A beloved festival that is disappearing this year, without explanation
As Halloween approaches, Saint-Quay-Portrieux will not host the Samain festivities this year. This absence is surprising and leaves a certain frustration among those who had grown accustomed to this celebration inspired by Celtic traditions in the autumn.
So far, no official explanation has been provided regarding the absence of this event from the 2026 calendar. This situation is all the more regrettable as the Samain had managed to find its place in local life and among its audience.
The Samain, a Celtic festival traditionally marking the transition from the light season to the dark season, is the origin of many traditions that have gradually fed into the Halloween imagination. In Saint-Quay-Portrieux, this reference to Celtic roots allowed for an event that was both popular, family-friendly, and cultural.
Over the years, the town took on a special atmosphere as All Saints' Day approached. Decorations, costumes, stories, activities, and a mysterious ambiance contributed to creating a gathering that was different from the usual events offered. For children, it was an opportunity to dress up and participate in activities. For families, it was a shared outing, and some families even booked their stay for this event; and for enthusiasts of Breton heritage and culture, it was a way to remind everyone that behind the contemporary celebration of Halloween lies a much older tradition.
An event that also had a Breton identity:
In a town like Saint-Quay-Portrieux, where Breton identity constitutes an important part of the history and image of the city, the Samain also had the merit of bringing this cultural dimension to life in a different way.
It was not just about Halloween:
It allowed for the revival of an ancient imagination, filled with legends, tales, popular beliefs, and traditions related to the change of seasons. It was also a way to pass on, especially to the younger generations, a part of this culture.
Why is it not happening this year?
This is precisely the question that some residents and regular attendees of the event are asking today. Has the event been abandoned? Simply suspended? Is there a plan to bring it back next year in another form? To date, no answer has come to explain this absence. The contacted tourism office also claims not to know? And perhaps it is this lack of explanation that fuels the most frustration. When a beloved event disappears from the calendar, residents can understand that an event evolves, is moved, or may not be organized in certain years. However, it is essential to know why.
A celebration that some would like to see return:
In the weeks leading up to Halloween, shop windows and businesses will gradually adorn themselves with pumpkins, witches, and decorations of all kinds. But in Saint-Quay-Portrieux, this particular gathering that successfully combined the festive spirit of Halloween with a nod to Celtic traditions will be missing this year.
The Samain had its regulars, its atmosphere, and its identity:
Its absence ultimately reminds us that a local event, even if occasional, can become a highly anticipated gathering over the years. And when it disappears without explanation, it is also the memories of previous editions that take on a special significance. Yet very beautiful spaces like the Parc de la Duchesse Anne were well-suited for the celebration.
So, one simple but legitimate question remains: will the Samain ever return to Saint-Quay-Portrieux? The town hall did not wish to answer this question.
