Festival Fanfares !

Three days of brass bands between Ouessant and Brest

The 2026 edition of Festival Fanfares ! takes place from Thursday, May 14 to Saturday, May 16, 2026, during Ascension weekend. The festival maintains its emblematic itinerant format: departure on Thursday by boat for the island of Ouessant, return on Friday to Brest, and the grand finale on Saturday on the mainland.

Nine invited brass bands, approximately 200 musicians

This year, the organizers bring together nine brass bands from all over France: De si d'Eusa (Ouessant), Fanfarnaüm (Brest), Fanfare de l'Ours (Béarn), Hej da Ru (Sizun), Mudanza (Salon-de-Provence), Skroks (Angers), Simili Cuivres (Brest), Tractopelle (Lille) and Fanfare Zébaliz (Brest). Nearly 200 musicians from Brest, Béarn, the Loire Valley, the North, and Salon-de-Provence make their brass instruments resonate between the island and the mainland.

Strengthened collective organization

The 2026 edition is collectively organized by the brass band Zébaliz, Fanfarnaüm, Simili Cuivres, De si d'Eusa and the association Ouessant Sports Loisirs (OSL), with the support of the cities of Brest and Ouessant. This collaboration allows for an expanded format with street concerts and events under marquees in both cities.

Program and information being finalized

The detailed hour-by-hour program was still being finalized at the time of this page's update (May 2026). For the most up-to-date schedule, consult the official website or the Facebook page of Fanfare Zébaliz.

Saturday, May 10, 2026 — Preview in Brest

• 11:00 AM · Opening events at Marché Saint-Louis, Brest · Free

Thursday, May 14, 2026 — Departure for Ouessant

• 2:00 PM · Embarkation of brass bands for Ouessant — Penn ar Bed boat (ticket to be purchased from the company)
• Concerts and strolls on the island of Ouessant (paths, villages, port) with the nine invited brass bands

Friday, May 15, 2026 — Ouessant then return to Brest

• Morning and early afternoon: continuation of events in Ouessant
• 5:00 PM · Return of musicians to Brest — Penn ar Bed boat
• Evening until midnight · Events on the quays of the port of Brest · Free

Saturday, May 16, 2026 — Grand Finale in Brest

• Participation of brass bands in the flea market at Place Guérin
• Stroll towards Square Mathon
• Brass band competition between the nine invited groups
• Closing evening at the Port de Commerce in Brest · Free

Detailed hour-by-hour program being finalized by the organization. Updates on fanfare-zebaliz.com and the official Facebook page.

• Nine invited brass bands, approximately 200 musicians from all over France
• Emblematic itinerant format: departure on Thursday, May 14 by boat for Ouessant, return on Friday, May 15 to Brest
• Free events on the quays of the port of Brest on Friday evening until midnight
• Grand finale on Saturday, May 16: flea market at Place Guérin, stroll to Square Mathon, brass band competition and closing evening at Port de Commerce
• Edition collectively organized by Zébaliz, Fanfarnaüm, Simili Cuivres, De si d'Eusa and OSL with the support of the cities of Brest and Ouessant