Night of Ideas 2026 Returns with Enlightenment Now: Independence at 250
Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this edition will bring together thinkers, scientists, community advocates, and artists for conversations exploring the philosophical and political roots of our democracies.
Drawing on perspectives from both sides of the Atlantic, Night of Ideas will examine the Enlightenment ideals that helped shape democracies in the U.S. and France—such as reason and the rule of law, the pursuit of progress, freedom of expression, and equal access to education and culture—and will ask what might become of these guiding principles as we look ahead to the next 250 years. From pondering how to create optimal conditions for youth engagement and critical thinking to examining the notion of “progress” in the face of the rapidly evolving technologies, Night of Ideas will tackle diverse topics with high stakes for our collective future.
Launched in 2016 during an exceptional evening gathering in Paris of leading French and international voices invited to discuss the major issues of our time, Night of Ideas quickly established itself on the French and international agenda. The 10th edition will take place in the U.S. in 2026.
All Night of Ideas events are free and open to the public.
Learn more and sign up for updates here. Check out the list of participating cities below.
Participating Cities
- Atlanta, GA
- Chicago, IL
- Columbus, OH
- Culver City, CA
- Denver, CO
- Houston, TX
- Honolulu, HI
- Gainesville, FL
- Pasadena, CA
- Portland, OR
- Miami, FL
- New Orleans, LA
- New York, NY
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Santa Cruz, CA
- San Marcos, TX
- Seattle, WA
- Washington, DC
Please note that this list is subject to change.