Fêtes de Soustons
Four days of Landaise celebration between the lake and the pine forest
2026
About Fêtes de Soustons
Fêtes de Soustons — edition 2026
The 2026 Soustons Festival takes place from Thursday, August 6th to Sunday, August 9th. Enjoy four days and nights of traditional Landes celebrations in blue and white, nestled between the lake and the pine forest. Highlights include the official opening from the La Marensine balcony, the grand nocturnal Landes race, the novillada, a raseteurs show, the Scooter Grand Prix, the 10km Soustons run, free concerts at Place de La Marensine, brass bands, public dances, local food stalls, a funfair, and a family picnic at Parc de la Pandelle.
Soustons Festival 2026 — August 6th to 9th
Co-organized by the Town of Soustons and the Festival Committee, the Soustons Festival brings the Landes town to life for four days and nights. Locals don the traditional blue and white dress code—blue scarf, white outfit—and take over the town center and the Henri Canelas bullring. From morning until late at night, the streets are filled with brass bands, musical parades, public dances on the Fun Night stage at Place de la Mairie, a funfair, local food stalls under the covered market, family activities, and bullfighting spectacles. The festivities close at 4:00 AM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and at 2:00 AM on Sunday.
The 2026 bullfighting program, organized by La Vuelta Spectacles, features a grand Landes race on Friday, August 7th at 9:30 PM, preceded by a parade of the cuadrilla from the town hall to the bullring at 9:00 PM. On Saturday, August 8th at 6:00 PM, the novillada will feature Victor, Miriam Cabas, and Clovis facing novillos from Fernay and Fano. On Sunday, August 9th, the Cercle Taurin de Soustons capea kicks off the day at 11:30 AM at the bullring, followed by a raseteurs show from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM, accompanied by the Soustons Harmony Band. On Friday at 5:00 PM, the "baptême de l'écart landais" with La Vuelta offers everyone a free introduction to the Landes race.
Musically, Place de La Marensine will host four free concerts: Pong Orchestra (rock brass band) on Friday; Les chemises froissées (rock band) on Saturday; and Get 7 Brass Band followed by Le Grand p'tit Bal on Sunday. As a prologue to the festival, the Soustons Harmony Band, conducted by Jean-Pierre Labaste, and the Chœur d'Albret, conducted by Valérie Esparre, will present "An Evening of Musicals" at the bullring on Tuesday, August 4th at 9:00 PM, featuring 60 choristers and 60 musicians.
The 2026 poster was designed by Nina Phipps, selected from 41 entries in the town's design competition.
Highlights Fêtes de Soustons 2026
- Official opening on Thursday, August 6th at 6:00 PM from the La Marensine balcony, hosted by the group "B7"
- Grand Landes race on Friday, August 7th at 9:30 PM at the bullring, preceded by the cuadrilla parade at 9:00 PM
- Novillada on Saturday, August 8th at 6:00 PM: Victor, Miriam Cabas, and Clovis facing novillos from Fernay & Fano
- Raseteurs show on Sunday, August 9th from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM, accompanied by the Soustons Harmony Band
- Sound & light musical finale and handing over of the town keys on Sunday at 11:00 PM at the bullring
- Four free concerts at Place de La Marensine: Pong Orchestra, Les chemises froissées, Get 7 Brass Band, and Le Grand p'tit Bal
- Three-stage Scooter Grand Prix and 10km Soustons run with a finish in the bullring
- Family picnic at Parc de la Pandelle on Saturday, from 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Programme Fêtes de Soustons 2026
Festival Prologue — Tuesday, August 4th, 2026
- 9:00 PM — "An Evening of Musicals": Soustons Harmony Band (conducted by Jean-Pierre Labaste) and Chœur d'Albret (conducted by Valérie Esparre), 60 choristers and 60 musicians, with Maela Vergnes (mezzo-soprano), Rémi Laville (tenor), Robin Esparre, Valérie Esparre, and Juliette Garret · Bullring
Thursday, August 6th, 2026
- 8:30 AM — 10km morning walk organized by ASS Randonnée, €5 entry fee, register at the tourist office · Departure from the bullring, Gate A
- 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM — Textile clearance sale at local shops · Town center
- 10:00 AM — Presentation of the Scooter Grand Prix teams · Rémy Goalard stadium fronton
- 11:30 AM — 1st stage of the Scooter Grand Prix · From Avenue du Lac to the town hall
- 12:00 PM — Food stalls (tiaps) by Aviron Club Soustonnais and Écureuils - Ass Tennis · Covered market
- 6:00 PM — Official opening of the 2026 Festival, hosted by the group "B7" · From the La Marensine balcony
- 7:00 PM — "Lous Cadetouns" folk performance · Bullring
- 7:00 PM / 7:35 PM — Start of the 10km Soustons run and the 3km/5km races · Lac sports hall
- From 8:00 PM — Finish of the 10km run and awards ceremony · Bullring
- 10:00 PM — Public dances, Fun Night stage · Place de la Mairie — and parade by the "Les copains d'accord" brass band
Festivities close at 4:00 AM.
Friday, August 7th, 2026
- 11:30 AM — 2nd stage of the Scooter Grand Prix · Avenue de Huningue and Avenue Labouyrie, in front of "Les Marronniers" residence
- 12:00 PM — Food stall (tiap) by ASS Foot, open to businesses and their sponsors · Covered market
- 12:15 PM — Andalusian Elegance: parade of 8 horses from Domaine El Campo accompanied by the El Golpe Tacon sevillanas dancers · Town center
- 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM — Musical entertainment at the Lous Dou Boucarot food stalls · Covered market
- 5:00 PM — Landes race initiation (baptême de l'écart landais) with La Vuelta, open to all · Bullring
- 5:30 PM — "Melodie Musett" guinguette dance with Jacky Dumartin · Place du Commerce
- 6:30 PM — "Lous Cadetouns" folk show · Place de la Mairie
- 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM — "Pong Orchestra" rock brass band concert · Place de La Marensine
- 9:00 PM — Cuadrilla parade · From the town hall to the bullring
- 9:30 PM — Grand Landes race · Bullring
- 10:00 PM — Public dances, Fun Night stage · Place de la Mairie — and parade by the Lous Mayouns and Esperanza brass bands
Festivities close at 4:00 AM.
Saturday, August 8th, 2026
- 10:00 AM — Clay pigeon shooting competition organized by ASS Ball Trap, with refreshments and food (license or hunting permit required)
- 11:30 AM — Parade of scooter teams with their sponsors and 3rd stage of the Scooter Grand Prix · Rue de Moscou and Rue Daste
- 12:00 PM — El Golpe Tacon flamenco show · Place de La Marensine
- 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM — Musical entertainment at the Enta Canta food stalls
- 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM — Family picnic organized by the Festival Committee in partnership with Les Pitchouns and Les Tuiles: children's activities and refreshments · Parc de la Pandelle
- 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM — Fishing activity open to all, organized by APPMA · Pointe des Vergnes
- 6:00 PM — Novillada: Victor, Miriam Cabas, and Clovis, novillos from Fernay & Fano · Bullring
- 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM — "Les chemises froissées" rock band concert · Place de La Marensine
- 10:00 PM — Public dances, Fun Night stage · Place de la Mairie — and parade by the Lous Tiarrots brass band
Festivities close at 4:00 AM.
Sunday, August 9th, 2026
- 10:00 AM — Scooter Grand Prix awards ceremony · Salle A Noste
- 10:30 AM — Festival mass with the Soustons Harmony Band · Soustons Church
- 11:30 AM — "Capea" organized by the Cercle Taurin de Soustons · Bullring
- 12:30 PM — Grand costume parade of the classes · From Rue du Paseo to the town hall
- 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM — Musical entertainment at local cafes and restaurants
- 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM — "Get 7 Brass Band" concert · Place de La Marensine
- 5:30 PM — Solex costume parade · Town center
- 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM — "Le Grand p'tit Bal" festive band concert · Place de La Marensine
- 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM — Raseteurs show, accompanied by the Soustons Harmony Band · Bullring
- 10:00 PM — Public dances with Fun Night stage · Place de la Mairie
- 11:00 PM — Sound & light musical finale and handing over of the town keys · Bullring
Festivities close at 2:00 AM.
Prices Fêtes de Soustons 2026
Bullfighting spectacles at the Henri Canelas bullring (Grand Landes race on August 7th, novillada on August 8th, raseteurs show on August 9th): paid entry, starting from €25. Tickets available via La Vuelta Spectacles, Landes Atlantique Sud Tourist Office, and the Festival Committee office.
100 free tickets for those under 25 for the novillada, via the UVTF Aficion School.
Festival prologue, "An Evening of Musicals" concert at the bullring on Tuesday, August 4th at 9:00 PM: flat rate of €15, free for those under 18 (tickets via OTI Landes Atlantique Sud and online).
10km morning walk on Thursday, August 6th: €5 entry fee, register at the tourist office.
Festayres campsite at Parc de la Pandelle: €3 for one night, €5 for two nights or more, access wristband provided at the entrance.
Practical information — Fêtes de Soustons
Getting to Soustons
By car
Soustons is located on the D652, 25 km north of Bayonne and 25 km south of Dax. Access via the A63 motorway (Soustons exit). Free parking is available near the town centre and the bullring. During the festivities, some town centre streets are closed to traffic and a specific parking plan is implemented.
By bike
Soustons is served by the Landes cycle path network, including the Vélodyssée and the paths connecting Lake Soustons to the beaches. Bike racks are available in the town centre.
By bus
The XL'R network serves Soustons from Dax and Bayonne. Summer shuttle buses supplement the service between Soustons-Bourg and the beaches.
Festival locations
The festivities take place in the town centre of Soustons and at the Arènes Henri Canelas. The official opening takes place from the balcony of the La Marensine theatre, in the heart of the town centre. The tiaps (community food stalls) are set up under the covered market hall and near the bullring. Free concerts are held at Place de La Marensine, public dances at Place de la Mairie, and the family picnic at Parc de la Pandelle. The funfair with rides and attractions is located near the festival site. A festival map detailing the security perimeter, bars and bodegas, peñas, tiaps, music stages, first aid point and operational command post is provided in the official programme.
Schedule
The official opening takes place on Thursday at 6 pm from the balcony of La Marensine. The Scooter Grand Prix is run in three stages, from Thursday to Saturday. The cuadrilla parade leaves from the town hall towards the bullring on Friday at 9 pm, followed by the great Course Landaise at 9:30 pm. The novillada is scheduled for Saturday at 6 pm. On Sunday, the capea takes place at 11:30 am, the raseteurs show from 9 pm to 10 pm, and the musical sound & light finale with the handing over of the city keys at 11 pm at the bullring. Public dances start every evening at 10 pm at Place de la Mairie. The festival closes at 4 am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and at 2 am on Sunday.
Prices
Access to street entertainment, concerts at Place de La Marensine, bandas, parades, public dances and the funfair is free. Bullfighting shows at the Arènes Henri Canelas are paid events. Tickets are on sale from La Vuelta Spectacles, at the Landes Atlantique Sud Tourist Office, at the Festival Committee Office and on-site at the bullring ticket offices.
Services during the festival
Festival Committee Office
Located in the EHPAD hall, on the tourist office side, it centralises festival information and programmes, sells camping wristbands for festival-goers, posters, official t-shirts and goodies, handles bookings for neighbourhood shuttles and registrations for the Solex parade. Telephone: 07 59 78 22 64. Open from August 3rd to 8th, from 10 am to 12 pm and from 4 pm to 6 pm.
Festayres Campsite
Located at Parc de la Pandelle, in the town centre, about 300 m from the festival, this secure 24/7 relaxation and rest area welcomes festival-goers so they don't have to drive after the party. Price: €3 for one night, €5 for two nights or more, including an access wristband. Pay online or buy wristbands directly at the Festival Committee Office.
Neighbourhood Shuttles
A shuttle service runs every evening to the Costemale, Château d'eau, Campan, Mora, Hardy, Nicot, Tenic, Bel Air, Philip districts and the roads of Azur, Tosse, Bas Hardy and Saint-Geours-de-Maremne. Meeting point: in front of the middle school. Outbound trips are by appointment only from 9 pm to 11 pm at 07 59 78 22 64 (limited spaces), return trips from 2 am.
Férias Bus
Saint-Geours-de-Maremne / Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse / Tosse / Soustons line, round trip. Information at www.lebusdesferias.fr.
Dining
The community tiaps set up under the covered market hall and near the bullring offer friendly meals based on local products: foie gras, duck breast, piperade, squid and Landes specialities. Fast food stands complement the offer. The many restaurants in the Soustons town centre are also within walking distance.
Safety and recommendations
- A first aid post is installed within the festival perimeter
- The traditional dress code is blue and white: blue scarf and white outfit
- Water fountains are available to cool off
- Remember to protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated regularly
- Pets are not allowed in the bullfighting show areas
Contact
Comité des Fêtes de Soustons — 07 59 78 22 64 — [email protected]
Mairie de Soustons
Place du Commandant Dufau, 40140 Soustons
Official website: www.mairie-soustons.fr
The Fêtes de Soustons: Between Lake and Traditions
The Fêtes de Soustons are among the most popular local festivals on the Landes coast. Every year, in early August, this town of over 8,000 inhabitants, located between the Lac de Soustons and the Atlantic Ocean, vibrates for four days and four nights to the rhythm of Landaise and festive traditions.
Opening from La Marensine
The official opening of the festival is an emblematic moment: the mayor hands over the keys of the town to the youth from the balcony of the La Marensine theater, in the heart of the town center. This symbolic gesture officially launches the festivities and signals the opening of the bodegas and entertainment.
The Henri Canelas Arena
The Arènes Henri Canelas are the stage for bullfighting events, the heart of the Soustons festivities:
- The great nocturnal Landaise race, preceded by a parade of the cuadrillas through the streets of the town center, is one of the most anticipated moments.
- The novillada of the festival, a major bullfighting event in the program.
- Special shows like the International Raseteurs Competition pitting France against Spain.
Entertainment and Traditions
The Fêtes de Soustons program is rich in varied entertainment:
- The Grand Prix des Trottinettes (Scooter Grand Prix), a popular and fun race through the town streets.
- The cabestria in the town center, a highlight mixing bulls and crowds in the streets.
- The 10 km race with its spectacular finish in the arena.
- Musical parades and processions through the streets.
- Balls and dance evenings in the bodegas and estanquets.
- The funfair set up near the arena.
An Exceptional Natural Setting
Soustons benefits from a privileged natural environment between the Lac de Soustons, the maritime pine forests, and its proximity to the ocean. The festival takes advantage of this setting to offer a relaxed and family-friendly summer atmosphere, characteristic of the Landes coast festivities.
Conviviality and Associative Spirit
The tiaps (associative stands) set up near the arena offer convivial meals and musical entertainment. Local associations play a central role in the organization and animation of the festival, ensuring its authenticity and conviviality.
Where does it take place — Fêtes de Soustons
Fêtes de Soustons in brief
History of Fêtes de Soustons
Edition 2025 Aug 2025Other festivals near Soustons
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