La Marelle Young Public Festival
Living arts festival for young audiences in Maizières-lès-Metz
About La Marelle
A festival to grow with the arts
The La Marelle Young Public Festival is one of the major cultural events for families in Moselle. For over twenty years, this festival has invited children to discover the living arts through quality performances, conceived and performed by professional companies specializing in young audience creations.
A week of artistic discoveries
The festival takes place over a week in July, offering daily performances in the parks and outdoor spaces of Maizières-lès-Metz. The program is rich and varied, mixing puppet theater, storytelling, circus, music, dance, and innovative artistic forms adapted for toddlers and older children alike.
Outdoor performances
The shows are held in enchanting locations: the Parc Dany Mathieu, the Salle des Fêtes, the TRAM, and other spaces in the town host the companies and their audiences. The natural setting of the parks adds a magical dimension to the performances, with trees and greenery serving as a living backdrop for the stories told on stage.
Companies close to the children
The festival favors intimate and participatory artistic forms, allowing for real closeness between the artists and the young audience. The shows are often interactive, inviting children to react, sing, move, and dream. Creative workshops complement the program, allowing children to try their hand at theater, puppetry, or circus arts.
A commitment to early childhood
La Marelle pays special attention to toddlers, with shows suitable from the youngest age. This program for early childhood, rare in the festival landscape, reflects the organizers' conviction that artistic awakening begins from the very first years of life.
A community-driven event
The festival is organized in close collaboration with the educational and cultural structures of Maizières-lès-Metz: schools, leisure centers, the media library, and local associations. This local synergy makes La Marelle a true territorial project that contributes to the cultural development of children and families in the town and the greater Metz area.
La Marelle — edition 2026
The 25th edition of the La Marelle Young Audience Festival will be held from July 5 to 9, 2026 in Maizières-lès-Metz. Organized by the Théâtre Dest company, this performing arts festival offers children and families about ten shows (theatre, puppets, shadow theatre, storytelling, dance, music, burlesque) as well as creative workshops, spread across several locations in the commune. The opening day, entirely free, takes place at Parc Dany-Mathieu. The detailed 2026 program will be published early June and ticketing opens on June 16 (reservations at 06 98 40 85 73 and on site during the festival).
Prices La Marelle 2026
Practical information — La Marelle
Access
Maizières-lès-Metz is located 10 km north of Metz.
- By car: From Metz, take the D953 towards Maizières-lès-Metz (approx. 15 minutes). Free parking near the performance venues.
- By public transport: Le Met' bus lines from Metz center.
- By train: Maizières-lès-Metz station on the Metz-Luxembourg TER line.
Venues
Performances in the parks and outdoor spaces of Maizières-lès-Metz: Parc Dany Mathieu, Salle des Fêtes, TRAM, and other locations.
Period
One week in early July.
Prices
Free or low-cost performances. Booking recommended.
Contact
Phone: 03 87 51 87 63
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Where does it take place — La Marelle
Parcs et espaces de plein air de Maizières-lès-Metz
Parc Dany Mathieu et divers lieux, 57280 Maizières-lès-Metz