The Tarba en Canta festival
For the past 15 years, Tarbes, capital of the Bigorre region, has been organising an international festival, open to all,
to discover the polyphonies of the Pyrenees (Occitan, Basque, Catalan…),
the Mediterranean (Corsicans, Greeks, Sardinians) and Eastern Europe (Bulgarians, Serbs, Ukrainians).
For five days, song will be at the heart of the city!
At the Tarba en Canta festival, visitors can discover some new regional groups, with an eclectic programme of events that guarantees a very festive experience, and a combination of tradition and modernity!
Dates for the diary: 3rd to 8th June 2025
Tarbes, Ibos, Juillan and Séméac
This international festival invites groups from southern Europe to get together in the town centre with regional polyphony groups.
Every year, there is an impressive programme of events, open to beginners as well as experienced singers.
Come and enjoy the sounds of polyphony at a concert, while enjoying a drink out on the terrace of a café or at the market… This festival is a friendly and enjoyable event, open to all!
Polyphony, a tradition that is gaining in popularity
Polyphony is an ancient singing practice that showcases songs that are superb to watch, to learn about culture and social links that are always evolving.
The Polyphonies Pyrénéennes de Bigorre, when combined with the groups from Béarn and the Basque Country, form one of the most significant polyphony traditions in southern Europe, alongside the groups from Corsica, Bulgaria and Sardinia. But unlike in Corsica and the Basque Country, this practice in the Pyrenees is still largely unknown.
On the programme of events
Evening concerts, cantèras, afternoon concerts, concerts at the markets of Tarbes, evening aperitif concerts, Mainats en Canta, conference, master classes…
Review of 2024 rates
Concerts: €5 (free admission) / Free for under 8
- Wednesday 5 June at 8.30pm – Juillan church
- Thursday 6 June at 8.30pm – Centre Albert Camus, Séméac
- Friday 7 June at 8.30pm – Eglise Saint-Jean, Tarbes
- Saturday 8 June at 3pm – Eglise Sainte-Thérèse, Tarbes
Concert: €10 (free admission) / Free for under 8
- Saturday 8 June at 8.30pm Concert – Collégiale, Ibos
Tickets on sale at the Tourist Office and at each concert, subject to availability.
Entertainment and concerts in markets, cafés and the Jardin Massey: Free of charge
Master class: single price €25 / day
Organisation
Tarba en Canta is organised by Tarbes Tourisme and the Mairie de Tarbes, in partnership with the Conseil Régional Occitanie Pyrénées-Méditerranée and the Total Festum project, the Conseil Départemental des Hautes-Pyrénées, the Mairie de Juillan, the Mairie and the association “Demain la collégiale” of Ibos, the Mairie and the CAC of Séméac, with the support of the Conservatoire Henri Duparc of the Communauté d’agglomération Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées and the Inspection Académique.
Pascal Caumont, who teaches traditional music at the Conservatoire Régional de Toulouse and is a singer, is the artistic director of this festival.
Contact details
Tarbes Tourist Office
3, Cours Gambetta 65000 TARBES
Disabled access: YES except for some of the cafés
Pets welcome: YES except for concerts at indoor venues
You will also enjoy …
The Fêtes de Tarbes
A 100% festive programme of events, with concerts, parades through Tarbes town centre… and of course the unmissable Casetas!
The Equestria festival
This unique festival is well-known across the globe and is highly recommended for families, every summer at the foot of the Pyrenees, in the exceptional venue of the Haras de Tarbes (stud farm).
Summer entertainment and events
Concerts, singing competitions, fireworks displays, ball, DJ sets, and so much more
The Tarbes en Tango festival
One of the most well-known festivals in the world… is right here in Tarbes!
