Celebrated on May 19th, St Yves’ Day honours Saint Yves, the beloved patron saint of Brittany.

Born in 1253 in the heart of Brittany, Saint Yves dedicated his life to helping the poor and advocating for justice. His feast day is marked across Brittany with religious ceremonies, processions, and vibrant cultural events—especially in his birthplace of Tréguier.


Brittany’s rich Celtic heritage stretches back to ancient times when Celtic tribes, including the Veneti, settled in the region around 500 BC. These tribes cultivated a distinctive Celtic culture, shaping Brittany’s language, customs, and traditions. Over centuries, Brittany evolved into a proud Celtic stronghold, maintaining a unique identity apart from mainland France.


Celtic influences are woven into Brittany’s everyday life—evident in its language, lively music, energetic dance, and folklore. The Breton language, closely related to Welsh and Cornish, is still spoken today by a dedicated community. Traditional Breton music, such as the bagad bands and fest-noz dance festivals, keep Celtic musical traditions alive, while legends of mythical creatures and heroes continue to enchant audiences.


Since 2009, the Fête de la Bretagne has been a passionate celebration of Breton culture, bringing Bretons and friends from around the world together to dance, sing, and share their heritage. Every May, around Saint Yves’ Day, the region bursts into life with hundreds of events—from concerts and street performances to storytelling, hikes, and fest-noz parties. It’s a lively showcase of Brittany’s vibrant identity. For 2026, the festival runs from 14 to 24 May. Full details are available at www.fetedelabretagne.bzh.

Here in Australia, to celebrate St Yves’ Day, a free event is scheduled on Tuesday, May 19, from 4 – 5 PM at the Australian Standing Stones Site in Glen Innes, featuring a flag-lowering ceremony, traditional Breton food, and refreshments.

BZH Sydney promotes the culture of Brittany in Sydney. They hold regular events and Breton dance classes at The Gaelic Club in Surry Hills. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/bzhsydney.

Main picture: BZH Sydney celebrate Breton culture with meet-ups and dance classes. Credit: Facebook/BZHSydney

Above and cover photo: Scenes from Fete De La Bretagne. Credit: https://www.facebook.com/FetedelaBretagne and fetedelabretagne.bzh