Biarritz Piano Festival
Classical, jazz, and contemporary piano festival in Biarritz
About Biarritz Piano Festival
The Biarritz Piano Festival: When Piano Takes Center Stage on the Basque Coast
Since 2009, the Biarritz Piano Festival has brought together the world's greatest pianists every summer at the Théâtre du Casino Municipal de Biarritz. Founded by pianist Thomas Valverde, this festival has established itself in a few years as one of the major musical events in the Southwest of France, thanks to a demanding yet accessible program that blends classical, jazz, and contemporary music.
An Eclectic Program
The richness of the Biarritz Piano Festival lies in its ability to create a dialogue between musical genres centered around a common instrument: the piano.
- Classical: The greatest performers of the classical repertoire perform in exceptional recitals, from Bach to Chopin, Liszt, Debussy, and Ravel.
- Jazz: World-renowned jazz pianists bring their touch of improvisation and creativity.
- Contemporary Music: The festival showcases contemporary creations and original compositions, offering a platform for today's artists.
- Crossover: "Crossover" concerts mix styles and influences, creating unique musical encounters.
2025 Edition: An Exceptional Program
The 16th edition of the Biarritz Piano Festival takes place from July 28 to August 8, 2025, with an intense and eclectic program:
- Benjamin Grosvenor: The British prodigy of classical piano.
- Lucas Debargue: One of the most acclaimed French pianists of his generation.
- Gregory Privat: The Caribbean jazz pianist with captivating sounds.
- Anna Geniushene: The Russian virtuoso with a powerful and refined playing style.
- Thomas Enhco: The French pianist who navigates between jazz and classical.
- Simon Ghraichy: The Franco-Lebanese pianist with a Latin American repertoire.
- Ryan Wang: The young Canadian prodigy.
- Koki Nakano: The Japanese composer at the crossroads of classical and electronic music.
The Théâtre du Casino Municipal
The Théâtre du Casino Municipal de Biarritz, located on Avenue Edouard VII, is an exceptional venue for the festival. This Italian-style theater, dating back to the Belle Époque, offers remarkable acoustics and an elegant setting that enhances the musical experience. Its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean adds a unique dimension to each concert.
An Accessible Festival
The Biarritz Piano Festival strives to make music accessible to as many people as possible. Beyond the evening concerts, the festival offers daytime recitals, masterclasses, and artist meet-and-greets, allowing the public to have a complete and immersive musical experience.
Biarritz, a City of Music
Since the 19th century, Biarritz has been a city of culture and music. The Biarritz Piano Festival is part of this tradition, making the seaside resort a major hub for piano music every summer. The festival contributes to the cultural influence of the Basque Coast and attracts a music-loving audience from all over France and abroad.
Biarritz Piano Festival — edition 2026
17th edition of the Biarritz Piano Festival, from July 27 to August 7, 2026. For nearly two weeks, the festival founded by pianist Thomas Valverde brings together the best pianists from the international scene in Biarritz for a program where classical, jazz, and contemporary creation meet, both indoors and outdoors facing the ocean.
The Biarritz Piano Festival 2026
From July 27 to August 7, 2026, the Biarritz Piano Festival presents its 17th edition, under the artistic direction of its founder Thomas Valverde. Concerts take place in several venues in Biarritz: Espace Bellevue, Salon Diane, Cité de l'Océan, Côte des Basques, Skate Park, and the lighthouse, bringing together internationally renowned pianists, young talents, and original formats (sunset concerts, breakfast matinees, jazz at the lighthouse).
A pre-festival gala opened the season on May 28, 2026, at the Salon des Ambassadeurs of the Casino de Biarritz, featuring pianist Irma Gigani and jazzman Mark Priore's trio.
Programme Biarritz Piano Festival 2026
Sunday, July 26, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Zsigmond Gerlóczy (piano) + DJ Set · Côte des Basques (Piano & Sunset 1)
Monday, July 27, 2026 — Opening
- 9:00 PM — Katia & Marielle Labèque (two pianos) · Espace Bellevue (opening concert)
- 10:30 PM — David Chalmin (voice, guitar, electronics) · Salon Diane (Le Cercle Invisible)
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Thomas Valverde (piano) + DJ Set · Skate Park
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
- 9:00 PM — David Fray (piano) · Espace Bellevue (Bach / Scarlatti / Wagner)
Thursday, July 30, 2026
- 11:00 AM — Clément Lefebvre (piano) · Salon Diane (breakfast concert: Scriabin)
- 7:00 PM — Élise Bertrand (violin) & Gaspard Thomas (piano) · Salon Diane (Mozart / Schumann / Escaich)
Friday, July 31, 2026
- 9:00 PM — Ryan Wang (piano) · Espace Bellevue (Mozart / Mussorgsky)
Saturday, August 1, 2026
- 6:30 PM — Noé Huchard Trio · Jazz at the Lighthouse (Young and Fine)
Sunday, August 2, 2026
- 11:00 AM — Béatrice Nicholas (piano) · Salon Diane (young audience concert: Cosmic Adventure)
- 9:00 PM — Vanessa Wagner (piano) · Espace Bellevue (Philip Glass Etudes)
Monday, August 3, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Marius Nitzbon (piano) · Cité de l'Océan (Piano & Sunset 2)
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
- 9:00 PM — Sophia Liu (piano) · Espace Bellevue (Chopin / Tchaikovsky)
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
- 7:00 PM — Vittorio Forte (piano) · Espace Bellevue (Volver)
- 9:00 PM — Théo Ould (accordion) · Espace Bellevue (Piazzolla)
Thursday, August 6, 2026
- 11:00 AM — Joanna Goodale (piano) · Salon Diane (breakfast: Bach in a Circle)
- 7:00 PM — Jean-Baptiste Doulcet (piano) · Salon Diane (Grieg / Sibelius / improvisations)
Friday, August 7, 2026 — Closing
- 9:00 PM — Eric Lu (piano) · Espace Bellevue (Schubert / Chopin)
Highlights Biarritz Piano Festival 2026
- Katia & Marielle Labèque in opening concert (July 27, Espace Bellevue)
- David Fray, Vanessa Wagner (Philip Glass Etudes) and Eric Lu in closing concert
- Sunset concerts facing the ocean (Côte des Basques, Cité de l'Océan)
- Jazz at the Lighthouse and breakfast matinees at Salon Diane
Prices Biarritz Piano Festival 2026
Practical information — Biarritz Piano Festival
Access
The Théâtre du Casino Municipal is located in the city center of Biarritz, facing the Grande Plage.
- By car: A63 motorway, Biarritz exit. Parking available in the city center and at the Casino.
- By train: Biarritz station, then a 15-minute walk or shuttle.
- By bus: Txik Txak network, "Casino" or "Grande Plage" stop.
Venue
Théâtre du Casino Municipal, Avenue Edouard VII, 64200 Biarritz.
Schedule
Evening concerts usually at 8:30 PM or 9:00 PM. Daytime recitals at varying times.
Prices
Paid tickets. Prices vary depending on the concert, generally from €15 to €50. Festival passes and reduced rates available.
Ticketing
Tickets on sale on the festival website and at usual points of sale.
Contact
Biarritz Piano Festival
Website: www.biarritzpianofestival.com
Accessibility
The Théâtre du Casino Municipal is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Accommodation nearby
Biarritz offers a wide choice of accommodation. Booking is highly recommended during the summer period (July-August).
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Where does it take place — Biarritz Piano Festival
Théâtre du Casino Municipal de Biarritz
Avenue Edouard VII, 64200 Biarritz