Festive France: A Year-Round Guide to French Celebrations and holidays

If you want to know about French celebrations, grab a cuppa (or a glass of wine, I won't judge), and let me spill the beans on how we party in France. Trust me, it's not all baguettes and berets!
Winter Wonderland of Celebrations

Noël: A Festive Feast for Family (24th-25th December)

Christmas is a pretty big deal here. On Christmas Eve, the whole family is gathered around a table that's literally groaning under the weight of all the food. We're talking oysters, foie gras (though some of us are switching to less controversial options these days), and usually a massive turkey stuffed with chestnuts. Oh, and don't forget the ‘bûche de Noël’ for pudding – it's this cake that looks like a log, and it's way tastier than it sounds.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. Many of us actually wait until midnight to open presents. I know, I know, it sounds like torture for the kids (and some adults, let's be honest). But there's something magical about staying up late, having this huge feast, and then gathering around the tree when it's technically Christmas Day.

Oh, and speaking of trees – we decorate them just like you probably do, but a lot of kids make ornaments at school.

Christmas Day itself? It's usually pretty chilled. We mostly just lounge around, nibble on leftovers, and maybe go for a walk if we're feeling particularly motivated. It's basically a day dedicated to food comas and family time.

New Year's Eve (Le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre) - 31st December

Now, if Christmas is for family, New Year's Eve is definitely for friends. We call it "Le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre," which sounds posh but really just means "staying up late and partying on 31st December."

Most of us get together with friends for dinner. And when I say dinner, I mean a meal that starts at 8 PM and somehow doesn't end until it's time for the countdown. We eat, drink, laugh, eat some more, drink some more... you get the idea.

At midnight, it's all about the "bise" (that's our cheek-kissing thing) and yelling "Bonne Année!" to anyone within earshot. Then, if you're in a big city like Paris, you might brave the crowds to watch fireworks.

Oh, and a word of warning: if you're ever in France for New Year's, be prepared for a minimum of two weeks of saying "Bonne Année" to literally everyone you meet. It's like a national sport in January.

Epiphany (La Fête des Rois) - 6th January

Just when you think the holiday season is over, along comes Epiphany on 6th January. We celebrate this by scoffing down a "galette des Rois" – a flaky pastry usually filled with almond cream. But here's the fun part: there's a little charm hidden inside, and whoever finds it gets to be king or queen for the day. And we don't just dole out slices willy-nilly. One person (usually the youngest kid) ducks under the table and plays the role of the royal advisor. They call out names, deciding who gets which slice. It's a right laugh, especially when Papy Jean-Pierre ends up with the baby Jesus figurine and has to wear a paper crown all evening!

Spring: When France Wakes Up and Gets a Bit Silly

Carnival and Mardi Gras: Crêpes, Costumes, and Joyful Chaos (February/March, date varies)

Right, so after we've all recovered from the winter festivities (and shifted those extra kilos from all the galettes des Rois), it's time for Carnival season. This usually kicks off in February, but the exact date changes every year because it's tied to Easter.

The star of the show is definitely Mardi Gras, which literally means 'Fat Tuesday'. It's basically our last hurrah before Lent starts, and boy, do we make it count. Picture this: streets filled with people in ridiculous costumes, music blaring from every corner, and enough crêpes and beignets to feed a small army.

Now, if you really want to see Carnival done right, you've got to head to Nice or Dunkirk. Nice's carnival is all glitz and glamour—massive parades with these incredible floats that look like they've jumped straight out of a fever dream. Dunkirk, on the other hand... well, let's just say it's a bit mad. People dress up in the most bonkers costumes you've ever seen and then go on a three-day bender. It's brilliant chaos.

Easter (Pâques) - (March/April, date varies)

Now, Easter in France is a bit of a quirky one. For starters, we don't have the Easter Bunny. Nope, we've got flying bells. Yes, you heard that right—flying bells.

The story goes that on Good Friday, all the church bells in France grow wings and fly off to Rome (as you do). They return on Easter Sunday morning, dropping chocolate eggs and other treats for all the good children.

Of course, the real magic of Easter is the chocolate. French chocolatiers go all out. We're talking chocolate fish (don't ask me why), chocolate bells (obviously), and chocolate hens with little chocolate chicks. It's like Willy Wonka gone wild.

Easter Sunday itself is usually a family affair. We'll have a big lunch—often lamb, because apparently, that's what you eat when you're celebrating flying bells and chocolate overload. Then, if the weather's nice, we might have an egg hunt in the garden. And by 'egg hunt', I mean 'watch the kids go mental trying to find chocolate while the adults sip champagne and pretend to help'.

Oh, and here's a top tip: if you're ever in France around Easter, wait until the day after to buy your chocolate. It's all on sale, and you can stock up for half the price. You're welcome!

May Day (La Fête du Travail) - 1st May

May kicks off with a bang—or rather, with a bloom. 1st May is Labour Day, but we've somehow managed to turn it into a flower festival too. It's all about lily of the valley (muguet, if you want to sound fancy). People sell these little bouquets on every street corner, and it's tradition to give them to friends and family for good luck.

But don't be fooled by all the floral loveliness—May Day is also when the French indulge in our other favourite pastime: protesting. There are usually big marches and rallies all over the country. It's like we can't decide if we want to stop and smell the roses or wave placards and demand better working conditions. So, in true French fashion, we do both.

For most of us, though, it's just a nice day off. We might buy some muguet, have a picnic if the weather's nice, and enjoy the start of the warmer weather.

Summer: When France Really Heats Up (and Not Just the Weather)

Bastille Day (La Fête Nationale) - 14th July

Alright, now we're getting to the good stuff. 14th July is our national day, and we do know how to celebrate! It's like Guy Fawkes Night, but with better weather and more wine.

The day kicks off with a massive military parade down the Champs-Élysées in Paris. It's all very formal and patriotic, with jets flying overhead leaving trails of blue, white, and red smoke. But let's be honest, most of us are just waiting for the evening when the real fun begins.

Come nightfall, most towns and villages in France put on a fireworks display. In Paris, the show at the Eiffel Tower is spectacular – it's like the tower is having its own little disco party. But personally, I prefer the smaller town celebrations. There's something magical about watching fireworks light up the sky over an old church or castle.

After the fireworks, it's time for the big party (because let's face it, we French never miss a chance to celebrate). In many parts of France, you might stumble upon the Feu de la Saint Jean. It's not strictly a Bastille Day thing, but it often gets wrapped up in the midsummer festivities. Picture this: massive bonfires lighting up the night sky, with people dancing around them like happy pixies. There's music, more food (obviously), and enough wine to float a small boat. It's our way of saying, "Oi, summer! Get a move on, will you?"

August: The Great Escape

Here's something you need to know about France in August: half the country shuts down. I'm not even joking. It's like someone sounds an alarm on 1st August, and suddenly everyone disappears to the beach or the countryside.

Paris becomes a ghost town (well, apart from the tourists). Shops close, restaurants shut, and trying to get anything done is a real challenge.

But you know what? It's brilliant. We French, we know how to holiday. Whether it's sunbathing on the Côte d'Azur, hiking in the Alps, or stuffing our faces with cheese in some tiny village, we take our summer breaks seriously.

And the best part? Coming back to work in September, everyone's got a tan, they're relaxed, and for about a week, nobody really does any work. We just catch up on holiday gossip and show off our holiday photos. It's great.

Autumn: When France Gets Classy (Sort Of)

Beaujolais Nouveau Day - Third Thursday in November

Just when you think France can't get any more French, along comes Beaujolais Nouveau Day. It's always the third Thursday in November, and it's basically a national excuse to drink wine.

Beaujolais Nouveau is this young red wine that's only been fermented for a few weeks. It's not fancy – in fact, wine snobs turn their noses up at it. But that's not the point. The point is to get together with your mates, open a few bottles, and celebrate the fact that, well, there's new wine!

There are parties all over France, with signs proclaiming "Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!" (The Beaujolais Nouveau has arrived!). It's like the wine equivalent of shouting "The British are coming!" – except we're much happier about it.

Christmas Markets - Late November to Early January

As we head into winter, the Christmas markets start popping up. Now, if you want to see these done properly, you need to head to Alsace.

These markets are like stepping into a fairy tale. Tiny wooden chalets selling everything from handmade toys to local delicacies, the smell of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts in the air, and enough twinkling lights to make you think you've wandered into a Christmas tree.

My favourite part? The food, obviously. You've got to try the tarte flambée – it's like a super thin pizza with cream, onions, and lardons. Pair it with a cup of vin chaud (mulled wine), and you'll understand why we French aren't in any hurry to lose those extra holiday kilos!

So there you have it – a whistle-stop tour of French celebrations throughout the year. From bells with wanderlust to flowers that protest, from fireworks that make the Eiffel Tower boogie to wine that's barely out of nappies, we've got it all.

But here's the thing: France is like a massive patchwork quilt of cultures and traditions. We don't all celebrate every single festival (can you imagine the hangovers if we did?). Some of us go all out for Bastille Day, while others are more about that Beaujolais Nouveau life. And you know what? That's the beauty of it.

If you're new to France, feel free to dip your toes into whichever celebrations tickle your fancy. Mix and match, create your own traditions – that's what makes our melting pot of cultures so bloomin' marvellous.

Oh, and here's a top tip: as you traipse around this diverse country of ours, keep your eyes peeled for regional specialities. Every area has its own quirky take on these celebrations. In Provence, you might find yourself hurling tomatoes for no apparent reason, while in Brittany, you could end up dancing to bagpipes (yes, we have those too). It's these little differences that make exploring France a never-ending adventure. Allez, à la vôtre!