Summer 2025 Performing Arts Festivals in France
Performing Arts
Festival d'Avignon, Cour d'honneur du Palais des Papes (c) Christophe Raynaud de Lage
Explore a world of performing arts festivals and shows in France this summer and fall.
Don’t miss a show with our curated selection of France’s most anticipated festivals!
France boasts an incredible diversity of high-caliber performing arts festivals that span the country—from the northern regions to the sunny streets of the South. Whether you’re drawn to outdoor performing arts scene like Châlons dans la Rue or the Festival d’Aurillac, the dance and theater field with the Festival d’Avignon or Montpellier Danse or the world of contemporary circus with Le Mans fait son cirque, you’ll find the perfect festival for your interests!
When? May 13 – 28
What? Puppetry
Where? Paris
Since 2001, the Biennale Internationale des Arts de la Marionnette has established itself as one of the must-see events on the contemporary puppetry scene.
This twelfth BIAM will offer a true overview of puppetry trends, showcasing the richness and creativity of puppetry in all its forms. Numerous companies will present their creations, most of them very recent.
With Élise Vigneron, Theatre de l’Entrouvert and Cie Plexus Polaire.
When? May 13 – June 15
What? Dance
Where? Seine-Saint-Denis
“Les Rencontres Chorégraphiques” aim to present a new generation of contemporary choreographers alongside established artists from around the world. It places this project at the heart of communities in Seine-Saint-Denis, generating dialogues around the contemporary art scene. Each edition is a meeting point for innovation, diversity, and the shared discovery of today’s choreographic voices. It presents works that offer a sensitive and poetic perspective on our constantly evolving world and explores different relationships with audiences through a dynamic of mobility and closeness.
With Ana Pi and Calixto Neto.
When? June 2 – 20
What? Dance
Where? Paris
L’Atelier de Paris showcases the latest in French and international choreographic creation with the JUNE EVENTS festival. It focuses on new works and cross-disciplinary projects.
With Linda Hayford and Wanjiru Kamuyu.
When? June 2 – July 26
What? Dance, Theater, Circus
Where? Lyon
This summer’s Nuits de Fourvière in Lyon offers a deep dive into contemporary theater, music, circus, dance and film presentations. Taking place every summer among the ruins of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Théâtre Antique de Fourvière, the festival aims to surprise and delight audiences, blending beloved performances with new discoveries, and connecting diverse artistic expressions.
With Baro d’Evel.
When? June 12 – July 6
What? Dance, Performances
Where? Marseille
The Festival de Marseille 2025 showcases a vibrant mix of dance, performances, concerts, cinema, and talks across various venues in Marseille. It features both local and international artists, focusing on fostering a creative dialogue that bridges Marseille with the global arts scene. The festival aims to be inclusive, targeting young and diverse audiences and integrating the local community into its programs.
With Nacera Belaza.
When? June 19 – 29
What? Circus
Where? Le Mans
Each year in June, Le Mans fait son Cirque festival offers to discover a glance at the most contemporary circus creation, presenting both intimate and large-scale works, including many suitable for international touring. During 10 days, the festival, organized by Le Plongeoir, National Circus Center, proposes innovative circus forms, non-verbal performances and family-friendly programming.
With CirkVOST.
When? June 21 – July 5
What? Dance
Where? Montpellier
Montpellier Danse holds a unique and recognized place on the international stage through its boldness, curiosity, and generosity. This year the 45th edition of Montpellier Danse Festival honors the legacy of Jean-Paul Montanari, its emblematic director from 1983 to 2024.
With Camille Boitel and Nadia Beugré.
When? July – TBA
What? Street Theater, Contemporary Circus
Where? Chalon-sur-Saône
Chalon dans la rue festival is an essential reference for creation in public spaces, a festive and intense moment of shared culture. Every year for more than 30 years, 130 to 150 French and international companies take over Chalon-sur-Saône and turn the city into a monumental urban stage.
**Details to come**
When? July 5 – 26
What? Theater, Dance, Music
Where? Avignon
The 79th edition of the Festival d’Avignon will start in the beginning of July, once again as one of the world’s most important contemporary performing arts events. This year will celebrate the Arabic language and artists coming from Tunisia, Syria, and Morocco and dedicate one-third of its programming to dance. For this edition, Tiago Rodrigues, director of the Avignon Festival, emphasized the inclusion of numerous artistic creations addressing current themes such as climate change and intergenerational communication.
With Tiago Rodrigues, Mohamed El Kathib, Némo Flouret…
When? July 5 – 26
What? Theater, Street Theater, Dance, Circus
Where? Avignon
The Festival d’Avignon Off, often simply called the “Off,” is the largest performing arts market in France and one of the biggest in the world. It runs concurrently with the official Festival d’Avignon (“In”) every July in the city of Avignon. Un-curated, the Off 2025 will offer more than 1,500 different performances where both amateur and professional artists present their work, ranging from theater, dance, music, to circus arts.
With Ashley Chen.
When? July 12 – August 5
What? Theater, Dance, Circus, Music
Where? Paris
The Paris Summer Festival features major artistic and cultural events throughout Paris and its region. Theater, dance, circus, and music performances and plastic installations take over many well-known and unusual places in the capital, most often in the open air and outside traditional performance venues.
**Details to come**
When? August 20-23
What? Theater, Street Theater, Dance, Circus
Where? Aurillac
This iconic festival located in Aurillac, in the south-central France is dedicated to showcasing street theatre in its most dynamic and diverse forms. Each year, the festival draws performers and theatre groups from around the globe to present a wide array of live street performances. It features not only established troupes but also offers a platform for emerging talents and innovative experimental works.
**Details to come**
When? September 26 – October 11
What? Dance, Theater, Circus
Where? Bordeaux
Created in 2016, the FAB is a multidisciplinary festival defending contemporary writing in all its forms of expression – performance, dance, theatre, music, visual arts, giving pride of place to hybrid and unclassifiable approaches.
**Details to come**