Corsica Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015
(Corsica, France)
Literally every town and village on the island of Corsica holds its own festivals, for agricultural, religious or cultural reasons. However, if you are planning to attend one which is some distance away, it's best to check with the local tourist office a few days beforehand, as arrangements here can change as rapidly as the weather!
There are few outdoor venues for large events in Corsica, and so the main festivals and happenings are frequently held in the open air, during the late spring and summer. Many additional local celebrations and things to do take place at other times of year, often being linked to the seasons and their produce in rural areas.
Corsica Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015
January
- New Year's Day (Jour de l'an) - January 1st, celebrated on the island as it is worldwide, with fireworks, church services, parades and family gatherings
February
- Pig Fair (Fiera di A Tumbera) - takes place at A Tumbera in Renno, involving the traditional winter ceremony of killing a pig (illegal now in the EU, but it still goes on). It marks mid-winter and the role of the pig in the survival of agricultural communities
March
- Olive Fair - held in the charming Alto Rocco mountain village of St. Lucie de Tallano, this traditional gathering marks the new pressing of the area's superb olive oil. Of note, there is also an olive oil museum here
April
- Festival of Dreams - held in Porto Vecchio, a five-day celebration with theatrical performances and happenings based around the theme of dreams
May
- Victory in Europe Day (Victoire 1945) - May 8th, a national French public holiday, remembering the end of WWII
- Sea Fair (Fiera di u Mare) - takes place on the east coast in the port town of Sulinzara and is, as its name suggests, all about the sea
- Festival I le Danse - held in Ajaccio, featuring contemporary dance. Performances take place in theatres, the streets, ancient ruins and all over the place, together with workshops and conferences
- Cheese Fair (Fiera du Fromage) - Corsica's premier cheese fair. Held at Venaco, south of Corte, with cheese competitions, stalls, crafts and fun for all
June
- Calvi Jazz Festival - attracting many famous jazz musicians, who perform on a stage below the old town, plus jam sessions on the quay
- Festivoce - this important traditional music fest, based both in and around Pigna, begins in June and ends in September, with concerts of polyphonic music, the heart of the island's musical roots. Performers arrive from all over the world
July
- Nights of the Guitar (Nuits de la Guitare) - an annual music festival staged in Patrimonio, drawing guitarists from the world of jazz, flamenco, blues and rock
- Calvi on the Rocks - kicks off early in July with electronic music and digital art, plus a nightly concert in the citadel
- Bastille Day - July 14th, celebrated all over the island, with endless French pomp and circumstance, parades, drums, dance, food and drink
- Festiballu in Corte - all about traditional dance and violin music, with performers from other countries, as well as locals
- Festival Europeen de Cinema e du Monde Rural - a top-quality but intimate affair, with showings of films with a rural background, held in a mountain village on the northern side of the island
August
- Napoleonic Festival (Fetes Napoleoniennes) - celebrates Napoleon's birthday in Ajaccio, with lively processions in period costume, fireworks and much more
- Street and Circus Arts - runs for seven fun-filled days in Ajaccio, with more than 25 separate events in and around the town
- Assumption of Mary (Assomption) - August 15th, a national French public holiday
- Roman Festival - in the ancient Roman town of Aleria, on the eastern coast of Corsica. This is a celebration of its Roman past and features entertainment, a street market and fireworks
September
- Water Festival (Feste Aqua) - in the Vallinco seaside town of Propriano, boasting a swathe of watery events, as well as concerts, exhibitions and lively debates
October
- International Chess Tournament - takes place in Bastia. This Open International de Corse is becoming an important date in the international chess calendar. Spectators are always welcome, as long as they are quiet!
November
- All Saints' Day (Toussaint) - November 1st, a national French public holiday
- Calvi Wind Festival - a fun occasion celebrating everything to do with wind, either on land, sea or in the air. Everyone is encouraged to join in the wind-related activities and it's great for kids
- Armistice Day - November 11th, a holiday marking the end of the First World War
- Apple and Natural Produce Festival - in Bastelica, a two-day feast of everything deliciously edible and potable produced from the humble apple, with street stalls and local crafts
December
- Chestnut Fair - at Bocognano, between Corte and Ajaccio, one of the largest rural fairs in Corsica. Expect chestnuts and chestnut dishes everywhere, together with stalls, entertainment and competitions