Les Jeudis de Nîmes
Night markets, free concerts and entertainment in the heart of Nîmes, every Thursday of the summer
About Les Jeudis de Nîmes
Les Jeudis de Nîmes (Nîmes Thursdays) are the emblematic summer event of Nîmes' historic center. Every Thursday evening in July and August, the streets and squares of the city center come alive with free concerts, craft markets, street entertainment, and tastings of local products. Organized by the City of Nîmes, this event, accessible to all, transforms the city of Antoninus into a large open-air stage, in a friendly and family atmosphere.
An unmissable summer event in the heart of Nîmes
Every Thursday evening in July and August, the historic center of Nîmes vibrates to the rhythm of Les Jeudis de Nîmes (Nîmes Thursdays). Born in the mid-2000s, this event organized by the City of Nîmes has become a ritual for Nîmes residents and a highlight for visitors passing through the Gard. Artisan markets, free concerts, entertainment, and tastings set up in the emblematic squares of the center, from early evening until midnight.
Several squares, several atmospheres
The originality of Les Jeudis de Nîmes lies in the diversity of worlds offered in the different squares of the city center. The Maison Carrée and the Place de la Calade traditionally host jazz stages and creative exhibitors. The Place de l'Horloge vibrates to salsa and Latin sounds. The Square Antonin is dedicated to Jeudis Art (Art Thursdays) with over 90 artists, live painting, and a renewed theme each year. The Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle combines various concerts and JeudiVins (Wine Thursdays), the pop-up of winemakers from the AOP Costières de Nîmes. The Place Mère Térésa offers rock and a brewer's area, while the new spaces Place Gabriel Péri (world music and catering) and Place de la Madeleine (Drone Soccer) enrich the experience.
Classical music and sacred songs
The Carré d'Art hosts free classical music concerts performed by former students of the Nîmes conservatory. The Église Saint-Paul, for its part, offers organ and vocal concerts, with free admission.
Markets of artisans, creators, and local producers
Beyond music, Les Jeudis de Nîmes highlight local craftsmanship and regional producers. Stands of creators, booksellers, second-hand booksellers, antique dealers, art artisans, and producers line the pedestrian streets of the center. Restaurants and bars extend their terraces, in a southern atmosphere of summer evenings.
A free and family-friendly event
Almost all concerts and entertainment at Les Jeudis de Nîmes are free. Only certain tastings (JeudiVins, brewer's area) are paid for consumption. The event is open to all, accessible to families, and fully contributes to the tourist attractiveness of Nîmes and the Gard department during the summer season.
Les Jeudis de Nîmes — edition 2026
For the 2026 edition, Les Jeudis de Nîmes take place every Thursday from July 2 to August 27, 2026, from 7 PM to midnight, in the historic heart of the city of Antonins. Free concerts, artisan markets, wine tastings from the AOP Costières de Nîmes, urban entertainment, and street art take over about ten squares in the city center. An edition marked by musical diversity (jazz, salsa, Latin, rock, world music, classical) and summer conviviality.
Les Jeudis de Nîmes — 2026 Edition
The 2026 edition of Les Jeudis de Nîmes takes place over 9 consecutive Thursdays, from July 2 to August 27, 2026, from 7 PM to midnight in the historic center of Nîmes. Organized by the City of Nîmes, this edition highlights free music, local crafts, and new features in two squares previously not part of the route.
About ten squares, as many atmospheres
As every summer, several squares in the pedestrian center come alive simultaneously, each with its own identity:
- Maison Carrée — Jazz and creative exhibitors.
- Place de l'Horloge — Salsa and Latin concerts.
- Place de la Calade — Jazz and artisan creators.
- Square Antonin — Jeudis Art: over 90 local and international artists, live painting, US pop culture and freedom theme.
- Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle — Multi-genre stages and JeudiVins, pop-up of AOP Costières de Nîmes winemakers (over 30 estates represented).
- Place Mère Térésa — Rock and brewer's area (beer tastings).
- Place Gabriel Péri (NEW 2026) — World music and food area.
- Place de la Madeleine (NEW 2026) — Drone Soccer, participatory activities.
- Carré d'Art — Free classical music, provided by the association of former conservatory students (5 PM-7 PM).
- Église Saint-Paul — Organ concerts and sacred songs, free admission.
Cross-cutting entertainment
Several activities run throughout the route all evening: musical strolls from 7 PM to 11 PM (moving groups, peñas, bandas), street art tours offered by Association Le Spot starting from Square Antonin (discovery of Nîmes' urban frescoes in small groups, free), Argentine tango by the Abrazo Social Tango Club on Place du Chapitre (classes, demonstrations, milonga from 8:30 PM to midnight).
A free event, paid tastings
The majority of concerts and activities are free. Only certain tasting offers are paid per consumption: JeudiVins at 7.50 € (glass + 2 tasting tickets), brewer's area (consumption prices). No ticket is required to attend the concerts.
Practical information
A first aid station is set up every Thursday from 7 PM to midnight. Surface parking is made free on certain Thursdays (announced during the summer by the City). The complete and updated program is published on the City of Nîmes website.
Programme Les Jeudis de Nîmes 2026
General Format
The event takes place over 9 Thursdays from July 2 to August 27, 2026, from 7 PM to midnight. The musical program is distributed by square in the historic center of Nîmes, with a specific theme for each area.
Program by square
- Maison Carrée · Jazz · Creative exhibitors
- Place de l'Horloge · Salsa, Latin
- Place de la Calade · Jazz · Artisan creators
- Square Antonin · Jeudis Art: 90+ artists, live painting (US pop culture / freedom theme)
- Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle · Multi-genre concerts + JeudiVins (AOP Costières de Nîmes winemakers, 30+ estates)
- Place Mère Térésa · Rock · Brewer's area
- Place Gabriel Péri (new for 2026) · World music · Food
- Place de la Madeleine (new for 2026) · Drone Soccer · Participatory activities
- Carré d'Art · Free classical music (5 PM-7 PM)
- Église Saint-Paul · Organ and sacred songs, free admission
Wandering entertainment
- 7 PM-11 PM · Musical strolls (peñas, bandas, mobile groups) throughout the city center
- Evening · Street art tours by Association Le Spot (starting from Square Antonin, free, small groups)
- 8:30 PM-midnight · Argentine tango by the Abrazo Social Tango Club, Place du Chapitre (classes, demonstrations, milonga)
The detailed program, Thursday by Thursday, will be progressively announced on the official website of the City of Nîmes during spring and summer 2026.
Highlights Les Jeudis de Nîmes 2026
- 9 Thursdays of free entertainment in the heart of Nîmes, from July 2 to August 27, 2026
- 10 squares and venues in the historic center, including 2 new additions: Place Gabriel Péri (world music) and Place de la Madeleine (Drone Soccer)
- JeudiVins on the Esplanade with over 30 estates from the AOP Costières de Nîmes
- Jeudis Art at Square Antonin with 90+ artists and live painting
- Free classical music concerts at Carré d'Art
- Argentine tango at Place du Chapitre, peñas and bandas strolls, street art tours
Prices Les Jeudis de Nîmes 2026
Practical information — Les Jeudis de Nîmes
Location
Historic center of Nîmes (30000), Gard. Several squares in the city center host the events: Maison Carrée, Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle, Place de l'Horloge, Square Antonin, Place de la Calade, Place Mère Térésa, Place Gabriel Péri, Place de la Madeleine, Carré d'Art, Église Saint-Paul.
Hours
Every Thursday in July and August, from 7 PM to midnight (classical music concerts at Carré d'Art starting at 5 PM).
Access and parking
The historic center is pedestrianized during Les Jeudis. Several car parks are available nearby (Esplanade, Coupole, Arènes). The City of Nîmes occasionally offers free on-street parking on certain Thursdays. Prefer public transport (Tango network) or come on foot.
Prices
The majority of concerts and entertainment are free. Some tasting offers are paid (JeudiVins: €7.50 for the glass + 2 tasting tickets from the winemakers of the AOP Costières de Nîmes).
Contact
City of Nîmes — Switchboard: 04 66 76 70 01. Program and information on nimes.fr.
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Where does it take place — Les Jeudis de Nîmes
Centre historique de Nîmes (Maison Carrée, Esplanade, Place de l'Horloge, Square Antonin, Place de la Calade, Place Mère Térésa, Place Gabriel Péri, Place de la Madeleine, Carré d'Art, Église Saint-Paul)
Centre historique, 30000 Nîmes, 30000 Nîmes