What's On in Provence 2017

Each month and indeed each season offers the discerning visitor to Provence a little something different. From farmers markets to guided tours of lavender fields and olive farms, to large music festivals, culinary experiences, art installations and cultural events, Provence is a great place to visit at any time of the year. 

We've picked out a few highlights of the 2017 calendar below but you can find even more events and things to see and do across the whole of Provence in our Events Calendar. 

January

Start the year with a dose of culture at the Fest'Hiver in Avignon where various theatres across the city welcome you to their dance and theatrical shows, from 26th January to 4th February 2017. The Fete de la Truffe in Avignon is taking place on the 29th January this year -come and find out how best to cook with truffles from the chefs with all the know-how. Our favourite equestrian event of the year also takes place in January, Cheval Passion which starts on 19th January. Vintage and classic car lovers should head to Monaco for the annual Monte-Carlo Rally Historique which is on from 25th January to 1st February. Find more events in Provence in January 2017. 

February

Cycling fans might want to head to Aix en Provence from 21st to 23rd February to watch some of the biggest names in cycling take to the roads in the Tour de la Provence race. From January 21th to February 19th a large international circus arts spectacle will be in various locations across Provence and the cote d'Azur with around 300 artists taking part. The first olive market of the new year is going to be celebrated in Orange on 5th February. Les Hivernales Festival de Danse is a contemporary dance festival held in Avignon from 18th to 25th February. Find more events in Provence in February 2017.

March

The new season at Les Carrieres de Lumieres starts on 4th March and features an exhibition of work by Bosch, Brueghel, Arcimboldo, called "Fantastic & Marvellous." Avignon Motor Festival takes place from 24th to 26th March - a must visit for petrol heads. DJ Laurent Garnier will be playing in Avignon at Soiree Yeah! on the 18th March. This month also sees the start of a great many farmers markets across Provence. Find more events in Provence in March 2017.

April

Isle sur la Soruge hosts the international art & antiquities fair every April. It's been running since 1966 and is well worth a visit to browse all the dealers stalls. Easter falls in April this year and the Feria d'Arles runs from 14th to 17th where the Camargue bull is king of the arena. The Asparagus Fair takes place on the last Sunday in April with lots of other great local produce to buy too. This will be the last month to go and see the Marilyn Monroe photo exhibition at the Caumont centre d'art in Aix en Provence. Find more events in Provence in April 2017. 

May

The Fete de la Fraise is the annual strawberry festival which takes place in Velleron on the 8th May. On Sunday 14th May head to Ansouis for the annual plant and flower market which marks the arrival of Spring. In Arles on 1st May the Fete des Gardians brings together the cowboys and cowgirls in a traditional gathering and celebration that dates back to 1512. Find more events in Provence in May 2017. 

June, July & August

The start of the music season in Provence and a warm up for the main event in July, Aix en Juin brings you a range of classical and contemporary music concerts, may of which are free. The Choregies d'Orange programme has already been announced and starts this year on 19th June 2017. In Loumarin Festival Yeah! brings together some great name from the DJ circuit, rock and pop music. The 24th June sees summer solstice celebrations across the region at the Fete de Saint Jean. Find more events in Provence in June 2017. The Festival d'Aix is one of the highlights of the summer, a must for any opera fans, with events taking place across the city from 3rd to 22nd July 2017. Over in Avignon is the hugely popular celebration of performing arts, the Festival d'Avignon which is running its 71st edition this year, from 6th to 26th July 2017. Avignon le Off, the fringe festival runs alongside the main Avignon festival from 7th to 30th July. Classical pianist music can be found through mid July and into August at the international Piano Festival in La Roque d'Anthéron. Les Rencontres d'Arles is a large contemporary photography festival which starts on 3rd July and runs until the 24th September. Also in Arles is a world music festival, Les Suds a Arles which runs from 10th to 16th July. Find more events in Provence in July 2017. Find more events in Provence in August 2017. 

September

Grape harvesting starts in earnest this month and often carries on through to the first few weeks of October. The fields come alive with tractors and farm workers collecting this year's crops. Most towns and vineyards will celebrate this time with free tastings and tours. It is even possible in some cases to take part in the harvest! Find more events in Provence in September 2017. 

October

Avignon Blues Festival celebrates its 20th year this October. The festival is going to run from 6th October for 9 days. Nimes Metropole Jazz Festival also takes place this month - at the time of writing, this years dates are yet to be confirmed, but it typically runs from the end of September to mid October. Find more events in Provence in October 2017. 

November

The Foire de la Saint Siffrein takes place in Carpentras every autumn and you'll find plenty of markets, a carnival and craft goods on sale. Truffle harvesting also takes place at this time of year and a good place to head for truffle tasting and markets is Richerenches. Find more events in Provence in November 2017. 

December

Christmas markets and displays of the nativity and creches with little Santon figurines start to pop up all over the region. Most towns and villages have their own displays, with some of the biggest and most impressive in Avignon and Aix en Provence. It's a great time for shopping and there are lots of local craft goods and produce on sale still everywhere you go. Find more events in Provence in December 2017. 

Find even more events for Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Saint Tropez and Monaco in 2017.