Equiblues Western Festival
The biggest rodeo in Europe and country-blues festival in Ardèche
2026
About Equiblues
Equiblues — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Equiblues takes place from Tuesday, August 11th to Sunday, August 16th, 2026, in Saint-Agrève, Ardèche, celebrating the association's 30th anniversary. The program features: four American rodeos (including a night rodeo on Friday and the grand finale on Sunday at 3:00 PM), a major western show on Thursday, August 13th at 3:30 PM with the Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show by the Laurora troupe, five international country concerts — Melanie Ryan, Nik Poli, Amanda Kate Ferris, Payton Howie, and Scotty Alexander —, daily afternoon country dances under the big top, DJ nights, western riding competitions, and an exhibitor village with over 70 stands. The western village, demonstration stands, and exhibitions are free to access; rodeos, the show, and concerts require paid tickets and reservations.
Equiblues 2026 — Celebrating 30 Years
For its 30th anniversary, the Equiblues Western Festival takes over the Saint-Agrève plateau in the Ardèche from August 11th to 16th, 2026, at an altitude of over 1,000 meters. Organized by the Equiblues Association, the event brings together one of Europe's largest rodeos, a major equestrian show, country concerts featuring artists from the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands, and numerous western-themed activities. The site opens daily at 9:00 AM.
Four American Rodeos and a Grand Finale
American rodeos set the pace for the week: Wednesday, August 12th at 3:30 PM, Friday, August 14th at 7:30 PM for the night rodeo, Saturday, August 15th at 3:30 PM, and the grand finale on Sunday, August 16th at 3:00 PM. The best European cowboys and riders compete in traditional professional rodeo disciplines.
The Thursday Western Show
On Thursday, August 13th at 3:30 PM, the grand western show features two troupes: the Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show by the Laurora troupe, a spectacular reenactment inspired by Buffalo Bill's famous show with cowboys, cowgirls, revolver shooting, and trick riding, and Action Équestre, presenting Cossack vaulting, Hungarian post, and modern equestrian performance.
Five Country Concerts Under the Big Top
The musical lineup brings together five international artists: Melanie Ryan (Netherlands) and Nik Poli (Canada, Alberta) on Wednesday, August 12th, Amanda Kate Ferris (USA, New Mexico) on Thursday, August 13th, Payton Howie (USA) on Friday, August 14th, and Scotty Alexander (USA, Texas) on Saturday, August 15th. Concerts start at 9:00 PM, except on Friday, when the night rodeo pushes the start time to 10:00 PM. DJ nights under the big top continue every night.
Dances, Workshops, and Riding Competitions
Country dances are held every afternoon under the big top, hosted by Jean-Christophe Chariwe — free access on Tuesday. A 45-minute line dance workshop, open to all levels, is offered daily, complemented by retro dance initiations at the Red Fox Saloon: Charleston on Friday and Lindy Hop on Saturday, at 3:00 PM. Western riding competitions run from Tuesday to Saturday: 3 Man 2 Gate, pole bending, ranch cutting, barrel racing NBHA, ranch sorting, and mountain trail MTHA.
Western Village and Festival Life
The exhibitor village gathers over 70 stands focused on country, western, and American themes: saddlery, Native American jewelry, clothing, decor, and crafts. Additionally, there is an open stage at the Red Fox Saloon, the Miss & Mister Rodeo pageant, displays of American cars and motorcycles, and burlesque shows. A free campsite, open to tents, vans, and motorhomes, is located a two-minute walk from the site.
Highlights Equiblues 2026
- 30th anniversary of the Equiblues association, August 11th–16th, 2026, in Saint-Agrève
- Four American rodeos: Wednesday 12th and Saturday 15th at 3:30 PM, night rodeo Friday 14th at 7:30 PM, grand finale Sunday 16th at 3:00 PM
- Grand western show on Thursday, August 13th at 3:30 PM: Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show by the Laurora troupe and Action Équestre
- Five international country concerts: Melanie Ryan (Netherlands) and Nik Poli (Canada) on the 12th, Amanda Kate Ferris (USA) on the 13th, Payton Howie (USA) on the 14th, Scotty Alexander (USA) on the 15th
- Daily afternoon country dances under the big top and DJ nights after concerts
- Western village with over 70 exhibitors, American car and motorcycle displays — free access
- Free campsite a two-minute walk from the site
Programme Equiblues 2026
Tuesday, August 11th, 2026
- 9:00 AM — Site and exhibitor village open
- 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM — Western riding competition: 3 Man 2 Gate
- 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM — Western riding competition: Pole Bending
- 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM — Western riding competition: Ranch Cutting
- Afternoon — Country dance under the big top, hosted by J-C Chariwe · free access on Tuesday
- From 5:00 PM — Outdoor DJ
Wednesday, August 12th, 2026
- 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM — Western riding competition: Barrel Racing NBHA
- 3:30 PM — American Rodeo
- 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM — Western riding competition: Pole Bending
- Afternoon — Country dance under the big top
- 9:00 PM — Concert: Melanie Ryan (Netherlands)
- 9:45 PM — Concert: Nik Poli (Canada, Alberta)
- After concerts — DJ night under the big top
Thursday, August 13th, 2026
- 3:30 PM — Western Show: Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show by the Laurora troupe (cowboys, cowgirls, revolver shooting, trick riding) and Action Équestre (Cossack vaulting, Hungarian post, equestrian performance)
- Afternoon — Country dance under the big top, hosted by Jean-Christophe Chariwe
- 9:00 PM — Concert: Amanda Kate Ferris (USA, New Mexico)
- After concert — DJ night under the big top
Friday, August 14th, 2026
- 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM — Western riding competition: Ranch Sorting
- 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM — Western riding competition: Barrel Racing NBHA
- 3:00 PM — Retro dance initiation: Charleston · Red Fox Saloon
- Afternoon — Country dance under the big top, hosted by J-C Chariwe
- 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM — Western riding competition: Mountain Trail MTHA
- 7:30 PM — American Night Rodeo
- 10:00 PM — Concert: Payton Howie (USA)
- After concert — DJ night under the big top
Saturday, August 15th, 2026
- 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM — Western riding competition: Mountain Trail MTHA
- 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM — Western riding competition: Ranch Sorting
- 3:00 PM — Retro dance initiation: Lindy Hop · Red Fox Saloon
- 3:30 PM — American Rodeo
- During rodeos — Barrel NBHA Super Event
- Afternoon — Country dance under the big top
- 9:00 PM — Concert: Scotty Alexander (USA, Texas)
- After concert — DJ night under the big top
Sunday, August 16th, 2026
- 3:00 PM — American Rodeo Grand Finale
- All day — Country dance under the big top
Every day of the festival
- Site opens at 9:00 AM
- Exhibitor village: over 70 stands (clothing, jewelry, saddlery, decor, crafts)
- Open stage at the Red Fox Saloon
- Line dance workshop for all levels (45 min) and initiations at the Red Fox Saloon
- Miss & Mister Rodeo pageant
- American car and motorcycle displays, burlesque shows
Prices Equiblues 2026
Paid with reservation (limited capacity): American rodeos, western show, country concerts, and dances. The country dance on Tuesday, August 11th, is free to access.
Full price: adults and children 12 and older.
Reduced rate: children born after 01/01/2014 (under 12).
Free for children under 3.
No group rates.
Online ticketing at equiblues.com (highly recommended) or on-site at the festival box office.
Payment methods: credit card, check, and cash at the box office; cashless card and local currency "$ Equiblues" on-site.
Free parking for light vehicles and motorcycles near the site. Free Equiblues campsite 2 minutes away on foot (tents, vans, and motorhomes; sanitary facilities available; no electricity; first-come, first-served).
Practical information — Equiblues
Access
The festival takes place at the Equiblues site, 1535 Chemin du Chiniac, 07320 Saint-Agrève, on the high Ardèche plateau at an altitude of over 1,000 m.
- From Valence: about 1 hour
- From Saint-Étienne: about 1 hour 15 minutes
- From Lyon: about 1 hour 45 minutes
Parking and camping
Parking is free for light vehicles and motorcycles, located in the immediate vicinity of the site. The Equiblues campsite, a 2-minute walk away, is free and open to tents, vans, and motorhomes. It has sanitary facilities but no electricity and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Schedule
- Site opening: 9:00 AM
- Daytime shows and rodeos: 3:30 PM
- Friday night rodeo: 7:30 PM
- Concerts: 9:00 PM (10:00 PM on Friday)
Free access and ticketing
Access to the Western village, demonstration stands, Western riding competitions, burlesque shows, American car and motorcycle exhibitions, and the Red Fox Saloon open stage is free. Rodeos, the Western show, concerts, and dances are ticketed and should be booked in advance as space is limited. Full price applies to adults and children aged 12 and over; reduced rates apply to children born after 01/01/2014; children under 3 are free. There are no group rates. Online booking at equiblues.com is highly recommended; on-site sales remain possible.
On-site
Dining is available at the Red Fox Saloon and various fast-food stalls, along with an exhibitor village (Western gear, crafts, fashion). Payments are made by credit card, check, or cash at the ticket office, then by cashless card and local currency "$ Equiblues" on the site. Access is available for people with reduced mobility, with assistance.
Rules
The following are prohibited on the site: glass, sharp objects, knives, and weapons, even replicas. Dogs are allowed only if kept on a leash.
Contact
Association Equiblues — [email protected] — 04 75 64 80 97
The Wild West in the heart of the Ardèche
Founded in 1996 in Saint-Agrève, on the high Ardèche plateau, Equiblues was born from a shared passion for horses and music among friends. The founding idea was to organize summer events centered around these two themes in this mountain village located at an altitude of over 1,000 meters. Since its inception, Equiblues has grown to become one of the largest rodeos in Europe and a must-attend event for Western culture in France.
Rodeo, Western riding, and equestrian shows
The heart of the festival is the American rodeo, a spectacular competition where the best European cowboys and riders compete in traditional professional rodeo disciplines. Western riding competitions bring together riders for events such as barrel racing, pole bending, ranch cutting, ranch sorting, mountain trail, and 3 Man 2 Gate. A grand Western show completes the program with renowned troupes, stunts, trick riding, and gun spinning.
Country music and blues under the stars
Equiblues evenings vibrate to the sound of country music and blues. Every year, the concerts feature international country artists from the United States, Canada, and Europe. Country dances are held every afternoon under the big top, and festival-goers dance line dance and two-step under the stars of the Ardèche plateau in a warm and friendly atmosphere. DJ sets keep the nights going after the concerts.
A life-sized Western village
Throughout the festival, Saint-Agrève transforms into a true Wild West town. The site features an exhibitor village with over 70 stands—saddlery, Native American jewelry, clothing, decor, and crafts—as well as dining at the Red Fox Saloon, displays of American cars and motorcycles, burlesque shows, and activities for the whole family. The atmosphere is that of a popular, festive gathering where Western culture enthusiasts mingle with curious visitors discovering this world.
A non-profit festival run by volunteers
Equiblues is a non-profit association composed entirely of volunteers. This grassroots, activist dimension gives the festival its authentic and welcoming character. Since 1996, Equiblues has contributed significantly to the growth of Western riding and country music in France. The 2026 edition celebrates the association's 30th anniversary, from August 11th to 16th.
Where does it take place — Equiblues
Equiblues in brief
Other festivals near Saint-Agrève
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