U4 Steam Festival Steampunk
Retro-futuristic steampunk festival at the U4 Blast Furnace of Uckange
About U4 Steam
When Steampunk Meets the Steel Industry
The U4 Steam is a festival that brings together two surprisingly complementary worlds: the steampunk imagination, a cultural movement blending Victorian aesthetics with retro-futuristic science fiction, and the industrial heritage of Lorraine's steel industry. The Haut-Fourneau U4 site, an impressive industrial monument from the 1930s, with its metal structures, piping, and dizzying walkways, provides a perfect natural setting for this immersion into a world where steam, gears, and whimsical inventions reign supreme.
A Unique Industrial Setting
The Parc du Haut-Fourneau U4, located in the Fensch valley in Uckange, is one of the few blast furnaces preserved in Europe. Classified as a historical monument, it bears witness to the steel history that shaped Lorraine. At night, the blast furnace lights up thanks to the permanent installation by artist Claude Lévêque, titled « Tous les soleils » (All the Suns), which bathes the monument in colorful lights. This industrial and artistic setting enhances the festival's steampunk atmosphere.
Costumes and Parades
U4 Steam strongly encourages visitors to come costumed in the steampunk spirit: top hats, aviator goggles, corsets, frock coats, gears, and copper accessories. Costumed festival-goers benefit from a reduced rate. Costumed parades are organized in the park, creating a lively and participatory spectacle where everyone becomes an actor in the festival.
Shows and Entertainment
The festival program includes street shows blending theater, circus, and street arts with a steampunk aesthetic, exhibitions of retro-futuristic objects and imaginary machines, creative workshops to make your own steampunk accessories, and areas for board games and role-playing games on the theme. A large retro-futuristic market brings together about sixty exhibitors from France and neighboring countries (Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg).
L'Antre de Jack, Organizer of the 2026 Edition
For its 2nd edition, in 2026, U4 Steam is organized by the Vandières-based association L'Antre de Jack, in partnership with French Steampunk and the Parc du Haut-Fourneau U4. Under the title « Steelpunk, l'avènement des goupils » (Steelpunk, the Advent of the Foxes), this edition offers a reimagined immersion into the heart of the industrial installations with a packed program (concerts, falconry, fire shows, parades, theater for young audiences). The first edition, in May 2025, was coordinated by the association La Ballade féerique.
A Festival for the Whole Family
U4 Steam is designed as a family event. Children are welcome and can participate in creative workshops, discover street shows, and immerse themselves in the wonderful world of steampunk. The festive and friendly atmosphere, combined with the impressive setting of the blast furnace, creates unforgettable memories for young and old. Admission is free for children under 10 and for holders of the U4 annual pass.
U4 Steam — edition 2026
« Steelpunk, the advent of the foxes » — 2nd edition
For its second edition, the U4 Steam returns to the Parc du Haut-Fourneau in Uckange on Saturday, May 2nd and Sunday, May 3rd, 2026, under the title « Steelpunk, the advent of the foxes ». The organization is led by the Vandières-based association L'Antre de Jack, in partnership with French Steampunk and the Parc du Haut-Fourneau U4 — a new collaboration after a first edition coordinated by La Ballade féerique in 2025.
A redesigned immersion in the blast furnace
The 2026 edition offers a redesigned route through the industrial installations classified as historical monuments, with a dense program spread over two days. Costumed festival-goers benefit from a reduced rate, and the costumed parades in the park are an integral part of the show.
Shows, falconry and concerts
On the program: Les Voyageurs de la Kervan Compagnie and their burlesque universe inspired by Jules Verne, parading with pneumatic stilts, musicians and jugglers around their emblematic vehicle « La Loco Loca » (sound, lights, pyrotechnic effects); the Steampunk Elves with their fire shows; a falconry show featuring about ten species (owls, falcons, « sky wolves ») with a demonstration at 5 PM each day and the possibility of being photographed with a bird of prey; the West Gipsy Steamers, a group created for the festival by José Toril and Roudi, blending gypsy music and steampunk aesthetics; a rock-Celtic concert; and a human-powered theatrical carousel for young audiences.
Retro-futuristic market
A large craft market brings together about sixty exhibitors from France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg, featuring retro-futuristic creations, costumes, copper and brass jewelry, accessories, vintage objects and whimsical inventions.
Programme U4 Steam 2026
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 — 2 PM to 10 PM
- Opening of the park and the retro-futuristic market (≈60 exhibitors)
- Steampunk parades by Les Voyageurs de la Kervan Compagnie with « La Loco Loca » (pneumatic stilts, musicians, jugglers, pyrotechnic effects)
- 5 PM — Falconry demonstration (owls, falcons and « sky wolves »), possibility to be photographed with a bird of prey
- West Gipsy Steamers concert (José Toril & Roudi — gypsy music in steampunk style)
- Human-powered eco-culinary theatrical carousel for young audiences
- Fire show by the Steampunk Elves at the end of the day
- Rock-Celtic concert in the evening
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 — 10 AM to 6:30 PM
- Opening of the park and the retro-futuristic market
- New parades by Les Voyageurs de la Kervan Compagnie
- 5 PM — Second falconry demonstration
- New performances by the West Gipsy Steamers and the Steampunk Elves
- Theatrical carousel for young audiences
- Festival closing at 6:30 PM
Indicative program based on the organizer's public announcements. The precise times for each parade and concert may be displayed on site on the day.
Highlights U4 Steam 2026
- Les Voyageurs de la Kervan Compagnie and their pyrotechnic vehicle « La Loco Loca »
- Daily falconry demonstrations (5 PM)
- Concert by the West Gipsy Steamers (created for the festival)
- Fire shows by the Steampunk Elves
- Retro-futuristic market with about sixty French and cross-border exhibitors
- Costumed parades in the unique setting of the blast furnace
Prices U4 Steam 2026
Practical information — U4 Steam
Access
The Parc du Haut-Fourneau U4 is located in Uckange, in the Fensch valley, north of Metz.
- By car: From Metz, take the A31 towards Luxembourg, Uckange exit (approx. 25 minutes). From Thionville, follow the D953 (approx. 10 minutes).
- By train: Uckange station on the Metz-Thionville line (TER Grand Est).
- Parking: Free parking near the site.
Location
Parc du Haut-Fourneau U4, 1 rue du Jardin des Traces, 57270 Uckange.
Hours (2026 edition)
Saturday from 2 PM to 10 PM. Sunday from 10 AM to 6:30 PM.
Prices (2026 edition)
1-day pass: €4 in costume / €6 without costume. 2-day pass: €6 in costume / €10 without costume. Free for children under 10 and for holders of the U4 annual pass.
Contact
Parc du Haut-Fourneau U4
Phone: 03 82 57 37 37
Official website: www.hf-u4.com
Facebook: u4.uckange
Instagram: haut.fourneau.u4
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Where does it take place — U4 Steam
Parc du Haut-Fourneau U4
1 rue du Jardin des Traces, 57270 Uckange