Artists in Provence

In Provence, the religious tradition of "Christmas time" says that it should last 40 days, and finish at Candlemas. This very old Provençal culture assembles the families around the nativity scene on December 24, and it is the done thing to attend the midnight mass after the "big supper", which concludes invariably with the thirteen desserts.

Avignon, cradle of Provence, duly celebrates Christmas time, and offers lots of entertainment on its lit-up streets. A magnificent Christmas Market is open to you on the Place de l'Horloge ; a visit you can complete with the "Chemin des Crèches", a very pretty stroll through the different animated and illuminated nativity scenes, allowing you to discover the fabulous traditional "santons" figures.

Parades (Santa on his sled, but also clowns and characters from film cartoons), folk dances and christmas carols create the ambiance. A beautiful occasion to visit the town centre to discover this fairyland of lights, and to taste some of the treats of holiday time.

Cheval passion Parc des expositions from 14 to 18 january + infos : www.cheval-passion.com <http://www.che?????????<tabval-passion.com> festiv'halles de la truffe Convent market "les Halles" Dimanche 8 february - 10:00am/5:00pm exhibition, culinary animations, tasting, market... + infos : www.festiv-halles.com <http://www.festiv-halles.com> Tour des remparts Dimanche 8 february pedestrial racing Les hivernales d'avignon from 19 to 28 february "danses étranges" ("strange dances") contemporary dance festival + infos : www.hivernales-avignon.com <http://www.hivernales-avignon.com> Salon des collections 1st week-end of february Avignon motor festival Parc des expositions from 20 to 22 march + infos : envoyer un mail <mailto:avignonmotor@orange.fr>

foire de printemps 10 days, in april/may Avignon jam session 17 may Roller & skateboard + infos : <mailto:service.sports@mairie-avignon.fr> Alterarosa Palais des Papes from 20 to 24 mai Roses you've never seen... Exhibition around Rose + infos : <www.alterarosa.com> La nuit européenne des musées saturday 16 may 5eme edition. + infos : www.nuitdesmusées.culture.fr <http://www.nuitdesmusées.culture.fr> marche antiquite brocante Allées de l'Oulle Week-end of Pentecôte fête de la musique Sunday 21 june

avignon film festival last week of june + infos : www.avignonfilmfest.com <http://www.avignonfilmfest.com> festival d'avignon (IN) from 7 to 29 july International theater festival Since 1947, one of the most popular theater festival of the world. Theater, and dance, music... Associated artist for 2009 : WAJDI MOUAWAD. + infos : www.festival-avignon.fr <http://www.festival-avignon.com> (OFF) from 8 to 31 juillet International theatre festival 600 compagnies from whole world and France + infos : www.avignonfestivaletcompagnies.com <http://www.avignonfestivaletcompagnies.com> marche du festival Allées de l'Oulle from 7 to 31 july + infos : <mailto:avignonorganisation@free.fr> Festival provençal july Les nuits du Roure (nights of the Roure) Songs, theater, provencal traditions... + infos : www.nouvello.com <http://www.nouvello.com> marché aux livres d'occasion july fête nationale 14 july Avignon jazz festival august 1st european jazz contest for young musicians. + infos : www.trempjazz.com <http://www.trempjazz.com> ban des vendanges 1st saturday of september Opening for the grape harvest. + d'infos : www.compagnonsdescotesdurhone.com <http://www.compagnonsdescotesdurhone.com> 10 km de la cite des papes 1st sunday of september pedestrial racing around the city salon auto moto retro Parc des expositions 1st week-end of september old cars & motorcycles journées du patrimoine 3th week-end of september Historical patrimony discovering Free entrance in many monuments and museums

animo nature Parc des expositions october parcours de l'art 3 weeks in october 50 artists, 30 exhibition places. + infos : www.parcoursdelart.com <http://www.parcoursdelart.com> festival des jeux de l'esprit 1st weekend of november model show november avignon blues festival 3 days in november + infos : la voix du blues.fr.st <http://la voix du blues.fr.st> les automnales de l'orgue concerts, animations, master class... foire de la saint andré 30 november-1st december salon des collections 1st week-end of december marche de noel Place de l'horloge december