Summer Festivals in Provence

At last, the warm weather and cicadas are on their way back! This summer, Provence is moving to the rhythm of its festivals! And, this year, there is something for all tastes. The festivals of Provence offer incredible diversity. The Festival d’Aix, the Festival de Martigues and the Festival d’Arles will satisfy all music lovers, and, in Provence, you will be able to enjoy jazz, electro, piano, opera, classical or world music. Between the festival of Marseilles and the Rencontres d’Arles, from dance to film, a reconstruction of the Roman period and a genuine round the world trip, enjoy a summer of fun and festivities! Take your pick and discover the 2016 festivals and their programmes now!

JAZZ FESTIVALS

JAZZ DES CINQ CONTINENTS From England to Turkey via Australia, discover some prestigious performers who give their all and who are recognised as global jazz musicians. Travel between Mali and Alabama with the groundbreaking electronic artist St Germain and get close to the charismatic and bewitching Seal.
MARSEILLES, From 20 to 29 July

MUSIQUES A BAGATELLE The Bagatelle Park offers a very special setting for jazz, that is as convivial and breezy as it is sometimes daring, in order to explore all the potential pleasures that this style of music has to offer.
Marseille, 16, 17, 23 & 24 June

JAZZ EN SOL MINEUR Gréasque moves to the sounds of jazz with a programme that combines quality and conviviality. For three days, different groups in a variety of musical colours take their turn at the various venues around the village.
Gréasque, from 7 to 9 July

JAZZ SUR LE TOIT Between the Calanques and Cap Canaille, savour these jazz evenings on a “cosy” terrace that offers a view over the sea and take advantage of the opportunity to sample the gourmet dishes and wines from Cassis that are served on site.
Cassis, from 10 July to 14 August

CLASSICAL FESTIVALS

FESTIVAL D’AIX-EN-PROVENCE The Festival d’Aix-en-Provence has, since its creation in 1948, been one of the most prestigious opera festivals in Europe. The Festival d’Aix brings together the greatest contemporary artists for three weeks of opera and classical music concerts, with a special preference for the works of Mozart.
Aix-en-Provence, from 30 June to 20 July

AIX EN JUIN The Festival Aix en Juin is the festive foretaste of the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence: concerts, recitals, master classes, opera rehearsals… A host of performances that offer you the chance to explore a variety of musical universes for free or almost free of charge.
Aix-en-Provence, from 4 to 29 June

LES NUITS PIANISTIQUES On the occasion of the Nuits Pianistiques, the Conservatoire Darius Milhaud welcomes soloists and the great masters of our time for piano recitals, concerts and more.
Aix-en-Provence, from 2 to 13 August

INTERNATIONAL PIANO FESTIVAL The International Piano Festival of La Roque d'Anthéron, an essential event for music lovers has become an exceptional moment in the musical landscape and the world of piano. The Park of the Château de Florans provides the stage for these unique events where all sorts of creations and all sorts of styles come together.
La Roque d'Anthéron, from 22 July to 18 August

MUSIQUE A L’EMPERI The 24th edition of the Musique à l’Emperi festival offers the opportunity to discover or rediscover major symphonic works such as those by Beethoven or Haydn, as well as a repertoire with an extremely rich selection of transcriptions. Unforgettable musical moments in an exceptional setting!
Château de l'Emperi, Salon de Provence, from 27 July to 6 August

TRADITIONAL & FOLK FESTIVALS

FESTIVAL ARELATE Family fun in Antique Arles! Circus games, chariot races, Roman camps, street entertainment, Roman tavern, Peplum film screenings, and more. The Festival Arelate is a week of discoveries of the Roman world for all ages! A summer event that combines historical precision and the pleasure of new experiences in order to celebrate the town’s antique heritage.
Arles, from 15 to 21 August

FERIA DU CHEVAL Immerse yourself in five days of festivities with street entertainment, music, bull-fighting and equestrian shows.
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, from 13 to 18 July

JEUDIS ETOILES In a unique setting, discover the Jeudi Etoilés: craft market, children’s workshops, music, all types of cuisine and, the highlight of the evening, a pyrotechnical display: a fireworks festival not to be missed!
Istres, from 21 July to 25 August

CONTEMPORARY FESTIVALS

THE FESTIVAL DE MARSEILLE, DANCE & VARIOUS ARTS The Festival de Marseilles brings together the leading international choreographers around a daring and multi-disciplinary programme in which theatre, music, visual arts and cinema join forces with dance. A journey of more than three works at the heart of creation with artists from around the world.
MuCEM, Marseilles, from 24 June to 19 July

FESTIVAL MIMI The Festival MIMI is organised by the Association A.M.I.(Aide aux Musiques Innovatrices – Support for Innovative Music) based on current music and hosted in the enchanting setting of Frioul Island. As a foretaste, an evening is organised on the roof of the Friche de la Belle de Mai and an opening evening at the U-Percut will be followed by traditional open-air concerts at the Hôpital Caroline.
Marseilles, 1 & 6 to 10 July

FID: INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Every year, the FIDMarseilles, a global event, offers a programme of films, both documentaries and fiction, which are emblematic of the worldwide production today. Open-air screenings, exhibitions, meetings with film makers and other festive events are planned throughout the city.
Marseilles, from 12 to 18 July

LES RENCONTRES D’ARLES Through the exhibitions installed in various exceptional heritage sites around the town, Les Rencontres d'Arles, the annual summer photography festival founded in 1970, contributes to relaying the global photographic heritage and is a melting pot for contemporary creation.
Arles, from 4 July to 25 September

WORLD MUSIC FESTIVALS

FESTIVAL DE MARTIGUES 2016 “A wonderful human and citizenship adventure, rare artistic quality”... The Festival de Martigues is a journey into the heart of traditions, a festive and colourful experience, a round the world trip in Martigues, during which Spain, South Africa, Bulgaria, Chilli, Oceania, Byelorussia, Peru, Thailand, Russia, Provence and many more come together.
Martigues, from 24 to 31 July

LES SUDS A ARLES For more than 20 years, the Festival Les Suds has given centre stage to world music by offering concerts, festivities and activities! Sounds from around the world ring out around the town during an intensive week of concerts, master classes and musical encounters.
Arles, from 11 to 17 July

FESTIVALS FOR PARTYING

DELTA FESTIVAL The student festival is a complete festival that offers four villages, converts and sports activities in a festive and laid-back atmosphere on the esplanade of the J4 outside MuCEM.
Marseilles, MuCEM, 2 July

ACONTRALUZ Embark for the summertime electronic music festival in Marseilles. This year, the festival will be held on the Prado beaches for a 100% summertime ambience.
Marseilles, from 22 to 23 July