Festival de l'Andouille d'Aire-sur-la-Lys
The great gastronomic and popular festival of Aire-sur-la-Lys since 1962
2026
About Festival de l'Andouille
Festival de l'Andouille — edition 2026
The 64th edition of the Festival de l'Andouille takes place on Saturday, September 5th and Sunday, September 6th, 2026, in Aire-sur-la-Lys. Enjoy two days of free festivities: the Aire Color Run, a wrestling gala, and a pyrosymphonic show on Saturday; followed by foot races, an international folk parade, the traditional sausage toss from the Bailliage balcony, and a grand live concert on Sunday evening featuring Vitaa, Joseph Kamel, Daysy, Oria, and Génération Céline.
2026 Edition: Two days of celebration on September 5th and 6th
For its 64th edition, the Festival de l'Andouille in Aire-sur-la-Lys spans the entire weekend of Saturday, September 5th and Sunday, September 6th, 2026. The Saturday opening night combines a wrestling gala hosted by the Reserve Non-Commissioned Officers at the Salle Ducrot with a pyrosymphonic show launched from the Nestier stadium.
Sunday remains the traditional highlight: the Andouille foot races starting at 9:00 AM, the international folk parade in the afternoon, a final procession on the Grand-Place, and the famous sausage toss from the Bailliage balcony, where the mayor and guests throw slices of the local specialty to the crowd gathered below.
A free concert headlined by Vitaa
Starting at 7:00 PM at the foot of the Town Hall, the city and Radio Horizon are hosting a completely free live concert. Vitaa will perform her greatest hits (including "À fleur de toi," "Ma sœur," "Avant toi," and "Ça va ça vient"), joined by Joseph Kamel, Daysy, the Nice-based revelation Oria, and the Génération Céline show—a tribute to the repertoire of Céline Dion performed by four singers and artistically directed by Erick Benzi.
The Andouille Tavern
Throughout Sunday, local butchers will run the Andouille Tavern at the Halle au Beurre and on the Grand-Place, offering tastings and sales of the town's signature specialty.
Highlights Festival de l'Andouille 2026
- Vitaa headlining the free concert — Sunday, September 6th, 7:00 PM, at the foot of the Town Hall
- Joseph Kamel and Daysy, followed by Oria, on the same free stage
- Génération Céline: A tribute to Céline Dion by four singers, artistically directed by Erick Benzi
- The sausage toss from the Bailliage balcony, around 6:50 PM on Sunday
- International folk parade at 3:30 PM: Deltaband (Netherlands), Caporales San Simon (Bolivia), Soleiro Cuba, Bagad Keriz, Gilles de Louvroil
- Pyrosymphonic show on Saturday at 10:30 PM at the Nestier stadium
Programme Festival de l'Andouille 2026
Saturday, September 5th, 2026
- Daytime — 2nd edition of the Aire Color Run · starting at Place Notre-Dame, organized by the Espace Socioculturel de la Lys
- 8:30 PM — Wrestling gala by the Reserve Non-Commissioned Officers · Salle Ducrot, Rue de Bretagne
- 10:30 PM — Pyrosymphonic show (grand fireworks display) · Nestier stadium, Avenue Carnot
Sunday, September 6th, 2026
- From 9:00 AM — Andouille foot races, organized by OSA Athlétisme · Grand-Place and city center
- 9:00 AM — C1 Minimes and Benjamins (boys/girls), 3.3 km
- 9:20 AM — C2 Athletics school (boys/girls), 800 m
- 9:40 AM — C3 Poussins (boys/girls), 1.6 km
- 9:50 AM — C4 Cadets and older, 5 km
- 10:30 AM — C5 Cadets and older, 10 km
- All day — Andouille Tavern: tastings and sales by local butchers · Halle au Beurre and Grand-Place
- 3:30 PM — International folk parade · starting at Salle Berton, Rue Jean-Jaurès, continuing through Rue Jules-Ferry, Édouard-Herriot, Chemin du Détour, Rue de la Tour-Blanche, Boulevard Foch, Rue du Puits, before the historic circuit (Rue Saint-Pierre, Rue du Bourg, Rue d'Arras, Rue des Tanneurs, Rue du Général-Leclerc)
- Municipal Band of Aire-sur-la-Lys and the giants Lydéric and Chrymilde
- Showkorps Deltaband (Vlissingen, Netherlands)
- Municipal Band of Roquetoire · Estrée-Blanche Band
- Caporales San Simon — Bolivian folklore (first appearance)
- Soleiro Cuba — Cuban folklore
- Breton Bagad Keriz
- "La Vaillante" marching band — Saint-Quentin (02)
- Guggenmusik JNC and mascots
- The Gilles de Louvroil, closing the parade
- 5:00 PM to 6:45 PM — Grand final parade of all groups on the Grand-Place
- Around 6:50 PM — Sausage toss from the Bailliage balcony by the mayor and guests
- 7:00 PM — Grand free live concert at the foot of the Town Hall, presented by the Municipality and Radio Horizon: Oria, Daysy, Joseph Kamel, Génération Céline, and Vitaa
Prices Festival de l'Andouille 2026
Practical information — Festival de l'Andouille
Location
The Festival de l'Andouille takes place in the town center of Aire-sur-la-Lys (62120), primarily on the Grand'Place, at the Halle au Beurre, and in the surrounding streets. Aire-sur-la-Lys is a historic town with a rich architectural heritage, featuring its 16th-century Bailliage, the Saint-Pierre collegiate church, and charming half-timbered houses.
Getting there
- By car: From Saint-Omer (20 min), take the D943 towards Aire-sur-la-Lys. From Béthune (20 min), take the D943 towards Aire-sur-la-Lys. From Lille (45 min), take the A26, exit 4, then follow signs for Aire-sur-la-Lys. From Arras (40 min), take the D939 then the D943. Free parking is available on the outskirts of the town center. Please note: traffic in the town center is restricted on the day of the festival due to the parade.
- By train: Isbergues station (5 km), served by the Hazebrouck-Arras TER line, then take a bus or taxi to Aire-sur-la-Lys. Hazebrouck station (20 km, Lille-Calais TER line) also offers connections.
Date
The festival is held on the weekend of the first Sunday in September: an opening evening on Saturday and a full day of events on Sunday, from morning until the late-night concert.
Weekend Program
- Saturday evening: Wrestling gala by the Sous-Officiers de Réserve at the Salle Ducrot, followed by a pyrosymphonic show launched from the Nestier stadium.
- Sunday morning: The Andouille foot races organized by OSA Athlétisme, open to both licensed and non-licensed runners, held on the Grand'Place and in the town center. Opening of the Andouille tavern at the Halle au Beurre: tasting and sales by local butchers.
- Sunday afternoon: International folk parade starting from the Salle Berton, led by the Municipal Brass Band and the giants Lydéric and Chrymilde, followed by a grand final parade of all groups on the Grand'Place.
- Sunday late afternoon: The most anticipated moment: the throwing of the andouille from the Bailliage balcony by the mayor and guests, to the cheers of the crowd.
- Sunday evening: A major free live concert at the foot of the Town Hall, hosted by the Municipality and presented by Radio Horizon.
Prices
Access to all events, the parade, the throwing of the andouille, and the concert is free of charge. Tastings of andouille and other products at the Halle au Beurre and stalls are paid, and the foot races require a registration fee.
Dining
Tastings of andouille and local specialties at the Halle au Beurre. Food and drinks are available on the Grand'Place and in the surrounding streets throughout the day.
Contact
Mairie d'Aire-sur-la-Lys — ville-airesurlalys.fr
Facebook: Ville d'Aire-sur-la-Lys
The Andouille of Aire-sur-la-Lys: A Centuries-Old Tradition
Since 1962, every first Sunday of September, Aire-sur-la-Lys pays tribute to its emblematic gastronomic specialty: andouille. This artisanal charcuterie, prepared according to local know-how passed down from generation to generation, is the pride of this historic town in the Pas-de-Calais, sometimes nicknamed the "city of Lydéric" in reference to its founding legend.
A Day of Popular Celebration
The Festival de l'Andouille is an entire day of festivities that enlivens the entire town of Aire-sur-la-Lys:
- Tastings at the Halle au Beurre: visitors can discover and savor Aire's andouille prepared by local charcutiers in a friendly and gourmet atmosphere
- Parade: a festive procession crosses the town's streets, accompanied by music and entertainment
- Foot races: sports events open to all in the streets of the town
- Variety show: a free show is offered on the Grand'Place in the late afternoon
The Andouille Toss
The most anticipated moment of the day is undoubtedly the andouille toss from the Bailliage's machicolation. In the late afternoon, the Mayor of Aire-sur-la-Lys and his guests throw andouilles to the crowd gathered below, perpetuating a joyful and good-natured ritual that defines this unique festival in France.
Fireworks to Conclude
The day ends beautifully with fireworks launched from the town center, illuminating the sky of Aire-sur-la-Lys and concluding this gastronomic festival in a festive and spectacular atmosphere.
Over Sixty Years of Tradition
With over sixty editions to its name, the Festival de l'Andouille d'Aire-sur-la-Lys has become an identity event for the town and its region. It attracts thousands of visitors each year, contributing to the influence of this historic city located at the confluence of the Lys and the Neufossé canal, rich in remarkable architectural heritage.
Where does it take place — Festival de l'Andouille
Festival de l'Andouille in brief
History of Festival de l'Andouille
Edition 2025 Sep 2025Other festivals near Aire-sur-la-Lys
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