Events 2012
JERSEY TOUGH GUY EVENT - Sun 29 Jan
The Jersey Tough Guy race is an informal yet challenging fundraising event arranged by adventure racing specialists Jersey Adventures with proceeds donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust. The course will be revealed on the day but there will be a gruelling 5k run full of sludge, mud, water, obstacles, tyres and swings. www.jersey.com
ST AGUEDA’S DAY PARADE – BILBAO - Sat 4 Feb
Crowds throng the city for the festival marking the patron saint of married women, St. Agueda. There are street parades and processions where young girls carry baskets of bread on their heads. The parades are accompanied by music and plenty of dancing with many of the local girls dressed up in traditional peasant dress. www.spain.info
SANTOÑA CARNIVAL – near SANTANDER - Thu 16 Feb - Sun 4 Mar
High-spirited carnival processions, music and colourful decorated floats bring alive the small town of Santoña near Santander every winter for festivities rooted in pagan celebrations in honour of Bacchus, God of wine. Celebrating the sea is just as important and highlights include the Burial of the Sea Bream and The Trial in the Depths of the Sea (a theatre performance.) www.turismosantona.es/english/carnaval_santona.php
GUERNSEY EISTEDDFOD - Thu 23 Feb - Fri 23 March
The Guernsey Eisteddfod is a chance for local people to show off their talents. The event has been running since 1922 it’s estimated that 15% of the population are actively involved in one way or another! Categories include drama, music, video, photography, Guernsey French, floral displays, home made wines and beers, silk painting, English literature and even artistic roller skating. www.guernseyeisteddfod.co.uk/
PANORAMAS FESTIVAL – MORLAIX, BRITTANY - Thu 5 April - Sun 8 April
Sailto St Malo. Get an unrivalled view of what’s hot in electro, rock and rap at the Panoramas Festival, with 45 acts performing over the Easter weekend and a crowd of 20,000 expected. www.wartiste.com/festivalpanoramas
SPI OUEST-FRANCE REGATTA – LA TRINITE-SUR-MER, BRITTANY - Thu 5 April - Mon 9 April
Sail to St Malo. Enjoy the fabulous sight of scores of single hulls with billowing sails competing in this Easter regatta at La Trinité-sur-Mer, a picturesque fishing port with a lovely beach, too. www.brittanytourism.com
SEMANA SANTA – BILBAO - Good Friday 6 April
This notable religious festival that dates back about 500 years is held during Easter. To celebrate, there are many exciting activities that take place throughout Bilbao, including slow parades with drums and trumpets. Bulls are allowed to run through the streets of the nearby fishing village, Zumaia. www.spain.info
SPRING FLORAL GUERNSEY FESTIVAL - Sat 14 April - Sun 22 April
Experience the beauty of Guernsey in the spring with a programme of walks, talks, lectures and workshops can be enjoyed by expert gardeners and beginners alike. www.visitguernsey.com
LA FOLÍA FESTIVAL – SAN VICENTE DE LA BARQUERA near SANTANDER
April (date depends on local tides)
The statue of the Virgen de la Barquera is said to have arrived at San Vicente in a boat with no sails, oars or crew. Once a year, it is put in a fishing boat decorated with flags and flowers, which sails at the head of a procession made up of all the vessels in the harbour to bless the sea. Groups of young girls, called picayos, stand on the shore singing traditional songs in honour of the Virgin. This local pageant in a port near Santander has been declared of National Tourist Interest. www.spanish-living.com
GUERNSEY SPRING WALKING WEEK - Sat 5 May - Sun 13 May
Walks for all interests and abilities will be on offer covering history, wildlife, heroes and folklore, taking visitors through some stunning Channel Islands scenery. www.visitguernsey.com
JAZZ UNDER THE APPLE TREES – COUTANCES, NORMANDY - 12 May - 19 May
Sail to Cherbourg. Jazz sous les Pommiers (‘Jazz under the apple trees’) is the biggest jazz festival in West France. It includes over a hundred different concerts, street entertainment, gigs from up-and-coming artists and “promenade” concerts for a musical stroll. www.jazzsouslespommiers.com
MONT ST MICHEL MARATHON - Sun 13 May
Sail to St Malo, Cherbourg or Caen. 5,000 runners from all over the world will be racing – not just against each other, but also against the sea as the tide laps in to surround this beautiful World Heritage Site. www.brittanytourism.com
FESTIVAL OF BRITTANY - Thu 17 May - Mon 28 May
Sail to St Malo. Concerts, exhibitions, fest-noz, markets… Since 2009 the whole region has been showing the world how dynamic it can be, at the Festival of Brittany. Here’s your chance to take a new look at the biniou koz (Breton: ‘the old bagpipe’). Events across the region. www.brittanytourism.com
GUERNSEY PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL - Thu 24 May - Fri 22 June
Guernsey Photography Festival includes indoor and outdoor exhibitions across St Peter Port featuring work by world-renowned photographers, along with a multitude of community activities, competitions, workshops, talks and seminars. www.visitguernsey.com
JERSEY INTERNATIONAL MOTORING FESTIVAL - Fri 25 May - Sun 27 May
This is the largest annual motoring event in the Channel Islands, comprising competitive sprint and hill climbs for classic and vintage cars and motorcycles. A large motor show features stands and exhibits from all of Jersey’s motoring clubs. The essence of the weekend is to create opportunities for car and motorcycle enthusiasts to use and display their ‘pride and joy.’ www.jersey.com
SAILORS’ FESTIVAL – HONFLEUR, NORMANDY - Sat 26 May - Mon 28 May
Sail to Le Havre or Caen. Honfleur’s ‘Sailors’ Festival’ has been taking place since 1861. Pentecost traditionally found seamen and fishermen participating in the Blessing of the Sea and in the Pilgrimage to Notre Dame de Grâce chapel perched on a hill overlooking the town. The Society of Sailors hosts an exhibition in homage to the people of the sea in Honfleur’s old salt cellars. http://en.ot-honfleur.fr/
D-DAY ANNIVERSARY – NORMANDY BEACHES - Wed 6 June
Sail to Caen, Le Havre or Cherbourg. 68th Anniversary of D-Day commemorations. The celebration of the success of Operation Overlord and of the D-Day landings in 1944 will be marked by a special service of paratroopers landing on the beaches, along with official ceremonies. http://www.normandiememoire.com/?lang=en
JUNE IN BLOOM FLORAL FESTIVAL – Jersey - Sun 19 June - Jun 26 June
Jersey’s reputation as ‘The Floral Island’ is well deserved, with colourful fields and gardens bringing the landscape to life all year round. This floral week, culminating with the quintessentially British Summer Festival and Jersey Rose Show at Samarès Manor, encapsulates the island’s blooming best. Visit stunning floral attractions and enjoy fascinating ‘behind-the-scenes’ talks and tours from expert horticulturalists. www.jersey.com
TOUR DE NORMANDIE - Wed 20 June - Sun 24 June
Sail to Caen or Le Havre. The Tour de Normandie is a classic car rally, winding its way across Normandy. Follow the assortment of fabulous vintage vehicles, accompanied by music and entertainment, or simply make camp in one of the villages en route where you’ll find plenty to delight and amuse. http://www.tourdenormandie.com/#/en/accueil/
Events
New Terminal
Visit our dazzling new passenger terminal, relaxing areas and outdoor viewing terrace. Food and drink from Costa, Worldmarché and the bar. > More information
