September 2026

🛵 4th Fête de la Mob

📍 Quillan – Parking de l'Espace Cathare

📆 4–6 September 2026 — A three-day celebration of classic mopeds and small motorbikes, organised by the Papy Mob's. A fun event for enthusiasts and visitors, bringing vintage two-wheeled machines and their owners together in Quillan.

🔁 Annual recurring event

🤝 Forum des Associations

📍 Quillan – Place Raoul de Volontat

📆 Saturday 5 September 2026, 9:00–13:00 — Quillan's annual associations forum brings together local clubs, community groups and organisations. It's a good opportunity to discover the many sporting, cultural and social activities available in the town.

🔁 Annual local event

The mairie currently lists this event as confirmed for 5 September.

🎶 3rd Festival Country

📍 Quillan – Place de la Gare

📆 11–13 September 2026 — A three-day country music and western-themed festival organised by Country Valley Quillan. Expect live music, dancing and a lively atmosphere around the railway station area.

🔁 Annual recurring event

The 2026 edition is confirmed on the town's official calendar.

🎨 5th Salon des Arts

📍 Quillan – Gymnase Paul Mullot

📆 11–13 September 2026 — The fifth annual Salon des Arts, organised by the Rotary Club, showcases artistic work in Quillan and provides an opportunity to discover local and regional creative talent.

🔁 Annual recurring event

The 2026 dates and venue are confirmed by the mairie.

🛍️ September Night Market

📍 Quillan – Place Raoul de Volontat

📆 Friday 11 September 2026, 17:00–23:30 — Quillan's summer evening market season continues into September with a gourmet and musical night market featuring local food, producers, crafts and entertainment.

🔁 Seasonal recurring event

The mairie currently lists the 11 September market from 17:00 to midnight.

🚵 20th Ronde VTT des 3 Quilles

📍 Quillan and surrounding Haute Vallée de l'Aude

📆 Sunday 27 September 2026 — The 20th edition of the Ronde VTT des 3 Quilles returns for a day of mountain biking around Quillan and the surrounding countryside. Organised by the Association Sportive Quillanaise, the event offers riders the opportunity to discover the area's varied trails and spectacular mountain scenery.

🔁 Annual recurring sporting event

This is now confirmed for 27 September 2026, rather than the "late September / early October" wording you currently have.

🍎 Potato Festival – Plateau de Sault

📍 Pays de Sault

📆 September 2026 – date to be confirmed

The traditional potato harvest celebrations are associated with the Plateau de Sault and its important local potato-growing heritage. However, I could not find a sufficiently reliable 2026 announcement confirming the date, so I would currently leave this as TBC rather than presenting it as a confirmed Quillan-area event.

🔁 Annual / seasonal event

I'd keep this on the page only if you're happy with the TBC status.

🍷 Festival des Saveurs

📍 Ax-les-Thermes, Ariège (approximately 45–50 minutes from Quillan)

📆 3–6 September 2026 — A major celebration of local food, producers and regional gastronomy. The festival features a large farmers' and artisan market, local products, food-related activities, gourmet walks, demonstrations, concerts and entertainment.

🔁 Annual regional event

October 2026

🛍️ Vide Grenier & Book Fair

📍 Quillan – Parking de l'Espace Cathare

📆 Sunday 11 October 2026 — A local autumn vide-grenier combined with a book fair, giving visitors the chance to browse second-hand items, books, collectibles and other treasures. The event is organised by a new local association and provides a relaxed way to spend a Sunday discovering bargains and local finds.

🔁 Local recurring/community event

The event is currently listed on the official Quillan calendar for 11 October 2026.

🎭 Le Meilleur des Comédies Musicales

📍 Quillan – Espace Cathare

📆 Friday 23 October 2026 – 21:00 — A spectacular musical show performed by the Orchestre Richard Gardet, bringing together some of the biggest songs and scenes from famous French and international musicals, including Roméo et Juliette, Notre-Dame de Paris, Starmania, Le Roi Soleil, Les Dix Commandements, Mamma Mia, Chicago and West Side Story.

🔁 One-night cultural event
🎵 Musical theatre show

The performance is officially scheduled for 23 October at Espace Cathare.

🍂 Autumn in the Haute Vallée de l'Aude

📍 Quillan • Axat • Pays de Sault

📆 Throughout October 2026 — October is an especially attractive time to explore the countryside around Quillan as the forests and mountain landscapes begin to take on their autumn colours. Cooler temperatures make the month particularly pleasant for walking, cycling, scenic drives and exploring the villages and gorges of the Haute Vallée de l'Aude.

🔁 Seasonal activity

November 2026

November is even quieter, but there is one confirmed event that I would definitely feature, plus one event that appears to be planned but for which I would be cautious about publishing exact dates until officially confirmed.

🎪 Magie de Noël – Le Cirque Impérial

📍 Quillan – Espace Cathare

📆 Saturday 28 November 2026 – 17:00 — A family-friendly circus and magic show bringing acrobatics, illusion, spectacle and festive entertainment to Quillan as the Christmas season begins.

🔁 One-day family event
🎪 Family circus & magic show

This is confirmed on the official Quillan events calendar for 28 November at 17:00.

🎭 Festival de Théâtre Amateur de Quillan

📍 Quillan – Espace Cathare

📆 November 2026 – dates to be confirmed

The 15th Festival de Théâtre Amateur de Quillan is expected to return in November, bringing several days of performances by amateur theatre companies selected in partnership with the FNCTA. It is an important cultural event for the town and gives visitors an opportunity to experience French theatre in a relaxed local setting.

🔁 Annual cultural event
🎭 Amateur theatre festival

There is currently information indicating the 15th edition is expected in November 2026, but I would leave the exact dates as TBC until they are confirmed by the organisers/mairie.

🍂 Late Autumn in Quillan

📍 Quillan & Haute Vallée de l'Aude

📆 Throughout November 2026

November brings a quieter side of the Haute Vallée de l'Aude. The summer crowds have disappeared, making it a peaceful time to explore Quillan, surrounding villages, local markets, countryside walks and the dramatic landscapes of the Pyrenean foothills.

🔁 Seasonal activity

December 2026

🎄 Quillan Christmas Market
📍 Quillan
📆 Mid-December 2026 (e.g., weekend of 11–12 Dec) — festive holiday market with artisan stalls, local products, seasonal food and community celebrations.
🔁 Annual recurring

January–March 2027

🎭 Carnaval de Limoux 2027
📍 Limoux (about 40 min from Quillan)
📆 Weekends from mid-January to Mardi Gras / early March 2027 — this is considered one of the longest carnivals in the world, rooted in 16th-century Occitan tradition. Celebrations take place nearly every weekend from January through March with multiple parades per day featuring bands (Fecos), masked figures (Goudils), music and street performances, concluding with the judgment and symbolic burning of Majesté Carnaval. Full 2027 dates are typically confirmed in late autumn/December but, based on 2026

April 2027

🏃 Trail Quillan – Trail des 3 Quilles
📍 Quillan
📆 24–25 April 2027 (expected) — multi-distance trail running event with routes from 11 km up to 40+ km, set against the rugged landscapes of the Pyrénées Audoises. Known for its friendly, festival-style atmosphere, it attracts over a thousand participants each year.
🔁 Annual recurring (typically held the last weekend of April)

May 2027

🚜 De Ferme en Ferme (Open Farm Weekend)
📍 Haute Vallée de l’Aude (around Quillan)
📆 Expected early May 2027 — a region-wide open farm event where local producers welcome visitors to discover traditional agriculture, local produce and rural life. An excellent opportunity for families and visitors seeking an authentic experience of rural Occitanie.
🔁 Annual recurring

🚴 La Carach Bike
📍 Quillan
📆 Expected early May 2027 (date TBC) — a popular regional mountain biking event featuring challenging cross-country routes through the forests, hills and trails surrounding Quillan. The event attracts both competitive riders and cycling enthusiasts from across the region.
🔁 Annual recurring (typically late April to early May)

🎨 Artist to Watch (Art Weekend)
📍 Quillan & surrounding villages
📆 Expected May 2027 (dates TBC) — a valley-wide arts event showcasing local and international artists through exhibitions, open studios, workshops and opportunities to meet creators across the Haute Vallée de l’Aude.
🔁 Annual recurring

🏃 Spartan Race Weekend
📍 Carcassonne
📆 8–9 May 2027 (confirmed) — one of southern France’s largest obstacle racing events, attracting thousands of competitors from across Europe. The weekend features multiple race formats and offers a vibrant atmosphere for participants and spectators alike.
🔁 Annual recurring

🏎️ Course de Côte du Col du Portel
📍 Near Quillan
📆 Expected May 2027 (dates TBC) — a classic hill-climb motorsport event forming part of the regional championship calendar. Drivers tackle the winding mountain roads above the Aude Valley while spectators enjoy panoramic viewing points.
🔁 Annual recurring

🏃 Trail du Pech de Bugarach
📍 Bugarach (approx. 30 min from Quillan)
📆 Expected late May 2027 (date TBC) — a well-established trail running event set around the legendary Pic de Bugarach, offering demanding routes through spectacular mountain scenery and attracting runners from across France.
🔁 Annual recurring

🚴 Fête du Tour
📍 Quillan
📆 Expected late May 2027 (date TBC) — a cycling celebration inspired by the Tour de France, featuring organised rides, family activities and community events that highlight Quillan’s strong connection to cycling and the surrounding mountain roads.
🔁 Annual recurring

June 2027

🐄 Pays de Sault Transhumance
📍 Pays de Sault
📆 Early June 2027 (date to be confirmed) — Experience one of the oldest traditions in the Aude as cattle are led to the high mountain pastures. The festival includes livestock processions, local food, craft stalls, music and demonstrations celebrating the region's pastoral heritage.
🔁 Annual event

🥾 Tour des Villages Hiking Festival
📍 Haute Vallée de l'Aude
📆 Mid-June 2027 (expected) — A popular organised walk through several picturesque villages of the Haute Vallée de l'Aude with local food tastings, entertainment and spectacular scenery.
🔁 Annual event

🤸 Gala de la Gym
📍 Quillan – Espace Cathare
📆 Mid-June 2027 (expected) — The annual gymnastics gala featuring performances by local clubs and young gymnasts from across the Haute Vallée de l'Aude.
🔁 Annual event

🛍️ Laval Village Brocante & Flea Market
📍 Laval (Quillan)
📆 Mid-June 2027 (expected) — Browse antiques, vintage treasures, books, crafts and collectibles in the charming village of Laval.
🔁 Annual event

🐱 Vide Grenier des Chats Libres
📍 Quillan
📆 Mid-June 2027 (expected) — A popular community flea market raising funds for local animal welfare organisations.
🔁 Annual event

🎶 Fête de la Musique
📍 Quillan & Espéraza
📆 Monday 21 June 2027 (confirmed nationally) — Celebrate France's famous nationwide music festival with free concerts, live bands, entertainment and performances throughout the town centres.

🛍️ Espéraza Summer Market & Riverside Evenings
📍 Espéraza
📆 Late June 2027 (seasonal) — Artisan stalls, local produce, cafés and evening entertainment along the River Aude mark the beginning of the summer season.
🔁 Seasonal activity

🥾 Summer Hiking Season in the Pyrénées Audoises
📍 Quillan, Axat & Haute Vallée de l'Aude
📆 Throughout June 2027 — June offers ideal walking conditions before the peak summer temperatures, with excellent routes including the Three Quilles, Gorges de Saint-Georges and Pierre-Lys Gorge.
🔁 Seasonal activity

July 2027

🎭 Festival de Carcassonne

📍 Carcassonne (approximately 1 hour from Quillan)

📆 Early July – Late July 2027 (full programme to be confirmed)

One of southern France's largest summer festivals, featuring internationally renowned artists, theatre, opera, dance, comedy and open-air concerts within the spectacular UNESCO-listed medieval city of Carcassonne.

🔁 Annual regional highlight

🎸 Summer Concerts in Quillan

📍 Quillan Town Centre

📆 Throughout July 2027

Enjoy free outdoor concerts throughout the month, with local musicians, tribute bands and touring artists performing in Quillan's squares and public spaces during the warm summer evenings.

🔁 Annual summer programme

🛍️ Quillan Summer Night Markets (Marchés Nocturnes)

📍 Quillan Town Centre

📆 Selected Friday evenings throughout July 2027

Browse artisan stalls, regional food, local wines, handmade crafts and enjoy live music in Quillan's popular evening markets.

🔁 Weekly summer series

🎆 Bastille Day Celebrations (Fête Nationale)

📍 Quillan & surrounding villages

📆 Wednesday 14 July 2027

Celebrate France's national holiday with live music, fireworks, communal meals and evening festivities throughout Quillan and neighbouring villages.

🔁 Annual national celebration

🎆 Lac de Puivert Summer Evening

📍 Lac de Puivert

📆 Mid-July 2027 (date to be confirmed)

Enjoy an evening beside the lake with artisan stalls, food vendors, family entertainment and the traditional fireworks display over the water.

🔁 Annual recurring

🎉 Brenac Village Festival

📍 Brenac (Quillan)

📆 Mid-July 2027 (expected)

A traditional village fête featuring outdoor dining, live music, pétanque competitions and family entertainment in the picturesque former village of Brenac.

🔁 Annual recurring

🎸 Rock Hot Valley Festival

📍 Quillan

📆 Late July 2027 (expected)

A lively evening of rock music featuring regional bands and guest performers as part of Quillan's summer entertainment programme.

🔁 Annual recurring

🎬 Open-Air Cinema

📍 Laval (Quillan)

📆 Late July 2027 (expected)

Bring a chair or picnic blanket and enjoy an outdoor cinema screening beneath the stars in the charming village of Laval.

🔁 Annual summer event

🥾 Summer Adventures in the Haute Vallée de l'Aude

📍 Quillan • Axat • Gorges de Saint-Georges • Gorges de Pierre-Lys

📆 Throughout July 2027

July is one of the best months to discover the region's spectacular scenery with hiking, mountain biking, rafting, kayaking and scenic drives through the Pyrenean foothills.

🔁 Seasonal activity

August 2027

🚴 82nd Critérium Cycliste International de Quillan

📍 Quillan

📆 15 August 2027 (expected — date to be confirmed) — Quillan's famous international cycling criterium returns for its 82nd edition. Held around the Assumption holiday, this historic one-day race brings professional cyclists to the streets of Quillan and attracts large crowds of cycling enthusiasts. The event is one of the highlights of the town's summer calendar and continues Quillan's long-standing association with professional cycling.

🔁 Annual recurring
🚴 Major international cycling event

The 2026 edition was the 81st Critérium and took place on 15 August, with racing starting at 16:30.

🎉 Grandes Fêtes de Quillan

📍 Quillan

📆 Mid-August 2027 — expected around 12–16 August (dates to be confirmed) — Quillan's biggest annual summer celebration brings several days of music, entertainment and traditional festivities to the town. Expect concerts, DJs, pétanque, community celebrations, the funfair, evening entertainment and the traditional events surrounding 15 August.

🔁 Annual recurring
🎆 One of Quillan's main summer festivals

The 2026 programme included five days of festivities from 12–16 August, with the opening ceremony, funfair, concerts, pétanque, the Critérium, Challenge Bitrague, the traditional Repas du Bœuf and a closing concert.

🎡 Quillan Summer Funfair

📍 Quillan – Station/Gare area

📆 Mid-August 2027 — expected during the Grandes Fêtes

The annual funfair is an important part of Quillan's August celebrations, with rides, games and attractions providing entertainment for families and visitors throughout the Assumption holiday period.

🔁 Annual recurring

In 2026, the funfair ran from 12–16 August in the evenings at the station car park.

🏃 Challenge Bitrague Night Run

📍 Quillan

📆 15 August 2027 (expected — date to be confirmed) — An evening running event associated with the Grandes Fêtes, offering runners the chance to take on a challenging route around Quillan and the surrounding hills after the afternoon's cycling action.

🔁 Annual recurring
🌙 Evening sporting event

The 2026 Challenge Bitrague took place on 15 August, starting at 20:00 from Place de la République.

🍽️ Repas du Bœuf

📍 Quillan – Avenue Sauzède

📆 August 2027 — expected during the Grandes Fêtes (date to be confirmed) — One of Quillan's best-known traditional communal meals. Residents and visitors gather for a large outdoor lunch accompanied by music and local entertainment, providing a particularly authentic taste of Quillan's summer traditions.

🔁 Annual recurring

The 2026 Repas du Bœuf took place on 16 August at Avenue Sauzède.

🛍️ Quillan Summer Night Markets

📍 Place Raoul de Volontat, Quillan

📆 Selected Friday evenings in August 2027 (dates to be confirmed) — Enjoy an evening market featuring local producers, food, crafts and musical entertainment in the heart of Quillan.

🔁 Annual summer series

The 2026 programme included night markets on 7 and 21 August, with the mairie describing them as gourmet and musical markets running from 17:00 until midnight.

🎶 Summer Concerts & Live Entertainment

📍 Quillan town centre

📆 Throughout August 2027 (programme to be confirmed) — Music remains a major part of Quillan's summer atmosphere, with outdoor concerts and entertainment taking place around the town's squares during the holiday season.

🔁 Annual summer programme

The 2026 programme included Gipsy music, an 80s tribute concert, live orchestral entertainment and a Céline Dion tribute concert.

🌲 La Ronde des Sapins

📍 Pays de Sault

📆 Late August 2027 (date to be confirmed) — A popular mountain trail-running event taking participants through the forests and highland scenery of the Pays de Sault.

🔁 Annual recurring
🏃 Trail-running event

I'd keep this one on the page, but mark the date as TBC until the 2027 organiser announcement appears. I couldn't find a reliable published 2027 date yet.

🥾 Summer Hiking & Outdoor Activities

📍 Quillan • Axat • Pays de Sault • Gorges de Pierre-Lys

📆 Throughout August 2027 — August is an excellent time to explore the Haute Vallée de l'Aude, with hiking, mountain biking, rafting, kayaking and swimming available throughout the surrounding countryside and gorges.

🔁 Seasonal activity

©2023