Festivals in Brittany France (Bretagne)
Your Brittany Festivals Guide to entertain you during your holiday in Bretagne
As diverse as music, dance, folk to religious processions, festivals are annual events in every Breton's calendar and not just for the tourists like some "travel writers" might note! They are colourful, traditional and an integral part of the breton culture.
If you are planning to visit Brittany, try to include one major event into your holiday programme, it is well recommended.
Breton Music Festivals
Breton celtic culture is celebrated throughout the region with what we call a fest noz, an evening festival of traditional music and dance. Every harbour and village will host its fest noz especially during the summer. These are usually free of charge and dates can be checked with the local tourist board.
Some major traditional celtic festivals are annual events attracting over 10,000 visitors each from all celtic backgrounds coming from as far as Ireland, Wales and others. They will run for several days with street parades, evening shows and theatre concerts.
The Interceltic festival of Lorient and the Cornouaille festival of Quimper are by far the two largest folklore events of the calendar where dancers in traditional costumes, biniou and bombarde musicians, story-tellers and theatre provide days of performance for everyone. The public is encouraged to take part to learn some round and line dancing.
Check this year's festivals' dates
More on Breton Music.
Fans of contemporary and rock music gather every year at the European live festival of "Vieilles Charues" in Carhaix, "Les Tombées de la Nuit" in Rennes or the "Route du Rock" at Fort Saint-Père near St-Malo.
If you prefer classical music, opera and orchestra, the best live concerts usually take place in Guidel with the Festival Polignac, Belle-Île with the Lyrique en mer festival and Lanvellec with its Festival of classical music.
Check this year's festivals' dates
Religious Festivals - Pardons
Check this year's religious festivals' dates
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