Rues d'Été Festival
The major street arts event in Tarn, free and family-friendly
About Rues d'Été
Rues d'Été: Street Arts Invade Graulhet
Since 2009, the Rues d'Été festival transforms the town of Graulhet into a giant artistic playground every July. Driven by an association of enthusiasts, this free and family-friendly event brings together numerous street theater, circus, dance, puppetry, and music companies each year for three days of performances that take over public spaces.
A Festival Rooted in the Tradition of Street Arts
Street arts are the deep identity of Rues d'Été. The street, the square, the alley, the courtyard — any space in the city can become a stage for a performance. This way of doing theater, heir to a long traveling and popular tradition, is at the heart of the festival's artistic approach: to abolish the boundaries between artists and spectators, to surprise passersby, to invite residents to look at their city with new eyes.
The programmed companies offer very diverse artistic forms: contemporary circus, street theater, giant puppets, dance, participatory installations, musical parades. The program mixes demanding creations and shows for all audiences, intimate forms, and spectacular parades through the city streets.
Three Days of Celebration for All Audiences
The festival takes place over three days, from Thursday to Saturday, in early July. Performances start in the late afternoon and continue until nightfall, punctuating the life of the city center with a dense and varied program. Several stages and performance spaces are used simultaneously, allowing festival-goers to create their own itinerary by following the companies that attract them.
- An OFF program complements the official program, with shorter performances and surprise interventions throughout the city
- Workshops and meetings with artists are offered throughout the festival
- A young audience program is integrated into the whole, with performances specially designed for children and families
- Circ'O Dadou and other regional companies represent the local scene alongside national and international companies
A Popular and Civic Event
Rues d'Été claims its free, friendly, and civic nature. The festival is driven by an association of committed volunteers and professionals who work year-round to prepare the event. The participation of residents of Graulhet and neighboring towns is encouraged, whether as spectators, volunteers, or partners.
The town of Graulhet, former world capital of megisserie (leatherworking), showcases its historic center through the festival, which contributes to the economic and cultural vitality of the area. Rues d'Été is part of the network of major street festivals in the Occitanie region, alongside events like Les Arts en Fête (Montauban) or Fest'Arts (Libourne).
17th Edition in 2025: Another Collective Success
For its 17th edition in July 2025, the Rues d'Été festival once again brought together several thousand spectators around a rich and diverse program. The invited companies offered shows mixing circus, theater, dance, and musical performances in the streets and squares of Graulhet's center, confirming the festival's place as one of the essential cultural events in Tarn during the summer.
Rues d'Été — edition 2026
The 18th edition of the Rues d'Été festival takes place from Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 5, 2026 in Graulhet, on the theme « Shifted Realities ». Three days of free street performances — circus, theater, dance, puppetry, concerts, and performances — take over Place du Jourdain and the city center. Professional companies and local creations (Cie Thomas Carabistouille, Mandé Brass Band, Cie Vendaval, Solsikke, Circ'Ô Dadou, Cie Tu Mateixa, Cie MMCC, Cie Les Barbus, Famille Walili…) offer a diverted approach to reality, between questioning fundamental principles and a renewed perspective on societal issues.
18th edition — from July 3 to 5, 2026 in Graulhet
The Rues d'Été festival returns for its 18th edition from Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 5, 2026, in the heart of Graulhet's historic center (Tarn). Three days of entirely free street performances, centered around a theme that gives color to this edition: « Shifted Realities ». The invited companies will offer a diverted approach to reality, with a questioning of fundamental principles and a renewed perspective on societal issues, throughout a popular and family-friendly weekend.
A multidisciplinary program
As every year, the program blends contemporary circus, street theater, dance, puppetry, festive concerts, and wanderings. Place du Jourdain hosts the main events, complemented by Labo M and the squares and alleys of the city center for wanderings and the OFF program.
Among the companies announced for 2026:
- Cie Thomas Carabistouille — street theater
- Mandé Brass Band — festive brass band
- Cie Vendaval
- Alfred Production
- Cie L'Accord des On
- Princesse Production
- Solsikke
- Cie Tu Mateixa
- Paon dans le ciment
- Circ'Ô Dadou — circus (local company)
- Cie MMCC — dance
- Cie Les Barbus — theater
- Bohème 3000, Compañía Mosqueta, Famille Walili and the IN animations
A popular, free, and volunteer-run festival
Rues d'Été remains true to its DNA: free admission to all official program shows, organization 100% supported by volunteers from the Rues d'Été association, a friendly and civic spirit. Food and refreshments are available on site throughout the weekend. The festival welcomes families and all audiences, with shows for adults and children and an OFF program that extends the experience throughout the city.
Detailed program, precise schedules, and locations per company will be published throughout spring 2026 on ruesdete.fr and on the festival's Facebook and Instagram pages.
Programme Rues d'Été 2026
Friday, July 3, 2026
- 7:00 PM — Circ'Ô Dadou · Cabaret · Circus, all audiences (45 min) · Place du Jourdain
- 8:00 PM — Cie MMCC · Piège Moi · Dance, from 6 years old (45 min) · Place du Jourdain
- 8:45 PM — Little Amar · Concert, all audiences (60 min) · Labo M
- 10:15 PM — Famille Walili · Les Frères Mandals · DJ set, all audiences (2h) · Place du Jourdain
Saturday, July 4, 2026
- From noon — Continuous OFF program in the streets and squares of the city center (wanderings and short forms)
- 3:30 PM — Cie Les Barbus · Hamlet Crazy Road · Theater, from 12 years old (50 min)
- On Saturday's program: Poésie du Futur by Bohème 3000, Trastocando by Compañía Mosqueta, as well as the IN companies (Cie Thomas Carabistouille, Mandé Brass Band, Cie Vendaval, Alfred Production, Cie L'Accord des On, Princesse Production, Solsikke, Cie Tu Mateixa, Paon dans le ciment) — precise schedules published on the official website.
Sunday, July 5, 2026
- Daytime shows on Place du Jourdain and in the city center (detailed program to come on ruesdete.fr).
Program subject to change — full details, definitive schedules, and exact locations will be published throughout spring 2026 on the festival's official website.
Highlights Rues d'Été 2026
- 18th edition on the theme « Shifted Realities »
- Free admission to all official program shows
- Three days of circus, theater, dance, puppetry, concerts, and wanderings
- Place du Jourdain, Labo M, and Graulhet's historic center taken over
- Festival 100% run by volunteers, with food and refreshments on site
Prices Rues d'Été 2026
Practical information — Rues d'Été
Practical Information
Location
The festival takes place in the center of Graulhet, particularly in the squares, alleys, and courtyards of the historic district. Performances are held in several spaces simultaneously.
Access
By car: Graulhet is located about 30 km west of Castres and 50 km northeast of Toulouse, on the D631. Free parking is available on the outskirts of the city center during the festival.
By bus: Bus services connect Graulhet from Albi and Castres. Information: liO Occitanie network.
Admission and Ticketing
All shows in the official program are completely free, with no prior booking required. The public is free to move from one space to another as they wish.
Contact
Rues d'Été Association — 29 avenue Amiral Jaurès, 81300 Graulhet — [email protected]
Website: ruesdete.fr — Instagram: @festivalruesdete
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Where does it take place — Rues d'Été
Place du Jourdain et centre-ville
Place du Jourdain, 81300 Graulhet, 81300 Graulhet