Samhain Festival
The biggest Celtic and Halloween festival in Normandy
2026
About Samhain Bernay
Samhain Bernay — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Festival de Samhain in Bernay, themed "Fairies & Völväs," immerses the public in a world where the fairies of enchanted forests meet the völväs, the prophetesses and sorceresses of Norse mythology. From October 29th (opening night) to November 1st, 2026, the festival takes place at the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Bernay, the local library, and the town center: featuring pagan and folk concerts, the Witch's Market, the Salon des Autres Mondes bringing together over 180 artisans, authors, and illustrators, fire shows, an autumn carnival, and the great Samhain ritual fire.
Festival de Samhain 2026: "Fairies & Völväs"
For its 2026 edition, the Festival de Samhain explores the female figures of magic and European mythology, bridging the gap between enchanted forests and Norse prophetesses (the völväs, who could read the threads of fate). The festival spans four days and three nights, from Thursday, October 29th (opening night and concerts) to Sunday, November 1st, 2026, at the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Bernay, the library, the Maison des associations (espace Marie-Louise Hémet), and the historic town center.
Program Highlights
- Pagan, folk, and Celtic concerts in the Abbey garden, including a major "ritual concert" night on Saturday, October 31st
- Witch's Market and Salon des Autres Mondes: over 180 artisans, authors, and illustrators (esoteric jewelry, herbalism, leatherwork, handmade candles, fantasy literature and art, storytelling, lectures, signings)
- Fire shows, street performances, stilt-walkers, and performing arts (Zoolians company, Compagnie Lutka, etc.)
- Samhain fire and rituals inspired by ancient traditions
- Wizards' Village: workshops, face painting, board games, fablab, and children's activities
- Grand costumed autumn carnival through the streets of Bernay
Announced Concerts
The 2026 musical lineup includes FAUN, Vígundr, Trobar de Morte, Eye of Melian, Naheulband, The Neko Light Orchestra, The SIDH, Prima Nocta, La Maisnie Hellequin, Cécile Corbel, and Rhésus, showcasing pagan, Nordic folk, and medieval aesthetics.
Highlights Samhain Bernay 2026
- 2026 Theme: "Fairies & Völväs"
- Witch's Market and Salon des Autres Mondes: over 180 artisans, authors, and illustrators
- Concerts: FAUN, Vígundr, The SIDH, Prima Nocta, Cécile Corbel, La Maisnie Hellequin, and more
- Grand Samhain ritual fire and costumed autumn carnival
Programme Samhain Bernay 2026
Thursday, October 29th — Opening Night
- 8:30 PM – 12:00 AM — Opening concerts · Jardin de l'Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Naheulband — concert · Jardin de l'Abbaye Notre-Dame
- The Neko Light Orchestra — "Échos du Petit Sorcier" · concert
- The Neko Light Orchestra — "Échos de la Terre du Milieu & de Westeros" · concert
Friday, October 30th
- 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM — Festival (performances, craft market, concerts) · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM — Wizards' Village · Maison des associations, espace Marie-Louise Hémet
- 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM — Salon des autres mondes (storytelling, lectures, signings, troll ball) · Médiathèque de Bernay
- 7:30 PM – 12:00 AM — Concerts · Jardin de l'Abbaye Notre-Dame
- La Maisnie Hellequin — concert · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- The SIDH — concert · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Prima Nocta — concert · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Zoolians — "Fury" (fire show, the company's 10th creation) · Prairie de la Charentonne
- Vidofnir — performance · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Tan Elleil — performance · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Tatiana Thomas — performance · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Unicorn Legends — performance · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Les Krolls — performance · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- "À travers les siècles" — fire breathers · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- "À travers les siècles" — wooden games · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Les Univers perchés de Bergol — performance · Village des sorciers, Espace Marie-Louise Hémet
Saturday, October 31st
- 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM — Festival (performances, craft market, concerts) · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM — Wizards' Village · Maison des associations, espace Marie-Louise Hémet
- 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM — Salon des autres mondes · Médiathèque de Bernay
- 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM — Concerts, "Grand Ritual Concert Night" · Jardin de l'Abbaye Notre-Dame
- FAUN — concert · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Eye of Melian — concert, "l'Éveil de la Magie" · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Trobar de Morte — concert · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Vígundr — concert, Samhain ceremony · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Vidofnir — performance · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Tan Elleil — performance · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Tatiana Thomas — performance · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Unicorn Legends — performance · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Les Krolls — performance · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- "À travers les siècles" — fire breathers · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- "À travers les siècles" — wooden games · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- La Maisnie Hellequin — performance, musical parade · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Rhésus — performance, musical parade · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Eyma Silha — performance · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Zoolians — "Antre Sorts" · Abbaye Notre-Dame
Sunday, November 1st
- 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM — Festival (performances, craft market, concerts) · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM — Wizards' Village · Maison des associations, espace Marie-Louise Hémet
- 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM — Salon des autres mondes · Médiathèque de Bernay
- Cécile Corbel — concert (20th anniversary on stage) · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Rhésus — concert · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Compagnie Lutka — "Omahann, la Quête des Égarés", artistic parade · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- La Maisnie Hellequin — performance · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Rhésus — performance · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Eyma Silha — performance · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Zoolians — "Antre Sorts" · Abbaye Notre-Dame
- Les Univers perchés de Bergol — performance · Abbaye Notre-Dame
Specific times for individual concerts and performances (within the opening hours listed above) are not published by the organizer beyond the day and location; only the opening concerts on October 29th and the major concert evenings on October 30th and 31st have dedicated time slots.
Prices Samhain Bernay 2026
Practical information — Samhain Bernay
Practical Information
Location
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Bernay and historic center of Bernay, a Town of Art and History.
Access
By car: Bernay is accessible via the A28 (Bernay exit). Free parking is signposted in town.
By train: Bernay station, served by SNCF Nomad trains from Paris Saint-Lazare (approx. 1h40) and Rouen.
Prices
Free admission for street activities, the carnival, and the candy hunt. Some concerts and shows may be ticketed. Consult the official website for detailed prices.
Food & Drink
Medieval food stalls and food trucks on site.
Samhain Festival: Celtic magic takes over Bernay
The Samhain Festival is the biggest Celtic and Halloween festival in Normandy. Every year, from October 31st to November 2nd, the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Bernay and its gardens transform into a fantastic universe where ancient Celtic traditions meet contemporary celebration. Organized by the association Les Trouble-fêtes, the festival attracts over 27,000 visitors passionate about fantasy, esoteric, and Celtic worlds.
An exceptional Witch Market
The heart of the festival beats around the Witch Market, which brings together 150 carefully selected artisans: creators of esoteric jewelry, herbalists, makers of artisanal candles, leather artisans, illuminators, and many more. This unique market offers mystical objects, potions, grimoires, and artisanal creations that will delight lovers of dark, pagan, and medieval-fantasy universes.
Enchanting Concerts and Shows
A real concert stage is set up in the Abbey Garden with an exclusive program of pagan and Celtic music. Artists like Eihwar and Hrafngrímr have marked previous editions with their powerful performances. Fire shows and fireworks illuminate the evenings, while jugglers, fire-eaters, and street companies entertain the festival throughout the weekend.
Activities for the whole family
The Samhain Festival is also a great family celebration. The Great Candy Hunt on October 31st delights the youngest, while the Autumn Carnival invites young and old to parade in costume through the streets of Bernay. Face painting workshops, costume contests, and permanent activities complete the program. The Samhain Ceremony, with its grand ritual bonfire, is the emotional highlight of the festival.
Themed editions
Each year, the festival adopts a different theme that guides the scenography and activities. In 2024, the theme "Cursed Pirates" transported visitors into a world of fantastic piracy. In 2025, "The Dragon's Breath" promised a fiery event, with exceptional pyrotechnic shows and impressive draconic decorations.
Where does it take place — Samhain Bernay
Samhain Bernay in brief
Other festivals near Bernay
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