Annecy’s events calendar is packed year-round despite its modest population of 130,000 in the urban area. The two biggest draws are the Fete du Lac fireworks display in August and the International Animation Film Festival in June, but smaller events like the Venetian Carnival in winter and the Retour des Alpages in autumn give you reasons to visit outside peak season. Here is every major Annecy event with dates, locations, and practical details for attending.
Annecy Events and Festivals: Summer (June to August)
Annecy International Animation Film Festival
The Festival International du Film d’Animation d’Annecy runs for 6 days in mid-June (typically the second full week). It is the world’s largest animation festival, drawing roughly 12,000 industry professionals and screening over 200 films. Screenings happen at multiple venues including the Centre Culturel de Bonlieu (1 rue Jean Jaures), the Pathe cinema, and outdoor lakefront screenings at the Plage d’Albigny (free, no ticket required). Industry accreditation costs 90 euros and gives priority access. Individual screening tickets are 5.50 euros and go on sale each morning at the Bonlieu box office at 9 AM. Book accommodation 4 to 6 months ahead if you plan to attend. Hotels in central Annecy fill completely. The lakefront screenings are the best free entertainment, showing animated features on a giant screen with the mountains as a backdrop. Bring a blanket and arrive by 8:30 PM for a good spot.
Fete du Lac (Lake Festival)
The Fete du Lac takes place on the first Saturday of August. It is a 90-minute synchronised fireworks and music show launched from barges on the lake, watched by an estimated 200,000 people lining the shores. The main viewing area is the Plage d’Albigny and Jardins de l’Europe, which fill by mid-afternoon. Paid grandstand seating on the Paquier lawn costs 30 to 50 euros depending on proximity and goes on sale in June via the Annecy Tourisme website. Roads around the lake close at 4 PM. Park at the Parc des Sports park-and-ride (free shuttle buses run until 1 AM) or walk from the train station. Restaurants with lake views (like Le Belvedere at Imperial Palace) take reservations months ahead with minimum-spend requirements around 80 euros per person. If the first Saturday is rained out, the event moves to the following Saturday.
Noctibules Street Theatre Festival
Noctibules runs over 3 evenings in late July, filling the old town streets and gardens with free street theatre, acrobatics, fire performances, and live music from 7 PM to midnight. It takes place across multiple stages set up in the Jardins de l’Europe, Place Notre-Dame, and along the canals. All performances are free. Food stalls set up along the Thiou River, selling tartiflette (8 euros), crepes (4 to 6 euros), and local wine. It draws about 40,000 visitors across the 3 evenings. The old town gets tightly packed after 9 PM, so arrive early to secure a viewing spot for popular acts.
Annecy Events and Festivals: Winter (December to March)
Annecy Christmas Market
The Marche de Noel d’Annecy runs from late November (typically the last Friday) through December 31 in the old town. About 50 wooden chalets line Rue Royale, Rue Carnot, and the area around the Eglise Saint-Francois de Sales. Chalets sell Savoyard food specialities like diots au vin blanc (pork sausages in white wine, 7 euros), raclette sandwiches (8 euros), vin chaud (3 euros), and local crafts. Hours are 11 AM to 8 PM Sunday through Thursday and 11 AM to 9 PM Friday and Saturday. An ice skating rink opens at Place Francois de Menthon (entry 5 euros including skate rental, open 10 AM to 8 PM). The Christmas lights stay up through the first week of January. This is the busiest period after summer, so book hotels in central Annecy by October for December dates.
Venetian Carnival (Carnaval Venitien)
The Carnaval Venitien d’Annecy fills the old town on a late-February weekend (usually the last weekend of the month) with over 300 costumed participants in elaborate Venetian masks and period costumes. Costumed figures pose along the canals, on bridges, and in the Jardins de l’Europe throughout Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. It is a photo event rather than a parade. Free to watch. The best photo spots are along the Canal du Thiou near the Palais de l’Isle and at the Pont des Amours. Hotel rates are low (winter off-season) at 70 to 90 euros for a 3-star, making this one of the year’s best bargains for visiting. Restaurants are open normally, though you will want reservations for Saturday dinner.
Annecy Events and Festivals: Spring and Autumn
Retour des Alpages (Return from the Alpine Pastures)
The Retour des Alpages takes place on the second Saturday of October. It celebrates the annual descent of cattle, sheep, and goats from summer mountain pastures with a parade through the old town. Farmers in traditional Savoyard dress lead decorated herds down Rue Carnot and Rue Royale from 10 AM to 1 PM. Cheese, sausage, and wine producers set up stalls selling directly. A free event. Arrive by 9:30 AM to grab a spot along the parade route. The best viewing is at the Place de l’Hotel de Ville where the parade pauses for presentations. Local restaurants feature special Alpine menus with dishes like croziflette (a tartiflette variant using crozets pasta, about 15 euros) throughout the weekend.
Annecy Paysages (Landscape Festival)
Annecy Paysages runs from late June through late September, transforming the Jardins de l’Europe and several town squares with contemporary landscape installations and garden art. It is a free outdoor exhibition, open 24 hours. Information panels in French and English explain each installation. The works change each year and are designed by French and international landscape architects. It is a self-guided walk taking 60 to 90 minutes. Maps are available at the Annecy Tourisme office (1 rue Jean Jaures, open Monday to Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM, Sunday 10 AM to 1 PM).
For timing your visit around the best weather for these events, check the https://theweather.guide/france/auvergne-rhone-alpes/annecy/annecy-best-time-to-visit/ guide. For outdoor activities between events, see the https://theweather.guide/france/auvergne-rhone-alpes/annecy/annecy-things-to-do/ guide. For additional information, see our Annecy weather by month guide. For additional information, see our Annecy neighborhoods guide. For additional information, see our where to stay in Annecy guide. For additional information, see our Annecy travel tips guide.
