Nuit Trad'Actuelle

The national meeting point for contemporary trad music

Created by the association Folkafon, Nuit Trad'Actuelle has established itself over a decade as one of the major events for contemporary traditional music in France. Organized every two years in Troyes, in the Aube department, this festival attracts folk dance and trad music enthusiasts from all over France and Europe. The event takes place over three days, from Friday to Sunday, at the Espace Argence and the Chapelle Argence, two adjoining halls located on Boulevard Gambetta, in the heart of the city.

Two evenings of ball and an exceptional concert

The Nuit Trad'Actuelle program revolves around two major folk ball evenings — Friday and Saturday — which continue until the early hours of the morning on a 450 m² dance floor. Dancers, both beginners and experienced, indulge in bourrées, scottishes, mazurkas, waltzes, and other traditional dances to the sound of the invited ensembles. On Saturday afternoon, a dance workshop allows newcomers to learn the fundamental steps. On Sunday afternoon, a concert at the Chapelle Argence concludes the festival in a more contemplative atmosphere, offering attentive listening to the musicians.

Artistic direction entrusted to an invited musician

Each edition of Nuit Trad'Actuelle is placed under the artistic direction of a recognized musician from the French or European trad scene, who composes the program according to their sensitivity and musical affinities. For the 11th edition in November 2025, it is the accordionist Tiennet Simonnin who had carte blanche to invite groups such as Cadène, Garenne, Hamon-Martin, Cosmos Chocolat, Traucanèu, Saraï, Planchée, Heydiie, and Balam. This carte blanche principle guarantees a coherent and bold program, at the crossroads of tradition and contemporary creation.

Champagne conviviality and folk spirit

Beyond music and dance, Nuit Trad'Actuelle cultivates a spirit of conviviality that makes it renowned. On-site catering, provided by Kantinetik, offers local and seasonal cuisine, while the bar is 100% regional, highlighting producers from Aube and Champagne. The Folkafon association, founded in 2001, organizes folk balls and traditional dance workshops in Troyes throughout the year, making Nuit Trad'Actuelle the highlight of its cultural activities in favor of living musical heritage.