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Events not to be missed on Réunion in 2025

Are you looking for something to do in Réunion, or planning a holiday on this intense island? Discover the highlights of 2025 on Réunion, with its mix of traditions, sport and festivities. This year will be full of surprises and discoveries, so here are all the events to remember.

1. The Major Cultural Festivals

  • Le Sakifo Musik Festival

Dates : From 6 to 8 June 2025
Place : Saint-Pierre
More info : Sakifo

Experience one of the biggest music festivals in the Indian Ocean and discover local, regional and international artists. A unique atmosphere around six different stages.

  • Le Grand Boucan, Réunion CARNIVAL

Date : 29 June 2025
Place : On the Saint-Paul seafront

Every year, hundreds of amateur and professional artists, locals, children and associations from all over the island, accompanied by floats made for the occasion, come to liven up the parade. Visitors are also invited to join in the fun, often dressed up to match the Festival theme!

  • The Indian Ocean International Film Festival 2025

Date : From 5 to 9 April 2025
Place : L’Étang-Salé

Now in its 2nd year on Réunion Island, the FIFOI will showcase fiction, short films and animation. Its aim is to highlight the cinematographic creations of the Indian Ocean territories. 

Exsel Hôtels helped launch the first edition of the FIFOI by providing accommodation for the actors and directors attending the event at the Exsel Ermitage hotel.

For more information : FIFOI.

2. Not-to-be-missed sporting events

  • Boxing Gala Saint-Joseph

Date : 25 January 2025
Place : Vincendo gumnasium, Saint–Joseph, 5.00 pm
Price : €10 / person
More info 0692 01 22 44

  • The Trail of Crete

Date : 2nd February 2025
Place : Saint-Joseph

Discover the four events organised by the Saint Jo Trail Team in partnership with the Ligue Réunionnaise d’Athlétisme, the town of Saint-Joseph and the town of Saint-Philippe.
For more information, go to Trail de la Crète.

  • The Piton des Neiges loop

Date : 8 February 2025
Place : Cilaos 

The route takes you through spectacular scenery over an 18km course. You can register on the Sport Pro Réunion website..

  • Le Grand Raid 2025 – La Diagonale des Fous

Date : October 2025
Place : Crossing the island (Saint-Pierre to Saint-Denis)
A legendary event for fans of extreme trail running. Even if you don’t run, the finishes at the Redoute stadium are well worth the diversions to cheer on the heroes of the Diagonale.

  • The ULTRA TRAIL DES GEANTS

Dates : From 8 to 11 May 2025
Place : Saint-Denis
The 2nd edition of the ultra trail des géants, an exceptional meeting with several race formats for all challenges for an extraordinary experience.

3. Traditional and religious holidays

  • Chinese New Year 

Date : 29 January 2025 (New Year’s Day)

Find all the celebrations in several towns.

Saint-Paul : From Saturday 1 February 2025 to Thursday 13 February 2025 , in the streets of Saint-Paul city centre and elsewhere. Find out about all the forthcoming events on the Town Hall website.

Saint-Leu : Sunday 2 February 2025, from 8am to 6pm in the Parc du 20 décembre and in front of the town hall in the centre of Saint-Leu.

Saint-Louis : Saturday 1 February 2025, at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs de l’Océan Indien (MADOI) from 9am to 5.30pm. There are several events to discover at different prices. Find out more here.

Saint-Benoît : Sunday 02 February 2025, from 10am to 8.30pm on the seafront esplanade. Lots of entertainment await you! Check out the programme here.

This is the Year of the Wood Snake for the Chinese community in Réunion Island and around the world. To celebrate the transition to the new year, festivities are spread out over a fortnight, culminating in the Lantern Festival.

  • The Dipavali

Date : Tuesday 21 October 2025
Place : Several towns celebrate Dipavali, including Saint-André, Saint-Paul, Le Port, Saint-Leu and Saint-Pierre.

Immerse yourself in the magic of the Tamil festival of lights with parades, dance shows and fireworks. An explosion of colour and culture!

Dates and programmes for each town will be announced at a later date.

4. Nature and ecotourism events

  • The 6th Reunion Island walk for climate and biodiversity

Date : 2 March 2025
Place : Parc du Bocage, Sainte-Suzanne Parc du Bocage, Sainte-Suzanne

A call to action for Reunion’s ecosystems, with a morning of sport to raise awareness of the values of sustainable development and environmental protection.

Further details: la ville de sainte suzanne

5. Culinary events

  • Cantonese rice competition

Date : On sunday 02 February2025
Lieu : Parc du 20 décembre in Saint-Leu at 2pm

The biggest Cantonese rice-eating contest is back for the 11th time this year, with 10 participants taking up the challenge of eating as many bowls as possible. It is being organised as part of the Chinese New Year festivities.

  • The big meal

Date : On thursday 9 October 2025
Lieu : not specified

Come and enjoy a menu specially prepared by Diana Dea Lodge chef Jofrane Daily. Don’t miss this evening! A unique and delicious experience awaits you.

6. The Concerts

Ousanousava 

Date :  22 February 2025

Place : Théâtre des Sables in L’Étang-Salé

Prices : between €14 and €18

Tickets at : monticket.re

csm concert ousanousava c299bea791.jpg

Run Reggae Festival Alpha Blondy &
The Solar System

Date : 8 March 2025 at 7pm

Place : La Ravine Saint-Leu

Prices promo jusqu’au 10 Février : 27€

Tickets at : monticket.re

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Pure – electro music festival

Date : saturday 8 March 2025 

Place :  Saint-Gilles les hauts au golf du bassin bleu

Come and enjoy PURE’s electro festival and find out all the info on their facebook page.

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7. The Shows

Salon des Pépites

Date : From 01 to 02 February 2025

Place : Grand Kiosque in la Plaine des Cafres

The site sortirauTampon.

This show highlights love and local know-how on Valentine’s Day. Discover a range of exhibitions, events and competitions to help you find the perfect gift.

salon des pepites.jpg

Salon Futura 

Date : From 7 to 9 March 2025

Place : Nordev – Saint-Denis exhibition centre

Facebook page

The idea behind the exhibition? To make digital technology accessible to everyone. The exhibition features areas organised around a number of themes, including: Technology and everyday life; Employment and education; Entertainment; Innovation; Health and well-being; Business.

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Wedding Fair

Date : From 4 to 6 April

Place : Nordev – Saint-Denis exhibition centre

Prices : Pre-sale online €5 / On site €7 / Free entry for children under 12.

For further information : 0692 52 21 53

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Salon des Cavistes Indépendants 

Date : 12 and 13 April 2025

Place : Domaine Sainte-Hélène in Saint-Pierre 

Facebook page 

Exhibitor registration closes on 31 January 2025.

An event dedicated to the love of wine. Come taste, discover and learn about wine.

SALON CAVISTE.jpg

Home Show 

Date : From 1 to 11 May 2025

Place :  Nordev – Saint-denis exhibition centre

The website salondelamaison.re

Registration for exhibitors closes on 3 February 2025.

The 36th edition of the show is a not-to-be-missed event bringing together more than 400 exhibitors in the world of the home (construction, fitting out, decoration, renovation, financing).

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International Tourism and Leisure Fair of the Indian Ocean

Date : 30, 31 Mai et 1er Juin 2025, de 10h à 19h

Place : Saint-Denis Exhibition Centre 

Come and discover the second edition of this exhibition open to the general public and professionals. It offers a unique platform to explore the exciting opportunities in the tourism and leisure sector. Click on the VEEZIT website.

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Stay with Exsel Hôtels

Between cultural, sporting and culinary events, 2025 promises to be a memorable year in Réunion. Don’t forget to book your hotel in Réunion at one of Exsel Hôtels. Exsel offers accommodation at the best rates, guaranteed, all over the island! Whether you’re in the north, west or south of the island, Exsel Hôtels is close to all points of interest.

North : Saint-denis

Exsel Créolia Hotel

Located close to Roland Garros airport, this hotel in Saint-Denis perfectly combines comfort and practicality.

Whether you’re on a business trip, honeymooning in Réunion or simply looking to relax, you’ll find 109 comfortable rooms and 5 seminar rooms for your conferences and professional events.

Hôtel Austral

Located in the centre of Saint-Denis, this hotel in Saint-Denis offers you comfort and proximity to all of Saint-Denis’ attractions.

If you are looking for a hotel for your business events or conferences, the Austral will be delighted to welcome you with its two dedicated rooms in a charming and intimate setting.
There are 37 comfortable rooms and a swimming pool for you to relax in.

west : Saint-Gilles and l’Étang-Salé

Exsel Alamanda Hotel

Situated in the heart of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and just a few steps from the Hermitage beach, this Saint-Gilles hotel with swimming pool offers the ideal setting for enjoying the sun and seaside activities. Take advantage of its Le Grain de Sable restaurant, which offers a varied menu of salads, tartars, curries, grill mixes, burgers and plenty of other flavours!

For professionals, the Exsel Alamanda hotel is the perfect setting for your seminars and events, cocktail parties or private dinners.
The hotel offers three rooms and an outdoor area in the gardens.

Exsel Ermitage Hotel

This Saint-Gilles hotel is located right next to the beach and a shopping area, where you can laze in the shade of the filaos, try your hand at pedal-boating, kayaking or stand-up paddling on the crystal-clear, safe waters of the lagoon, before taking a shopping trip, all within a 5-minute walk.

Discover the snacks at Le Calypso bar, sip a cocktail by the pool and relax!

Exsel Floralys Hotel

Located just two minutes from the beach and all the attractions, this hotel in Étang-Salé offers 48 rooms in single-storey bungalows set in a tropical park. You can choose between two restaurants, La Marmite, which immerses you in Reunionese culture with its wood-fired curries. And l’Oasys offers a daily menu prepared by the chef.


The hotel is an exceptional venue for your events and seminars. There are two function rooms and a large outdoor area by the swimming pool in the garden.

SOUTH : SAINT-PIERRE

Hôtel Le Terre Sainte

In the heart of the fishermen’s and street artists’ quarter, the Terre-Sainte hotel in Saint-Pierre is a lifestyle hotel that offers conviviality and sharing. The hotel’s modern spirit extends to its 44 rooms with a raw, uncluttered concept and vintage-style furniture. A recently renovated swimming pool awaits you for a refreshing moment in Saint-Pierre.

For seminars in an original and stimulating setting, the Terre Sainte hotel offers a fully-equipped seminar room. And for those who wish, the hotel provides a co-working space accessible on a consumer credit.

Exsel Victoria Hotel

In Grand-Bois, in the south of Réunion Island, the Exsel Victoria hotel in Saint-Pierre overlooks the Indian Ocean.
Its 31 rooms are delicately set on a steep cliff, offering a magical immersion in a preserved environment. The Exsel Victoria hotel, with its refreshing swimming pool, is the ideal place to reconnect with your loved ones, with nature and with yourself.

Take advantage of its restaurant, Le Rivage, which offers tropical cuisine from starters to desserts, combining traditional recipes from Reunion and elsewhere…

Published on 03/02/2025. Please note that the dates of events may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

Source : Guide Réunion

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