🎄 Festivals & markets
Festivals and fêtes in the Grand Est: the calendar
In the Grand Est, the great popular festivals follow the rhythm of the seasons and the local terroirs. Summer opens in Colmar with the Alsace Wine Fair (Foire aux Vins d’Alsace), held since 1948 and combining tastings with big-name concerts; at the end of August, Metz celebrates the mirabelle plum; and on the first weekend of September, Ribeauvillé re-enacts the medieval festival of its minstrels at the Pfifferdaj. In December, Nancy honours St Nicholas, patron saint of Lorraine, with a grand parade of illuminated floats. Finally, every two years in September, Charleville-Mézières hosts the World Puppet Theatre Festival (Festival mondial des théâtres de marionnettes).
To choose, check the calendar first: most of these events last only a weekend or around ten days. Budgets vary widely: the Fête de la Mirabelle is entirely free and the Nancy parade is open to all, whereas the Pfifferdaj charges admission to the town on the Sunday, and the concerts in Colmar and the shows in Charleville are booked separately. The Christmas markets have their own page. As for the Mondial Air Ballons at Chambley, it is suspended: no edition has been announced.
How to choose?
If you are coming with the family
A parade of floats and street entertainment in Nancy; children’s activities and free concerts in Metz.
If you are on a tight budget
The Mirabelle festival is free, the Nancy parade is open to all, and the Wine Fair is free until 13:00, Monday to Saturday.
🎄 Metz Mirabelle Festival🎄 Saint Nicholas Festival in Nancy🎄 Colmar Wine Fair
If you love wine and Alsace traditions
More than 1,500 wines on show in Colmar; a medieval procession and wine flowing from the fountain in Ribeauvillé.
🎄 Colmar Wine Fair🎄 Pfifferdaj – Ribeauvillé Minstrels’ Festival
If you are passionate about live performance
Ten days of international programming in Charleville-Mézières, in September of odd-numbered years.
ComparisonData taken from each listing, checked against official sources
| Place or activity | When | Time needed | Who it suits | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Nicholas Festival in Nancy📍 Nancy · Meurthe-et-Moselle (54) | 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027; grand parade on Saturday 5 December 2026 | One evening for the parade; a weekend for the full programme | Families, all ages | Nancy station a few minutes’ walk from Place Stanislas; the centre is very busy on parade night, so the train is best |
| Colmar Wine Fair📍 Colmar · Haut-Rhin (68) | Ten days in late July – early August (2026: 31 July to 9 August) | Half a day to an evening; fair open 11:00–01:00 | All ages; under-12s child rate €2 | Parc des Expositions, Colmar: A35 exit 23 or 24; Trace bus line D during the day and free shuttles in the evening |
| World Puppet Theatre Festival📍 Charleville-Mézières · Ardennes (08) | Every two years in September, in odd-numbered years; next edition 17–26 September 2027 | Ten days of festival; a day or a weekend to make the most of it | All ages; shows for children and adults alike | Train to Charleville-Mézières station, then walk to Place Ducale, the heart of the festival |
| Pfifferdaj – Ribeauvillé Minstrels’ Festival📍 Ribeauvillé · Haut-Rhin (68) | First weekend of September; grand procession on Sunday at 14:30 | One day on Sunday, the whole weekend for the festivities | All ages; free for under-6s | A35 exit 20 then D106; car parks on the edge of town; Colmar station then bus |
| Metz Mirabelle Festival📍 Metz · Moselle (57) | 21–23 August and 29–30 August 2026; Montgolfiades from 3 to 6 September | From one evening to two full weekends, depending on the programme you choose | All ages, families; children’s activities and concerts | On foot from central Metz: the Esplanade, then the plan d’eau; train to Metz-Ville station |
Map: Festivals and fêtes in the Grand Est: the calendar
When to go?
- JanPossible
- FebOff season
- MarOff season
- AprOff season
- MayOff season
- JunOff season
- JulPossible
- AugPossible
- SeptPossible
- OctOff season
- NovPossible
- DecPossible
Peak season Possible Off season
📅 The peak festival season runs from late July (Colmar Wine Fair) to the first weekend of September (Pfifferdaj), before the St Nicholas festivities in Nancy, from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Tips & insider advice
- Note the exact dates
These festivals last only a weekend or a few days: check the programme for the current edition on the official website before booking.
- Book concerts early
At the Colmar Wine Fair, several concert evenings were sold out in 2026; tickets are bought separately.
- Take the train to Nancy
The centre is very crowded on the evening of the grand parade; the station is a few minutes’ walk from Place Stanislas.
- Stay after the procession
In Ribeauvillé, wine flows from the fountain on Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville after the Sunday parade.
- Hot-air balloons in Metz
The Fête de la Mirabelle continues with the Montgolfiades (hot-air balloon festival), from 3 to 6 September 2026.
- Book accommodation early
During the Wine Fair or the Puppet Festival, rooms go quickly: book as soon as the dates are known.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main festivals in the Grand Est?
St Nicholas in Nancy in December, the Alsace Wine Fair in Colmar in late July – early August, the Fête de la Mirabelle in Metz in late August and the Pfifferdaj in Ribeauvillé on the first weekend of September. Every two years, they are joined by the World Puppet Theatre Festival in Charleville-Mézières.
When is the World Puppet Festival in Charleville-Mézières?
It is held every two years in September, in odd-numbered years. The next edition, the 24th, will take place from 17 to 26 September 2027. Shows in the official programme are ticketed; a festive programme takes place on Place Ducale.
Do you have to pay to enter the Colmar Wine Fair?
Entry is free until 13:00, Monday to Saturday, then charged depending on the time; concerts at the open-air theatre cost extra. The 2026 edition was held from 31 July to 9 August. See the official website for this year’s prices.
When is the St Nicholas parade in Nancy?
In 2026, the grand parade of floats takes place on Saturday 5 December, at the heart of festivities running from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. The parade and street entertainment are free. Take the train if you can, as the centre is very crowded that evening.
Information checked in October 2026. Opening hours, prices and conditions may change: check the official website before you travel.