Van Club
Electronic music arrives at the Opera of Bordeaux! Yes you got that right 🙂 This Saturday (March 7) one of France’s leading electronic music composers, Arnaud Rebotini will give one special concert at the Auditorium de Bordeaux. Rebotini will be accompanied by the Orchestra of Bordeaux for a unique collaboration of electronic and classical music artists. For more details click here.
When: March 7/ Where: 9-11 crs Clémenceau, Bordeaux
IBOAT • Roller Disco Dancing
A Roller Disco party will take place this Saturday evening (March 7) on the docks of the Iboat. The entry is free. For more details click here.
When: March 7, starting at 19:00 / Where: Bassin à flot n°1, 33300 Bordeaux
Nansouty fête le Carnaval
A smaller carnival will also take place this Sunday (March 8) in the Nansouty district in Bordeaux. The Carnival will take place at Place Nansouty in the morning hours, so you can actually make it to both the Nansouty and the big Carnival of Bordeaux. For more details click here.
When: March 8, from 8:00 to 13:00 / Where: Place Nansouty, 33000 Bordeaux
Kids Room in Halles de Bacalan
Every Sunday (11:00 to 16:00), the market runs activities and workshops for kids with two operators, meanwhile, you can enjoy your drink and snack with friends without running after your kids. The activities are for kids over 3 years old and the price is 5 euros.
When: Every Sunday / Where: 10 esplanade de pontac, 33300 Bordeaux, France
Activities for kids during school break
During the two weeks of the school break, Cap Sciences, Bordeaux’s science museum is running plenty of activities and exhibitions for kids, and this weekend is no exception. You can see the full program here.
When: the school break / Where: Hangar 20, Quai de Bacalan, 33300 Bordeaux
Afrique, Savane Sauvage – New Exhibition
The museum of natural history in Bordeaux opened its new temporary exhibition for 2020 – Africa, wild Savannah. The new exhibition focuses on different aspects of the relationships between animals in the African Savanna, from the food chain to their coexistence, seasonal migration and survival strategies. It’s a very fun and interactive exhibition that both kids and adults will love. The exhibition will be presented until December 31, 2020. For more info click here.
When: February 4 – December 31 / Where: 5 Place Bardineau, 33000 Bordeaux (in Jardin Public)
That’s it for this weekend! I frequently post about weekend events on the Facebook page of Lost in Bordeaux, so be sure to check it out. For much more info on what to do and where to travel in the region don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter and join my Facebook group “Travel in the Southwest on France“.
If it’s your first time in Bordeaux you may also like to read these articles:
What to do in Bordeaux – the ultimate guide
The best areas in Bordeaux – the district guide
Where to stay in Bordeaux – the hotels guide
The best museums to visit in Bordeaux
What to do in Saint Emilion
