Music Festival in Saintes
About twenty free stages in the city center on June 21, 2026
About Music Festival in Saintes
Every June 21, Saintes celebrates the Fête de la Musique: the city center transforms into a vast open-air stage where amateur musicians, established artists, choirs, and dancers perform for free. Organized by the City of Saintes, the day is entirely free and takes over squares, pedestrian streets, and gardens, from Cours National to Jardin public.
The Fête de la Musique in Saintes
As everywhere in France since 1982, the Fête de la Musique transforms the city of Saintes into an open stage every June 21. Music freely takes over public spaces, from early afternoon until the heart of the night, in all styles and for all audiences. It is a popular and participatory event: everyone can propose a concert, a dance show, or a street performance, and shopkeepers welcome artists on their terraces.
A celebration throughout the historic center
For the 2026 edition, about twenty spaces dedicated to music and dance are spread throughout the city center: Cours National and the pedestrian streets, Place Saint-Pierre, Place Bassompierre, Square Foch, Place du Présidial, Place de l'Échevinage, Cloître Saint-Pierre, Esplanade du marché couvert, Esplanade Malraux and Jardin public with its kiosk and open-air theater. Open stages, street performances, and dance areas coexist throughout the day.
The celebration begins at midday with a participatory picnic at Jardin public, with everyone bringing their own meal, before concerts follow one another until late into the night. Bars and restaurants extend the evening by hosting concerts on their terraces, weather permitting, or inside their establishments.
Music Festival in Saintes — edition 2026
The Fête de la Musique 2026 in Saintes takes place on Sunday, June 21st, from 12:30 PM to 2 AM, free of charge throughout the city center. Around twenty music and dance areas are spread from Cours National to Jardin public, featuring open stages, musical strolls, and dance spaces.
Programme Music Festival in Saintes 2026
Overview of the spaces announced for the 2026 edition, spread throughout the historic center:
Jardin public — from 12:30 PM
The day opens with a participatory picnic, with everyone bringing their own meal. The bandstand and open-air theater then host concerts and shows throughout the day and evening.
Place Bassompierre
Amplified stage dedicated to members of Espace Saint-Eutrope.
Dance areas
Place Saint-Pierre, Esplanade Malraux, and the open-air theater of Jardin public host dance practices.
Cours National and pedestrian streets
Open stages and musical strolls along Cours National and the pedestrian streets of the city center.
Free programming zones
Square Foch, Place du Présidial, Place de l'Échevinage, Cloître Saint-Pierre, Esplanade du marché couvert, Esplanade Malraux, as well as the bandstand and open-air theater of Jardin public are open for free programming: musicians, singers, and dancers can perform there, and shopkeepers can host artists.
The Fête de la Musique in Saintes is a participatory event: the program is built from the registrations of musicians, groups, and associations. Details of artists per stage will be published closer to June 21st.
Highlights Music Festival in Saintes 2026
- Around twenty music and dance areas throughout the city center.
- The opening participatory picnic at Jardin public, from 12:30 PM.
- The amplified stage at Place Bassompierre (Espace Saint-Eutrope).
- Dance areas at Place Saint-Pierre, Esplanade Malraux, and the open-air theater.
- 100% free event, from 12:30 PM to 2 AM.
Prices Music Festival in Saintes 2026
Practical information — Music Festival in Saintes
Practical Information
When: Sunday, June 21, 2026, from 12:30 PM to 2 AM.
Where: Throughout the city center of Saintes — Cours National, pedestrian streets, Place Saint-Pierre, Place Bassompierre, Square Foch, Place du Présidial, Place de l'Échevinage, Cloître Saint-Pierre, Esplanade Malraux and Jardin public.
Price: Free admission to all stages.
Traffic: For safety reasons, vehicle access to the city center is prohibited from 3 PM. Drop-off points for equipment are allowed at the entrance of pedestrian zones between 1 PM and 3 PM.
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Where does it take place — Music Festival in Saintes
Centre-ville — une vingtaine de scènes (Cours National, places et Jardin public)