URBX Festival
The urban cultures festival of Roubaix and the Lille metropolis
About URBX
URBX Festival: Urban Cultures on Stage in Roubaix
The URBX Festival was born in 2022 in Roubaix, succeeding the "Expériences Urbaines #XU" festival. In three editions, it has become the essential meeting place for urban cultures in the Lille metropolis, attracting over 30,000 participants.
Five Disciplines, One Festival
URBX stands out for its multidisciplinary approach to urban cultures, structured around five pillars:
- Dance: hip-hop, break, popping, and locking battles, workshops, and showcases
- Music: free concerts of rap, R&B, afrobeats, and urban music on the Grand Place
- Street Art: mural paintings, exhibitions, and performances by urban artists
- Fashion: urban and streetwear fashion shows, creative workshops
- Sport: skateboard, 3x3 basketball, parkour, and urban sports competitions
Roubaix and the Metropolis on Stage
The festival takes over unusual and emblematic venues in Roubaix and the Lille metropolis: La Condition Publique, the Grand Place of Roubaix, industrial wastelands, and public spaces. This integration into the urban fabric makes the festival a true city event, accessible and open to all.
A Unifying Event
URBX brings together over 300 artists and 20 events in more than 10 locations over 10 days. The festival is largely free, notably featuring the grand free concert on the Grand Place of Roubaix which attracts over 10,000 people. URBX is supported by the City of Roubaix and the European Metropolis of Lille.
The Legacy of Expériences Urbaines
URBX is the successor to the Expériences Urbaines #XU festival, a historic urban cultures event in Roubaix. By taking the torch while expanding the scope (dance, fashion, sport in addition to music), URBX has modernized the concept while maintaining the territorial roots and participatory spirit that were the strengths of its predecessor.
URBX — edition 2026
The 5th edition of the URBX Festival takes place from June 11 to 21, 2026 in Roubaix and the Lille metropolitan area. Eleven days dedicated to urban cultures with over 20 events in 10 venues: concerts, dance, street art, fashion, and sport. Highlight: the big free concert on Saturday, June 20 on the Grand Place de Roubaix with Gradur, Jungeli, and Eesah Yasuke.
URBX Festival 2026 — 5th Edition
The URBX Festival returns to Roubaix and the Lille metropolitan area from June 11 to 21, 2026 for a particularly dense 5th edition. Eleven days of free concerts, dance, street art, fashion, sport, performances, and participatory events will take over streets, rooftops, public squares, and emblematic sites of the region.
A Godmother for this Edition: Eesah Yasuke
Roubaix artist Eesah Yasuke is the godmother of this 5th edition. With a unique and committed voice, she embodies a generation for whom rap is both a tool for expression and a lever for mobilization. She opens the festival with an immersive carte blanche at La Condition Publique on June 11.
Over 20 Events in 10 Venues
The 2026 edition promises enhanced accessibility (free concerts, participatory events), stronger female representation across all disciplines, and deep territorial roots between Roubaix, Lille, Armentières, Arras, Valenciennes, and Villeneuve-d'Ascq. Five disciplines, one festival: music, dance, street art, fashion, and sport intertwine to form a true cultural ecosystem.
Review of the 2025 Edition
The previous edition brought together 26 events, 305 invited artists, over 10,000 people at the free concert on the Grand Place, and a total of 30,900 participants — an ambitious starting point for the 5th edition.
Programme URBX 2026
Thursday, June 11, 2026 — Opening Night
- La Condition Publique — Carte blanche to Eesah Yasuke, godmother of the edition. Immersive evening blending music, visual arts, performances, and emerging local scene.
Friday, June 12, 2026
- Afro Live — Grand evening orchestrated by the Afro Live collective with six regional DJs.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 — Young Talents Festival
- École Edmond Rostand — Roubaix Young Talents Festival in partnership with the Municipal Children's Council (CME). Free, open to 6-16 year olds: open stages, performances, and workshops.
Saturday, June 20, 2026 — Free Concert Grand Place
Doors open 7:00 PM. Free access.
- 8:00 PM–8:45 PM — Eesah Yasuke · Grand Place. Rap, neo-soul, rock, and Congolese influences.
- 9:00 PM–10:00 PM — Jungeli · Grand Place. Revelation of the new generation at 16, propelled by the success of « Petit Génie ».
- 10:30 PM–11:30 PM — Gradur · Grand Place. Major figure of French rap from Roubaix, first on the Grand Place stage.
Throughout the festival (precise dates to be announced)
- Mourad Merzouki — Beauséjour · Le Colisée (Roubaix). Creation by choreographer Mourad Merzouki.
- Battles, collective creations, and performances across the Lille metropolitan area (Lille, Armentières, Arras, Valenciennes, Villeneuve-d'Ascq).
- Street art — giant fresco by Azhar Wiam and installations by urban artists.
- Basketball performances on court at Musée La Piscine.
- Exhibition « Roubaix Photo » — over a century of industrial heritage in images.
Full program and detailed schedule on urbxfestival.com.
Highlights URBX 2026
- 5th edition of the urban cultures festival
- 11 days from June 11 to 21, 2026
- Over 20 events in 10 venues
- Free concert on the Grand Place on Saturday, June 20 with Gradur, Jungeli, and Eesah Yasuke
- Opening carte blanche to Eesah Yasuke at La Condition Publique on June 11
- Creation by Mourad Merzouki « Beauséjour » at Le Colisée
- Five disciplines: music, dance, street art, fashion, sport
Prices URBX 2026
Practical information — URBX
Festival Access
By Metro
Stations Roubaix Grand Place and Roubaix Charles de Gaulle (line 2 of the Ilévia metro) to access the main festival venues.
By Train
Roubaix station, served by TER from Lille (15 min).
By Car
From Lille, approximately 20 minutes via the A22. Parking available near the festival venues.
Prices
Many events are free, including the big concert on the Grand Place. Some specific events may be ticketed.
Main Venues
- Grand Place de Roubaix – free concerts
- La Condition Publique – 14 place du Général Faidherbe
- Various locations in Roubaix and the metropolis
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 03 20 00 47 61
Official website: urbxfestival.com
Accommodation
Roubaix and Lille offer a wide choice of accommodation. Metro line 2 connects the two cities in 15 minutes.
Practical Tips
- Consult the full program on the official website, as events are spread across 10 locations
- The big free concert on the Grand Place is the highlight; arrive early
- Many events are participatory: dance workshops, collaborative murals
- Wear comfortable shoes to get around the different venues
Accessibility
The festival is committed to inclusion and accessibility. The main venues are adapted for people with reduced mobility.
Environment and Social Commitment
The URBX Festival is part of a social and environmental commitment. The festival promotes urban cultures as a vector for inclusion and social cohesion, while implementing eco-responsible practices at its various sites.
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Where does it take place — URBX
Grand Place de Roubaix et lieux divers
Grand Place, 59100 Roubaix