Events calendar Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Since 1991, every year since 1991, the Citadel has been abuzz with excitement. Together with the band La Citadelle, at carnival time, the festival La Citadelle en Bordées is the second highlight of the year for this sailors' district. In Dunkirk, the Citadel is surrounded by basins, it can only be accessed by bridges, so it is a sort of small "island" with a soul and is still very much dedicated to the economy of the port and the sea. This festival therefore logically resounds with sailors' songs, but also with folk, Celtic groups, blues, and French songs that are sometimes offbeat and humorous. At Les Bordées, you'll find people flitting from stage to stage (there are 10 of them!) and from café to café. And when it comes to bars and restaurants, there's plenty to choose from! In addition to these establishments that set up large tables outside, there is always the possibility of eating "a French fry", along the heritage ships of the Port Museum, strolling in the middle of an often compact crowd, especially at the Quai de la Citadelle, and being guided by the sound of the bands. The people of Dunkirk love this event and it's easy to see why. About twenty groups can be seen free of charge. Atmosphere until the end of the night!

Organised throughout France, Fête Du Nautisme allows to discover all the activities and water sports, through the mobilisation of more than 500 sites including Wingles. Whether a beginner or as an experienced diver, young people or less young, sports or practising one-day, Fête Du Nautisme address to all, in a spirit of conviviality.

Mange Lille! brings together chefs, producers and artisans with a common goal: to promote gastronomy by showcasing Lille's culinary talents through a variety of events. From cooking competitions to tastings, themed evenings and other activities, the collective promotes the region's rich but little-known terroir. This unique local project gives as many people as possible the opportunity to discover new, accessible and up-to-the-minute addresses, brilliantly run by a host of inspired young chefs.

The Arras Christmas market, which takes place in the prestigious setting of the Grand-Place, has become, over the years, one of the most important markets north of Paris and the largest in the region! With more than a hundred exhibitors, it is the equivalent of a new pedestrian district entirely dedicated to the preparation of Christmas Eve that rolls out its red carpet to visitors. The Christmas market is centered on tradition and the quality of the products sold: designer jewelry, accessories, handicrafts, ethnic gifts, gastronomic specialties... Children and adults can go on the skating rink, take a ride on the carousel, try out the Ferris wheel or take part in one of the many activities organized for the occasion... Not to be missed to fully enter this magical period of Advent!

It's the only book village north of Paris. In 2006, Esquelbecq took up the challenge of becoming a book village. All year round, the village offers a wide range of events, including a book market, literary aperitif, reading salon, meetings with authors and exhibitions. The highlight of the year is the Nuit des livres, a major event held every year on the first weekend in July. It will take place on July 6, 2024. Esquelbecq's exceptional setting, a blend of rurality and interesting architectural buildings (Hallekerke Saint-Folquin, château...), is in keeping with the ambitions of facilitating access to literary expression and culture for as many people as possible, but also with the promise of visiting a pretty corner of culture in Flanders. It's impossible not to fall under the spell of Esquelbecq, village of books and heritage. Christmas and book market on November 16 and 17, 2024. Book market every^3rd Sunday from September to May.Places to visit:

- Le Chef-d'oeuvre retrouvé

- Carpe Diem bookshop

- Books and you

Other establishments contribute to the cultural renown of this charming village:

- Les Gigottos Automates

- Brasserie Thiriez

- The castle

- The church

- Jean-Michel Devynck cultural center

An international sporting event, the Lille Half Marathon is a running race organized by the Ligue Hauts-de-France d'athlétisme in March, to celebrate the return of spring. To take part in this race is first and foremost to set yourself a challenge and surpass yourself to cross the finish line. But it's also about discovering Lille's heritage, the Grands Boulevards and the Citadelle in a whole new light, thanks to routes that cross the heart of the city, welcoming thousands of people for the occasion in a very friendly, festive and supportive atmosphere.

Les Fenêtres qui parlent is a unifying and original event. Created in 2001, they enable neighborhood associations to express their stories and memories. As you can imagine, the windows of participating residents are decorated with drawings, paintings and messages... More than a simple event, these windows are an open door on local life and the dreams of residents, highlighted by regional artists. A surprise window is revealed after a tour of the partner towns. Each year, you'll have the pleasure of strolling new streets and discovering new neighborhoods in this amazing metropolis, through a variety of themes ("Micro Machine" in Lille-Sud, "Couples Improbables" in Roubaix, "Flottements" in Bois-Blancs, for example). A great initiative to liven up and showcase the many neighborhoods that deserve to be better known!

Unusual moments in perspective thanks to the open doors of the artists'workshops! The program? Visit the premises of a thousand amateur and professional artists from the North, be they painters, graphic artists, sculptors or photographers. You will discover in which space they work, which inspires them, with which materials, with which tools they create… Exciting and often enriching meetings on the works and artists themselves at the sharing workshops with the general public. A great opportunity to discover all these talents!

Winter sports in Lille take place at the Gare Saint-Sauveur. Games and activities await you. You'll have a great time with family and friends. The famous 700^m2 skating rink is the main attraction (the only paying activity), but you'll love the other attractions too: toboggan runs, a ski and snowboard simulator... and other activities for all ages. Many shows and events are free of charge. During the day and at night, you won't be able to get away from this atmosphere worthy of a real ski resort.