A tour of summer 2024 festivals in Eastern France
When the summer sun rises in the Grand Est, the whole region comes alive! Suddenly, the sound of bass and guitars, the clink of glasses and the warmth of reunions can be heard. Yes, it's festival season again! From Alsace to Champagne, from the Vosges to the Ardennes, via Moselle and of course Lorraine, here's the 2024 calendar of the region's best summer festivals.
Alsace: vineyards and towns
From vineyards to city pavements,Alsace comes alive in summer. Under the eastern sun, it's the perfect time for a summer discovery. Food lovers, sports enthusiasts and music lovers, from June to September, Alsace is the place to be!
2 June - Slow up Alsace
It's possible to combine exercise and good food in Alsace! All you have to do is get on your bike, rollerblades or hiking boots and take part in Slow Up Alsace! This not-to-be-missed event in June is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and offers you the chance to combine soft mobility with discovering Alsace's wine heritage. For one day, the roads will be closed to motorised vehicles and a number of safe routes will be set out through the vineyards.
You can choose from several 7, 8, 11, 16 and 19 km loops through the hillsides of Alsace, or take on the entire 38 km route. Along the way, you'll be rewarded for your efforts with 13 festive stops between Sélestat, Châtenois, Bergheim and Dambach-la-Ville, where you can sample local wines and produce in a warm and festive atmosphere!
12 to 14 July - Festival Décibulles, Neuve-Église
In the Villée valley, in the middle of July, the Festival Décibulles is the perfect place to relax. For three days, this cultural and musical event offers a festive and friendly atmosphere.
From renowned artists to young musical talents, from hip hop rhymes to electronic waves, this Alsatian festival has plenty of surprises in store. Décibulles is also an opportunity to showcase the region's brewers. The festival bar offers a wide range of regional beers to enjoy in front of a concert by Archive, Matmatah or Keziah Jones. In between each performance, theatre, circus, puppet and comedy shows offer a complete overview of the best in art and creativity.
4 to 7 July -Scènes de rue, Mulhouse
This year, the Scène de rue festival returns in a reinvented version. Dancers, comedians, circus troupes, comedians and other street artists take over the city for free performances. In all, some twenty performances will take place in the streets of Mulhouse, giving the city a lively rhythm over 4 days. Funny, touching and interactive, these performances will plunge you into new worlds where the imagination reigns and poetry comes to life. A 100% free festival for all the family.
July - Summer vibration, Sélestat - CANCELLED
26 July to 4 August - Alsace Wine Fair Festival, Colmar
Because good wine is even better when accompanied by good food, at the Alsace Wine Fair in Colmar, in addition to the stands where local winemakers display their finest bottles, internationally renowned artists are invited to perform on stage. These include Patrick Bruel, James Blunt, Matt Pokora, Calogero and Simple Minds.
Alongside the concerts and the fair, in the wine hall, alongside the producers, you can enjoy dance shows, open stages and burlesque shows, all while sipping a delicious Alsace wine!
20 to 25 August - Hop Festival, Haguenau
Hops have a special place in Alsace's history and traditions! As well as harvesting them every year, Haguenau even celebrates their arrival at the Hop Festival. And while in the early years the focus was on Alsatian folklore, today artists from all over the world come to liven up the festivities.
5 stages: the Theatre, the Halle aux Houblons, the Bar du Monde, the Forum des Cultures and the Festival near you welcome dancers, musicians and DJs. From Benin to Thailand, via Mexico and Romania, a real journey awaits you.
Add to that a relay race, workshops, a photo exhibition, a folklore sale and a warm atmosphere, and you've got the perfect recipe for celebrating summer and the start of the harvest, in this Alsatian town that used to be a hub for the sale of hops.
2024 programme to come
Lorraine: back to culture
Every summer, Lorraine gives you a rendez-vous with history and tradition. From baroque music to Renaissance shows, from modern exhibitions to urban sounds, troubadours and virtuosos mingle with contemporary artists to make your summer in Lorraine a real Art and History lesson.
31 May to 30 June - Festival of Sacred and Baroque Music, Froville
In Froville, between May and June, the town's incredible thousand-year-old heritage comes to life. Sacred music and Baroque chants resonate in the Prieuré de Froville, a historic monument dating back to the 14th century.
The Festival de musique sacrée et baroque de Froville (Froville Festival of Sacred and Baroque Music) offers you the chance to witness musical prowess in a place steeped in history. Under the arches of the church, lulled by the light streaming through the stained glass windows, an enchanting atmosphere and incredible acoustics accompany orchestras and opera singers. From the great baroque classics to more modern interpretations, let yourself be carried away by this repertoire and by the beauty and rich history of the site.
31 May to 2 June - Le Jardin du Michel, Dommartin-les-Toul
Lorraine's emblematic festival takes over the allée de l'Île des Sables, between Toul and Dommartin-les-Toul. With its eclectic line-up, the festival welcomes some thirty national and international artists, mixing rock, reggae, electro and hip hop sounds. This spring event offers you the chance to see big names such as Pierre de Maere, Jain, Feder and Grand Corps Malade alongside up-and-coming artists. Set in a bucolic setting, three days of concerts and outdoor activities await you at the Le Jardin du Michel festival.
14 to 16 June - Rues et cie, Epinal
In the Grand Est region, all forms of art are welcome, and that's not just an image! In Épinal, just before the summer, companies of street artists are taking to the streets and squares of the town to show off their creativity. For 3 days, some forty shows will be staged in Épinal. Theatre, comedy, dance, music... there's something for everyone! With the town as its only stage, this festival is a fun, friendly affair. Join us in the streets of Épinal from 14 to 16 June for some original performances and family fun.
It's a 100% free event to enjoy without moderation.
5 to 7 July - RenaissanceS Festival, Bar-le-Duc
The architectural ensemble of Bar-le-Duc, with its Renaissance town houses, towers, castle, medieval houses and religious buildings, provides the perfect backdrop for a festival featuring 80 performances of street theatre, circus, dance and early music.
For 3 days, the town takes its place as a Renaissance city and invites you to discover a mix of creations from yesterday and today. Alongside the 30 or so artistic companies taking part in the festival, local craftsmen and producers will be on hand to show you their work and share a convivial moment with you. A free festival for young and old!
All summer long - Vent des forêts, Lahaymeix/Fresnes au Mont
During your summer in the Grand Est region of France, combine the useful and the enjoyable, nature and culture, by following the paths of the contemporary art centre: Vent des forêts. A total of seven trails dotted with works of art criss-cross the forests of the Meuse.
Ranging in length from 3km to 14km, they are accessible to all and are ideal for a family outing. Along the way, under the trees, in the heart of the countryside, statues, wooden sculptures, woodland houses and other contemporary works of art become one with nature.
Whether you're looking for a cultural activity or a bucolic stroll, make the most of the fine weather and set off to discover this open-air museum.
Moselle: into the light
As if the rays of the summer sun weren't enough, once the solstice has passed, the Moselle is decked out in its most beautiful colours. On the facades of buildings, in gardens and in the streets, Metz puts the spotlight on the most creative minds at festivals that are as brilliant as they are exhilarating.
20 June to 31 August - Festival Constellations, Metz
The whole of Metz lights up during the Constellations Festival, an event devoted to the digital arts. During the day, the Art & Jardins trail takes you on a tour of the works installed throughout the city, from the Porte des Allemands to Place de la Comédie. The trail can be seen every day from 20 June.
When night falls, it's the turn of the Pierres Numériques trail to light up the city. Along a 2km route, a number of luminous works of art sparkle in the city. The Saint-Etienne cathedral will be the setting for a two-act video mapping show. The night-time trail can be seen on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from dusk until midnight.
Day or night, follow the Constellations Festival routes and enter a world of sound and light. It's 100% free and an ideal opportunity to stay in Metz during this period.
29 June to 14 July - Hop Hop Hop Festival, Metz
In the middle of July, no fewer than 140 artists take to the streets of Metz for the Hop Hop Hop street art festival. In a delightful mix of music, theatre, dance and comedy, some thirty shows and over 80 performances punctuate the summer in Metz. This summer festival is an opportunity to enjoy a fun, funny and family-friendly atmosphere. Get ready to laugh, sing, dance and dream!
A free festival for all the family.
Champagne: sparkling events
To bubble or to feast - that's a dilemma we often face! Fortunately, we've found the solution: a summer of Champagne festivals. Circus, jazz, modern music and contemporary art all come together in the heart of the Champagne vineyards for a moment of celebration and indulgence.
May-September- Vign'art, Epernay
In the midst of the Champagne vineyards, some fifteenworks installed in the open air enhance the landscape. Between châteaux and champagne houses, hillsides and small villages, follow a trail through the Champagne vineyards to discover contemporary artists. Sculptures of all shapes, materials and colours add a modern touch to the incredible natural and built heritage of the Champagne region.
From Cumières to Épernay, make the most of the Grand Est sunshine to stroll through this open-air museum where plastic artists, sculptors, painters and other creative types exhibit in a setting dominated by green.
A free artistic event for all!
Dates 2024 pending
4 to 8 June - Furies, Châlons-en-Champagne
Want to laugh out loud and marvel? Then head to the Furies Festival in Châlons-en-Champagne. For four days, the circus arts take centre stage. Acrobatics, clowning, illusions... In the streets of Châlons-en-Champagne, you'll almost think you're in a big top. Book your week and join in this fun-filled family event!
A free event to enjoy with all the family.
12 June to 5 July - Flâneries Musicales, Reims
In June, the Flâneries Musicales Festival brings jazz and classical music back to Reims. Under the arches of the Basilique Saint-Remi or Reims Cathedral, in the heart of the Champagne Houses or on stage at the Opéra rémois, pianists, violinists and other opera singers give their all. Comfortably seated in front of the stages, we found the perfect place to watch this musical event.
2 to 4 August - Festival du Chien à plumes, Langres
If the name of this festival catches the eye at first, the most impressive thing about it is the line-up. From headliners to new discoveries, from French chanson to electronic sounds, the Festival du Chien à plumes in Langres is as cutting-edge as it is eclectic. Pack your bags for a few days on the banks of Lake Vingeanne and enjoy a musical getaway in a charming setting!
Ardenne: for young and old
There's only one step from great artists to small performances! Between the ultra-specialist programme at Cabaret Vert and the shows at the Festival des Marionnettes, the largest puppet festival in the world, there's something for everyone in the Ardennes!
15 to 18 August - Cabaret Vert, Charleville-Mézières
If there's one festival not to be missed in the Grand Est this summer, it's Cabaret Vert! On the stages of this sustainable eco-festival, major French and international artists rub shoulders with independent bands and DJs. If you want to see and hear internationally renowned singers while making new musical discoveries, the Cabaret Vert is the perfect place to spend your summer! What's more, this emblematic event in the region is 100% sustainable!
From catering to respect for biodiversity, from energy consumption to waste management, the festival is committed to being as responsible as possible. During the day, you can even take part in round-table discussions and workshops promoting eco-responsibility, diversity and innovation.
A committed festival with musical nuggets and great artists from all over the world, so why not get your tickets now?
18 to 24 September - Temps d'M, Charleville-Mézières
Every two years, the city of Charleville-Mézières lives to the rhythm of the shows at the World Festival of Puppet Theatres. In the run-up to the festival, scheduled for 2025, Le Temps d'M offers a great introduction to puppet theatre. Throughout the town, in the church of Saint-Rémi, in the squares and in cultural venues, puppets and articulated dolls come to life.
Vosges: a summer at the top
With an incredible natural backdrop and playground, the Vosges offers the perfect natural stage for many artists. Add beautiful sunny days, vast forests, a zest of music, a touch of theatre and a big pinch of creativity: here's the recipe for a perfect summer under the Vosges summits!
June and July - Les scènes sauvages, Bruche Valley
Between the mountains of the Vosges and the vineyards of Alsace, lovers of theatre and nature have found their holiday destination. Every year, they gather in the Bruche Valley to share their creations at the Les Scènes Sauvages festival. The programme includes plays, discussions and workshops. But don't expect classic theatre here, as each performance takes place in the heart of nature. In a wooden farmhouse inn, in an old presbytery, in gardens or in the middle of the forest, come and enjoy a unique experience in unusual locations.
Dates 2024 pending
June-September - Festival des Abbayes en Lorraine, Pays des trois Abbayes
From the beginning to the end of the summer, Lorraine's most beautiful religious buildings offer their vast spaces and acoustics to orchestras, baroque musicians and singers of sacred music. The Festival des Abbayes de Lorraine brings together the region's exceptional heritage with great talent from all over the world. In the cathedral of Saint Dié and the Benedictine abbeys of Senones, Moyenmoutier, Etival and Autrey, sitars, pianos, lutes, violins and tenor voices will resound throughout the summer.
Dates 2024 pending
July to September - Théâtre du peuple in Bussang
In the heart of the Vosges, a little wooden house in the middle of the Bussang forest welcomes actors from all over the region. Here, in a wild, leafy setting, they revive classic plays as well as their own creations. People come here to enjoy a show that is as much natural as it is cultural. With its warm and unusual atmosphere, the Théâtre du peuple unique is above all a stage where artists and audiences meet and share a moment together.
Dates 2024 pending
August - Au grès du Jazz, La Petite Pierre
In the Vosges valleys, between the peaks, the sounds of brass resonate during the Au grès du Jazz festival. For 10 days, 56 open-air concerts take you on a tour of this musical genre, which originated in the southern United States. Connoisseurs and amateurs alike come together to enjoy the sound of guitars, trumpets and saxophones between the small fortified village of La Petite-Pierre and the lush forests of the Vosges.
At the same time, the festival organises workshops to help you learn to play an instrument, as well as nature and jazz walks where the music blends with the sounds of the forest.
Dates 2024 pending