Féri'Ain des Fanfarons

Féri'Ain des Fanfarons: brass bands are better live!

Since 2004, the Féri'Ain des Fanfarons festival transforms the streets of Thoissey, a small town on the banks of the Saône in the Ain department, into a vast open-air musical theater every summer. This unique gathering of festive brass bands has become an essential summer event, drawing over 8,000 people each year in a spirit of popular celebration and conviviality.

A story of passion and encounters

The Fanfarons adventure began in 2004 when the MJC de Thoissey and the musicians of Fanfare Pustule from Lyon joined forces to create an original summer celebration, free for all and centered on street music. The idea: bring together festive brass bands — colorful musical ensembles blending brass, percussion, extravagant costumes and boundless energy — in the streets of a rural town. The success was immediate, and the festival has grown steadily, becoming a major player in France's brass band festival circuit.

The first Saturday of August: an unforgettable evening

Every year on the first Saturday of August, around ten brass bands from across France — and sometimes beyond — take over the streets of Thoissey from 7 PM. Dressed in spectacular costumes, they parade, play, dance and improvise among the audience, moving from square to square, from café terrace to restaurant, creating a festive and offbeat atmosphere that lasts until 1:30 AM.

Each edition features an original and quirky theme — for example "Welcome to the Boudin Rouge" for the 20th edition in 2025 or a space theme in 2024 — inspiring the bands in their costumes and staging. The event is entirely free, true to the philosophy of a popular celebration open to all.

The international festive brass band competition

Roughly every five years, the festival hosts an international festive brass band competition, a major event bringing together ensembles from across Europe in a spirit of joyful and good-natured competition. The winning band earns the honor of organizing the next edition. At the special 2023 edition (18th), the band Canal Chips (Drôme-Ardèche) won the competition, with nearly 300 musicians and over 8,000 spectators.

The Pique-Nique des Fanfarons

The following Sunday, the festival continues with the Pique-Nique des Fanfarons, a convivial gathering at the port of Thoissey on the banks of the Saône. From 2 PM to 6 PM, musicians and audiences share an open-air musical picnic, followed by a final brass band tour through the streets from 7 PM to 11 PM.

Food and conviviality

On Saturday evening, carefully selected food trucks (fresh, local, homemade products), drink stands and the cafés and restaurants of Thoissey welcome festival-goers throughout the evening.