For this weekend of August 1st and 2nd, Haute-Savoie offers a program full of festivities, sporting events, and cultural activities. Here is a small selection of events and activities not to be missed:
All weekend
The Blue Grass Festival – La Roche sur Foron
Bluegrass in La Roche celebrates its 20th edition from July 29 to August 2, 2026 in La Roche-sur-Foron, Haute-Savoie. Considered the largest bluegrass festival in Europe, this event attracts artists and enthusiasts from all over the world every year.
- Dates: from July 29 to August 2, 2026
- Location: La Roche sur Foron
- 2026 lineup: Shelby Means Band, The Sentimental Gentlemen, Kristy Cox Band, Sweet Sally, Veranda, Country Gongbang, Monogram, Gadan, Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra, New Aliquot & David Benda, Paul & The Alley Cats, No Man’s Land, Piotr Bulas & Garage Folks, Noah Hassler-Forest, Tim O’Connor Trio, Grace Honeywell & Jeri Foreman, Catch The Goat, Blue Lass, William Jack, That’s All Folk, Yonder Boys, Yellofox…
- Useful info: The festival also offers off concerts downtown, workshops for adults and children, a market, a luthiers exhibition, as well as local catering with a currency specific to the festival, the €uroche.
- Website: https://www.larochebluegrass.org/
Megève Blues Festival – Megève
Three evenings of exceptional concerts at the foot of Mont-Blanc this weekend. From Friday, July 31 to Sunday, August 2, 2026, Megève will once again vibrate to the rhythm of the blues with the return of the Megève Blues Festival. For its 11th edition, the event establishes itself as one of the unmissable musical rendezvous of the summer in Haute-Savoie, bringing together several major figures of the international blues scene in a unique alpine setting.
For three evenings, the public will be able to discover artists from all over the world, ranging from traditional blues, southern rock, Americana, to contemporary sounds.
Practical info :
- Dates : from Friday, July 31 to Sunday, August 2, 2026
- Location : Grande Scène, Pré Saint-Amour, Megève
- PRICES : online ticketing
- Line-up :
- Friday, July 31
- 7:30 pm: Troy Redfern
- 8:45 pm: Matt Pascale & The Stomps
- 10:00 pm: Lovesick
- Saturday, August 1
- 8:00 pm: Ally Venable
- 9:30 pm: Kenny Wayne Shepherd
- Sunday, August 2
- 7:30 pm: Bette Smith
- 8:45 pm: Nikki Hill
- 10:00 pm: Coco Montoya
- Friday, July 31
Over the years, the Megève Blues Festival has become a major event of the station’s summer season. Its friendly atmosphere, the quality of its programming, and the exceptional setting offered by the village of Megève attract both blues enthusiasts and curious visitors eager to enjoy an evening of music in the mountains.
Village Festival – La Clusaz
On Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2, 2026, La Clusaz invites families to one of its most friendly summer events: the Village Festival. Throughout the weekend, the upper part of the village transforms into a huge playground where children are the stars, with activities, shows, music, Savoyard meals, and dance evenings.
Two days of activities for the whole family
All weekend long, visitors can enjoy many traditional game stalls set up on site:
- Balloon spike
- Lottery
- Surprise envelopes
- Fishing game
- Air rifle shooting
- Bowling
- And many other activities
Children can have hours of fun while adults enjoy the festive atmosphere and the catering areas.
On the program:
- Saturday, August 1:
- 6:00 pm: opening of game stalls
- 7:30 pm: meal and snack
- 8:00 pm: show by the folk group Lou Socali, who will introduce Savoyard traditions through music and costumes.
- 9:00 pm: big dance party open to all.
- Sunday, August 2:
- 10:30 am: mass at the school (or at the church in case of rain)
- 11:30 am: opening of some stalls
- 12:00 pm: barbecue and grilled meats
- 2:00 pm: opening of all stalls
- 3:00 to 6:30 pm: many activities for children
- 6:45 pm: concert by the La Clusaz harmony orchestra L’Écho des Aravis
- 7:30 pm: Savoyard meal followed by another dance party.
Practical info :
- Event: Village Festival 2026
- Dates: Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2, 2026
- Location: Upper village – La Clusaz (Haute-Savoie)
- Price: free access
With its many free activities and authentic atmosphere, the Village Festival promises to be one of the must-attend family events of this first weekend of August in La Clusaz.
Paragliding flight over Lake Annecy
Take advantage of the gentle and pleasant air masses to glide in this postcard-worthy setting. Lake Annecy is one of the most beautiful spots to introduce you to the joys of paragliding.
Flight procedure:
- It is near Annecy in Doussard in Haute-Savoie that you will experience the unprecedented sensation of flying! You will be welcomed by a qualified state-certified instructor for an unforgettable aerial ride.
- Presentation of the activity, take-off techniques and safety instructions before you fly over the Lake Annecy.
- Comfortably settled in your harness, you gain altitude. You feel light as a feather and enjoy the magnificent panorama at altitude.
- Cradled by the mountain winds, you feel like time has stopped! You have a smile on your lips, what a chance to be able to admire landscapes of such beauty!
- You will learn how the aircraft works and can even hold the lines to steer a little, upon request.
- Your tandem paragliding initiation comes to an end, it is time to land. You will be surprised by the gentle landing! A vehicle will bring you back to the starting point.
2 options available:
- 10 to 15 min flight option for discovering the flight
- 15 to 25 min flight option: to start exploring the surroundings of Annecy by flight
Friday, July 31
Rock’n Poche Festival 2026 – Habère-Poche
The Rock’n Poche Festival returns to Habère-Poche on Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1, 2026 for its 34th edition. Renowned for its friendly atmosphere, eclectic programming, and unique setting at the foot of the Vallée Verte alpine pastures, this event has become one of the most anticipated contemporary music festivals of the summer in Haute-Savoie.
Practical info:
- Event: Rock’n Poche Festival 2026
- Dates: Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1, 2026
- Location: Site de la Frastaz, Habère-Poche (Haute-Savoie)
- Hours: doors open from 6 pm
- Concerts: 16 concerts on 2 stages
- Camping: free for festival-goers
- Reservation:
Learn more: Rock’n Poche Festival 2026
Saturday, August 1
The Annecy Lake Festival 2026
The Annecy Lake Festival returns on Saturday, August 1, 2026 with a new show entitled “The Soul of the World”. Every summer, nearly 200,000 spectators gather in Albigny Bay to witness one of Europe’s largest pyrotechnic shows.
The 2026 edition promises to push creativity even further. The 70-minute show will be orchestrated by Europe’s best pyrotechnicians, offering an immersive experience in six acts, alternating fireworks, synchronized water jets, lasers, and light projections. The carefully selected soundtrack will accompany each scene, plunging the audience into a dreamlike universe where nature, water, and light harmoniously interact.
- Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
- Location: Parc de l’Impérial and Albigny Bay, Annecy.
- Show duration: 70 minutes
- Doors open: From 7:00 pm (musical entertainment on site).
- Show start: Around 9:45 pm (at nightfall) for a duration of 1h10.
- 2026 theme: The Soul of the World
Find all information about the Annecy Lake Festival 2026
Rock’n Poche Festival 2026 – Habère-Poche
The Rock’n Poche Festival returns to Habère-Poche on Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1, 2026 for its 34th edition. Renowned for its friendly atmosphere, eclectic programming, and unique setting at the foot of the Vallée Verte alpine pastures, this event has become one of the most anticipated contemporary music festivals of the summer in Haute-Savoie.
Practical info:
- Event: Rock’n Poche Festival 2026
- Dates: Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1, 2026
- Location: Site de la Frastaz, Habère-Poche (Haute-Savoie)
- Hours: doors open from 6 pm
- Concerts: 16 concerts on 2 stages
- Camping: free for festival-goers
- Reservation:
Learn more: Rock’n Poche Festival 2026
Flea markets, second-hand markets, clothing swaps & fairs in Haute-Savoie
The season of flea markets, fairs, and other second-hand markets is in full swing in Haute-Savoie this August. Here are those for Saturday, August 1:
- Combloux: antique and collector’s flea market. Parking de la Cry, Combloux. 8 am – 5 pm
- La Roche-sur-Foron: Bluegrass Festival Record Fair. La Grenette, La Roche-sur-Foron. 10 am – 6 pm
- Publier: The flea market is one of the highlights of the Quays Festival. For two days, July 31 and August 1, the inhabitants of Publier, the Chablais residents, and tourists gather at the marina for moments of conviviality with concerts, activities for the whole family, a funfair, and a fireworks display on Friday evening. Free access.
To read: Flea markets, fairs, second-hand markets & clothing swaps in Haute-Savoie in August 2026
Sunday, August 2
Alpage Festival – Le Grand Bornand
On Sunday, August 2, 2026, Le Grand-Bornand Chinaillon will live to the rhythm of one of the oldest traditional festivals of Haute-Savoie. A true tribute to the pastoral world, the Alpage Festival will bring together locals, vacationers, and tradition lovers around a rich program of activities, demonstrations, and folk shows. A must-see event of the summer in the Aravis massif.
Program:
- 9:30 am: start of the footrace,
- adult: 3 km / + 15 years: 3 km / U14: 3 km / U10: 1.5 km,
- Registration for the footrace on https://inscription-alpage.chrono-ski-aravis.fr
- Children’s race (-18 years): 5 € / Adult race: 8 €,
- 10:30 am: mass,
- 12:00 pm: picnic lunch animated by the Grand-Bornand Harmony Orchestra,
- From 1:30 pm:
- folk group “Lou Brafaudi”,
- logging contest, with the presence of the best loggers in the region,
- 3:30 pm: grand float parade on the theme “Our cult movies of the last 60 years”,
- 6:00 pm: logging contest final,
- 6:30 pm: demonstration of Reblochon cheese making,
- 7:00 pm: aperitif / Meal animated by the group “Captiv”,
- From 10:00 pm: fireworks, illumination of the surrounding peaks with LED torches, followed by a free dance party with a DJ.
- Throughout the day:
- demonstration of old trades by elders,
- climbing introduction,
- grass skiing,
- many activities for young and old.
Practical info:
- Event: Alpage Festival
- Date: Sunday, August 2, 2026
- Location: Le Chinaillon – Le Grand-Bornand
- Price: free entry
- Activities: all day
- Free shuttles: reinforced line A all day and extended in the evening between Le Grand-Bornand Village and Le Chinaillon.
Learn more: Alpage Festival of Grand Bornand
Guides Festival – Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval
High mountain guides will be honored on Sunday, August 2, 2026 during the Guides Festival, organized between Samoëns and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval.
The morning will start in Samoëns with a mass at 10 am, the blessing of the ice axes (10:45 am), and the official ceremony awarding medals to the new guides.
In the afternoon, head to the Gorges des Tines for free activities around mountain sports: guided walks through the old gorges, climbing initiation, rappelling, and zip-lines above the gorges.
A wonderful day to discover the guide profession and share the passion for the mountains, with free access from 10 am.
Nifflon Pilgrimage – Bellevaux
As every year, the pilgrimage will take place in the Nifflon alpine pastures this first Sunday of August. Mass at 11 am outdoors at the Notre-Dame des Neiges chapel in Upper Nifflon (1800 m altitude, about 2 hours walk).
Aperitif offered by the Festival Committee after the mass.
Backup at the Church of Bellevaux in case of bad weather.
Location: Upper Nifflon, Bellevaux
Saint Laurent, village festival – Châtel
The village celebrates its patron saint with a day dedicated to conviviality.
On the program: mass at St Laurent church at 10 am, followed by a procession in the village, blessing of the public, and aperitif offered by the municipality.
Then in the evening:
- 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm: live music, aperitif on the church square, with the Ski Club bar and light catering.
- 9:00 pm – 1:00 am: free concert with the band Switch Cult on the church square with bar run by the Ski Club.
Sunday, August 2, 2026 from 10 am to 1 pm and from 6:30 pm to 1 am. Free access.
Flea markets, second-hand markets, clothing swaps & fairs in Haute-Savoie
The season of flea markets, fairs, and other second-hand markets is in full swing in Haute-Savoie this August. Here are those for Sunday, August 2:
- Bogève : Vogue flea market. Village square – Route de l’Eglise, Bogève. 8 am – 6:30 pm
- Chamonix-Mont-Blanc: Joël’s second-hand markets. Place Edmond Desailloud. From 7 am to 5 pm. No reservation, no vehicle at the stall, access with car 20€, access with car + trailer or van 30€.
- Clarafond-Arcine: Threshing festival and flea market. Bange hamlet, Clarafond-Arcine. 8 am – 6 pm
- La Roche-sur-Foron: Bluegrass Festival Record Fair. La Grenette, La Roche-sur-Foron. 10 am – 6 pm
- Margencel : Giant flea market from 8 am to 6 pm.
- Neuvecelle: Neuvecelle flea market. 904, Avenue du Léman, Neuvecelle. From 8 am to 4 pm
- Saint-Laurent: Village festival from Saturday to Sunday. Sunday flea market all day with lunch under a marquee and various activities. Saint-Laurent town hall, Rue de l’Ancienne Poste, Sonnex, Saint-Laurent. From 8 am to 6 pm
To read: Flea markets, fairs, second-hand markets & clothing swaps in Haute-Savoie in August 2026
Markets of Haute-Savoie
Many markets take place throughout the week and weekend in the department, find the list here: Markets of Haute-Savoie
And always, to visit all year round:
- The 10 must-see places to visit in Haute Savoie
- TOP 10 of the most beautiful hikes in Haute-Savoie
- 7-day road trip to visit Haute-Savoie
- Lake Annecy
- What to visit in Annecy
- The most beautiful viewpoints on Lake Annecy
- Lake Geneva
- Top 15 unusual and not-to-miss places to visit around Lake Geneva
- Fairs, second-hand markets, and flea markets in Haute-Savoie
