Festivals offer a unique opportunity for entertainment, cultural enrichment and unforgettable family moments! Whether you're a music lover, a visual arts enthusiast, a nature lover or simply looking for new discoveries, France has a variety of festivals to suit all ages. These events are perfect for introducing youngsters to culture while enjoying a host of fun activities. Discover our selection of the 10 must-see family festivals in 2024!
1. Les Déferlantes Festival: family festivals 2024
Bring the whole family to the Les Déferlantes contemporary music festival with its eclectic program! From rock to hip-hop to pop, enjoy the sound with your kids and teens! They'll love the site: playa and fiesta! It's July 10-13, 2024 at Barcarès, Pyrénées-Orientales in Occitanie. From parents to youngsters, you'll love the line-up: Macklemore, Placebo, Kyo, Mika, Eddy de Pretto, SDM and Charlotte de Witte will set the mood and treat you to a feast overlooking the sublime Mediterranean Sea. What's more, your little ones will be able to enjoy the water sports and beach activities. This exceptional setting combines music and beach activities - not to be missed this summer!
How to get there To get to Les Déferlantes, take the A9 to exit 40, then follow the signs for Le Barcarès. Shuttle buses are available from Perpignan train station and Perpignan-Rivesaltes airport. Check timetables and book in advance. Parking lots and local buses also provide easy access to the festival.
2. International Geography Festival
This Festival is dedicated to geography, with conferences, exhibitions, workshops and activities for the whole family! It takes place from October 4 to 6, 2024 in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, Vosges. Renowned speakers, geographers and explorers come together to discuss a particular theme. Geographers, true field scientists, are at the heart of the 2024 edition of FIG, with a focus on "the land" and its various uses and issues. From the preservation of biodiversity to the management of urban spaces, the festival will explore the many current issues and debates linked to the use and appropriation of land. It's a fabulous opportunity for cultural and educational discovery, ideal for curious children!
How to get there? By train to Saint-Dié-des-Vosges station, then shuttle or bus to the festival site.
3. Splendeurs de Chine in Céret: a family festival
The Splendeurs de Chine festival premieres this year with a magical show of giant lanterns, celebrating Chinese culture and legends. This incredible show will take place from November 15, 2024 to February 16, 2025 at Château d'Aubiry, in Céret, Pyrénées-Orientales. Traditional Chinese lantern artists will be on hand to amaze young and old alike! In a theme park with 2,600 lanterns, cultural activities, shows, a Christmas market and Chinese cuisine, you'll be able to enjoy unique moments of wonder. It's a unique visual and aural immersion, ideal for the whole family!
How to get there? by car via the A9 freeway, exit 43 Le Boulou. Shuttle bus available from Céret to Château d'Aubiry.
4. Angoulême Comics Festival
Come to the International Comics Festival with your family and discover exhibitions, signings, workshops and events that will delight everyone! It's one of the 10 must-see cultural festivals in France in 2024! From January 25 to 28, 2024, the festival takes place in Angoulême, Charente.
Spoiler alert : the 52ᵉ edition will take place from January 30 to February 2, 2025 ! You can meet renowned authors and illustrators, take part in exhibitions or drawing workshops. It's a must-attend event for comics fans of all ages.
How to get there? Take the train to Angoulême station, then walk or take the bus to the festival site.
5. Family festivals: Mini Rock en Seine
Mini Rock en Seine is the children's version of the famous Rock en Seine festival. Little rockers can take part in music-making workshops and dedicated concerts from August 21 to 25, 2024 . Your kids can take part in workshops with local artists and rock out to children's concerts. A special area is dedicated to 6-12 year-olds, with activities and a kid-sitting service.
It's an incredible opportunity to share your passion for music with your little ones, by immersing them in the world of rock with specially adapted activities.
How to get there? By public transport via metro line 10 or tramway T2.
6. Solidays
One of the 20 must-see music festivals in France in 2024, the unmissable Festival de musique engagé, Solidays features a Kids area with creative workshops, shows and cultural initiations. It takes place from June 28 to 30, 2024 at theHippodrome de Longchamp, Paris. L'école des Fables and Inspecteur Toutou will be there! And a mini-village for children will be offering a special program
What a wonderful opportunity to combine music and social commitment in a safe space for children!
How to get there: by bus or shuttle from Porte-Maillot.
7. Family festivals: Brive Festival
Discover a family-friendly urban Festival with concerts on an artificial beach in the heart of downtown Brive! They dreamed it and they did it!Brive-la-Gaillarde, Corrèze, France, July 21-24, 2024 . International and French artists are set to set the stage alight with Black Eyes Peas, Julien Doré and Clara Luciani. All you have to do is dance with your feet in the sand and enjoy the ultra-festive, family-friendly atmosphere.
How to get there: take the train to Brive-la-Gaillarde station, then walk.
8. LollaPalooza Paris
The French version of the famous American festival with a Kidz Apalooza area dedicated to families was due to take place on July 20 and 21, 2024 at the Hippodrome de Longchamp, Paris. It has been cancelled, as the Olympic Games take place at the same time. See you in 2025! Mark your calendars!
Face-painting, street art and trampolining round off the fun and creative activities for children under 14. After all, this festival also has the youngest ones in mind, with some very attractive activities!
How to get there: by bus or shuttle from Porte Maillot.
9. Idéklic among the 10 must-see family festivals
Here's an original and interesting festival! This international children's festival offers artistic and scientific shows and workshops from July 12 to 15, 2024 in Moirans-en-Montagne, Jura. More than 120 shows and workshops help raise awareness of the arts and media. It's a not-to-be-missed discovery of ancestral arts and techniques for children!
How to get there: by car or train to Saint-Claude station.
10. Astro-jeunes Festival
Why not take your team to the Astronomy Festival for Kids, featuring fun and educational activities about the sky and stars? It takes place from August 7 to 12, 2024 in Fleurance, Gers. This digital festival for the discovery of the sky offers astronomy workshops, discoveries of the stars and astronautics. Why shouldn't you miss it? Because you'll learn about astronomy while having fun!
How to get there? By car or by shuttle bus from Auch station.
How to plan family festivals?
To make the most of these family festivals, here are a few practical tips:
- Buy your tickets in advance to avoid queues and benefit from reduced rates;
- Book your accommodation close to the festivals, taking into account your family's needs. Campsites, B&Bs and family hotels are often the best options!
- Bring weather-appropriate clothing , hats, sunscreen and water to stay hydrated.
- Make sure children wear identification bracelets, and locate first-aid points as soon as you arrive at the festival site.
Last but not least, make sure you haven't forgotten anything with the Festival Essentials: the Indispensable Checklist !
Which is the most child-friendly festival in France in 2024?
The Au Bonheur des Mômes festival in Le Grand-Bornand is particularly well-suited to children, thanks to its rich program of outdoor and indoor shows and workshops. It offers a week of intense, fun-filled entertainment.
What's the biggest family festival in the world?
The Rio Festival in Brazil is considered the biggest festival in the world, attracting millions of participants every year for its colorful carnival.
What are the best festivals in France?
The 10 must-see festivals of summer 2024 in France include the best events of the year, and to discover more, please consult our Travel reports and Tourism news: Festival news ! Here you'll discover music and cultural festivals from all over the world!
If you're tempted by our selection, take a look at our train fares and book now!
