Nord Magnétic
Live arts festival in public spaces in Bailleul and Hazebrouck — 2026 edition not confirmed, event currently on hold since 2013
Edition 2026 — event currently on hold
There is no edition scheduled in 2026 for this event. This page remains accessible to archive the history of the manifestation and will be updated if a new edition is announced.
About Nord Magnétic
ℹ️ 2026 edition not confirmed — event currently on hold. No edition of Nord Magnétic could be confirmed for 2026 by public sources (Département du Nord, regional press, cultural agendas of the Nord, tourist offices of Bailleul and Hazebrouck, official Facebook page). The only publicly documented edition to date is the 1st, in May 2013. This page is kept for documentary purposes — if a new edition were to be organized by the Département du Nord, it would be updated.
Nord Magnétic: live arts take over Flanders
Nord Magnétic was the first street arts festival supported by the Département du Nord. Launched in 2013 to mark the 300th anniversary of the Treaty of Utrecht, which set the borders between France and the Netherlands, it aimed to celebrate the cross-border dimension of this territory by welcoming artists from all over Europe.
A multidisciplinary program in public spaces
The festival took over the towns of Bailleul and Hazebrouck, as well as the Belgian municipality of Poperinge, with a program combining street arts, contemporary circus, theatre, dance, music, plastic installations, and documentary. For its 1st edition (May 17-20, 2013), 45 European companies offered over 100 performances spread over four days, transforming public spaces into ephemeral stages. Attendance was then estimated at 50,000 people for a budget of approximately 2 million euros.
Residents at the heart of the project
One of Nord Magnétic's unique features was the active participation of residents. Some took part in collective performances, others hosted installations in their gardens or contributed to participatory creations. This civic involvement gave the festival a human and warm dimension, true to Flemish hospitality.
A free and accessible festival
All Nord Magnétic shows and activities were offered with free and open access, with some simply requiring prior reservation. This free access reflected the Département du Nord's desire to make culture accessible to all audiences, including those far from major urban centers.
A desired European reach
Nord Magnétic was part of a European network of street arts festivals and benefited from partnerships with Belgian cultural organizations, particularly in Poperinge. The festival was intended to be biennial, with a new edition announced every two years, but to date, no edition after May 2013 has been publicly documented by the press, the Département du Nord, or the host cities.
Discover Inner Flanders today
While Nord Magnétic is no longer held, Inner Flanders remains a culturally vibrant territory. Bailleul and Hazebrouck offer numerous events throughout the year (the festival Hazebrouck Ville Ouverte / La Rue aux Artistes notably perpetuates the spirit of street arts in Hazebrouck), and local tourist offices as well as the Nord Évasion platform of the Département du Nord list the major events of the year.
Nord Magnétic — edition 2026
ℹ️ 2026 Edition not confirmed — event currently on hold. Nord Magnétic did not take place in May 2026 in Bailleul and Hazebrouck. No 2026 edition has been announced by the Département du Nord, the host cities, or the official Facebook page, and the only publicly documented edition to date remains the 1st (May 17-20, 2013).
2026 Edition — Not Confirmed
This edition, expected from May 14 to 17, 2026 in Bailleul, Hazebrouck, and surrounding municipalities, could not be confirmed and did not take place. No third-party public source (Département du Nord, Hauts-de-France regional press, Nord cultural agendas, Bailleul town hall, Hazebrouck town hall, Flandre intérieure tourist office) mentions a 2026 edition or any recent edition. The official Facebook page Festival Nord Magnetic still exists but has not announced a new edition. For any additional information or to check if a future edition would again be organized by the Département du Nord, consult the website lenord.fr or the tourist offices of Bailleul and Hazebrouck.
Discover Inner Flanders
Inner Flanders remains a culturally vibrant territory: the festival Hazebrouck Ville Ouverte / La Rue aux Artistes perpetuates the spirit of street arts in Hazebrouck, and numerous events (Beaux Dimanches en Flandre, local festivities) animate the region throughout the year. The Nord Évasion platform of the Département du Nord lists the major events of the year.
Prices Nord Magnétic 2026
Practical information — Nord Magnétic
ℹ️ 2026 edition not confirmed — event on hold. The practical information below is kept for documentary purposes and concerned the 2013 edition of Nord Magnétic. To check if a future edition would be organized by the Département du Nord, consult the department's website (lenord.fr) or the tourist offices of Bailleul and Hazebrouck.
Locations
Nord Magnétic shows and installations took place in the streets, squares, parks, gardens, and public buildings of Bailleul and Hazebrouck, as well as in the Belgian municipality of Poperinge. Some creations were specifically designed for the spaces in which they were presented: disused factory, private garden, gymnasium.
Access and transport
By train: Bailleul and Hazebrouck stations are served by TER trains from Lille-Flandres (30-40 min, frequent trains). Town centers are a few minutes' walk from the stations.
By car: A25 motorway from Lille, exit Bailleul (30 min) or Hazebrouck (40 min). Free parking at the entrance to both towns. Poperinge (Belgium) is 15 min from Bailleul.
Discover Inner Flanders
Bailleul and Hazebrouck have hotels, bed and breakfasts, and gîtes. Inner Flanders offers a pleasant rural setting for a stay. The region remains culturally active all year round — see notably the festival Hazebrouck Ville Ouverte / La Rue aux Artistes which perpetuates the spirit of street arts in Hazebrouck.
Contact
Département du Nord — Culture Department: contact via lenord.fr
Facebook page (archive): Festival Nord Magnétic
Tourist offices: Bailleul (Town Hall: 03 28 50 11 50) and Hazebrouck (03 28 49 53 28).
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Where does it take place — Nord Magnétic
Espaces publics de Bailleul et Hazebrouck