Grand Festival - Palais de la Porte Dorée
The multidisciplinary festival against racism and antisemitism
About Le Grand Festival
Organized every year in March at the Palais de la Porte Dorée by the National Museum of the History of Immigration, the Grand Festival is a free multidisciplinary event that is part of the Week of Education and Actions against Racism and Antisemitism. Combining cinema, dance, theater, readings, music, virtual reality, and workshops, it offers a demanding and accessible program to deconstruct prejudices and celebrate diversity through the arts.
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The Grand Festival: Art Against Racism at the Palais de la Porte Dorée
Since its creation in 2017, the Grand Festival has established itself as one of the major cultural and civic events of the Parisian spring. Organized by the Palais de la Porte Dorée, which houses both the National Museum of the History of Immigration and the Tropical Aquarium, this free event takes over all the spaces of this listed Art Deco monument, an architectural gem in the 12th arrondissement of Paris.
A Committed and Multidisciplinary Festival
The Grand Festival takes place during the Week of Education and Actions against Racism and Antisemitism, supported by DILCRAH (Interministerial Delegation for the Fight against Racism, Antisemitism, and Anti-LGBT Hatred). Its program calls upon all artistic disciplines to question the mechanisms of discrimination and promote living together: film screenings, dance and theater performances, readings, musical performances, immersive virtual reality experiences, media education workshops, and thematic guided tours.
The invited artists — choreographers, actors, filmmakers, writers, musicians — present works that question identities, migratory journeys, the memory of slavery, and the struggles for equal rights. Each edition highlights unique voices and original creations, often in premieres or carte blanche formats.
An Exceptional Venue Dedicated to Diversity
The Palais de la Porte Dorée, built in 1931 for the International Colonial Exhibition, has been transformed into a venue dedicated to the history and cultures of immigration in France. Its monumental frescoes, Art Deco bas-reliefs, and central forum offer a unique setting for a festival that bridges architectural heritage and contemporary creation.
The program alternates between school sessions (Tuesday to Friday, reserved for groups) and public sessions (weekends), reaching younger generations as well as families and art lovers.
Le Grand Festival — edition 2026
The Grand Festival celebrates its 10th edition from March 17 to 22, 2026, at the Palais de la Porte Dorée. This anniversary edition offers an exceptional program with cinema, dance, theater, virtual reality, and literary encounters, as part of the Week of Education and Actions against Racism and Antisemitism.
10th Edition - March 17 to 22, 2026
For its 10th edition, the Grand Festival offers an ambitious and multidisciplinary program. Highlights include a carte blanche for choreographer Mehdi Kerkouche, who makes dance a universal and inclusive language; a performance-reading around the work of bell hooks with Mélissa Laveaux, Maya Mihindou, and Sika Fakambi; an immersive virtual reality theater experience adapted from the book by Tania de Montaigne; and the screening of the animated film Interdit aux chiens et aux Italiens by Alain Ughetto.
The program also includes the shows La langue de mon père, Notre histoire (se répète), and Au bout de ma langue, thematic guided tours on slavery and immigration, as well as media education workshops for young audiences.
Programme Le Grand Festival 2026
2026 Program
- Cinema: Interdit aux chiens et aux Italiens by Alain Ughetto
- Dance: Carte blanche to choreographer Mehdi Kerkouche
- Theater: La langue de mon père, Notre histoire (se répète), Au bout de ma langue
- Musical Reading: bell hooks with Mélissa Laveaux, Maya Mihindou, and Sika Fakambi
- Virtual Reality: Immersive experience based on Tania de Montaigne
- Guided Tours: Thematic tours on slavery and immigration
- Workshops: Media and information literacy
Highlights Le Grand Festival 2026
2026 Highlights
- 10th anniversary edition of the Grand Festival
- Dates: March 17 to 22, 2026
- Carte blanche for choreographer Mehdi Kerkouche
- Performance-reading around bell hooks
- Free entry upon reservation
- Support from DILCRAH
Prices Le Grand Festival 2026
Practical information — Le Grand Festival
Practical Information
Access and Transport
Metro: Line 8, Porte Dorée station (direct exit opposite the Palais).
Tramway: T3a, Porte Dorée station.
Bus: Lines 46 and 201.
Prices
All events at the Grand Festival are free, with booking required for certain activities. School bookings are made by email at [email protected].
Accessibility
The Palais de la Porte Dorée is accessible to people with disabilities. Specific support measures are in place during the festival.
Practical Tips
- Book in advance for the most popular shows and workshops.
- Weekends are open to all ages.
- Take the opportunity of the festival to visit the Museum of the History of Immigration and the Tropical Aquarium.
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Le Grand Festival at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Le Grand Festival
Palais de la Porte Dorée
293 avenue Daumesnil, 75012 Paris