Fêtes de la Mirabelle
The great popular festival of Metz summer celebrating the emblematic fruit of Lorraine
About Fêtes de la Mirabelle
The emblematic festival of Lorraine
Since 1947, the Fêtes de la Mirabelle have celebrated the king fruit of Lorraine every summer: the mirabelle plum. This small golden fruit, of which the Metz region accounts for more than 70% of world production, is the pretext for nearly two weeks of popular festivities that punctuate the end of summer in Metz. The Fêtes de la Mirabelle are today one of the largest festive events in the Grand Est region, attracting tens of thousands of visitors.
A rich and varied program
The Crowning of the Queen
The official opening of the festival is marked by the crowning of the Mirabelle Queen, a traditional ceremony that takes place in the prestigious hall of the Arsenal Jean-Marie Rausch. This solemn and festive moment perpetuates a tradition several decades old and kicks off the celebrations.
The Market of Flavors and Arts
On the Esplanade, about fifty stands offer the best regional products, local crafts, and literary and artistic creations over a long weekend. It's an opportunity to taste mirabelle tarts, jams, brandies, and other Lorraine specialties, while discovering the know-how of local artisans.
The Grand Evening and Fireworks
The highlight of the festival remains the Grand Evening at the Metz water's edge, which brings together several thousand spectators for a program of concerts with nationally renowned artists. The evening traditionally concludes with spectacular fireworks launched from the water.
The Nautical Parade
A unique show of its kind, the nautical parade features decorated and illuminated boats parading on the Moselle River, with a different theme each year. This floating parade, accompanied by music and entertainment, offers a magical spectacle to spectators gathered on the banks.
The Hot Air Balloon Festival
The festival traditionally continues with the Metz Hot Air Balloon Festival, a gathering of hot air balloons that rise above the city, offering a colorful and poetic aerial spectacle above the rooftops.
A popular and unifying event
The Fêtes de la Mirabelle are above all a popular festival that brings together the people of Metz and visitors from all over the region. Street entertainment, free concerts, open-air bars, fairground rides, and children's shows punctuate the two weeks of festivities. The event is supported by the City of Metz with the backing of the Eurometropolis and numerous partners.
Fêtes de la Mirabelle — edition 2026
2026 edition of the Mirabelle Plum Festival in Metz, confirmed by the City of Metz. The festivities take place over two highlights in August: from Friday, August 21 to Sunday, August 23, 2026 on the Esplanade and Place d'Armes (Mirabelle Plum Village, Esplanade stage, election of the Queen), then the weekend of August 29 and 30, 2026 at the Metz lake (grand evening, concerts, fireworks, nautical parade). Over 80,000 visitors are expected around Lorraine's emblematic fruit.
Mirabelle Plum Festival 2026: Two Weekends of Festivities
For 2026, the Mirabelle Plum Festival is organized in two sequences in August. The first highlight, from Friday, August 21 to Sunday, August 23, enlivens the Esplanade and Place d'Armes with the Mirabelle Plum Village, which brings together a hundred exhibitors (local producers and artisans), a gourmet village, shows, and the traditional election of the Mirabelle Plum Queen. The second highlight takes place on August 29 and 30 at the Metz lake, with the grand evening, concerts, fireworks, and a nautical parade.
The Mirabelle Plum Village
Located on Place d'Armes and the Esplanade, the Mirabelle Plum Village brings together a hundred exhibitors. Here you can taste Lorraine's local specialties centered around the mirabelle plum (tarts, jams, brandies) and discover local crafts.
Free Concerts on the Esplanade Stage
The City of Metz schedules free concerts on the Esplanade stage. For 2026, SLS will perform on Saturday, August 22, and AORAKi on Sunday, August 23, at 6:30 PM. At the lake, SrTumbeo is announced as the opening act on August 29. The program is completed by the winners of the "Nouvelle Scène Mirabelle" music springboard.
Hot Air Balloon Festival, Fireworks, and Nautical Parade
The festivities at the lake traditionally offer hot air balloon displays, fireworks launched over the water, and a nautical parade, beautifully concluding these two weeks of popular celebrations.
Programme Fêtes de la Mirabelle 2026
Friday, August 21 to Sunday, August 23, 2026 — Esplanade and Place d'Armes
- Mirabelle Plum Village: a hundred exhibitors (local producers and artisans), gourmet village, shows
- Election of the Mirabelle Plum Queen
- Saturday, August 22, 6:30 PM — Free concert by SLS · Esplanade Stage
- Sunday, August 23, 6:30 PM — Free concert by AORAKi · Esplanade Stage
Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30, 2026 — Metz Lake
- Saturday, August 29 — SrTumbeo as opening act · Lake Stage
- Grand evening, concerts, fireworks, and nautical parade
- Hot air balloon displays over the lake
Full program and detailed schedules announced by the City of Metz on metz.fr.
Highlights Fêtes de la Mirabelle 2026
- Two weekends of festivities in August 2026 (August 21-23 at the Esplanade, August 29-30 at the lake)
- Mirabelle Plum Village: a hundred exhibitors and gourmet village
- Free concerts on the Esplanade stage (SLS on August 22, AORAKi on August 23 at 6:30 PM)
- Election of the Mirabelle Plum Queen
- Fireworks and nautical parade at the lake
- Over 80,000 visitors expected
Prices Fêtes de la Mirabelle 2026
Practical information — Fêtes de la Mirabelle
Access
The Fêtes de la Mirabelle take place in several locations in Metz, easily accessible by all modes of transport.
- By train: Metz-Ville station, served by TGV from Paris (1h20), Strasbourg (1h30), Luxembourg (50 min), and Nancy (35 min). The station is a 15-minute walk from the Esplanade and 25 minutes from the water's edge.
- By car: A31 (Paris-Luxembourg axis) and A4 (Strasbourg-Paris axis) motorways. City center parking: Esplanade, République, Cathédrale, Saint-Jacques. Water's edge parking for the Grand Evening and the nautical parade. Expect significant crowds on days of major events.
- By bus/tram: LE MET' network (Mettis lines A and B), numerous stops near the festival venues. Special shuttles are provided for the Grand Evening at the water's edge.
- By bike: VélOstan'lib stations throughout the city center. Cycle paths connecting the city center to the water's edge.
Main venues
- Esplanade – Place de la République: Market of Flavors and Arts (approx. 80 stands). Free access.
- Metz water's edge: Grand Evening with concerts, nautical parade, and fireworks. Access via the Moselle riverbanks.
- Arsenal Jean-Marie Rausch: Crowning ceremony of the Mirabelle Queen. 3 avenue Ney, 57000 Metz.
- City center: Street entertainment, free concerts, open-air bars, and shows scattered throughout the streets and squares.
Schedules
The festivities span nearly two weeks at the end of August. The Market of Flavors is generally open from 10 am to 8 pm. The Grand Evening starts in the late afternoon (around 5-6 pm) and continues until midnight. The nautical parade takes place on Sunday afternoon (around 4:30 pm). Detailed schedules for each event are available on the City of Metz website.
Prices
Most events are free: Market of Flavors, street entertainment, free concerts, open-air bars. Some events are ticketed: Grand Evening (evening concerts), crowning at the Arsenal. Prices are announced each year on the City's website and in the local press.
Food and Drink
The Market of Flavors offers a wide range of food and drink with regional products: mirabelle tarts, jams, brandies, quiches lorraines, local specialties. Food stalls are present at the water's edge during the Grand Evening.
Contact
City of Metz: metz.fr
Metz Tourist Office: www.tourisme-metz.com
OT Phone: 03 87 39 00 00
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Where does it take place — Fêtes de la Mirabelle
Esplanade, plan d'eau et centre-ville de Metz
Centre-ville et plan d'eau de Metz, 57000 Metz