The area is blessed with a temperate
ocean climate that makes a stay in the region
optimal from April to November.
The festival calendar, a pillar of this festive culture, is at its
peak from June to September. This region is a favourite holiday
destination for the French, especially among the well-to-do. When
possible avoid the most popular periods to get better accommodation
selection and lower prices. High season for the French includes the
long holiday weekends and the July 15 to August 20 period. Rentals
in low season ( and still pleasant weather) can cost three times
less than in high season! Families considering traveling during
March break will enjoy early spring weather in non-crowded
conditions with access to skiing on day trips and .... body
surfing for the keeners.
Special Interests
travel is best taken in Spring and Fall when the weather is warm and
there is no crowd.
Snow birds with an appreciation for
an oceanic climate ( picture Northern California or Southern BC in
December) can take advantage of competitive prices on long term
Winter rentals.
You can still enjoy an authentic cultural experience and great
outdoors.
Les Grands Rendez-vous
JANUARY
Tamborrada in San Sebastian:
24h parade through the streets of San Sebastian;
members of gastronomic cooking societies dressed as soldiers are
playing drums and barrels in honor of their patron saint Donostia
FEBRUARY
Celebration of
Carnivals in different Basque towns and villages
APRIL
International Tennis Open Gaz de
France de Biarritz for women on clay courts (1st
clay WTA tournament of the year and considered to be a good one to
prep for the French Open ( Roland Garros) )
Antiques show in Biarritz
Quicksilver surfing competition: the 1st one of the yr on
the Atlantic coast
MAY
International
Golf tournament on multiple courses in the region for all levels of
amateur golfeurs ( visit
lesmakilas.com )
Street Entertainers festival in Biarritz:
Festival des Arts de la rue
In nearby Landes region, classical and choral music in
historic religious buildings nestled in small villages:
Festival des abbayes
(visit
festivaldesabbayes.org)
JUNE
Fêtes de la Mer et Casetas: a convivial street festival in Biarritz
by the beach around food, tapas, surfing and street entertainment
Fêtes de la St Jean: the annual festival for residents of St Jean
de Luz, all dressed in red & black
June 21: Fête de la musique
in France, everywhere musicians take over the streets; particularly
lively in Bayonne
Jazz festival within the medieval town of Oloron Ste Marie in Béarn
Festival des Rives et des Notes
JULY
International Roxy Jam surfing world cup, long board for women, in
Biarritz ( (visit
roxy.com)
Fireworks and dancing in the the streets on July 14 in Biarritz & St
Jean de Luz
Biarritz Golf Club, an international and historic golf rendez-vous to
celebrate the 2nd oldest golf course in Continental
Europe (visit
biarritz-cup.com)
Fête du thon ( Tuna
festival) in St Jean de Luz, an excuse to eat BBQed tuna at
convivial tables, have a drink and dance in the streets for one
evening
Tour De France is
around Pau July 13, 14, & 16
Feria de Pamplona in Spain ( a 90 minute drive away)
Fêtes de Bayonne: the
biggest street party in France along with bullfights ! All are in red &
white ( visit
fetesdebayonne.fr )
Fêtes de Dax: another large scale street party in les Landes with
bullfights
Cesta-Punta Open ( basque pelota) in St Jean de Luz and Biarritz
throughout the month
Rhythmes en Luz Jazz
festival in St Jean de Luz
San Sebastian Jazz festival,
Jazzaldia, welcomes big names
Bayonne Jazz festival: La ruée
au jazz
( visit
larueeaujazz.com)
Dax in nearby Landes has a Spanish dance & bullfighting music
festival
AUGUST
Cesta-Punta Open ( basque pelota) in St Jean de Luz and Biarritz
throughout the month
August 15 spectacular fireworks in Biarritz
Oldest festival of classical music in Spain,
La Quincena Musical,
brings top names in orchestras and solists into nearby San Sebastian
(visit quincenamusical.com)
Semana Grande in San
Sebastian: the largest annual party in the streets of the city,
bullfights, firework competition
Classical music, gastronomy & historic buildings are the point of
focus of Festival Musical de
Basse Navarre all around St Jean Pied de Port
Antiques show in Biarritz
SEPTEMBER
Musique en Côte Basque
welcomes a prestigious and international lineup of musicians (
visit
musiquecotebasque.asso.fr); scheduled in parallel
with the Académie Maurice Ravel
event that provides a forum for international professional musicians
at the start of their career to perform
(visit
academieravel.com )
Le Temps d’Aimer
International Dance Festival (visit
letempsdaimer.com)
focus on
dance troupes from Southern countries (the Southern part of
Europe, Africa and Latin America)
Latin-American Movie & Cultures festival
(visit
festivaldebiarritz.com)
Individual golf amateur tournament, for 50
years old and up, on multiple courses
(visit
lesmakilas.com )
Festival Toro y Salsa
in Dax: bullfighting, music & festivities in the street
Fête du ttoro,
another one day long food festival on the local fish stew
specialty
OCTOBER
International Movie Festival for
Young Directors in St Jean de Luz
Golf: Makilas Biarritz Burlington International Pro-Am , 3 amateur +
1 pro golf tournament
Art: Brouillarta event: Basque artists display their work in the
gardens overlooking the Grande Plage in Biarritz
Theater: Translatines
festival, a festival of South American theater
International choral festival in St Jean de Luz (visit
chantchoralpaysbasque.net)
NOVEMBER
Basque traditions festival in Biarritz
Fêtes de La St Martin:
annual festival for the town of Biarritz
National Surfing competition
DECEMBER
Biarritz dresses up with unique holiday lighting and image
projections on buildings Dec 21 – Jan 1
Holiday celebrations in the streets of Bayonne, Biarritz & St Jean
de Luz with Olantzero, the Basque Santa Claus.
