From popular and traditional festivals to sporting events, including the Nuits d'Istres, the feria, the shepherds' festival, Istres offers rich and varied entertainment throughout the year.
- The bullfighting tradition:
- June: Feria d'Istres.
- August: Holiday Novillada.
- Popular festivals:
- March: Saint Patrick's Day.
- April: Carnival.
- June: Music Festival.
- June: Medieval Festival of St Jean.
- June: Water Festival.
- December: Shepherds' Festival, Crèche Trail, Ice Rink…
- Neighborhood Festivals:
- Entressen: early July.
- Rassuen: mid-July.
- Ranquet: July and August.
- Southern districts: beginning of June.
- Tribute to pastoralism:
- June: Hay Festival in Entressen.
- December: Great feast of the shepherds.
- Sporting events:
- April: Open d'Istres Ouest Provence.
- April: Peter Dale European Club Cup.
- May: Hill climb.
- June: Show jumping competition.
- July and August: Provençal jousting competition.
- September: Exercise.
- Encounters rich in discoveries:
- March: Nautical fleas at the port of Les Heures claires.
- September: Heritage Days.
- October: Historical Meetings.
- Cultural events:
- January/February: Les Élancées.
- Fairs at the Halle Polyvalente:
- October: Nature and animal fair.
- November: Wine and Gastronomy Fair.