Altkirch Street Performances

Enchanting Friday Evenings in the Heart of Altkirch

Since the mid-2010s, the City of Altkirch, historical capital of Sundgau, has offered a program of free street performances every summer during five Friday evenings in July and August. These summer evenings transform the city center into an open-air theater, where street arts take over squares and gardens for the delight of families, residents, and tourists passing through southern Alsace.

Iconic City Center Locations

The performances take place in Altkirch's most beautiful public spaces: the Jardin des Remparts, a green setting nestled at the foot of the medieval ramparts, the Place de la République, the lively heart of the upper town, and the Place Xavier Jourdain, a vast esplanade ideal for large-scale shows. The courtyard of the Musée sundgauvien also hosts some performances, offering an intimate and heritage-rich setting. This tour between different locations invites spectators to rediscover their city in a new light.

An Eclectic and Family-Friendly Program

The companies invited by the City of Altkirch offer a wide range of street arts disciplines: street theater, contemporary circus, clowning, magic, street music, guinguette concerts, itinerant shows, and comedic performances. The program is designed for all audiences, with shows accessible from age 4 and others for older audiences. Among the companies hosted over the years: Les Batteurs de Pavés, Pol et Freddy, Cie des Naz with their "Crazy Caravane", Dominique Gras with his character Arsène Folazur, and the group Babüsk in Elsass Pop Folk.

Sundgau Celebrates All Summer Long

The Altkirch Street Performances are part of a broader summer cultural dynamic driven by the city and the association Altkirch Traditions. Alongside the Friday evening shows, other events – Mercredis Animés, Fête de la Musique, Forêt Enchantée in winter – punctuate the cultural calendar of this small town of 6,000 inhabitants, distinguished by its commitment to access to culture for all. The Sundgau, with its hills, picturesque villages, and rich tradition of tales and legends, offers a unique natural and heritage setting for these summer evenings.

Conviviality and Sundgau Lifestyle

After each performance, the evenings continue in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. A refreshment stand and light catering allow you to share a drink and taste local specialties with friends or family. These moments of conviviality, under the starry Sundgau sky, embody the very spirit of the Altkirch Street Performances: a simple and generous way of life, where culture is freely shared in public spaces.