Ah ! La Belle Saison

Free shows in the parks and gardens of Annecy

Every summer, the Théâtre des Collines, Annecy's municipal theater, steps out of its walls to offer the public a series of free outdoor shows and concerts. The Ah ! La Belle Saison festival transforms the gardens, parks, squares, and esplanades of Annecy's delegated communes — Seynod, Meythet, Cran-Gevrier, Annecy-le-Vieux, Albigny — into open-air stages where circus, dance, street theater, and music meet.

A demanding and popular program

Despite the free admission to all shows, the Ah ! La Belle Saison program makes no concessions on artistic quality. The festival hosts companies from all over France, offering aerial circus, contemporary dance, street theater, song, folk, electro, and world music. Every Tuesday and Thursday evening, two events are offered to the public in different locations, providing about twenty shows throughout the festival.

Among the companies and artists who have marked recent editions: the Compagnie des Chaussons Rouges (choreographic circus), the Compagnie Cassandre (in residence at the Théâtre des Collines until 2027), TechnoBrass (Brazilian electro brass band), Bonbon Vodou (Creole music), Pamela Badjogo (afro-pop), Zar Electrik, and many circus and street theater companies.

A festival rooted in the territory

Ah ! La Belle Saison is designed as a local event that brings performing arts closer to the residents of all the communes of Annecy. Performances are held in various locations: the Aire de jeu Renoir, the Place Georges Boileau, the Parc de la Colline, the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville de Seynod, the Square Jean Chamey in Meythet, the Place Chorus in Cran-Gevrier, the Parc Gabriel Fauré in Annecy-le-Vieux, and the Plage d'Albigny. In case of rain, some shows are moved to the Théâtre Renoir.

Workshops for children

The festival also offers introductory workshops in theater, dance, and circus for children, allowing the youngest to discover performing arts in a fun and supportive environment. These free workshops contribute to the artistic awakening of Annecy families and complement the evening show program.