Tambours de Fête Festival
The festival of percussion in all its forms
About Tambours de Fête
Percussion in all its forms since 1998
The Tambours de Fête festival was born in 1998 from the initiative of the Tropic Carolo Combo troupe, a collective of passionate Ardennes percussionists. From its very first edition, the festival met with immense public success thanks to its originality and bold programming, making the rhythms of the world resonate in the streets of Charleville-Mézières. Initially organized every three years, it became annual since 2013 under the impetus of AME (Association for Music and Expression), which has perpetuated its spirit since 2004.
World-renowned artists
Throughout its editions, Tambours de Fête has hosted internationally renowned percussionists: Billy Cobham, Trilok Gurtu, the Tambours du Bronx, and many other artists from all corners of the globe. The festival explores all facets of percussion: djembe, drums, body percussion, junk percussion (percussion using recycled objects), tabla, congas, balafon, steel drum, taiko, and traditional percussion from all continents.
Graines de Percus: education at the heart of the festival
One of the festival's pillars is the Graines de Percus program, which became annual in 2008. This educational component offers percussion workshops in schools, middle schools, and high schools in the Ardennes, led by professional artists. Students work for several weeks before presenting their work at the festival, participating in parades and collective performances. This program reaches hundreds of children and adolescents in the region each year.
16th edition 2024: the legacy of STOMP
The 16th edition, from May 27 to June 1, 2024, made a mark with the exceptional presence of Carl Smith, founder of the legendary STOMP troupe, who led body percussion and junk percussion workshops at AME. This edition confirmed the festival's ability to attract top-tier artists while remaining true to its DNA: percussion accessible to all.
17th edition 2025: the festival goes decentralized
The 17th edition, from May 12 to 20, 2025, innovated by decentralizing across the entire Ardennes region, favoring a rural environment. No indoor concerts or parades in the streets of Charleville-Mézières this year, but the festival renewed its formula while remaining true to percussion. The finale was held on May 20 at the Macérienne/Square Bayard site.
Tambours de Fête — edition 2026
18th edition of the Tambours de Fête festival in Charleville-Mézières, from May 25 to 30, 2026. A week entirely dedicated to percussion, with this year a focus on the Handpan and the Tongue Drum. The festival welcomes specialist Frédéric Perroux for workshops and a concert, and concludes on Saturday, May 30 with a big free Salsa evening, Place de l'Hôtel de Ville.
A week to the rhythm of percussion
For its 18th edition, the Tambours de Fête festival takes place from Monday, May 25 to Saturday, May 30, 2026 in Charleville-Mézières. On the program: Handpan, Tongue Drum, introductions for schoolchildren and the general public, and a festive closing around Salsa.
Frédéric Perroux, Handpan guest of honor
The 2026 edition highlights the Handpan, an instrument born in Switzerland in 2000 whose roots lie in the Caribbean steel drum. The festival welcomes Frédéric Perroux, a recognized specialist of the instrument, who leads public workshops at AME and gives an exceptional concert on Wednesday, May 27 in the courtyard of the Musée de l'Ardenne (free). A performance with the trainees will take place on Saturday, May 30 at 11:30 AM in the museum's amphitheater.
Graines de Percus: Tongue Drum for schoolchildren
The educational component Graines de Percus, a historical pillar of the festival since 2008, is renewed in 2026 focusing on the Tongue Drum and small percussions. Workshops are held from Tuesday, May 26 to Friday, May 29 in CM1/CM2 and middle school classes in the Ardennes department, supervised by professional artists from AME.
Salsa closing evening, Saturday, May 30
The festival concludes on Saturday, May 30, 2026 on the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville with a free evening open to all. From 8 PM, the Apéri Drum offers an introduction to salsa dance by the duo Dong & Ana, followed from 9 PM by Roulements dans la Nuit: a festive salsa dance under a marquee, animated by the ten musicians of Banda Ancha Salsa, a group led by Venezuelan singer-dancer Mélésio Quijada and singer Yvette Djivandjy, which brings together musicians from Northern France and Belgium.
Programme Tambours de Fête 2026
Monday, May 25, 2026 — Opening
- 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM · Handpan workshop with Frédéric Perroux (day 1/5) — AME, 25 rue de Champagne · Price: 50 € / 40 € members (full week) · Prerequisite: Handpan tuned to D Kurd scale (limited loans)
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
- All day · Tongue Drum & small percussion workshops in CM1/CM2 and middle school classes in the Ardennes (Graines de Percus) · Free for schoolchildren
- 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM · Handpan workshop with Frédéric Perroux (day 2/5) — AME
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
- All day · Graines de Percus (Tongue Drum) workshops in schools
- 3:00 PM · Concert by Frédéric Perroux (Handpan) — Courtyard of the Musée de l'Ardenne (relocated to AME if bad weather) · Free
- 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM · Handpan workshop with Frédéric Perroux (day 3/5) — AME
Thursday, May 28, 2026
- All day · Graines de Percus (Tongue Drum) workshops in schools
- 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM · Handpan workshop with Frédéric Perroux (day 4/5) — AME
Friday, May 29, 2026
- All day · Graines de Percus (Tongue Drum) workshops in schools — last school day
- 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM · Handpan workshop with Frédéric Perroux (day 5/5) — AME
Saturday, May 30, 2026 — Closing
- 11:30 AM · Handpan trainees' concert-performance with Frédéric Perroux — Amphitheater of the Musée de l'Ardenne · Free (subject to availability)
- 8:00 PM · Apéri Drum: salsa dance initiation by Dong & Ana — Place de l'Hôtel de Ville · Free
- 9:00 PM · Roulements dans la Nuit: festive salsa dance with Banda Ancha Salsa (10 musicians, Franco-Belgian group led by Mélésio Quijada and Yvette Djivandjy) — Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, under marquee · Free
Highlights Tambours de Fête 2026
- 2026 focus on the Handpan with Frédéric Perroux, recognized specialist of the instrument
- Free concert by Frédéric Perroux on Wednesday, May 27 at 3 PM, courtyard of the Musée de l'Ardenne
- Educational program Graines de Percus focusing on the Tongue Drum in Ardennes schools
- Free salsa closing evening on Saturday, May 30 with Banda Ancha Salsa, Place de l'Hôtel de Ville
- All-level Handpan workshops open to the public at AME, from Monday, May 25 to Friday, May 29
Prices Tambours de Fête 2026
Practical information — Tambours de Fête
Practical Information
Access
The festival headquarters is at AME, 25 rue de Champagne, 08000 Charleville-Mézières. Performances take place in various locations in the city and the department.
- By car: A34 from Reims (1h), free parking near AME.
- By train: Charleville-Mézières SNCF station, AME is a 15-minute walk away.
Prices
- Concerts: variable prices depending on the performance
- Parades and street performances: free
- Educational workshops: free for schoolchildren
Contact
- Website: tamboursdefete.com
- AME: 25 rue de Champagne, 08000 Charleville-Mézières
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Where does it take place — Tambours de Fête
AME – Association pour les Musiques et l'Expression
25 rue de Champagne, 08000 Charleville-Mézières