Get Set - Capital of Culture opening weekend 12/13 January

On Sunday 13 January there are treasure hunts all over the place, 112 routes in 20 Communes. Find our how much you know and learn lots more about the Marseille Povence area by taking part on one (or more) of the hunts. They are free. They take place between 10am and 3pm and there are prizes too! You can register for them on the MP2013 site.

If you use the interactive map you will find some hunts in English and some accessible for people with reduced mobility and some for people with children in pushchairs.

Descent of the Shepherds 24 December

Allauch, always good for Christmas atmosphere, has a live performance of the revelation of the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. It's entertaining even if you dont speak Provençal. It starts at 10:15 pm in the hills above the city and ends with the shepherds herding their sheep down the street to a living creche in the church for midnight mass that starts at 11pm. Just the ticket.

If you have young children aged 6-12 years, there are activities in the village on 24 December between 2 and 5pm.

Christmas Market Allauch 8 and 9 December

Get into the mood by visiting Allauch's Provençal Christmas market, Santa will be there (of course), there are stalls selling food (marrons glacés, chocolate and local nougat) and drink and you'll find those elusive perfect Christmas presents. There will be activites for children of all ages. It starts on Saturday afternoon and is open Sunday from 10am.

You can also go to the Vieux Bassin to see Gilbert Orsini's animated creche. The whole gallery is filled with images of Provençal villages inhabited by santons spinning yarn, making bread and celebrating Christmas - definitely worth a look.

To get to Allauch from central Marseille take metro line 1 to La Rose and bus 144 from there.

Open Air Party, Palais Longchamp 30 September

The Association Aires Libres has got together with Marsatac to give you a day out for the family in the gardens of the Palais Longchamp. There will be children's theatre, music (for children and adults), art workshops, modelling, music mixing for beginners and activities too numerous to mention. From 10am to 7pm. Entry is free and a good time is guaranteed.

Kite Festival 14-16 September

Around 200 kite artists from 14 countries will be taking part in festivites to celebrate the wind. This is the annual Fête du Vent. It takes place on the Plages du Prado over three days. There will be stands, demonstrations, windmills, musical instruments that use the wind, lots of flying kites and activities for the children (big and small). China will take centre stage to celebrate the 25 the anniversary of the twinning of Marseille with Shanghai.

Entry is free. The children's activities will take place on Saturday 2-6pm and Sunday 10-6pm.

Circus with a difference 26 - 30 September

After the success of their previous performance "Psy", the company Les 7 Doigts de la Main is returning to the Merlan theatre with a new performance "Traces".  They are a Quebec based company of performers who combine circus and theatre in a way that is thrilling and amazing. "Traces" is a mix of urban culture and acrobatics described as poetic and explosive, humorous and thoughtful.

Performances are at 8:30pm Wednesday to Saturday and 3pm on Sunday.

We're giving you early warning of this event because it is likely to be popular. You can book via the theatre's website, where you can also reserve a seat on the special bus from central Marseille, or register for car sharing.

You'll find more details of the performance on Les 7 Doigts de la Main Website

Music by the sea 7 - 9 September

The company La Rumeur has collected together musicians and seafood sellers to entertain you at the Plages de Corbières, L'Estaque. On the programme:

• Friday 7 September at 8:30pm « Lyrico déjanté » Cathy Heiting & Jonathan Soucasse La fanfare « Gershwin & Fire » from the Company La Rumeur.
• Saturday 8 September at 8:30pm « Fantaisiste » Pierre-Yves Plat [classical & jazz ] | Fanfare Fiera Brass [1930s New Orleans jazz].
• Sunday 9 September from 4pm - « en famille » with practical art workshops. 

For more information: 04 91 84 31 68 - 06 68 51 44 55  - www.larumeur.eu -  compagnielarumeur@gmail.com

Feast of Saint John 23 & 24 June Allauch

A bit of Provençal tradition. The patron saint of the region is celebrated in different villages during the spring and summer. In Allauch on Saturday evening it's the procession and lighting of the fire of Saint Jean and on Sunday it's the great parade with working horses and decorated wagons. The local restaurants will be serving Aïoli (you probably need to book). A festive atmosphere in a village on the outskirts of Marseille. The programme is on the village website.

Festival Time Le Panier 15 & 16 June

It's in the open air. It's free and the sun is shining. Cant think of a reason not to go to Le Panier and see what's going on. They have art, music, boules competitions and processions. On Friday at 9:45 it the Panier's time to celebrate lighting the fire of Saint John (le feu de Saint Jean) accompanied by Irish/Celtic band Phoçair. On Saturday there's a Sardinade at lunchtime and Susheela Raman (Tamil/UK) and Tchanelas (festive Rumba) in the evening. Go along and enjoy. Details are on the Fete du Panier website

Classical Persian Music 12 May

As part of the second Indo-Persian Festival, which runs until 31 May, Shadi Fathi and Djamshid Chemirani will give a performance of classical Persian music at the Auditorium, Cité de la Musique 16 rue Bernard du Bois. The concert starts at 8:30pm on 12 May and costs 14/16€.

There will be Indian food available and there is a free children's workshop at 3:30. How can you resist?

World Water Forum Part 2 - Carnival 17 March

This year Marseille's traditional carnival will be all about water to mark the end of the World Water Forum.

The main event will be a procession from the Rond Pont du Prado to the Parc Borély on 17 March from 2:30 to 3:45, with a finale in the Park from 4pm. All the big names will be there including Posiedon, Venus, Noah, Archimedes and Ulysses. Not to be missed.

image from carnaval2012.info

There are also processions all over the city on different dates, for details (in French) see the City's website.

Setting the Panier alight - December 16

On Friday 16 December, there's a festival of light, starting at 5:30 at the Accoules Bell tower (behind the Hôtel de Ville), with a torchlight procession, lighting up the bell towers, fire-eaters, jugglers, fireworks and a concert in the Eglise Saint Laurent with the Angelos Chroale. What more could you wish for on a dark winters eve?

Donkey Day 4 December

For children of all ages. In the village of Allauch, a day dedicated to donkeys, with rides, a procession of donkeys and a market. Details are on the village website.

Donkey Day