Festival Urbaka

Urbaka: the spirit of the street in the heart of Limoges

Since 1989, the Festival Urbaka has embodied the soul of street arts in Limousin. The first festival of its kind in Haute-Vienne, it was founded by Andrée Eyrolle with the ambition of making artistic creation accessible to all in public spaces. Its name, a contraction of "urbain" (urban) and "Akas"—the Pygmy festivals—reflects this philosophy of encounters, sharing, and open-air creativity.

The Cité district as a living stage

The festival unfolds in the historic Cité district, in the heart of Limoges. Place Saint-Étienne, at the foot of the majestic Gothic cathedral, and the Jardins de l'Évêché (Bishop's Gardens) are transformed into a vast open-air theatre. The medieval streets, shaded squares, and terraces overlooking the Vienne river provide an exceptional setting for artistic performances. Every corner of the district becomes a potential stage where the unexpected emerges.

A rich and eclectic program

For four days, Urbaka offers a dense and varied program presented by professional national and international companies. The festival showcases street theatre, contemporary circus, dance, puppetry, music, and pyrotechnic shows that light up the Limoges evenings. Aerial acrobatics, poetic processions, participatory performances, and monumental creations follow one another from morning until nightfall.

A free, committed, and popular festival

One of Urbaka's strengths lies in its complete freeness. All shows are freely accessible, without reservation, promoting social and intergenerational diversity. A collection hat circulates after each performance to support the artists. The festival village, set up in the alleys of the Évêché gardens, brings together food trucks, refreshment stands, local products, and international flavors. With over 4,000 artists hosted and 200,000 spectators over its editions, Urbaka has become a must-attend event in Limousin's cultural life and a major player in the national street arts network.