FIMU in Belfort, Circus and Brass Bands in Dole, the Bague horse race in Semur and a musical marathon in Mâcon: 11 festivals in Burgundy-Franche-Comté this weekend.
Three days to discover a region drawn large by its festivals: Belfort turns into a world capital of university music with FIMU, Dole offers two days of free circus and brass bands, Semur-en-Auxois opens its Fête de la Bague — the oldest horse race in France — and Mâcon trials a new hybrid format combining marathon, concerts and electronica. Our pick this week: FIMU, both for its scale (220 free concerts over four days) and for its act of bringing 1,000 amateur musicians from 40 countries to play in the heart of a mid-sized town.
FIMU in Belfort: 220 free concerts for Pentecost (Territoire de Belfort)
From May 21 to 24, the FIMU — International University Music Festival turns Belfort into a world capital of university music. Over 1,000 amateur musicians from some forty countries take over the streets, squares and stages of the town to offer more than 220 entirely free concerts over four days. Founded in 1986, it is one of Europe's largest free music festivals. A country is honoured each edition, with its own dedicated stage. The format is unique: no ticket, free wandering between the marquees of Place d'Armes and the concerts in the old town. Recommended for a full weekend in Belfort.
International Circus and Brass Bands Festival in Dole (Jura)
On May 23 and 24, the centre of Dole turns into an open-air stage for the International Circus and Brass Bands Festival. Fifteen editions in, an entirely free weekend, contemporary circus performances and parades of brass bands from around the world. One of the finest street arts gatherings in eastern France, and the birthplace of Pasteur takes to it well with its medieval squares and canals. Accessible programming, family atmosphere, an ideal format for anyone looking to enjoy the weekend without ticketing constraints.
Run&Fest in Mâcon: marathon, electronica and art in one weekend (Saône-et-Loire)
On May 23 and 24, the Antoine-Griezmann sports complex in Mâcon hosts the first edition of Run&Fest, France's first hybrid festival combining running, music and art. Saturday: live concerts and DJ set by Kavinsky. Sunday: marathon, half-marathon and 10 km through the rolling landscapes of the Mâconnais. Up to 12,000 participants are expected for this novel bet. A curious format that will speak as much to festival-goers as to runners looking for a festive setting. A first edition worth watching closely, with already solid musical casting.
Théâtre en Mai in Dijon: contemporary creation over two weeks (Côte-d'Or)
From May 19 to 31, Théâtre en Mai is the annual festival of Théâtre Dijon Bourgogne, a National Drama Centre. Created in 1990, this gathering offers two weeks of creation, performance and discussion dedicated to emerging work and international creation. Several performances are scheduled during the Pentecost weekend. Recommended for those who follow the contemporary theatre scene seriously, and for anyone wanting to discover Dijon through its sharp cultural facet rather than purely its gastronomic one.
Fête de la Bague in Semur-en-Auxois: France's oldest horse race (Côte-d'Or)
On May 22, Semur-en-Auxois opens its Fête de la Bague, whose origins date back to 1639. It is the oldest horse race in France, and the start of Pentecost weekend kicks off ten days of activities in the Auxois town. The Course de la Bague itself takes place on May 31, but the weekend of May 22-24 already sees activity setting up along Cours Charles de Gaulle. A living equestrian tradition, unique in France. Recommended for enthusiasts of living history and Burgundian heritage.
Volcan de Nuits in Nuits-Saint-Georges: music, art and gastronomy (Côte-d'Or)
On May 22 and 23, Volcan de Nuits offers in Nuits-Saint-Georges a multidisciplinary festival blending eclectic concerts, artistic installations and quality food in a committed framework. Launched in 2019, this creative gathering plays the sustainability card without becoming preachy. A human-scale format, ideal for combining musical discovery and a great wine appellation on the same weekend. Make the most of the Friday-evening and Saturday programming.
Fest'Is in Is-sur-Tille: brass bands and batucadas in the streets (Côte-d'Or)
On May 23 and 24, around ten brass bands and batucadas invade the streets and squares of Is-sur-Tille for Fest'Is. Two days of festive open-air concerts. On Sunday, a moving particularity: the musicians go to retirement homes and specialised centres to share musical moments with residents. A warm, popular, unpretentious format. The kind of local event that keeps the rural towns of northern Côte-d'Or alive.
Festival de Musique du Haut-Jura in Saint-Claude (Jura)
From May 22 to 31, the Festival de Musique du Haut-Jura holds its new edition in Saint-Claude and the towns of the Haut-Jura. Created in 1985, it offers concerts in exceptional heritage venues, a roving musical caravan, musical hikes and ciné-concerts. The format is exemplary: you hear fine repertoire (classical, jazz, world music) in chapels, abbeys and village halls lost in the Jurassian firs. The first week is particularly rich for the Pentecost weekend.
Fleurs de Jazz en Morvan in Larochemillay (Nièvre)
From May 21 to 23, Fleurs de Jazz en Morvan offers jazz concerts in Larochemillay and the villages of the Morvan Regional Nature Park. Created in 2014, this festival bets on quality eclectic programming in an exceptional natural setting. Intimate format, village halls and heritage venues, warm atmosphere. Recommended to all jazz lovers who want to combine demanding listening and a big gulp of fresh air in the Morvan, one of France's most preserved mountain ranges.
Mixarts Festival in Saint-Florentin: world music and intercultural exchange (Yonne)
From May 22 to 24, the Mixarts Festival takes over the Jardin de l'Octroi and the Théâtre Léo Ferré in Saint-Florentin. Launched in 2015, this multidisciplinary gathering, unique in the Yonne, brings together around a hundred artists from the five continents for three days of concerts, workshops and culinary discoveries. A format militant in concrete interculturality: you listen, you dance, you share dishes from elsewhere. Warm atmosphere, careful programming, mixed audience.
La Voix dans tous les Sens in Sens: opera, musical theatre and lyrical art (Yonne)
On May 23 and 24, La Voix dans tous les Sens holds its new edition at the Sens municipal theatre. Run by the ARDEV association since 2016, this festival celebrates the diversity of the human voice in all its forms: opera, musical comedy, film concert, sung poetry and lyrical shows. Four original shows performed by professional and amateur artists. A singular format, recommended for those who love vocal art outside the major Parisian circuits — Sens is 1h15 from Paris by train.
Also worth a look this weekend in Burgundy-Franche-Comté
- On May 23 and 24, the Belfort Triathlon gathers over 1,400 athletes on the shores of Lake Malsaucy in Sermamagny, with four formats from kids to L.
- On Sunday May 24, Marche avec la Loue offers an ecological hike along the Loue valley in Ornans, dotted with cultural and naturalist stops.
For more regional weekend picks, head to our national agenda. Enjoy Pentecost in Burgundy-Franche-Comté.
