From the techno-cheese marathon in Soisy-sous-Montmorency to the organ recitals in Pontoise cathedral, plus Auvers-sur-Oise and the Printemps des Roulottes in Cergy: five very different picks for the 8 May 2026 long weekend.
The 8 May 2026 long weekend opens a three-day parenthesis in Val-d'Oise. Friday is a public holiday, plus Saturday and Sunday — the département delivers an unusual mix, from a wild techno marathon to organ recitals in a Gothic cathedral, with street arts in Cergy and baroque music rooted in Pontoise. The weekend also coincides with the launch of a one-of-a-kind edition: a two-day electronic festival taking over the Enghien Racecourse. Here is a five-stop tour, from the Pontoise area in the north to the south-eastern edge of the metropolitan region.
Jacques Fromage Festival — the first two-day edition at Enghien Racecourse, 8 and 9 May
This is the off-the-wall event of the 8 May long weekend. The Jacques Fromage Festival takes over the Enghien Racecourse in Soisy-sous-Montmorency, on the doorstep of Val-d'Oise, for a first edition spanning two days, Friday 8 and Saturday 9 May 2026. Dreamt up by Parisian DJ and producer Jacques Fromage, the festival owns its hybrid concept: techno, trance, hardgroove and drum and bass on three covered, heated XXL stages, plus free melted cheese tastings throughout the day. On the bill: 35 artists, a cumulative 24 hours of electronic music across the two days, a giant obstacle course billed as France's largest, and resolutely offbeat activities — all just 17 minutes from Paris by public transport. 1-day pass from €40, 2-day pass at a degressive rate on billetweb.fr. A solid pick for techno lovers who like a format that strays off the beaten path. See the festival page.
Printemps des Roulottes — free roving performances in Cergy-Pontoise
Total mood swing with the Printemps des Roulottes, a roving live arts festival rooted in the Cergy-Pontoise area. The 2026 edition runs from 2 to 17 May, with the 8 May long weekend at its core. Contemporary circus companies, street theatre, brass bands and nomadic music criss-cross the new town's neighbourhoods, in the spirit of fairground arts. Most performances are free and outdoors, making it ideal for families and for anyone who enjoys stumbling on a show at the corner of a street. The festival democratises access to live performance in an urban area of more than 200,000 inhabitants, in Cergy and surroundings. Check the official programme for the exact route — make sure to see when companies pass through your neighbourhood. See the festival page.
Festival d'Auvers-sur-Oise — the great classical season starts to ramp up
Head to Auvers-sur-Oise, the village immortalised by Van Gogh, for one of the most prestigious classical festivals in Europe. Founded in 1981 by musicologist and pianist Pascal Escande, the Festival d'Auvers-sur-Oise runs each year from March to September. The 8 May long weekend lands at the start of the season, just as the programme begins to ramp up. Concerts take place in the most beautiful monuments of the département: churches, châteaux and concert halls. The lineup alternates baroque, classical, romantic, opera and contemporary music, with internationally renowned artists. Prices typically range from €15 to €60 depending on the production. Recommended for anyone who likes pairing a heritage setting with demanding programming. See the festival page.
Festival Baroque de Pontoise — 40 years inside Saint-Maclou cathedral
Still on the classical side, the Festival Baroque de Pontoise celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025-2026. The season runs until early June, with a programme centred on the Saint-Maclou cathedral in Pontoise and several other heritage venues across the département. The 8 May long weekend falls in the home stretch of this anniversary edition. The festival hosts the leading ensembles and soloists of the international baroque scene. Tickets from €10 to €35 depending on the concert, with reduced rates available. An ideal entry point into early music — both ambitious in programming and reasonable on the wallet. Check the precise concert date on the site before booking. See the festival page.
Les Heures Musicales de Pontoise — Sunday organ recital at 5 pm
Still in Pontoise, and still in Saint-Maclou cathedral, the Heures Musicales de Pontoise hold their traditional Sunday rendezvous. Every Sunday from September to July, at 5 pm, the association programmes an organ recital or a sacred music concert in one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in Val-d'Oise. Sunday 10 May fits squarely within this 28th season. Founded in 1998, the association brings together leading figures of the contemporary organ scene and promising young talents. Free entry with a contribution to costs or ticketed admission depending on the concert. Short, demanding format — ideal for closing the long weekend gently before getting back to the working week. See the festival page.
To sum up
Five offerings, five strikingly different worlds: techno-cheese in Soisy-sous-Montmorency, street arts in Cergy, classical in Auvers-sur-Oise, baroque and organ inside Pontoise cathedral. Enough to assemble an à la carte programme — for instance pairing a festive Friday with a classical Saturday evening and an organ recital on Sunday. To dig further, take a look at all the festivals in Val-d'Oise.
