Last updated: November 22, 2024
Find everything you need for the holidays in Aubagne with our complete festivity guide. Whether you're a long-time resident or visiting for the holidays, discover the animations and events that bring our Provençal city to life.
Place de l'Horloge hosts the traditional Christmas market with its wooden chalets, while Cours Foch sparkles with thousands of lights. The historic center features authentic Provençal nativity scenes, and Place Joseph Rau becomes the meeting point for local artisans. A few steps away, the santon-makers continue their age-old tradition, displaying their creations in the workshops of Marcel Pagnol's Little World.
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Aubagne Holiday Markets and Shopping
Santon Festival in Aubagne
- What to Expect
- Clay modeling and ceramic star painting workshops.
- Description
- The Fête du Santon in Pays d'Aubagne honors the region's master santonniers under a heated big tent. Animations and musical troop parades are planned. Children can participate in clay modeling, ceramic star painting, coloring, and makeup workshops.
- Where
- Aubagne | More Info : Santon Festival in Aubagne
Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Unique feature: Panoramic nativity scene and Christmas animations.
- Description
- The Aubagne santon and ceramic market is a traditional event that brings together santon and ceramic artisans to showcase their creations. The market is accompanied by a large panoramic nativity scene and various Christmas animations.
- Where
- Aubagne | More Info : Christmas Market
The Creators' Advent
- What to Expect
- +80 creator artist artisan exhibitors in a 1,400 square meter space
- Description
- L'Avent des Créateurs is a unique market where artisans, creators, and artists showcase their products in a 1,400 square meter space. Visitors can enjoy raffles, children's activities, makeup, music, and Christmas decorations, as well as free photos with Santa Claus.
- Where
- Aubagne | More Info : The Creators' Advent
Argilla (Biennial)
- What to Expect
- Workshops of santonniers with carefully selected creations.
- Description
- The Fête des Santons in Pays d'Aubagne brings together a dozen of santonnier artisans for a unique exhibition, offering a palette of generous, naive, and traditional forms. The creations are carefully selected to make this market a reference in France.
- Where
- Aubagne | More Info : Argilla (Biennial)
Aubagne Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Great Christmas Parade
- What to Expect
- Festive parade with 7 tableaux and 50 artists.
- Description
- The grand Christmas parade in Aubagne features 7 tableaux with 50 artists, dance groups, and musicians. This parade pays homage to Marcel Pagnol and is accompanied by mascots.
- Where
- Aubagne | More Info : The Great Christmas Parade
The Big Supper Show
- What to Expect
- Presentation of Provençal Christmas traditions with traditional dances.
- Description
- The Spectacle du Gros Souper is an event that retraces the traditions of the Provençal calendar night, with dances to the sound of the galoubet and tambourin, and a final presentation of the 13 desserts.
- Where
- Aubagne | More Info : The Big Supper Show
Living Nativity Scene
- What to Expect
- Traditional show with over 40 characters from the Provençal crèche.
- Description
- The Living Nativity is a traditional show presented by Lei Dansaire de Garlaban, featuring the characters of the Provençal crèche. This show recounts the story of the nativity with over 40 characters, offering a living representation of Christmas traditions in Provence.
- Where
- Aubagne | More Info : Living Nativity Scene
Christmas Concert
- What to Expect
- Free entry with exceptional musical accompaniment.
- Description
- The Aubagne Harmonie Orchestra presents two Christmas concerts, featuring Disney and film music, exceptionally accompanied by La Mesnie de Brocéliande.
- Where
- Aubagne | More Info : Christmas Concert
Summer Animations (Concerts, Outdoor Cinema)
- What to Expect
- Outdoor screenings of animated films with animations and a picnic.
- Description
- This year, the Charrel neighborhood is hosting three outdoor cinema sessions, with the first screening of the animated film "Arthur and the Invisibles." The event starts with animations and game booklet distribution at 18h, followed by a picnic at 19h30 and the screening at 20h30.
- Where
- Aubagne | More Info : Summer Animations (Concerts, Outdoor Cinema)
The Pastoral
- What to Expect
- Theatrical performance played by women.
- Description
- The Pastorale Fallen is a unique theatrical representation that stages the journey of the shepherds to Bethlehem. This play, created by Dr. Joseph Fallen, is performed by women and offers a rich and moving cultural experience.
- Where
- Aubagne | More Info : The Pastoral
Aubagne Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Fairground
- What to Expect
- A wide range of attractions for all ages.
- Description
- The Noël fairground in Aubagne offers various attractions, rides for young children, and thrill rides for adults, as well as food stands and shows.
- Where
- Aubagne | More Info : Christmas Fairground
Guided Tour: Aubagne at the Time of the Nativity Scenes
- What to Expect
- Unique guided tour highlighting Provençal nativity scenes
- Description
- Immerse yourself in the Provençal traditions of Christmas and explore the city through various nativity scenes. The magic of Christmas in Provence includes Sainte-Barbe wheat, thirteen desserts, and the pastorale...various customs told by your guide. Let yourself be drawn into the festive spirit of the end of the year.
- Where
- Aubagne | More Info : Guided Tour: Aubagne at the Time of the Nativity Scenes
Food Stands and Attractions
- What to Expect
- A festive funfair with rides and food stands.
- Description
- The food stands and attractions offer a variety of delights and entertainment for all ages, with rides, trampolines, and food stands for the gourmands.
- Where
- Aubagne | More Info : Food Stands and Attractions
Panoramic Nativity Scene
- What to Expect
- A unique and annually renewed exhibition of clay figurines.
- Description
- The Grande crèche panoramique is an exhibition of clay figurines created by the Association of Ceramists and Santonniers of the Pays d'Aubagne. It has accompanied the santon market for 25 years and offers renewed scenes each year.
- Where
- Aubagne | More Info : Panoramic Nativity Scene
Cotton Candy, Churros, Ice Cream
- What to Expect
- A festive funfair with various attractions and food stands.
- Description
- The Christmas fair in Aubagne offers rides for children and thrilling attractions for adults. The event also features food stands with specialties like cotton candy, churros, and ice cream.
- Where
- Aubagne | More Info : Cotton Candy, Churros, Ice Cream
Opening on Wednesdays, Weekends, and School Holidays
- What to Expect
- Rides and varied attractions for all ages.
- Description
- The Christmas fair in Aubagne offers rides for young children and thrilling attractions for adults. The event also features food stands, cotton candy, churros, and ice cream.
- Where
- Aubagne | More Info : Opening on Wednesdays, Weekends, and School Holidays