Eleven picks across Occitanie this weekend of August 8-9, 2026: France's second-largest puppet festival in Mirepoix, the Pourcailhade pig-squealing contest, and more.
Events and festivals fill the calendar across Occitanie this weekend of August 8–9, 2026 (8-9/08), from the Comminges hills to the Pyrénées-Orientales coast. Our pick of the weekend is MIMA in Mirepoix, France's second-largest puppet festival, taking over the medieval town for four days of shows. Fancy medieval jousting instead, a festival founded by Pablo Casals, or a pig-squealing contest? Occitanie has enough on to fill an entire weekend.
MIMA: France's second-largest puppet festival takes over Mirepoix
Since 1988, the medieval town of Mirepoix, in Ariège, has hosted the International Puppet Festival every early August. From August 6 to 9, MIMA runs nearly 64 shows blending object theatre, animated forms and contemporary puppetry across Place Maréchal Leclerc and the town's streets. It's the second-largest event of its kind in France, drawing both families and performing-arts professionals. MIMA's full programme covers all four festival days.
Medieval jousting returns to the walls of Carcassonne
In the lists of the Cité de Carcassonne, eight mounted knights face off daily until August 27 in a medieval equestrian show mixing jousting, stunts, trick riding and choreographed combat. The format is family-friendly and short — 45 minutes, three shows a day — staged beneath the city's listed ramparts. The Grand Tournoi de Chevalerie remains one of the most popular summer shows in the Aude.
Pablo Casals Festival: chamber music inside the Saint-Michel de Cuxa abbey
Founded in 1950 by cellist Pablo Casals, this festival in Prades, in the Pyrénées-Orientales, ranks among the oldest and most prestigious chamber music events in the world. Until August 8, the Romanesque abbey of Saint-Michel de Cuxa hosts around thirty concerts featuring international artists, alongside student recitals. The Festival Pablo Casals wraps up this Saturday, the last chance to catch it this year.
International folklore in Rodez at the Festival du Rouergue
Founded in 1954 to mark the inauguration of the Pont-de-Salars dam, the Festival du Rouergue — Cultures du Monde is one of France's oldest international folklore festivals. Until August 9, traditional dance and music groups from around the world perform in Rodez and several towns across the Aveyron. The festival is affiliated with CIOFF, the global folklore festival network recognised by UNESCO. The Festival du Rouergue closes this Sunday.
50 years of pottery at the Fête de la Poterie d'Anduze
Created in 1977, the Fête de la Poterie d'Anduze marks its 50th edition in 2026. From August 7 to 9, potters and ceramicists take over Avenue Pasteur Rollin in this Gard town famous for its glazed garden vases. A craft gathering that has run uninterrupted for five decades. The Fête de la Poterie d'Anduze runs all weekend.
La Pourcailhade: the pig-squealing championship of Trie-sur-Baïse
On Sunday, August 9, Trie-sur-Baïse, in the Hautes-Pyrénées, holds its Pourcailhade, launched in 1975. The quirky festival keeps alive the memory of what was once France and Europe's largest piglet market, back in the 1970s and 80s, crowned by the French Pig-Squealing Championship. Just one day, but a fixture the whole region knows. La Pourcailhade takes over the whole town centre.
Trail du Canigou: the mythical climb, running since 1905
Since 1905, runners have set off from Vernet-les-Bains to climb the Pic du Canigou, at 2,785 metres. On August 8–9, five formats are on offer:
- Maratrail: 44.3 km, 2,600 m of elevation gain
- Trail du Barbet: 33 km
- Trail des Mattes Rouges: 20 km
- Tour de Goa: 10.5 km
- Nocturne de la Pena: 8.8 km
The Trail du Canigou remains the most legendary running event in Catalan France.
Fête Votive de Vauvert: nine days of Camargue tradition
Starting August 8, Vauvert holds its votive festival, one of the biggest events in the Gard and the Petite Camargue. Nine days of festivities built around Camargue bulls and horses draw several thousand people. Most of the action unfolds in the town's streets and at the Arènes Jean Brunel.
The Fête Votive de Vauvert starts this Saturday and runs through August 16.
Demi Festival: Sète hip-hop at the Théâtre de la Mer
Created by Sète-born rapper Demi Portion, the Demi Festival brings 60 artists to the Théâtre de la Mer in Sète through August 9. A tight, locally rooted hip-hop line-up that has turned Sète's open-air theatre into one of the Hérault's most sought-after summer venues. The Demi Festival wraps up this Sunday.
Toulouse's Circus Artists Festival turns 38
Since 1989, Toulouse has hosted its own Festival des Artistes de Cirque every summer, dedicated to contemporary circus. The 38th edition runs from August 7 to 10. Lower-profile than the city's big street festivals, but it has kept its summer date for almost forty years. The Festival des Artistes de Cirque de Toulouse animates the Pink City this weekend.
Fête de l'Ail Rose de Lautrec: pink garlic since 1971
On Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8, the medieval town of Lautrec celebrates its pink garlic, a flagship product of the Tarn, at a food festival dating back to 1971. The first Friday and Saturday of August are traditionally set aside for the event, one of the Tarn's most recognisable food gatherings. The Fête de l'Ail Rose de Lautrec wraps up Saturday evening.
Looking beyond Occitanie this weekend? Check the full weekend agenda, covering festivals across France on August 8–9, 2026.
