Fête du Cassoulet, Castelnaudary
Castelnaudary’s cassoulet festival, five days each August (19 to 23 August in 2026): free concerts, cassoulet dinners, an eating contest and the Confrérie. 2027 dates not yet out.
At a glance
- Five days, Wednesday to Sunday in 2026, in what the festival calls the world capital of cassoulet
- The 2026 edition, the 25th, ran from 19 to 23 August. 2027 dates not yet published
- Free concerts on the town’s three main squares, and free parking, in 2026
- Cassoulet dinners at the Halle aux Grains for 23 to 25 euros in 2026
- More than 80,000 people came in 2025, says the organiser
How the festival runs
Wednesday: the opening dinner 19 August 2026
The Ronde du Cassoulet running race, the first dinner at the Halle aux Grains (8 pm) and the first evening of concerts.
Thursday: the keys of the town 20 August 2026, 7 pm
Official opening on the Place de la République: the keys are thrown in the presence of the Grande Confrérie du Cassoulet, with a banda.
Friday: the Confrérie’s chapter 21 August 2026, 5:30 pm
The 291st chapter of the brotherhood at the Théâtre des 3 Ponts, free entry: visiting brotherhoods and the induction of new dignitaries.
Saturday: the eating contest 22 August 2026, 6 pm
Fifteen minutes to eat as much cassoulet as possible, for the title of Plus Gros Mangeur de Cassoulet, 150 euros and a ham.
Sunday: blessing and corso 23 August 2026
Mass with the blessing of the cassole at the Collégiale Saint-Michel at 11 am, and the Grand Corso Fleuri: 13 floats on show from 10 am, parade at 3 pm.
What to taste
Cassoulet
Served at every festival dinner and, says the organiser, in all the town’s restaurants during the fête.
Salade lauragaise with foie gras
The starter of most 2026 dinners at the Halle aux Grains.
Cassoulet glacé
An iced dessert named after the dish, at the 60-euro gala dinner of the Grande Confrérie in 2026.
Malepère and Blanquette de Limoux
The wines of the 2026 gala dinner: a Malepère from Château Belvèze and a Blanquette de Limoux.
Market produce
The craft, food and organic market on the Cours de la République, Saturday and Sunday, 9 am to 8 pm.
Castelnaudary, “capitale mondiale du cassoulet”, gives five days each August to its dish and to music, in the words of its Fête du Cassoulet. The 2026 edition was the 25th, and the organiser counted more than 80,000 people the year before.
Concerts on three squares
The festival is run by its organising committee, its volunteers and the villages around the town.
- The squares: in 2026, free concerts from Wednesday to Sunday on the Place de la République, the Place de Verdun and the lower Cours de la République.
- On the 2026 bill: Chimène Badi, on the Thursday, on the Place de la République.
The Fête du Cassoulet, the Confrérie and its cassole
The Grande Confrérie du Cassoulet de Castelnaudary holds its chapter during the fête, presents its friends from other brotherhoods and inducts new dignitaries. On the Sunday of the 2026 festival it walked to the Collégiale Saint-Michel for the blessing of the cassole.
A cassole is the glazed earthenware bowl in which cassoulet is baked. The dish takes its name from it.
Canal games and pétanque on the Saturday
The 2026 Saturday filled the rest of the town too.
- On the canal: water games on the Canal du Midi and inflatables at the Quai du Port, free and open to everyone.
- In the Halle de Verdun: a “village of villages” of the surrounding communes.
- At the Piboulette: a pétanque contest.
A prevention chalet on alcohol and drugs stood near the tourist office in 2026, part of the festival’s safety plan.
Before you go
- Dinners: book ahead. In 2026 tickets on the night were sold only while places lasted.
- Payment: each 2026 dinner listed its own means of payment (cash, cheques, cards or online). Check before going.
- Concerts: free in 2026, on the Place de la République until 2 am.
- Parking: free during the 2026 festival.
- Heat: in 2026 an air-conditioned area was set aside in the Halle aux Grains for very hot days.
- First aid: a first-aid post stood in front of the Halle aux Grains in 2026.
- 2027: dates not yet published on 21 October 2026. Check the official site.
Cassoulet dinners of the 2026 festival
| Day | Where | Price | Menu |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 19 | Halle aux Grains, 8 pm | 25 euros | Salade lauragaise with foie gras, cassoulet, ice cream, wine included |
| Thursday 20 | Halle aux Grains, 7 pm | 24 euros | Foie gras salad, cassoulet, apple tart |
| Friday 21 | Halle aux Grains, 7 pm | 23 euros | Salade lauragaise with foie gras, cassoulet, apple tart, a glass of wine |
| Friday 21 | Gymnase Pierre de Coubertin, 8 pm | 60 euros | Gala dinner of the Grande Confrérie, cassoulet, cheese, cassoulet glacé, wines |
| Saturday 22 | Halle aux Grains, noon and 7:30 pm | 25 euros | Terrine, cassoulet or confit duck leg, apple tart |
| Saturday 22 | Boulodrome de la Piboulette, noon | 35 euros | Salade lauragaise, cassoulet, cheese and ice cream, aperitif, wine, Blanquette and coffee |
| Sunday 23 | Halle aux Grains, 11:30 am | 25 euros | Gizzard salad, cassoulet, cheese, melon. You leave with your cassole |
Source: Fête du Cassoulet, 2026 programme. 2027 programme not yet published.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Fête du Cassoulet 2027?
The 2027 dates are not yet published. The festival is held in August. The 2026 edition ran from Wednesday 19 to Sunday 23 August.
Is the Fête du Cassoulet free?
Yes, in 2026: the concerts on the three main squares and the parking were free. The cassoulet dinners were paid, 23 to 25 euros at the Halle aux Grains.
Where to eat cassoulet during the festival?
At the dinners of the Halle aux Grains, booked ahead, or in the town’s restaurants, which all serve it during the fête, says the organiser.
How many people go to the Fête du Cassoulet?
More than 80,000 in 2025, according to the organiser.
What is the cassoulet eating contest?
Fifteen minutes to eat as much cassoulet as possible. In 2026, its third year, the winner took 150 euros and a ham.
Sources
- Fête du Cassoulet: official site (2026 dates, free concerts and parking, visitors, restaurants) consulted on October 21, 2026
- Fête du Cassoulet: 2026 programme (concerts, dinners, contest, Confrérie, market, corso) consulted on October 21, 2026
Page last updated on .