Events in Bayonne: highlights not to be missed
Holidays, weekends and major events all year round
Bayonne buzzes all year round with major popular, culinary and cultural events. From the Bayonne Festivities to the Foire au Jambon, from the Atlantic Feria to Bayonne Celebrates Chocolate and the Christmas festivities, we’ve listed all the highlights for 2026 in the Basque capital to help you plan your stay according to the season.
Not to be missed: the Bayonne Festivals
A major summer event, the Bayonne Festival 2026 will take place from Wednesday 15 to Sunday 19 July. For five days, the town takes on a different rhythm, bringing together locals, visitors, bands, choirs, bull runs, festive parades and traditional events in an iconic red-and-white atmosphere. For the record, the white outfit accessorised with a red scarf became established in the early 1990s as a shared dress code and rallying cry.
Since 1932, the festivities have been held at several key venues in Bayonne. Liberty Square, in front of the’Town Hall, is the symbolic heart of the event: it is here that the official opening, the balcony ceremonies and King Leon’s daily wake-up call take place. Saint-André Square hosts the traditional cow races, whereas the Poterne Gardens become the main playground for the Children's Day. When it comes to culture and traditions, the karrikaldi anime Jacques-Portes Square, and the bullfighting events take place at Bayonne Arena.
Staying in Bayonne during this period – whether for a weekend or the whole week of 14 July 2026 – means you can soak up the general atmosphere of the festivities whilst having easy access to the main highlights, from the city centre to lively squares and the city’s main festival venues.
Other events in Bayonne
Foire au Jambon, feria, street art, chocolate and Christmas!
Bayonne is a lively place all year round, with several well-established events on the calendar. In spring, the Foire au Jambon took place from 23 to 26 April 2026, showcasing its culinary delights and entertainment, particularly on the Roland-Barthes Esplanade. See you in 2027 to enjoy it all again! The Atlantic Fair will take place from 4 to 6 September 2026 at the Bayonne Bullring, with its bullfighting events and festive atmosphere.
In the autumn, Bayonne celebrates its chocolate is scheduled to take place from 30 October to 1 November 2026, in a spirit that is at once indulgent, cultural and family-friendly, staying true to the town’s chocolate-making heritage. The Points de Vue festival, dedicated to urban art, is also set to take place in October 2026, extending the opportunity to explore Bayonne’s street art throughout the year.
At the end of the year, Christmas in Bayonne transforms the town centre with its illuminations, parades and family entertainment. The most recent officially announced festivities took place from 28 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, with highlights at Place de la Liberté, Place du Réduit, Place Jacques-Portes, Square Gambetta and Carreau des Halles.
Aviron Bayonnais matches
How can we talk about the year’s highlights in Bayonne without mentioning rugby? The matches of the’Bayonne Rowing Club are among the major events that bring the city to life. The club competes in the Top 14, the top tier of French rugby, and plays its home matches at the Jean-Dauger Stadium, located 8 Fernand-Forgues Avenue in Bayonne. The stadium is one of the most iconic venues in Bayonne’s sporting life, and rugby fans can walk to the stadium in under 10 minutes from the Hotel Le Bayonne.
Going to an Aviron Bayonnais match is a chance to experience another side of the local atmosphere. On match days, Bayonne lives and breathes rugby, with a distinctive atmosphere around the stadium and throughout the city. For a weekend in Bayonne, a match at Jean-Dauger is therefore a natural way to round off a stay centred on heritage, gastronomy and the Basque way of life. The city also promotes rugby as one of its major sporting highlights. If you’re planning your trip, the easiest thing to do is to check the official calendar of Aviron Bayonnais for the end of the 2026 season or the upcoming 2026–2027 season, so you can check the upcoming home matches and plan your visit accordingly.
What’s on in Bayonne this weekend?
It’s not just about the annual events! You can pop over to Bayonne for a weekend any time of year, even if there isn’t a specific event on. With markets, the historic centre, museums, guided tours, street art, cycling and Basque cuisine, you can put together a trip that’s just as enjoyable over two days as it is over a long weekend.
- Take a stroll around the markets : the market around Les Halles on Saturday mornings, local markets on Friday mornings in Saint-Esprit or at Polo Beyris, and the fish market on Allées Marines on Monday mornings, subject to availability.
- Explore the old town : Sainte-Marie Cathedral, the cloister, the city walls… You can easily explore both Grand Bayonne and Petit Bayonne on foot in a day. Watch out, though – the Basque linen shops will catch your eye on every street corner!
- Book a guided tour : This is a great way to explore Bayonne in a short space of time, with tours focusing on history, heritage or fine food (Bayonne has a rich history of chocolate-making). Find out more on the tourist information website.
- Plan a visit to a museum or a cultural attraction : The Bonnat-Helleu Museum, the Basque Museum, Gothic cellars and other heritage sites make for a perfect weekend in the city.
- See Bayonne in a different light : You can also explore the city through street art or by bike, for a change from a more traditional tour. The Kaxu Gallery offers guided tours on foot or by electric bike.
- Soak up the gourmet atmosphere : Market halls, food shops, Bayonne ham, chocolate and restaurants in the city centre are all part of the trip.
- Check the official programme: whether you arrive on Friday or Saturday and leave on Sunday or Monday, you can easily round off your stay with a concert, an exhibition, a show or a local event.
Our plan for this weekend… and every other weekend!
- Friday : market in the main square at Polo-Beyris, a stroll around Saint-Esprit and street art.
- Saturday : Market halls, historic centre, cathedral and a tasty break.
- Sunday : museum, guided tour or bike ride.
- Monday : fishing, an exhibition or a final stroll through the high streets.
FAQ
Can you enjoy the Bayonne festivities from the hotel?
That’s right, because the Hotel Le Bayonne is situated at 1 Avenue Jean Rostand, on the banks of the River Nive and close to the historic centre. Our spacious, air-conditioned rooms are ideal for relaxing. From the Bayonne, you can easily walk to the main festive venues in the city centre: Place de la Liberté, in front of the Town Hall, Place Saint-André and Place Jacques-Portes. This means you can enjoy the highlights of the festive season whilst staying in a hotel close to the festivities.
I only have two days: what are the must-see sights in Bayonne?
If you’re only staying in Bayonne for a two-day city break, focus on the city’s main must-sees. Start with the old town, including Sainte-Marie Cathedral, its cloister, the streets of Grand Bayonne and the ramparts. Continue on to Petit Bayonne, which is livelier and more down-to-earth, then plan at least one cultural visit, such as the Basque Museum or the Bonnat-Helleu Museum. On Saturday mornings, the market around Les Halles is also a real highlight for soaking up the local atmosphere. If you have a little time left, round off your stay with a street art walk or a guided tour.
What events are there to discover in Bayonne outside of the festive season?
Aside from the July Festivals, Bayonne remains a lively place with the Ham Fair in spring, the Feria de l’Atlantique and the bullfighting events, the ‘Points de Vue’ street art festival, Bayonne’s Chocolate Festival in autumn, and the Christmas celebrations at the end of the year. The city is therefore not limited to just one major summer event.
What foodie events are there to discover in Bayonne?
Bayonne is renowned for two major food festivals. In spring, the Ham Fair celebrates one of the city’s iconic products in a lively, traditional atmosphere. In autumn, Bayonne celebrates its chocolate, further enhancing this culinary identity with events, tastings and a focus on Bayonne’s chocolate-making history. Les Halles de Bayonne also provide the perfect complement to a stay centred on local cuisine.
Is Bayonne a pleasant destination all year round?
Yes. Bayonne has more to offer than just the Summer Festivals. The city remains attractive all year round thanks to its heritage, its cuisine, its markets, its museums, its town centre atmosphere and its major events spread throughout the year. It is a destination that can be explored just as easily for a weekend as for a longer stay.
