Fêtes de Bayonne
Five days in white and red, 14 to 18 July 2027: what to eat and drink at the Fêtes de Bayonne, the farmers’ counter, the Pass Fêtes and getting there without a car.
At a glance
- Five days and five nights, 14 to 18 July 2027, in the centre of Bayonne
- Born in 1932, led each year by King Léon
- Free access on the Wednesday and the Thursday in 2026
- The Pass Fêtes wristband, 15 euros in 2026, from Friday 10 am to Sunday midnight
- A Comptoir paysan of local producers, open 11 am to 10 pm
- The town’s restaurants all serve special menus for the five days
The 2027 edition, day by day
- Wed14Jul
- Thu15Jul
- Fri16Jul
- Sat17Jul
- Sun18Jul
Weekend · 5 days · Dates announced
How the festival runs
Wednesday 14 July
The Fêtes open. In 2026 access to the festival perimeter was free for everyone on the first two days.
Thursday 15 July
The second day, free in 2026.
Friday 16 July from 10 am
Under the 2026 rules, the Pass Fêtes wristband becomes compulsory to enter the security perimeter.
Sunday 18 July until midnight
The last day. The wristband rule ends at midnight.
What to taste
Regional produce at the Comptoir paysan
On the Esplanade Roland-Barthes, open 11 am to 10 pm, with quality regional products and the producers themselves.
Festival menus
The town’s restaurants all serve special menus during the five days of the Fêtes.
Jambon de Bayonne (Bayonne ham)
The cured ham that carries the town’s name, under a geographical indication.
Axoa
Chopped veal with peppers and piment d’Espelette, a Basque classic on local menus.
Bayonne chocolate
Bayonne’s chocolate tradition goes back to the 17th century.
The Fêtes de Bayonne were born in 1932 and have become, in the town’s own words, “the reference for large festive gatherings in our country”: five days and five nights when thousands of festayres dress in white with a red scarf. The 2027 edition runs from 14 to 18 July, organised by the Ville de Bayonne.
Spoilt for choice during the five days
Food is one part of the Fêtes, and the town lists its own places to eat.
“You will be spoilt for choice for places to eat during the five days of the Fêtes”, says the Ville de Bayonne.
Fêtes de Bayonne: King Léon’s five days
- Who leads the party: King Léon, the giant figure who leads the Fêtes.
- The first giants: they came out for the first time in 1932, created by Benjamin Gomez, says the town.
A rugby team’s idea, borrowed from Pamplona
The town’s history page tells how the Fêtes began, as a programme for the 14 July national holiday.
- The idea: a group of friends, rugby players of the Aviron Bayonnais and regulars of the Sanfermines in Pamplona, wanted fêtes in the same spirit.
- The go-ahead: the Comité des Fêtes and its president, Benjamin Gomez, put a programme to the town. The mayor, Joseph Garat, and his council approved it.
- Wednesday 13 July 1932: the first Fêtes de Bayonne were declared open, with a great Basque day of aubades, passe-rues (musical street parades), concerts, Basque pelota and, above all, cow races in the streets of Petit Bayonne.
Before you go
- Pass Fêtes: wristband required in the security perimeter from Friday 10 am to Sunday midnight. 15 euros in 2026, 2027 price not yet published.
- Free days: in 2026, access on the Wednesday and the Thursday was free for all festival-goers.
- Exemptions: the Fêtes stay free for Bayonne residents, people working in the perimeter and under-16s.
- Car: traffic and parking are banned in Bayonne during the Fêtes. The town recommends buses and trains.
- Dress: white clothes and a red scarf, the outfit of the festayres.
Access to the Fêtes de Bayonne by day
| Days | Access | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday and Thursday | Free for everyone | Free |
| Friday 10 am to Sunday midnight | Pass Fêtes wristband | 15 euros in 2026 |
| All days, residents, workers in the perimeter, under-16s | Free | Free |
Source: Ville de Bayonne, Pass Fêtes (2026 rules, 2027 not yet published).
Culinary experiences nearby
Megan Mallen, CC BY
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When are the Fêtes de Bayonne 2027?
From Wednesday 14 to Sunday 18 July 2027, dates published by the town. In 2026 they ran from 15 to 19 July.
Are the Fêtes de Bayonne free?
Partly. In 2026, Wednesday and Thursday were free. From Friday 10 am to Sunday midnight a Pass Fêtes wristband was required, at 15 euros.
Who gets into the Fêtes de Bayonne free?
Bayonne residents, people working in the security perimeter and under-16s.
What do you wear at the Fêtes de Bayonne?
White clothes and a red scarf, the traditional outfit.
Where can you eat during the Fêtes de Bayonne?
At the Comptoir paysan on the Esplanade Roland-Barthes, 11 am to 10 pm, and in the town’s restaurants, which all serve special menus.
Can you drive to the Fêtes de Bayonne?
Not into town: traffic and parking are banned in Bayonne during the Fêtes. Take the bus or the train.
Sources
- Ville de Bayonne: Fêtes de Bayonne, official site (2027 dates) consulted on October 15, 2026
- Ville de Bayonne: programme (2026 dates) consulted on October 15, 2026
- Ville de Bayonne: Pass Fêtes (free days, wristband, price 2026, exemptions) consulted on October 15, 2026
- Ville de Bayonne: where to eat during the Fêtes consulted on October 15, 2026
- Ville de Bayonne: the Comptoir paysan consulted on October 15, 2026
- Ville de Bayonne: getting there and parking consulted on October 15, 2026
- Ville de Bayonne: history of the Fêtes consulted on October 15, 2026
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