7 must-visit festivals in October 2026
There are plenty of fantastic festivals taking place across France in October, from jazz and electronic music to wine and food. Here are seven to get in your diary and there’s something for almost everyone’s taste.
Nancy Jazz Pulsations – October 3rd to October 17th
One of France’s major jazz festivals, Nancy Jazz Pulsations brings together jazz, electro, rap and more across venues in and around the city of Nancy, eastern France. The festival has been running since 1973 and features a mix of established artists as well as newer acts.
For more info click here.
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Festival du Film Britannique et Irlandais – October 7th to October 11th
The Brittany seaside resort of Dinard rolls out the red carpet for its 37th British & Irish Film Festival. Actress Amira Casar, who grew up between England, Ireland and France, will chair the jury.
The festival’s official competition will feature six British and Irish feature films competing for the prestigious Hitchcock d’Or, alongside a “Talent of Tomorrow” section for first films by emerging directors. The programme will also include documentaries, shorts, masterclasses and special screenings,including Everybody Digs Bill Evans and the Irish film Once Upon a Time in a Cinema, starring Colin Morgan.
Information here.
The Fête des Vendanges – October 7th to October 11th
Also known as the Montmartre grape harvest festival – the fête des vendanges de Montmartre is an annual celebration to commemorate the harvesting of grapes from the Clos Montmartre – an urban vineyard located on the slopes of the Montmartre hills in Paris’ 18th arrondissement.
This is one of Paris’s most popular public events, and it involves five days of gastronomy, wine tasting, and grape picking. Details here.
Festival Lumière – October 10th to October 18th
The Lumière Festival is a global event dedicated to classic cinema. Every October, in Lyon, the birthplace of the Lumière Cinematograph.
Fête du Piment – October 24th to October 25th
Are you a fan of spicy food or chilli peppers? If so, this festival is the one for you. It takes place in France’s Basque Country, as the picturesque town of Espelette celebrates the pepper that has made it world-famous. For more information, click here.
Dream Nation – October 30th to October 31st
If you love electronic music and Halloween – this one is for you! Dream Nation brings two nights of techno, house, drum and bass, hard music and other electronic sounds north of Paris. The biggest Halloween festival in Europe is known for its large-scale production, with several stages and an audience of electronic music fans from France and beyond. Visit the official website
