Village Fêtes & Cultural Events
Throughout the summer season each village holds its own celebration of a local trade, agricultural produce and dates of religious or historical significance. Each year more are added to the calendar, so this section highlights the most popular. Keep your eyes open for posters or ask the local tourist office for more information.
The fêtes are the highlight of the village social scene and usually all the villagers and their families become involved in the celebrations and welcome visitors to participate and tour their village. There is nearly always an artisan market, with stalls scattered along the narrow streets which provide ideal opportunities to find an unusual gift or trinket to take back home. It is also an excellent opportunity to get a taste of local village hospitality, as there will always be refreshment stalls and places where you can sample some of the local specialities produced in the traditional manner.
| Village Fetes & Cultural Events | Date | Location | Details |
| Fetes de Paques: La Granitola | March | Calvi | A spiritual procession through the city and Citadel walls, hooded and barefoot participants join together in prayer and song. |
| Fete de la Sant Erasme | June | Calvi | Mass and procession through the streets of the old town to honour the patron saint of fishermen. A priest blesses the boats and launches a wreath of flowers on the sea. |
| Festiventu | End of October | Calvi |
Celebrates everything connected with the wind. There is a mixture of serious and fun events. Concerts every evening have resulted in a cult following. |
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Music, Arts & Sports Festivals
Corsica is an island of culture with an abundance of activities which are organised by volunteers passionate about their chosen interest. There is a publication, the 'guide des manifestations culturelles' which gives listings of all the events but this is, sadly, invariably produced at the last minute, which often means certain events have passed before it becomes available. It is difficult to get global information of the events planned for the whole year, so look out for posters and ask at the local tourist offices. The majority of Corsican festivals take place in the summer months when the concerts can be held in the open air.
| Village Fetes & Cultural Events | Date | Location | Details |
| Festival des 3 cultures | Early May | Calvi | Held every three years this festival travels between Ciboure in the Basque country, Collioure in Catalonia and Calvi. There are street entertainers, concerts and sporting events. |
| Rencontre d’Art Contemporain | June to September | Calvi | For 3 months the Citadel houses exhibitions of paintings, engravings and sculptures by professional artists from across the island. |
| Festival De Jazz | Late June | Calvi | Attracts big names from the Jazz scene; concerts in the Citadel and jam sessions on the Quai Landry. |
| Calvi On The Rocks | July | Calvi | Youthful electronic music and digital arts festival with nightly concert in the Citadel. |
| Rencontres Polyphoniques De Calvi | September | Calvi | International polyphonic singers perform in the Citadel. |
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