Fête de la Bretagne, Brittany, France

The Fête de la Bretagne (Gouel Breizh in Breton) is an annual festival celebrating the heritage, music and traditions of Brittany. Launched by the Brittany Region in 2009, it runs for about ten days in mid-May around Saint-Yves Day on 19 May, the feast of the patron saint of Brittany. The 18th edition took place from 14 to 24 May 2026; the next one is expected in mid-May 2027, and the exact dates are usually announced early in the year.

Unlike a single-location event, the Fête de la Bretagne is decentralized: celebrations are held at the same time in cities such as Rennes, Brest, Quimper, Saint-Malo and Nantes, in small towns and villages, and wherever Bretons live, including Paris and communities abroad. For tourists this offers flexibility: you can experience the festival in a big city or in a small coastal town, each with its own local character.

The core of the festival is traditional Breton culture, especially music and dance. One of the highlights is the fest-noz, a lively night-time gathering where locals and visitors join hands in circles or lines to perform traditional dances to live folk music; it has been on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage since 2012. Performances often feature bagadoù (Breton pipe bands), as well as singers and musicians playing the bombard, the biniou and the Celtic harp.

In addition to music, visitors can enjoy parades, craft markets, guided walks and food events. Breton specialities such as crêpes, galettes and local cider are sold at festival stalls. Many towns also host concerts, exhibitions and workshops.

Prices and Opening Hours

Most events are free: street concerts, parades, markets and many dance evenings are open to everyone. Some concerts, fest-noz and workshops charge a modest entrance fee set by the local organiser. The programme differs from town to town and from day to day, so check the official website for the list of events near you.