Calendar
What to do in Brittany in December 2026
Trans Musicales from 2 to 6 December, Christmas markets, Christmas holidays, oysters and winter walks: what to do in Brittany in December 2026, city by city.
5 min read
December in Brittany means illuminated towns, Christmas markets in historic cities, the great Trans Musicales festival in Rennes and platters of oysters at the height of the season.
The December 2026 calendar
| Dates | Event | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 6 December | Rencontres Trans Musicales | Rennes |
| All month | Christmas markets | All over Brittany |
| 19 December to 4 January | Christmas holidays, all zones | Everywhere |
The Trans Musicales, in Rennes
Since 1979, this festival has introduced the artists of tomorrow: several played here before becoming famous. The big nights take place at the exhibition centre, and the city comes alive with concerts for five days.
The festival
FestivalRencontres Trans MusicalesRennes · One evening to 5 daysRencontres Trans Musicales in Rennes: international music discoveries, emerging artists and new trends before they hit the headlines. 2026 edition: 2 to 6 December 2026.
FestivalLes Tombées de la NuitRennes · One show to 12 daysLes Tombées de la Nuit in Rennes Métropole: street arts, circus, theatre, dance, music, performance and site-specific work. The 2027 dates have not yet been announced.
FestivalMythos FestivalRennes · One evening to 10 daysThe Mythos Festival in Rennes: spoken word, theatre, music, storytelling, comedy, dance, performance and food. 2027 edition: from 8 to 18 April 2027.
Christmas markets
From the ramparts of Saint-Malo to the squares of Nantes and Rennes, the Christmas markets set up from late November. Our dedicated article gives the dates city by city.
Oysters and covered markets
December is the great month for oysters: in Cancale, in the Gulf of Morbihan, on the Belon river. The covered market halls, open almost every day, let you shop for the festive season under cover.
Market halls and markets
- MarketMarché des LicesRennes · 1 to 2 hoursOn Saturday mornings, nearly 250 producers and traders gather on Place des Lices, around the Martenot halls: the second-largest market in France.
- MarketMarché de TalensacNantes · 1 to 2 hoursIn its covered halls in the centre of Nantes, the Talensac market brings together about 150 traders from Tuesday to Sunday morning: the best-known and busiest in the city.
- MarketHalles Saint-FrançoisQuimper · 1 to 2 hoursOpened in 1847 on the site of the former Saint-François convent, the Quimper covered market welcomes local produce every day in the heart of the town.
- MarketHalle des LicesVannes · 1 to 2 hoursAround thirty traders await you at the Halle des Lices in Vannes, from Tuesday to Sunday from 8 am to 2 pm, and every day in July and August.
- MarketMarché Saint-MartinBrest · 1 to 2 hoursFrom Tuesday to Saturday morning, the Saint-Martin covered market, the only covered market in Brest, and its esplanade host a market in the heart of the Saint-Martin district.
Grey days
The “Fourmis” exhibition at Les Champs Libres in Rennes runs until 7 March 2027. Océanopolis, the Machines de l’île and the Grand Aquarium in Saint-Malo stay open during the holidays.
Under cover
MuseumMusée de BretagneRennes · 2 to 3 hours for the permanent exhibition, longer with the Dreyfus routeAt the Champs Libres in Rennes, a large free museum tracing the history of Brittany from prehistory to today, with nearly a million objects and documents held together with the Écomusée de la Bintinais.
ActivityOcéanopolisBrest · 3 h 30 to half a dayIn Brest, Océanopolis turns half a day into an underwater journey: the new Tropical Pavilion, Breton ecosystems, otters, science experiments and the Cité des Océanautes.
ActivityLes Machines de l’îleNantes · 2 to 3 hoursOn the Île de Nantes, Les Machines de l’île: the Machine Gallery, the Marine Worlds Carousel and the Great Elephant, under maintenance until the end of February 2027.
ActivityGrand Aquarium de Saint-MaloSaint-Malo · About 1 h 30The Grand Aquarium de Saint-Malo: 10 worlds, some 600 species and the Nautibus Expedition, for a self-guided visit of about 1 h 30.
Going further
The Brittany calendar
- Halloween 2026 in Brittany: what to do
- Route du Rhum 2026 in Saint-Malo: the guide
- What to do in Brittany in November 2026
- What to do in Brittany in January 2027
- Spring tides 2027 in Brittany: the dates
- Festivals in Brittany 2027: the calendar
- What to do in Brittany during the February 2027 holidays
- May bank holidays 2027 in Brittany: what to do
- Spring and Easter holidays 2027 in Brittany