What’s On: The Top Annual Events in Toulouse
Toulouse Celebrations You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
If you find yourself in the Garonne Valley city of Toulouse, you won’t want to miss a chance to attend one of the city’s many festivals. Toulouse, known as the pink city for its wash of pink facades, is a culturally diverse destination. As such, culture, especially music and art, makes up the majority of the city’s top events.
Think festivals centering electronic dance music (EDM), spanning to classic piano, modern literature, to the linguistics of a historic language, and family-friendly fests featuring violet-flavored ice cream and sand volleyball. There is an unmissable event nearly year-round. So, what are the top annual events to catch in Toulouse?
1. Toulouse Festival
Toulouse is a UNESCO City of Music
Good for: Couples, Photo
The Toulouse Festival (also known as Festival de Toulouse) is one of the city’s newer events. It hasn’t taken long for this summer festival to cement itself as one of the top events in Toulouse. It has evolved into a top-tier music festival.
The festival music appeals to a wide range of tastes. Classical pianists, full orchestras, operatic singers, and accomplished jazz groups all take the stage. Toulouse Festival also offers eventgoers the chance to visit the city’s most elegant and awe-inspiring concert halls across several days. Embark on a true musical journey and discover old and new favorites.
Phone: +33 05 61 25 66 29
Toulouse Festival
2. The Violet Festival
The “Pink City” turns violet
Good for: Budget, Families
Violets are a delicate and vivid symbol of Toulouse, so much so that the whole Violet Festival has been dedicated to the dainty flowers. The end of February, the festival pays homage to the Violette de Toulouse, which first made its way to the south of France during Napoleon’s reign.
To enjoy the Violet Festival, head to the main square, the Place du Capitole. There you’ll find all kinds of violet-themed goodies such as violet-flavored ice cream, perfumes, and the flowers themselves. The city, too, becomes drenched in purple. You can hardly miss it.
Location: 31000 Toulouse, France
The Violet Festival
3. Occitania Festival
A celebration of the romance language that’s tied to the south of France
Good for: History, Couples
Engross yourself in the Occitan language at Toulouse’s Occitania Festival. The annual festival features artists creating works in the Latin language. For the month of October, movies, concerts, literature, you name it, are on display.
Be sure to check the details of any of the events you want to attend. Some of the events put on at the Occitania Festival are free. Others are not. You’ll find most of the events in Toulouse. Or hop on the train and discover events hosted by the neighboring cities like Saint-Lys, Blagnac, or Carbonne.
Phone: +33 05 61 11 24 87
Occitania Festival
4. Piano aux Jacobins
September is for the harmonics of the piano
Good for: Couples, Families
One of Toulouse’s most unique events is the Piano Aux Jacobins. The multi-week festival celebrates the mark the piano has made on music worldwide. Accomplished pianists from around the world fill the festival bill each year.
The festival takes place at Cloître des Jacobins, a convent for Dominican friars dating back to medieval times. Along with the festival music, you can take in the venue’s striking and historic architecture. Be sure to reserve your tickets in advance if you want a seat at the legendary Piano Aux Jacobins.
Location: 31000 Toulouse, France
Phone: +33 05 61 22 40 05
Piano aux Jacobins
5. Rio Loco
A music festival that’s fun for all
Good for: Families, Photo
Rio Loco is a modern music festival based in Toulouse. Hear the sounds of R&B, Cuban disco, Brazilian jazz, and blues rock in one place. Eclectic art and gourmet pop-up restaurants also have their place during this summer weekend event. And all this happens along the serene banks of the Garonne.
The organizers have taken great measures to reduce the festival’s environmental impact. Reusable cups, dishes, and cigarette butt collection sites manage to dispose of the amount of plastic and garbage produced. Rio Loco has also been designated with the “Cities for All” label, meaning it is accessible for people with disabilities. Be sure to book your tickets in advance as they sell out fast.
Location: Cr Dillon, 31300 Toulouse, France
Phone: +33 05 32 26 38 20
Rio Loco
6. Les Siestes Electroniques
Electronic dance music for all
Good for: Budget, Couples, Nightlife
Maybe you’ve been to a Les Siestes Electroniques festival elsewhere. Maybe Kyoto or Abu Dhabi, or Montreal. The electronic dance festival actually got its start, and still thrives, in Toulouse. In fact, it’s one of the top events in Toulouse.
Each summer, Les Siestes Electroniques returns, featuring energetic emerging artists in an expansive open-air environment. Best of all? Several of the concerts are free. All you have to do is show up, ready to take in the newest sounds in EDM.
Les Siestes Electroniques
7. La Nouveau Printemps
The festival name means “New Spring”
Good for: Budget, Couples
Le Nouveau Printemps is one of the top annual events in Toulouse. The contemporary arts festival is a massive undertaking spanning multiple locations and featuring dozens of artists. Each summer, it is under the direction of a different artist, providing their own unique spin.
What can you expect at Le Nouveau Printemps? Photo-video projects, poetry, dance, sculpture, and so much more. For visitors of Toulouse, the festival offers a glimpse into local art and neighborhood personalities. Enjoy a cultural journey at this incredible event.
Phone: +33 06 08 43 02 89
La Nouveau Printemps
8. Le Marathon des Mots
Great minds gather here each year
Good for: Couples, Photo
Lovers of literature flock to one of Toulouse’s top annual events: Le Marathon des Mots. From the cozy confines of bookstores, libraries, and theaters, authors take the spotlight, reading and discussing their works. More than readings, though, writing workshops, shows, and concerts also take place. There are even youth-centered workshops and events to engage everyone in the family.
Some events are free, but reservations are still recommended. Reserve your tickets for Le Marathon des Mots events in advance or buy them onsite at the box office.
Phone: +33 05 61 99 64 01
Le Marathon des Mots
9. Toulouse Plages
An inclusive “Cities for All” event
Good for: Families, Budget, Photo
The versatile Toulouse Plages festival is the essence of summer. During the festival, the shores of the Garonne transform into a relaxing beach destination.
The free event, put on by City Hall, provides a range of family-friendly activities from morning to night. Think water games, hosted dodgeball matches, badminton, beach volleyball, canoeing, a beach library for shoreside reading, and so much more. Just head to La Prairie des Filtres for the majority of the festivities or Port Viguerie for shopping and the Ferris Wheel.
Phone: +33 05 61 22 29 22
Toulouse Plages
10. Toulouse Carnival
A colorful parade dating to the 13th century
Good for: Budget, Couples, Families
If you’re looking for an event that will energize you, look no further than Toulouse Carnaval. From booming percussion groups to the boisterous costumes paraded around, there is a buzz you’ll remember for a lifetime.
From start to finish, Toulouse Carnaval exudes entertainment. You can actually watch Toulouse transform in preparation for Toulouse Carnaval. The week prior, the people of Toulouse are invited to help decorate the city. And the whole event concludes with the cremation of Mr. or Mrs. Carnaval, symbolizing the transition to the next carnival. The message of renewal and transition is fitting for a spring event like this. Just don your costume and dive into the revelries.
Location: 2 bis Rue des Cheminots, 31500 Toulouse, France
Phone: +33 06 63 84 12 61
Toulouse Carnival
This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.