Montpellier Festival: Brass band festival

During your stay in Montpellier, after your French course, you'll certainly want to discover French culture! Our city is perfect for this, with its museums, exhibitions and festivals, you won't know where to go! It's the perfect way to complete your immersion and speak French outside the classroom!

The Festival des Fanfares de Montpellier is back for its 26th edition and offers you a crazy weekend with 20 brass bands invited along. Each one has its own universe and its own costume and will keep you entertained for the rest of the night! All in a good-natured village festival atmosphere, with plenty to eat and drink. This year's theme is: "Life underwater".

What is the "Festival des fanfares"?

Created in June 1996, the Montpellier Festival des fanfares has gradually established itself as an essential cultural and community festival in Montpellier.

The basic idea behind the festival was to bring people together in the street for a musical and human exchange between brass bands and local residents. The number of Saturday visitors has risen from a few dozen in the first year to 20,000 today. For the people of Montpellier, this is an annual event not to be missed.

All the bands perform voluntarily and at their own expense! However, more and more groups (nearly 50 a year, with only 20 places) from all over France and even abroad are applying to take part in the festival. They were all particularly grateful for the warm welcome and the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas.

When will the Festival be held?

In 2023, the Festival will be held from 9 to 10 June.

Where does the festival take place?

The Festival des fanfares takes place in the city of Montpellier, in the Beaux-Arts and Boutonnet districts. It is easily accessible by car, tram, bus and bicycle.

How much does a ticket cost?

The festival is free.

What is the festival programme?

On the eve of the festival, Friday 9 June, there will be the traditional reception of brass bands in 4 districts of Montpellier as well as in Clapiers, St Jean de Védas, Castelnau and Lattes.

Saturday 10 June:
07.00-13.00: Garage Sale; Esplanade de la Musique
08.00-12.00: Garage Sale; Faubourg Boutonnet
15.00-17.30: Presentation of the bands = 17 bands, 2 stages, Place Emile Combes
19.00-01.00: Brass bands festival

In addition to the cultural venues and events, we will offer you a programme of activities to meet other international students at the school and practice the French language outside the school. You will also have the opportunity to go on excursions to discover the region and go to the beach :)

See you soon in sunny Montpellier!