Festival des Arts Burlesques (Arcomik)
The humor festival that warms up the winter in Saint-Étienne
About Arts Burlesques
Created in 2004 by the MJC du Nouveau Théâtre Beaulieu, the Festival des Arts Burlesques — renamed Arcomik in 2020 — was born from a participatory initiative by residents of the southeastern districts of Saint-Étienne. A true tool for urban development and social cohesion, this humor and burlesque festival has become, in two decades, the leading burlesque festival in France. Every year in February, for about ten days, over 150 artists take over a dozen venues in Saint-Étienne, Saint-Chamond, and Le Chambon-Feugerolles, attracting around 15,000 spectators. The program mixes national headliners, emerging talents, and participatory creations, with an "in" section of programmed shows and an "off" section including the New Talents competition, the burlesque carnival of the southeastern districts, and cultural mediation actions for audiences far from culture.
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A festival born from the neighborhoods, driven by humor
The Festival des Arts Burlesques was born in 2004 from a strong desire: that of the residents of the southeastern districts of Saint-Étienne and the MJC du Nouveau Théâtre Beaulieu (NTB) to participate in changing the image of a territory long stigmatized. Under the impetus of artistic director Farid Bouabdellah, the festival has become a lever for urban development and a tool for social cohesion, demonstrating that culture and laughter can transform a neighborhood.
From Nouveau Théâtre Beaulieu to Arcomik
The Nouveau Théâtre Beaulieu, located at 28 boulevard de la Palle, is a unique venue in France: a theater built with the financial participation of neighborhood residents. For over a decade, it was the beating heart of the festival. In June 2017, an act of arson devastated the theater. Far from giving up, the festival team bounced back in February 2018 for its 15th edition, taking over new venues such as the Jean-Monnet University amphitheater, the Convention Center, and La Comète.
In January 2017, the association Beaulieu Spectacles Vivant, chaired by André Friedenberg, took over to support the festival. In 2020, for its 18th edition, the festival changed its name and became Arcomik, marking a new stage while retaining its DNA: popular, supportive, and participatory humor.
A rich and eclectic program
The festival offers an "in" program of carefully selected shows, mixing national headliners and emerging talents. Among the artists who have marked the festival's history: Anne Roumanoff (historic patron), Michel Boujenah, Pierre Richard, Kev Adams, Stéphane Rousseau, Christelle Chollet, Alex Vizorek, Élodie Poux, François-Xavier Demaison, Tanguy Pastureau, Kyan Khojandi, Roman Frayssinet, Fabrice Éboué, and Sandrine Sarroche.
In parallel, the "off" section includes the New Talents competition (in historic partnership with "Juste pour rire"), which helps discover the artists of tomorrow in amateur and semi-professional categories. The burlesque carnival, a festive procession through the southeastern districts, brings together residents and artists in an intergenerational moment of sharing.
A festival rooted in its territory
Over 150 artists perform each year in about ten venues spread across the Saint-Étienne metropolitan area: the Saint-Étienne Convention Center, the Maison de l'Université, La Comète, the Jeanne d'Arc hall, as well as venues in Saint-Chamond (MJC) and Le Chambon-Feugerolles. The festival also extends to other towns in the metropolis such as La Talaudière, Firminy, and Rive-de-Gier.
Cultural actions and mediation
True to its participatory and supportive DNA, the festival develops numerous cultural mediation actions: humor writing workshops in community centers, a daily micro-magazine produced by young aspiring journalists and broadcast on local television, partnerships with schools and integration structures. Approximately 80% of the budget is allocated to the artistic program, and 27% of spectators come from other departments, demonstrating the event's regional reach.
Arts Burlesques — edition 2026
The 23rd edition of the Festival des Arts Burlesques / Arcomik will be held from February 11 to 21, 2026, in the venues of Saint-Étienne and its metropolitan area. The festival continues its mission of democratizing humor with a program mixing big names and discoveries, participatory shows, and cultural mediation actions.
23rd Edition — February 11 to 21, 2026
The Arcomik festival returns for its 23rd edition from February 11 to 21, 2026. True to its role as the leading burlesque festival in France, this edition promises a rich and varied program, taking over the Convention Center, the Maison de l'Université, and venues in the towns of the Saint-Étienne metropolitan area.
Among the announced headliners are Anne Roumanoff (February 19 at the Convention Center), Nawell Madani, Sandrine Sarroche (February 12 at the Convention Center with her new show "Saison 2"), Tom Baldetti, Marine Léonardi, Melissa et Fred, the troupe from Jamel Comedy Club, Thomas Croisière, and Antek (a comedian from Veauche in the Loire region).
The festival continues to extend its reach beyond Saint-Étienne with shows programmed in La Talaudière, Rive-de-Gier, and other towns in the metropolitan area. Cultural mediation actions continue with beatbox workshops, karaoke nights, and the New Talents competition.
With nearly 50% of tickets already sold upon announcement of the program, this 23rd edition confirms the public's enthusiasm for this popular and supportive festival.
Programme Arts Burlesques 2026
2026 Program (confirmed)
- Anne Roumanoff — February 19, Convention Center
- Sandrine Sarroche — "Saison 2", February 12, Convention Center
- Nawell Madani
- Tom Baldetti
- Marine Léonardi
- Viktor Vincent
- Melissa et Fred
- Troupe du Jamel Comedy Club
- Thomas Croisière
- Antek
- Nico en vrai
- Merwane Benlazar
- Blandine Lehout
- Matthieu Nina
- Emy
- Pierre Thevenoux
- Caroline Estremo
- Antoine Donneaux
Events outside the festival
- Redouane Bougheraba — February 28
- Bérengère Krief — May 22
- Arnaud Tsamere — October 9
New Talents Competition and mediation actions
Competition for young comedians, beatbox workshops, karaoke nights, and partnerships with the metropolitan community centers.
Highlights Arts Burlesques 2026
To remember for 2026
- Dates: February 11 to 21, 2026
- 23rd edition of the leading burlesque festival in France
- Anne Roumanoff, Sandrine Sarroche, Nawell Madani, and Pierre Thevenoux as headliners
- Jamel Comedy Club troupe and new comedy talents
- Nearly 50% of tickets sold upon announcement of the program
- Shows throughout the Saint-Étienne metropolitan area
- Cultural mediation actions and New Talents competition
Prices Arts Burlesques 2026
Practical information — Arts Burlesques
Practical Information
Access
The festival mainly takes place at the Saint-Étienne Convention Center and in several venues in the Saint-Étienne metropolitan area.
- By car: Saint-Étienne is accessible via the A72 from Lyon (60 km) and the A75 from Clermont-Ferrand (150 km). Parking available near the performance venues.
- By train: Saint-Étienne Châteaucreux station, served by TER from Lyon Part-Dieu (50 min) and TGV via Lyon.
- By tram: The STAS network serves the main festival venues.
Ticketing and prices
Prices vary depending on the shows, from 8 to 35 euros. Reduced rates are available for students, job seekers, and groups. Tickets are available online on the official website, by phone at 04 77 46 31 66, and at usual points of sale.
Catering
Bar and catering available at the performance venues.
Accessibility
The main venues (Convention Center, Maison de l'Université) are accessible to people with reduced mobility. For any specific requests, please contact the festival team.
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Arts Burlesques
Centre de Congrès de Saint-Étienne et lieux divers
28 boulevard de la Palle, 42100 Saint-Étienne