Grand summer festival of Avallon with free concerts, fireworks, and entertainment on the ramparts
Every summer, the town of Avallon lives to the rhythm of its grand popular festival, which transforms the medieval city into an open-air stage. The Fête d'Avallon, organized by the municipality and the association Festivallon, offers an entire evening of free entertainment for all audiences, from families to outdoor concert enthusiasts.
The beating heart of the festival is located on the Terreaux Vauban, a vast esplanade bordering the town's ramparts. This open-air stage hosts several musical artists and groups throughout the evening, offering a panorama of eclectic styles: rock, pop, variety, covers of great artists. The Festivallon competition, which reveals local and regional musical talents each year, is part of this festive program by offering winning artists a major stage.
The Place des Odebert, in the historic center of the town, hosts the evening concerts and is the central point for the fireworks display. At 11 PM, the Avallon sky ignites in a pyrotechnic show that illuminates the medieval towers, the ramparts, and the Cousin valley below. This moment of collective magic brings together thousands of spectators from the town and surrounding areas.
Throughout the evening, numerous activities complement the musical program:
Associated with the Fête d'Avallon, the Festivallon competition has become a regional benchmark for young artists. Organized before the festival, this musical springboard allows contestants to perform in front of a jury and an audience, with the winners earning the privilege of performing at the grand August festival. A great way to support local musical creation and introduce new talents to the people of Avallon.
The Fête d'Avallon takes on a special flavor in this exceptional setting. Perched on its granite spur at an altitude of 250 meters, the medieval town with its ramparts flanked by towers offers a naturally spectacular backdrop. The Saint-Lazare collegiate church, the narrow streets with half-timbered houses, and the panoramas of the Cousin valley make it one of the most beautiful towns in the Yonne region.
The Avallon Festival returns on Saturday, August 23, 2026, for its big free summer evening on the Terreaux Vauban and Place des Odebert, in Avallon (Yonne). Live concerts, street shows, a creative workshop for families, and fireworks launched from Place des Odebert: a festive evening that concludes the three weeks of Avallon Vacances activities.
The Avallon Festival, a traditional August event organized by the Festivallon association in partnership with the City of Avallon, will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2026. Entirely free, this popular evening takes over the Terreaux Vauban and Place des Odebert, in the heart of the medieval city.
The festivities begin in the late afternoon with a street show and activities for families (balloon sculpting workshop), before moving on to open-air concerts: the winner of the Tremplin Festivallon, a beatbox champion, an imitation show, followed by the evening's big tribute concert. The fireworks launched from Place des Odebert illuminate the valley, and the evening continues with a pop & rock cover band.
By car: Avallon is accessible via the A6 (Avallon exit), about 220 km from Paris. Parking in the city center and near the ramparts.
By train: Avallon station on the Laroche-Migennes - Autun line (TER Bourgogne). Connection from Paris-Bercy via Montbard or Auxerre.
All entertainment, concerts, and fireworks are free to access.
Avallon Town Hall: www.ville-avallon.fr
Festivallon: www.festivallon.fr
Tourist Office: Avallon-Vézelay-Morvan
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Terreaux Vauban / Place des Odebert
Terreaux Vauban et Place des Odebert, 89200 Avallon