The Summer 2026 events calendar in the Alps brings together this year’s sporting, musical and gastronomic highlights that set the pace in each resort, from Méribel to Alpe d’Huez. The Tour de France will stop in Alpe d’Huez, Megève will host its Jazz Contest, and Val Thorens will stage its Val Tho Summit Games: the alpine summer season is no longer limited to hiking and swimming. For an owner or prospective buyer of a mountain second home, these dates are also excellent opportunities to fully enjoy a property, host loved ones, or simply experience the resort differently, at a specific moment in the summer. This article details, town by town, the confirmed dates for summer 2026 in the most sought-after Alpine resorts.
What are the major events of summer 2026 in Méribel?
Méribel confirms four highlights for summer 2026, spanning golf, hybrid sport and culture, with a sporting peak in early August. Nothing extravagant in this calendar: the resort maintains a balance between top-level competition and more low-key events, reflecting its alpine identity.
| Dates | Event |
|---|---|
| July 5–8, 2026 | Méribel Golf Cup |
| July 11–12, 2026 | Méribel Hybrid Games |
| July 15–17, 2026 | Surprenant Festival |
| August 8, 2026 | French Vertical Kilometer Championships, Méribel-Mottaret |
Méribel notably confirms the Golf Cup from July 5–8 and the Vertical Kilometer on August 8, two well-established fixtures in the resort’s official calendar.
What are the major events of summer 2026 in Courchevel?
Three events are confirmed for summer 2026 in Courchevel, spanning theatre, a village fête and extreme sport. Their dates are reliable enough to plan a stay around them, unlike other, more traditional events in the resort.
| Dates | Event |
|---|---|
| July 11–18, 2026 | Les 3 Coups Theatre Festival |
| July 25–26, 2026 | La Madelon Festival, Courchevel Le Praz |
| July 31–August 2, 2026 | MDS Crazy Loops Courchevel |
Other traditional fixtures in the resort, such as the Red Bull 400, Punta Courchevel or the skating gala, do appear on Courchevel’s calendar, but their 2026 dates were not yet precise enough at the time of writing to be confirmed here.
What are the major events of summer 2026 in Val Thorens?
Val Thorens opts for a concentrated format: everything happens over one single sporting weekend, that of the Val Tho Summit Games. Several race formats coexist, from the most family-friendly to the most demanding.
| Dates | Event |
|---|---|
| August 7–9, 2026 | Val Tho Summit Games |
| August 7, 2026 | VT Trail Kids |
| August 8, 2026 | VT Speed 3200 |
| August 9, 2026 | VT Trail Pursuit |
| August 9, 2026 | VT Family Fun Walk |
All of these formats are confirmed in the official programme for the 2026 Val Tho Summit Games, from the youngest runners with their families to the most demanding formats.
What are the major events of summer 2026 in Val d’Isère?
July is packed in Val d’Isère: trail running, urban sport and a festival follow one another almost without interruption, before a final event in August.
| Dates | Event |
|---|---|
| July 11–12, 2026 | High Trail Vanoise |
| July 18–26, 2026 | Mountain Shaker |
| July 18–19, 2026 | FISE Session |
| July 20–21, 2026 | Xplore Alpes Festival |
| August 21–23, 2026 | Marathon des Sables, Crazy Loops |
Val d’Isère confirms the major highlights of July and August, including High Trail Vanoise and Mountain Shaker, two of the resort’s most closely followed events.
What are the major events of summer 2026 in Megève?
Among all the resorts, Megève has the most extensive summer calendar. July alone brings together two historic events, one musical and the other equestrian.
| Dates | Event |
|---|---|
| July 10–12, 2026 | Megève Jazz Contest |
| July 11–19, 2026 | Jumping International de Megève |
| July 13, 2026 | National Day in Megève |
| July 31–August 2, 2026 | Megève Blues Festival |
| August 21–23, 2026 | Megève Summer Sale |
Megève Tourisme notably confirms Jazz Contest, Jumping International and Blues Festival with precise dates, making it one of the season’s most reliable calendars.
What is the major summer 2026 event across the 3 Vallées?
The key cross-resort event across the 3 Vallées remains the Grand Raid KIPRUN, an ultra-trail that, for the first time, crosses the entire area, against the backdrop of an extended summer opening.
| Dates | Event |
|---|---|
| July 30–August 2, 2026 | Grand Raid KIPRUN 3 Vallées, Moûtiers |
| July 4–August 28, 2026 | Summer opening of the 3 Vallées area |
For the 3 Vallées, the truly cross-cutting major event is above all the Grand Raid KIPRUN. The rest of the calendar often corresponds to events already tied to a specific resort, such as Méribel, Courchevel or Val Thorens.
What are the major events of summer 2026 in Alpe d’Huez?
Summer 2026 in Alpe d’Huez will be marked by a rare occurrence: a double passage of the Tour de France, a configuration not seen since 2013.
| Dates | Event |
|---|---|
| July 10–12, 2026 | Mégavalanche |
| July 11–14, 2026 | Fitness Convention |
| July 24–25, 2026 | Tour de France 2026, two finishes in Alpe d’Huez |
| July 28–31, 2026 | Alpe d’Huez Triathlon |
| August 14–16, 2026 | Challenge des Cimes d’Huez |
Alpe d’Huez confirms these events in its Summer 2026 calendar, with a strong focus on the Tour de France and the Triathlon, the two most closely followed events in the resort this year. The Mégavalanche, one of Europe’s best-known downhill MTB races, kicks off July from July 10–12.
Key Takeaways
- Each Alpine resort now has its own summer calendar—sporting, musical or gastronomic.
- Megève and Alpe d’Huez have the most extensive and most firmly confirmed 2026 calendars.
- The Tour de France in Alpe d’Huez (July 24–25) and the Jumping International de Megève (July 11–19) are the two most international highlights.
- Some traditional events do not yet have a confirmed 2026 date: it is best to check directly with the tourist offices before planning a stay around them.
FAQ
What is the most important event of summer 2026 in the French Alps?
The double passage of the Tour de France in Alpe d’Huez, on July 24 and 25, 2026, is one of the most closely followed events, with two consecutive finishes unseen since 2013.
Are there any gastronomic events this summer in the Alpine resorts?
Yes. Several resorts offer festive, local-produce events, such as the Megève Summer Sale or the La Madelon Festival in Courchevel Le Praz.
Are all the 2026 event dates definitive?
No. Most are confirmed by the tourist offices, but some traditional events did not yet have a precise 2026 date at the time this article was written.
Which resort offers the most events this summer?
Megève has one of the most complete calendars, with five confirmed events between July and August, from the Jazz Contest to the Summer Sale.
Are these events accessible to second-home owners?
Yes, most of these events are free to access or open to the public in the resorts, making them natural opportunities to enjoy a mountain property in summer.
Conclusion
Summer 2026 in the French Alps is shaping up to be packed, with top-level sport, music and local traditions. These events set the pace of life in each resort and provide one more reason to enjoy a mountain property well beyond winter.