Last updated: December 01, 2024
Get ready for the holidays in Aix-en-Provence with our comprehensive festive season guide. Whether you're a resident or visitor to our beautiful Provençal city, discover the numerous activities that will brighten your winter stay.
From Cours Mirabeau to Place des Cardeurs and Place des Prêcheurs, the city comes alive with its traditional Christmas markets, local artisans, and enchanting illuminations. Provençal santons, Calissons d'Aix, and regional products fill the stalls, while the historic quarter hosts shows and activities around the majestic Rotonde fountain.
Contact information and details below.
Wooden chalets with LED light garlands and artificial Christmas tree decorations.
The Aix-en-Provence Christmas Market is a festive event that brings together local vendors and artisans to offer handmade products, Christmas gifts, and gourmet specialties.
Where: Aix-en-Provence | More Info: Aix-en-Provence Christmas Market
True showcase of the santon makers' expertise.
The Foire aux Santons d'Aix-en-Provence is an annual tradition that showcases the creations of santon makers, allowing you to discover new pieces and complete your nativity scene.
Where: Aix-en-Provence | More Info: Santons Fair of Aix-en-Provence
An exhibition of local and traditional Christmas products.
The Marché des 13 Desserts is a gastronomic event where local farmers and artisans showcase their traditional Christmas products and skills. From honey to figs, olive oil to wafers, calissons to nougats, participants offer a variety of delicious desserts and local products.
Where: Aix-en-Provence | More Info: Market of 13 Desserts
Unique sale of truffles in all their forms.
The Aix-en-Provence Truffle Market is a gastronomic market featuring truffles in all their forms, along with other products like caviar, foie gras, and olive oil.
Where: Aix-en-Provence | More Info: Truffle Market
Traditional market with local producers and creators offering Provençal recipes.
The Petit Marché du Gros Souper de Noël in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is a traditional market where you can discover Provençal artisanal richness. You will find local producers, santonniers, and creators offering Provençal recipes and preparations of the 13 Christmas desserts. The event includes a pedagogical farm, a Santa Claus chalet, and tastings of seafood and champagne.
Where: Saint Rémy de Provence | More Info: Great Supper
Traditional Swedish songs at the Saint-Sauveur Cathedral.
The Fête de la Sainte Lucie is an European festival of light held at the Saint-Sauveur Cathedral in Aix-en-Provence. Swedish students sing traditional songs, followed by a procession with the European flag and a reception with mulled wine tasting.
Where: Aix-en-Provence | More Info: Festival of Lights
Traditional nativity scene with Provençal santons.
The grande crèche aixoise is a Christmas exhibition featuring a 12m² landscape extending from the Côte d'Azur to the Camargue, with Provençal villages, squares, and fountains, and bories inhabited by santons crafted by Aix-en-Provence santon makers.
Where: Aix-en-Provence | More Info: The Great Aix Nativity Scene
A traditional dinner and show event with dances, music, and songs.
The Veillée Calendale is a dinner and show event that takes place around the Gros Souper and the 13 desserts, where the Provençal costume is worn to make Christmas in Provence a wonderful experience. Christmas celebrations in Provence are characterized by a family and social atmosphere, featuring a night filled with stories, songs, a shared meal, and the highly appreciated thirteen desserts.
Where: Aix-en-Provence | More Info: Calendale Vigil
A theatrical representation in Provence with regional costumes and an anachronistic story.
La Pastorale Maurel is a traditional theatrical representation in Provence, created in 1844 by Antoine Maurel. It tells the story of the birth of Christ with humorous and moral episodes, accompanied by an orchestra and choir. The amateur actors wear regional costumes from the 1800-1830 period.
Where: Aix-en-Provence | More Info: The Maurel Pastoral
A living Christmas crèche animated by animals and traditional songs.
The living Christmas crèche at Noël à la Chapelle takes place on December 14, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The animated procession with animals runs from the Marcel Bremond course to the Serre Chapel, where traditional songs, dances, and music are performed. The evening ends with a grand procession and hot chocolate and mulled wine tasting.
Where: Aix-en-Provence | More Info: Christmas at the Chapel
A Pastorale des santons interpreted by friends and neighbors of the La Bourrasque association.
Nocturne de Noël in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is a festive event that brings together Provençal traditions with various activities, including the Fête des lumières, Christmas markets, and a Pastorale des santons.
Where: Saint Rémy de Provence | More Info: Nocturne of Christmas
Animated Gilbert Orsini crib
The Christmas celebration in Allauch is a festive event featuring several highlights, including the animated Gilbert Orsini crib, the Village Christmas Market, the Shepherds' Descent, and the Calendale Vigil.
Where: Allauch | More Info: Allauch Christmas Festival
Procession ceremony with drummers and dancers.
The Aubade de Noël is a traditional ceremony where the Bayle and his flock parade through the village streets, accompanied by drummers and dancers in Arlésienne and Mireille costumes.
Where: Les Baux de Provence | More Info: Christmas Aubade
Collection of new toys to support families in need.
The Fontaine aux jouets is an important charity collection that supports families in need. Thousands of new or gently used toys are collected to give a gift to each child.
Where: Aix-en-Provence | More Info: Toy Fountain
Traditional Provençal parades and music
La Bravade Calendale is a centuries-old celebration that marks the winter solstice with Provençal music and dance. The day begins with a series of parades converging on the Town Hall Square where the Christmas brioche is offered to the city authorities. The event concludes with a spectacular farandole where all groups invite the public to join them in a sign of friendship, fraternity, and peace.
Where: Aix-en-Provence | More Info: Bravade Calendale Festival
A procession of costumed santons leading the three kings and their camels.
The Marche des Rois is a traditional event where a long procession of santons, little angels, shepherds, and artisans parade through the city to sing traditional Christmas carols and proceed to the Saint-Sauveur Cathedral to adore the baby Jesus.
Where: Aix-en-Provence | More Info: The March of the Three Kings
A 4m2 crèche with explanations on calendar traditions and conferences on the construction of the crèche.
The traditional Provençal crèche is a Christmas exhibition featuring a traditional Provençal landscape with nativity characters, conferences, and Christmas tales.
Where: Aix-en-Provence | More Info: Traditional Provençal Nativity Scene