Festes de Bayonne

Name: Festes de Bayonne
Start: 2025-06-05
End: 2025-06-08
Location: Bayonne

Five Passionate Days of Red and White on the Atlantic Coast

2026/05/21 - 2026/05/24

Every summer, the city of Bayonne in France's Basque Country is swept up in the excitement of the Festes de Bayonne. For five days, over a million people fill the medieval streets, creating a sea of red and white as parades, concerts, traditional sports, and endless feasts unfold. Locals, returning Basques, and travelers alike all immerse themselves in the warmth, humor, and pride that define Basque culture at this festival.

The festival takes place at the end of July each year. Families, friends, party lovers, and culture enthusiasts are all welcome. With its rich history, gastronomy, and the Basque zest for life, this legendary festival is a must-visit at least once in your lifetime.

Main Attractions

Opening Ceremony and Parades

The festivities begin with an opening ceremony at Place de la Liberté. When the "keys to Bayonne" are tossed from the city hall balcony into the crowd, the sound of drums, brass bands, and the cheers of thousands dressed in red and white fill the city. Daily parades wind through the old town, featuring giant puppets, stilt-walkers, and Basque dances. Every street becomes a stage, every corner a party.

Basque Traditional Sports & Cow Runs

Basque strength competitions (wood-chopping, stone-lifting, tug-of-war, pelota, and more) are thrilling to watch. The "course des vaches" (cow run) is a safer alternative to Spain's encierro, with young people running alongside cows in a mix of excitement and laughter. The whole crowd gets involved—an iconic scene unique to the Festes de Bayonne.

Concerts, Street Parties, and Fireworks

At night, squares and riversides transform into open-air concert venues. Local bands, DJs, and international artists play everything from Basque music to pop and electronic. People spill out from bodegas (temporary bars) and restaurants, singing and dancing until dawn. The final night's fireworks light up the Nive River, with cheers and the scent of gunpowder filling the night air.

Costumes and Decorations

The unofficial dress code is white clothing with a red scarf (foulard) and sash. Banners, flags, and red-and-white decorations adorn balconies, streetlights, and storefronts. Many paint their faces, don Basque berets, and the festival mascot "King Léon" appears, delighting both children and adults.

Traditional Food & Drink

The aroma of Basque sausage, piperade (pepper and tomato stew), and Bayonne ham fills the air. Pintxos, Basque cake, and fresh seafood are served at communal tables, where strangers toast with local cider, Irouléguy wine, and sangria. The bold, hearty flavors fuel the festival’s energy and warmth.

Cultural and Historical Background

The Festes de Bayonne began in 1932, inspired by Pamplona's San Fermín festival, when local rugby players and friends launched their own celebration. Blending Basque, Gascon, and Spanish cultures, it has become a living tradition embodying local pride, solidarity, and the Basque flair for joy. Despite wars, upheaval, and crowd control challenges, it is now one of France's largest festivals—a symbol of Bayonne's hospitality, reunion, and celebration of tradition.

The festival is more than just a party; it's an expression of Basque pride, unity, and the joy of living.

Participant Voices

We joined for the first time with friends from Paris. By the second day, we were singing Basque songs with strangers and dancing in the streets. When the keys were thrown from city hall and the crowd cheered, the red and white scene was unforgettable.