Carnaval de Limoux
January-March
Taking place in the nearby town of Limoux, this carnival sees costumed dancing each weekend and gives colourful insight into the varied traditions of the Languedoc region. Its long history makes it one of the oldest such carnivals on the planet – it’s also one of the longest, lasting three whole months!
Festival de Carcassonne
June-August
One of the biggest cultural events in the South of France, the Carcassone Festival runs for six weeks and stages more than 100 separate shows, from opera and classical music to dance and theatre performances. The majority are free.
Bastille Day
14 July
Bastille Day sees towns and villages across France in party mode, but Carcassonne takes the annual celebration to another level with a massive firework celebration that draws some 700,000 visitors to the banks of the Aude River. It takes place at 10.30pm.
Feria de Carcassonne
August-September
A late-summer music festival featuring flamenco and salsa bands alongside traditional local Occitan performers – not to mention everything from marching brass bands to contemporary pop singers – the Feria is a celebration of music in all its forms.
La Magie de Noël
December/January The Christmas period sees the old citadel come alive with all manner of festive events, from craft markets and torch processions to costumed medieval performances and illuminations. The month-long programme of events runs through until early January.