Main Square Festival
The largest music festival in the Hauts-de-France region, in the UNESCO-listed Citadel of Arras
About Main Square Festival
Main Square Festival: An Unmissable Musical Event in Arras
The Main Square Festival is the largest music festival in the Hauts-de-France region and one of the major musical events in France. Founded in 2004 by France Leduc Productions, it was taken over by Live Nation and has since established itself as an unmissable summer event, attracting around 120,000 festival-goers over three days each year.
An Exceptional Setting: The Vauban Citadel
The first edition was held on the Grand-Place of Arras in 2004, with Placebo headlining in front of 15,000 people. Since 2010, the festival has been held in the Citadel of Arras, a masterpiece by Vauban inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. This unique historical setting, in the heart of a green space, offers a singular atmosphere blending heritage and celebration.
A Prestigious International Lineup
Over the years, Main Square Festival has hosted the biggest names in the global music scene: Muse, Depeche Mode, The Weeknd, Stromae, Placebo, Arctic Monkeys, Black Eyed Peas, DJ Snake, Deftones, Orelsan, Katy Perry, Twenty One Pilots, and many more. The lineup mixes rock, pop, electro, rap, French variety, and world music, offering a diversity that appeals to all audiences.
A Complete Festival Experience
Beyond the concerts, Main Square Festival offers a true festive village with food courts, bars, activities, and relaxation areas. The official campsite allows festival-goers to live the full experience. Shuttles are available from Arras train station and the city center.
A Major Economic and Cultural Impact
Main Square Festival is an economic driver for the Arras territory, generating significant returns for the hotel, restaurant, and local commerce sectors. It contributes to the national and international influence of Arras and the Hauts-de-France region.
Main Square Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Main Square Festival will take place from July 3 to 5 in the Vauban Citadel of Arras. Three days and three stages (Main Stage, Vauban, Le Bastion) for an exceptional international lineup led by Katy Perry, Orelsan, Marshmello, and Twenty One Pilots (exclusive show in France).
Main Square Festival 2026
The Main Square Festival returns from July 3 to 5, 2026 to the Vauban Citadel in Arras for another exceptional edition. The lineup promises to be spectacular with leading international headliners spread across three stages: the Main Stage, the Vauban stage (formerly Green Room), and Le Bastion.
Headliners
Katy Perry will open the festival on Friday, July 3, followed by Orelsan and Marshmello on Saturday, July 4. Twenty One Pilots will close the edition on Sunday, July 5 with an exclusive show in France.
An Eclectic Lineup
Around these headliners, the 2026 edition blends pop, rock, electro, and French rap with Paul Kalkbrenner, Charlotte Cardin, Asaf Avidan, Renée Rapp, Vald x Vladimir Cauchemar x Todiefor (Team Reloaded project), Cassius, Yamê, L2B, Jessie Murph, The Warning, Miki, Zaho, Perceval, Balu Brigada, Don West, Nono La Grinta, and many other French and international artists.
Sold Out Festival — Official Resale
The festival is sold out for the 3-day pass, 2-day pass, and Sunday pass. Only the 1-day passes for Friday and Saturday remain available at the official ticket office. An official resale platform is open on Ticketmaster for passes already sold.
Programme Main Square Festival 2026
Friday, July 3, 2026
Main Stage
- 4:45 PM — Linka Moja
- 6:15 PM — Midnight Generation
- 8:15 PM — Charlotte Cardin
- 10:15 PM — Katy Perry (headliner)
- 12:45 AM — Paul Kalkbrenner
Vauban Stage
- 5:30 PM — Luiza
- 7:15 PM — Jessie Murph
- 9:15 PM — Miki
- 11:45 PM — Cassius
Le Bastion
- 5:40 PM — Seedy Liars
- 7:30 PM — NÛR
- 9:30 PM — Romain Podeur
- 12:00 AM — Mercure Nitro
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Main Stage
- 3:45 PM — Radio Free Alice
- 5:30 PM — The Warning
- 7:30 PM — Asaf Avidan
- 9:30 PM — Orelsan (headliner)
- 12:00 AM — Marshmello (closing)
Vauban Stage
- 3:00 PM — Keo
- 4:30 PM — Eve La Marka
- 6:30 PM — Nono La Grinta
- 8:30 PM — Yamê
- 11:00 PM — L2B
Le Bastion
- 4:45 PM — Bertox
- 6:45 PM — Stuck in Yesterday
- 8:45 PM — Venus VNR
- 11:15 PM — Jaymee
Sunday, July 5, 2026
Main Stage
- 3:00 PM — Voilà
- 4:30 PM — Balu Brigada
- 6:30 PM — Renée Rapp
- 8:30 PM — Vald x Vladimir Cauchemar x Todiefor (Team Reloaded)
- 10:45 PM — Twenty One Pilots (headliner, exclusive show in France)
Vauban Stage
- 3:45 PM — Supermodel
- 5:30 PM — Don West
- 7:30 PM — Zaho
- 9:45 PM — Perceval
Le Bastion
- 3:50 PM — Jeannette & Maj
- 5:45 PM — Ahna
- 7:45 PM — Ours Samplus
- 9:55 PM — MDNS
Highlights Main Square Festival 2026
- Twenty One Pilots in an exclusive French show on Sunday, July 5
- Katy Perry as opening headliner on Friday, July 3
- Orelsan + Marshmello for the night of Saturday, July 4
- Three stages (Main Stage, Vauban, Le Bastion) with over 35 artists scheduled
- Sold out festival — official resale open via Ticketmaster
Prices Main Square Festival 2026
Practical information — Main Square Festival
Access to the Festival
By Car
From Lille (45 min), Paris (2h), or Calais (1h30), take the A26 or A1 motorway, then follow the signs for "Main Square Festival" or "Citadelle". Park-and-ride facilities are available on the outskirts of the city with free shuttles to the site.
By Train
Arras station is served by TGV (Paris-Nord in 50 min) and TER from Lille (30 min). Free shuttles connect the station to the festival site. The last train to Paris is usually around 10 PM; special trains are sometimes arranged.
By Bus
Special buses are organized from several cities in the region (Lille, Lens, Béthune, Douai). Information on the festival website.
Camping
The official Main Square Festival campsite is located immediately next to the site. It opens on Thursday evening and closes on Monday morning. Access is reserved for holders of a camping pass + festival ticket. Showers, toilets, and lockers are available on site.
Food & Drink
- Food court with numerous varied food stands
- Bars with cashless payment (rechargeable bracelet)
- Free water points on site
PMR Accessibility
The festival has raised platforms with views of the stages, adapted toilets, and dedicated reception. Reduced rates for people with disabilities and their companions. Advance registration recommended on the festival website.
Lockers and Regulations
- Mandatory cashless payment system on site
- Glass bottles, cans, and dangerous objects are prohibited
- Animals are not allowed within the festival grounds
- Earplugs are distributed free of charge at the entrances
Ticketing
Tickets are available on the official website mainsquarefestival.fr and at usual points of sale (Fnac, Ticketmaster, See Tickets). 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day passes are available.
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Where does it take place — Main Square Festival
Citadelle Vauban d'Arras
Boulevard du Général de Gaulle, 62000 Arras