Yellow Festival near Amiens, NAME electronic on a UNESCO mining site, Amiens' floating gardens reopening: 10 picks for Pentecost weekend May 22-24 in northern France.
Hauts-de-France goes into the Pentecost weekend with a deliberately contrasted line-up: a major electronic festival reviving a UNESCO-listed mining site, free street arts in the historic city of Saint-Omer, a pop-rock open-air near Amiens and the season opening of Amiens' iconic floating gardens. The region plays its heritage cards and its popular cards at the same time. Our pick: the NAME Festival, which turns the Oignies pithead into an open-air electro stage for a second season running.
NAME Festival: techno on UNESCO mining heritage in Oignies (Nord)
On Saturday May 23 and Sunday May 24, NAME Festival takes over the 9-9bis site in Oignies for its spring edition. Born in 2005 in the Lille metropolitan area, the electronic festival run by Art Point M moved in 2024 to this preserved pithead, part of the UNESCO-listed Nord-Pas-de-Calais Mining Basin. Oignies thus became the second European city, after Essen in Germany, to host an electro festival on a former coal site. Top French and international DJs follow one another from noon to midnight in a striking industrial setting. A connoisseur crowd, an atmosphere defended by careful scenography and constant work on bridging generations.
Yellow Festival in Glisy: pop, rock and 90s-2000s nostalgia (Somme)
On May 23 and 24, Yellow Festival returns for its third edition on the Grand A car park in Glisy, near Amiens. Born in 2024 to mark the shopping centre's 30th anniversary, this open-air event found its audience in two seasons: French variety headliners, 1990s-2000s nostalgia acts, emerging talents and an accessible pop-rock line-up. Outdoor seating, reasonable ticketing, free parking: a textbook post-Covid festival designed to bring families back to live music. A format that says a lot about today's musical landscape on the edge of big cities.
Sous les Pavés l'Art in Saint-Omer: street arts take over the city (Pas-de-Calais)
From May 22 to 25, Sous les Pavés l'Art brings its tenth edition to central Saint-Omer. The free festival created by Compagnie Le Sceau du Tremplin invades squares, narrow streets and Audomarois marshland with a packed programme of street theatre, circus, dance, performances and processions. Four days during which Saint-Omer changes skin, in a colourful and willingly cheeky atmosphere. One of northern France's rare large-scale street arts events to remain fully free.
Video Mapping Festival: Lille and its facades on screen (Nord)
Launched on April 10, the Video Mapping Festival proposes a unique nocturnal trail throughout spring across central Lille and the Vieux-Lille. The international festival run by Rencontres Audiovisuelles projects video mapping creations by young international artists onto Lille's heritage facades. Pentecost weekend is one of the best times to walk the route with friends or family: nightfall is still early, the centre is busy but not saturated, and the works remain free to access at any time. New installations are added each month.
International Garden Festival in Amiens' Hortillonnages: grand opening (Somme)
May 22 marks the official opening of the 2026 season of the International Garden Festival in Amiens' hortillonnages. From May to October, around fifty contemporary installations — ephemeral gardens, in situ works, landscape creations — take over these ancient floating gardens. The site is explored by boat, on foot or in a traditional flat-bottomed «cornet» punt, and offers its first creations over the Pentecost weekend. A real green breather 30 minutes from Amiens city centre, ideal for a long Saturday or a Sunday with the family. Book your boat in advance — weekend slots go fast.
Les Zicophonies in Clermont-de-l'Oise: short-circuit live music (Oise)
On May 22 and 23, Les Zicophonies return for their 28th edition at the Salle André Pommery in Clermont-de-l'Oise. A friendly festival run by the municipality and a volunteer team, it presents around fifteen bands over two evenings: rock, pop, metal, reggae, French chanson and world music. Very accessible pricing, family atmosphere, programming that mixes local newcomers with seasoned regional acts. A human-scale format that has stood the test of time since 1997.
Festival de Printemps du Plateau Picard in Le Plessier-sur-Saint-Just (Oise)
From May 22 to 24, the Festival de Printemps du Plateau Picard offers three days of free entertainment at the Espace De Baynast. The family festival run by the Plateau Picard intermunicipal council since 2015 mixes open-air concerts, street theatre, processions, art installations and kids' workshops. A solid option for families wanting a weekend without a concert budget, in a relaxed rural setting 90 minutes from Paris.
Transphotographiques: photography at the heart of Lille (Nord)
The Transphotographiques launch their 2026 edition on May 14 in the Fives district of Lille and stretch their exhibition trail until June 14. The international festival, founded in 2001 by the Maison de la Photographie, occupies the metropolitan area's great heritage venues — Tri Postal, Palais Rameau, Maisons Folie, Vieille Bourse, Palais Rihour. Pentecost weekend is the perfect time to start the trail in good conditions, under late-spring light that flatters the facades. Most exhibitions are free.
Imperial Weekend in Compiègne: Second Empire life-size (Oise)
On Saturday May 23 and Sunday May 24, the Imperial Weekend of Compiègne recreates the atmosphere of Napoleon III's Pierrefonds-les-Bains series. Military bivouac in front of the Imperial Palace, costumed tours of the palace and Pierrefonds castle, imperial ball on Saturday night, Second Empire dance initiation, picturesque picnic, parades and concerts. Several hundred re-enactors in period uniforms and dresses turn Compiègne into a giant period set. A demanding historical format, perfect for those who love living history and beautiful costumes.
Folk'n Trad in Corbie: folk balls and traditional dancing (Somme)
On May 23 and 24, Folk'n Trad takes over the Théâtre des Docks in Corbie for its annual gathering of folk and traditional music. Created in 2018 by the Peut qu'Manquer association, this friendly festival brings together musicians, dancers and tradition enthusiasts from across the region for folk balls, concerts and dance initiation workshops. Intimate format, warm atmosphere, open to beginners and experienced dancers alike: a good entry point into a scene that still flies under the radar.
Also worth a look this weekend in Hauts-de-France
To compare with other regional picks, head to our national agenda. Enjoy the Pentecost long weekend.
