Fête de la Musique de Roanne
Grand free outdoor concert on the Banks of the Loire with professional artists
About Fête de la Musique Roanne
The Fête de la Musique de Roanne is a free musical event organized annually by the City of Roanne on the occasion of the summer solstice. A highlight of the Roanne summer, this unmissable evening brings together thousands of spectators on the esplanade des Mariniers, on the Banks of the Loire, for a grand outdoor concert with a national headliner, emerging artists, winners of the Roanne Jeunes Talents competition, and DJ sets. Throughout the afternoon, local and amateur musicians liven up the streets, squares, and forecourts of the city, in the festive and popular spirit of the Fête de la Musique created in 1982. The event is part of the City of Roanne's Festiv'été program.
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The Fête de la Musique in Roanne: An Unmissable Evening
Each year, the Fête de la Musique de Roanne transforms the city into a huge open-air stage. Organized by the City of Roanne, this free musical celebration brings together thousands of Roanne residents and visitors for a festive and friendly evening marking the arrival of summer.
A Grand Free Concert on the Banks of the Loire
The highlight of the evening is the grand free concert on the esplanade des Mariniers, in the heart of the redeveloped Banks of the Loire district. For several years, the City of Roanne has invited a renowned national headliner to entertain this exceptional evening. Among the artists who have graced the Roanne stage: Earth, Wind and Fire (2019), Marc Lavoine and Mosimann (2023), Christophe Willem (2024), Alain Chamfort (2025), and Bénabar (2026). The concert is preceded by performances by the winners of the Roanne Jeunes Talents competition, local and regional bands, and continues late into the night with DJ sets transforming the esplanade into a dance floor.
Music Throughout the City
Before the main concert, music fills the streets and squares of Roanne from the afternoon onwards. Local and amateur artists perform at various locations in the city: the forecourts of the Saint-Étienne church and the Saint-Michel chapel, the pedestrian street, the Market square, the Promenades bandstand, and the Capitainerie. This scattered programming in the city center perpetuates the original spirit of the Fête de la Musique: making music everywhere, for everyone, and by everyone.
An Event Rooted in Roanne's Identity
Historically organized on the Town Hall square, the Fête de la Musique de Roanne has moved to the Banks of the Loire following the redevelopment of the esplanade des Mariniers, offering an exceptional setting by the river. The event regularly attracts more than 15,000 to 23,000 spectators and marks the kickoff of the City of Roanne's Festiv'été program, which continues throughout the summer with the Jeudis Live, Roanne Plage, and numerous summer activities.
Fête de la Musique Roanne — edition 2026
The 2026 Fête de la Musique in Roanne will feature Bénabar as the headliner on the esplanade des Mariniers on the Banks of the Loire on Saturday, June 20th. The singer will present his 11th album Le Soleil des absents. The electro trio Sound of Legend will make their grand return after 2024 to close the evening. The Celtic rock band Celkilt from the Loire region and the Roanne folk-soul duo Malaka will complete an eclectic and festive program, entirely free.
Fête de la Musique 2026 in Roanne
The Fête de la Musique 2026 will take place on Saturday, June 20th on the esplanade des Mariniers, on the Banks of the Loire in Roanne. For this new edition, the City of Roanne has put together an ambitious program with an artist budget of around €60,000, for an entirely free evening.
Bénabar as Headliner
Bénabar, a key figure in French chanson for over 25 years, will be the headliner for this edition. He will present tracks from his 11th album Le Soleil des absents, released in late January 2026, which also marks the 20th anniversary of his cult album Reprise des négociations. The album notably features a notable duet with Pascal Obispo.
Sound of Legend Returns
The electro trio Sound of Legend will make their grand return to Roanne after their remarkable performance in 2024. Specialists in modern and energetic reinterpretations of global hits like Voyage Voyage, Heaven, or Sweet Dreams, they will transform the esplanade into a dance floor to close the evening.
Celkilt and Malaka
The band Celkilt, a five-musician group rooted in the Loire region and a leading act in European Celtic rock with over 800 concerts worldwide in 15 years, will bring their boundless energy. The duo Malaka, two sisters from Riorges blending folk, soul, and Creole influences, will open the evening as local talent.
Programme Fête de la Musique Roanne 2026
Fête de la Musique 2026 Program
Afternoon - In the Streets of Roanne
- Concerts by local and amateur artists in the streets and squares of the city center
Evening - Esplanade des Mariniers, Bords de Loire II
- Malaka (folk, soul) - Roanne duo opening
- Celkilt (Celtic rock) - band from the Loire region
- Bénabar (French chanson) - headliner
- Sound of Legend (electro) - closing act
Highlights Fête de la Musique Roanne 2026
- Bénabar as headliner, presenting his 11th album Le Soleil des absents
- Sound of Legend returning to Roanne after 2024
- Celkilt, a Celtic rock band from the Loire region with 800 concerts worldwide
- Malaka, a folk-soul duo from Riorges
- Artist budget of €60,000 for an entirely free evening
- Aim to surpass the 23,000 spectators of the 2025 edition
- Concerts by local artists in the streets of the city center during the day
Prices Fête de la Musique Roanne 2026
Practical information — Fête de la Musique Roanne
Access and Transport
By Car
Roanne is accessible via the A77 motorway (from Paris) and the A89 (from Lyon and Clermont-Ferrand). Follow signs for the city center, then Bords de Loire. Free parking is available near the esplanade des Mariniers.
By Train
Roanne station is served by the TER Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes lines (Lyon - Roanne, Saint-Étienne - Roanne). The esplanade des Mariniers is a 15-minute walk from the station.
By Bus
The STAR public transport network (Syndicat des Transports de l'Agglomération Roannaise) serves the city center of Roanne. Intercity buses (Cars Région) also connect Roanne to neighboring towns.
Concert Venue
The grand concert takes place on the esplanade des Mariniers, Quai du Commandant Lherminier, in the Bords de Loire II district of Roanne. This vast, redeveloped green space offers an exceptional setting on the banks of the Loire.
Prices
The entire Fête de la Musique is completely free and open to all, with no tickets or reservations required.
Schedule
Concerts in the city streets begin in the early afternoon. The grand concert on the esplanade des Mariniers generally starts at 7:00 PM with the opening acts (Roanne Jeunes Talents, local bands) and continues until past midnight with DJ sets.
Food and Drink
Refreshment stands and food stalls are set up on the concert site. Bars and restaurants in the city center also participate in the festivities.
Contact
Ville de Roanne
Hôtel de Ville, place de l'Hôtel de Ville
42300 Roanne
Phone: 04 77 23 20 00
Website: www.aggloroanne.fr
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Where does it take place — Fête de la Musique Roanne
Esplanade des Mariniers - Bords de Loire II
Quai du Commandant Lherminier, 42300 Roanne