Montpellier Events and Festivals

(Montpellier, Herault, Languedoc-Roussillon, France)

Montpellier is fortunate in having a long-standing tradition of staging artistic, cultural, sporting and musical events throughout the year. Through such a busy programme of festivals, concerts, fairs and other performances, Montpellier retains its status as a thriving modern city.

The city's most popular events tend to take place during the summer, when thousands are attracted to the festivities on offer.

National Public Holidays

• 1st January - New Year's Day (Jour de l'an)
• Easter Holiday - Easter Monday (late March or early April)
• 1st May - Labour Day (Fête du premier mai)
• 8th May - Victory in Europe Day (Fête de la Victoire 1945; Fête du huitième mai)
• May (40th day after Easter) - Ascension Thursday
• 14th July - Bastille Day (Fête nationale)
• 15th August - Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Assomption)
• 1st November - All Saints Day (La Toussaint)
• 11th November - Remembrance Day, Armistice Day (Jour d'armistice)
• 25th December - Christmas Day (Noel)
• 26th December - Second Day of Christmas (In Alsace Lorraine only)

Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Festival Chrétien du Cinema - held end-January to early-February, this festival screens a variety of films, old and new, that explore religious themes

February

• VINISUD - held every two years in February, this international exhibition of Mediterranean wines and spirits attracts members of the general public as well as those working in the trade

March

• There are no significant festivals in Montpellier during the month of March

April

• Salon de Gôut - mid-April, discover slow food with this event organized by a local winery and the Slow Food Association. As well as markets displaying international foods and food tasting workshops, there are also some 800 wines for tasting

May

• International Extreme Sports Festival - this is the largest festival of its kind in Europe. Amateurs and professionals compete in a specially constructed arena at the Berges du Lez. Sports include BMX, inline skating, skateboarding, wakeboarding, wakeskating and snowboarding
• Saperlipopette Voilà Enfantillages Children's Festival - held at the Château d'O and other venues in Montpellier. The festival programme features performances by actors, artists, acrobats, jugglers, puppeteers, clowns, musicians and dancers
• Battle of the Year Final - breakdance crews and freestylers from all over France come to Montpellier's Zenith to compete. Also, street art and dancing shows

June

• Printemps des Comédiens - held at the Château d'O, the festival comprises a month-long programme of theatre performances
• Montpellier Dance Festival - a series of ballet and other dance performances held at various venues in Montpellier
• International Contemporary Chinese Art Festival - held from June through to September, this biennial event features the work of some 30 Chinese artists

July

• Radio France and Montpellier Languedoc Roussillon Festival - mid-July, organized by the city of Montpellier in conjunction with Radio France, this festival features a host of events, including everything from jazz concerts to plays and orchestral concerts, all with a young, lively flavour

August

• Les Estivales - held on the Esplanade on Friday evenings during July and August. Local wine tastings, book readings and meetings include just a few of the eclectic events on offer

September

• Montpellier Danse - since 1981, Montpellier has staged a season of dance performances, which starts in September and runs through until December. Held in a variety of venues throughout Montpellier

October

• Mediterranean Film Festival - feature films, short films, documentaries and experimental films from all over Europe are screened at various venues in Montpellier
• Quartiers Libres Festival - a series of concerts, dance, theatre performances and exhibitions make up this lively annual celebration of Montpellier's cultural scene
• Montpellier International Fair - end-October, held at Le Parc des Expositions, this fair hosts a different country each year through exhibitions and concerts
• Montpellier Horse Show - held at Le Parc des Expositions, the show includes demonstrations and lessons on horse-riding

November

• SITEVI Wine Exhibition - mid-November, this biennial event attracts wine lovers from all over the world who come to discover the latest in techniques and equipment used in the wine industry today

December

• Montpellier Agglomération Wine Festival - mid-December, held on the Place de la Comédie. Some 40-odd local wine producers stage events and tastings of wine from the region
• Montpellier Christmas Market - head to the Place de la Comédie in search of the ultimate Christmas gift