Fête de la Musique
Fête de la Musique in Rennes
About Fête de la Musique
The Fête de la Musique in Rennes is one of the major popular musical events in the Breton capital. Every June 21st, the city centre transforms into an open-air stage: spontaneous concerts in the street, collective stages hosted by bars, neighbourhood initiatives animated by residents and associations, programming in libraries and gardens. The event is organised by the City of Rennes in partnership with a wide network of local associations and professionals.
Free and open to everyone, the event brings together amateur and professional musicians, emerging and established artists, local and national groups. Rock, pop, electro, chanson, traditional music, and world music coexist on about fifteen main stages and a hundred concerts spread across the entire Rennes Métropole.
A musical celebration open to all since 1982
The Fête de la Musique has been celebrated in Rennes since 1982, the year of its national creation by the Ministry of Culture. Over the editions, it has become one of the highlights of Rennes' musical programme: for an evening and part of the night, the city centre is entirely pedestrianised and hosts concerts in the streets, squares, gardens, libraries, and at local businesses.
An organisation led by the City of Rennes
The event is coordinated annually by the City of Rennes, which launches a call for projects at the beginning of the year for bars, city-centre establishments, associations, and neighbourhood initiatives. The City regulates the occupation of public spaces, selects authorised collective stages, and supports associative project leaders. Only collective stages hosted by several establishments are permitted in the large squares (Saint-Germain, Sainte-Anne, Place de la Gare).
Stages throughout the city
The Fête de la Musique in Rennes takes over several emblematic locations: the Thabor park with its open-air theatre, the Charles-de-Gaulle esplanade, the gardens of the Hôtel de Courcy, the Centre Chorégraphique National, as well as the neighbourhoods of Baud-Chardonnet, Sainte-Thérèse, Beauregard, and the Ferme de la Harpe. Municipal libraries also participate with acoustic sessions in the afternoon.
An eco-responsible and accessible celebration
The City of Rennes emphasizes the event's accessibility, eco-responsibility (reusable cups, selective sorting), and gender equality in programming. The city centre is closed to car traffic to provide a secure pedestrian zone, and the STAR transport network adapts its schedules with extended night service.
Fête de la Musique — edition 2026
The 43rd Fête de la Musique in Rennes will take place on Sunday, June 21, 2026, from 5 PM to 1 AM. The city center will be entirely pedestrianized to host about fifteen main stages and around one hundred concerts spread throughout the metropolitan area. Rock, pop, electro, acoustic song, traditional music, and world music will share squares, gardens, libraries, and terraces throughout the evening and part of the night.
2026 Edition — Sunday, June 21, 5 PM to 1 AM
The 2026 edition of the Fête de la Musique in Rennes will take place on Sunday, June 21, from 5 PM to 1 AM. The City of Rennes is coordinating the event and launched its call for projects on January 9, 2026, closing on February 10, for city-center bars and neighborhood initiatives.
Announced Official Stages
Several iconic locations in the city will host dedicated stages:
- Parc du Thabor — Open-air theater (Simon Carpentier stage), 4 PM-8 PM
- Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle — open-air stage, 6 PM-1 AM
- Jardins de l'Hôtel de Courcy — 9 rue Martenot, from 8 PM
- Centre Chorégraphique National — 38 rue Saint-Melaine, 7 PM-12:30 AM
- Place Saint-Germain, Place Sainte-Anne and Place de la Gare — collective stages supported by city-center bars and establishments
Neighborhood Programming
Outdoor associative and family concerts are planned in the Baud-Chardonnet, Sainte-Thérèse, Beauregard neighborhoods and at the Ferme de la Harpe, with times varying from 3 PM to midnight depending on the location. Municipal libraries will also host acoustic sessions between 4 PM and 9 PM, featuring song, folk, and fest-noz.
A Participatory Celebration
Beyond the official stages, amateur and professional musicians are invited to perform spontaneously within the pedestrianized area of the city center. The City emphasizes accessibility, eco-responsibility, and gender equality in its programming.
Programme Fête de la Musique 2026
The City of Rennes unveils the municipal program scene by scene as the event approaches. Here are the programming elements already announced for Sunday, June 21, 2026.
Thabor Park — Open-air Theatre
The City of Rennes has once again entrusted the Thabor Open-air Theatre to Jardin Moderne, from 4 PM to 10 PM. The stage features six local groups who rehearse in the Jardin Moderne studios, with a bar run by the on-site team:
- Mange-Religieuses
- Aïgo
- Los Monos
- Mewena
- HootCePa
- Memoranda
Collective Stages in the City Centre
As in previous years, only collective stages supported by several establishments are authorized in the main squares: place Saint-Germain, place Sainte-Anne and place de la Gare.
Other Official Locations
- Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle — open-air stage
- Jardins de l'Hôtel de Courcy (9 rue Martenot)
- Centre Chorégraphique National (38 rue Saint-Melaine)
In addition to these official stages, there will be spontaneous concerts by musicians in the pedestrian area, stages organized by bars, and neighborhood initiatives led by residents and associations.
Highlights Fête de la Musique 2026
- 43rd edition of the Fête de la Musique in Rennes
- City center entirely pedestrianized from 5 PM to 1 AM
- About fifteen main stages and nearly 100 free concerts
- Rock, pop, electro, song, traditional and world music
- Programming also in libraries and neighborhoods
- Extended metro service and night buses until 5 AM
Prices Fête de la Musique 2026
Practical information — Fête de la Musique
Access and transport
Rennes city centre is closed to car traffic for the entire duration of the event, creating a large, secure pedestrian zone. Prioritise public transport: the two metro lines operate with extended service, urban buses run until approximately 1:35 AM, and a night bus service ensures returns until 5 AM. Vélo STAR stations are numerous in the city centre.
Safety and comfort
First aid stations and free water bars are set up on the main stages and lively squares. Police presence and street mediation are reinforced.
Contact
For general questions related to programming: [email protected]. For neighbourhood initiatives: [email protected]. More information on ici.rennes.fr.
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