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Perpignan’s event calendar reflects its dual French-Catalan identity, with traditional Catalan festivals sitting alongside an internationally renowned photojournalism festival. Most events are concentrated between June and September when the weather is warmest. Many events are free, including the Jeudis de Perpignan summer concerts and the outdoor exhibitions of Visa pour l’Image. For more, visit our complete Perpignan travel guide. For detailed climate data, see our Perpignan weather by month.
Perpignan Events and Festivals: Spring (March to May)
Carnaval de Perpignan (February/March)
Perpignan’s carnival typically takes place over a weekend in late February or early March, depending on the liturgical calendar. A parade of floats and costumed performers runs from Place de Catalogne through the city center to Place de la Republique, followed by an evening of music and dancing. The children’s carnival, held on Sunday afternoon, features a confetti battle on Place de la Republique. All events are free. Check our best time to visit Perpignan for seasonal planning.
Semaine Sainte / Setmana Santa (March/April)
Holy Week in Perpignan includes the Procession de la Sanch on Good Friday, a centuries-old Catalan tradition originating from medieval confraternities. Hooded penitents in red robes (the ‘caperutxes’) carry religious statues through the darkened streets of the Saint-Jacques quarter to the rhythm of drums. The procession starts at the Eglise Saint-Jacques at 21:00 and ends at the Cathedrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste. Spectators should remain silent during the procession. Our things to do in Perpignan covers attractions and day trips.
Perpignan Events and Festivals: Summer (June to August)
Fête de la Saint-Jean (June 23-24)
The Feast of Saint John is one of the most important Catalan celebrations, marking the summer solstice with bonfires, fireworks, and traditional dancing. In Perpignan, the main bonfire is lit on Place de la Victoire on the evening of June 23 at around 22:00, with sardanes (Catalan circle dancing) and live music continuing past midnight. Restaurants in the old town serve special Saint-Jean menus featuring grilled meats and crema catalana. The Catalan phrase ‘Bona revetlla de Sant Joan’ (Happy Saint John’s Eve) is the greeting of the evening. Read our Perpignan neighborhoods for area profiles.
Les Jeudis de Perpignan (July to August)
Every Thursday evening in July and August, the city center transforms into a free open-air music festival from 18:00 to midnight. Different musical acts perform on stages set up across Place de la Republique, Place Gambetta, and the Quais de la Basse, covering genres from jazz and bossa nova to rock and electronic. Restaurants and bars extend their terraces, and street food vendors set up along the canal. The program is published on the city’s website (perpignan.fr) in late June. The event is free. Find hotels in our where to stay in Perpignan.
Festival Pablo Casals (July to August)
Named after the Catalan cellist and conductor who lived in exile in nearby Prades, this classical music festival runs from late July through mid-August. Concerts take place at the Abbaye Saint-Michel de Cuxa (45km from Perpignan), a 10th-century Romanesque abbey at the foot of the Canigou massif, and at the Palais des Rois de Majorque in Perpignan itself. Ticket prices range from EUR 15 to 45. The program features international chamber ensembles and soloists. Book online at prades-festival-casals.com. Practical information is in our Perpignan travel tips.
Perpignan Events and Festivals: Autumn (September to November)
Visa pour l’Image (Late August to Mid-September)
Visa pour l’Image is the world’s premier international festival of photojournalism, held annually in Perpignan since 1989. For two weeks, the entire city becomes a gallery: exhibitions are mounted in the Couvent des Minimes, the Campo Santo cloister, the Eglise des Dominicains, and other historic venues. The festival attracts 3,000 accredited professionals and over 200,000 visitors. Most exhibitions are free and open daily 10:00 to 20:00. Evening screenings at the Campo Santo (EUR 10 or free with accreditation) feature photographers presenting their work to large outdoor audiences. The 2026 edition runs from August 29 to September 13. Visit visapourlimage.com for the program.
Fête des Vendanges (October)
The Roussillon wine harvest festival takes place on a weekend in early October, with events spread between Perpignan and surrounding wine villages. In the city, wine producers from the Cotes du Roussillon AOC set up tasting stalls on Place de la Republique, offering free samples of reds, whites, and roses. A grape-treading demonstration, children’s activities, and a producers’ market selling local cheese, honey, and charcuterie round out the program. Tasting passes cost EUR 5 and include a souvenir glass.
Perpignan Events and Festivals: Winter (December to February)
Marché de Noël (Late November to December 24)
Perpignan’s Christmas market occupies Place de la Republique from the last weekend of November through December 24. Around 40 wooden chalets sell crafts, regional foods (including roussillon sausages, honey, and vin chaud), and Christmas gifts. An ice skating rink is set up on Place de la Victoire (EUR 5 including skate rental). The city’s Christmas lights illuminate the Castillet, the Cathedrale, and the streets of the old town. The market opens daily from 11:00 to 20:00, staying open until 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
