Wazemmes l'Accordéon Festival
The popular and festive accordion festival in the Wazemmes district of Lille
About Wazemmes l'Accordéon
Wazemmes l'Accordéon: Lille's Popular Music Celebration
The Wazemmes l'Accordéon festival is a must-attend event in the Wazemmes district of Lille, one of the most cosmopolitan and lively neighborhoods in the Lille metropolitan area. Born in 1992, this festival initially disappeared from the Lille scene between 1994 and 2002 before being revived thanks to the Flonflons association, created in 2001, which perpetuates the festive and popular spirit of the event.
A Month of Festivities Throughout the Neighborhood
For nearly a month each spring, Wazemmes vibrates to the rhythm of the accordion and much more. The festival offers a rich and eclectic program: concerts in the neighborhood's bars with the famous 12 or 15 bars evening, popular dances including the legendary Bal du Cheval Blanc, street performances, musical workshops, and the Village W during the closing weekend, the true highlight of the festivities with open-air stages, entertainment, and food.
The Accordion at the Heart of All Music
While the accordion is the festival's emblematic instrument, the programming extends far beyond traditional musette. The festival explores all facets of this universal instrument: manouche jazz, world music, French chanson, punk, electro, disco, and festive music. World-renowned artists such as Renaud, Rachid Taha, Nina Hagen, Omar Souleyman, La Compagnie Créole, and many others have marked the festival's history.
Popular and Solidarity-Based Roots
True to the spirit of Wazemmes, the festival aims to be accessible to all. The vast majority of events are free, and the friendly atmosphere fosters a mix of generations and cultures. The Waz Pétanque Cup, the Caravane Vanne, and children's shows complement a program designed for all ages. The Flonflons association also organizes events throughout the year to maintain social connections in the neighborhood.
Iconic Venues
The festivities unfold in the neighborhood's key venues: the Maison Folie Wazemmes, the Gare Saint-Sauveur, the Grand Sud, and the bars and cafes around Place de la Nouvelle Aventure and adjacent streets. Village W, set up in the Wazemmes market square, is the beating heart of the festival.
Wazemmes l'Accordéon — edition 2026
For its 28th edition from May 2nd to June 6th, 2026, the Wazemmes l'Accordéon festival opens up to the Mediterranean basin in connection with the Gare Méditerranée season of lille3000. More than a month of concerts, dances, screenings, and festive events, mostly free, in the Wazemmes district of Lille and the metropolitan area, from the opening Bal du Cheval Blanc to the closing weekend of Village W, with Sanseverino, Mon Côté Punk, Oldelaf, Highlight Tribe, and many others.
Wazemmes l'Accordéon 2026: Heading for the Mediterranean
The 28th edition of the Wazemmes l'Accordéon festival takes place from Saturday, May 2nd to Saturday, June 6th, 2026 in the Wazemmes district of Lille and throughout the Lille metropolitan area (Armentières, Seclin, Faches-Thumesnil, Baisieux). For this edition, the Flonflons association is part of lille3000's Gare Méditerranée season and focuses its programming on music from the Mediterranean basin: tango, raï, Balkan brass bands, Andalusian accordion, Mediterranean electronic trances.
2026 Highlights
- Bal du Cheval Blanc (Sat. May 2nd) — the historic opening at Le Grand Sud, with Monique et son cheval blanc and Les Zazous
- Waz'Pétanque Cup & Waz Open Air (Fri. May 8th) — tournament and open-air concerts at the Halle de Glisse
- Tribute to Ahmed Zergui (Sat. May 16th) — Raï Roots evening with Jamel Reffes and Mehtoze at Gare Saint Sauveur
- La Caravane Vanne (Sun. May 17th) — musical bike ride Lille → Baisieux with the Chamai Trio
- Village W (Sat. May 30th and Sun. May 31st) — free closing weekend at Maison Folie Wazemmes with Sanseverino, Highlight Tribe, The Liquidators, Baston!
- Concert Loup(s) + Psalmanazar (Sat. June 6th) — closing at Les Arcades de Faches-Thumesnil
A 100% Free or Nearly Free Program
As every year, the vast majority of events are free to access (Gare Saint Sauveur, Maison Folie Wazemmes, Halle de Glisse, Village W). Some indoor concerts remain paid (Le Vivat in Armentières, Le Trianon in Seclin, Les Arcades in Faches-Thumesnil) with affordable prices ranging from 2 € to 21 €. Ticketing is centralized on the flonflons.eu website.
Programme Wazemmes l'Accordéon 2026
Saturday, March 28th, 2026 — prefiguration
- Carnival in Concert · Wazemmes · free access
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 — opening
- 8:00 PM — Le Bal du Cheval Blanc with Monique et son cheval blanc, Les Zazous · Le Grand Sud, Lille · until 2 AM · sold out (secure resale)
Friday, May 8th, 2026
- From 8:00 AM — Waz'Pétanque Cup · Halle de Glisse & Place Casquette, Lille · 3 € per participant (on-site registration)
- 4:00 PM–11:00 PM — Waz Open Air with D Day, Mariah Calais, Goldilocks, Comala · Halle de Glisse, Lille · free
Tuesday, May 12th, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Aritzakun, jazz quartet led by Jérémie Ternoy · Le Vivat, Armentières · 2 € to 21 €
Friday, May 15th, 2026 — musical opening night
- 9:00 PM–1:30 AM — Mon Côté Punk + Claude Vadasz + DJ Saiz · Gare Saint Sauveur, Lille · free · concert by the festival's historic creator
Saturday, May 16th, 2026
- 2:00 PM–3:30 PM — Introduction to musical practice led by Mon Côté Punk for ages 6-16 · Gare Saint Sauveur, Lille · free (20 spots)
- 8:00 PM–1:30 AM — Raï Roots Evening — tribute to Ahmed Zergui with Jamel Reffes, Mehtoze, DJ Guilman · Gare Saint Sauveur, Lille · free
Sunday, May 17th, 2026
- 9:00 AM welcome / 10:00 AM departure — La Caravane Vanne, festive bike ride with music and picnic, accompanied by the Chamai Trio · Gare Saint Sauveur, Lille → Mairie de Baisieux · free (limited spots)
Friday, May 22nd, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Oldelaf · Le Trianon, Seclin · paid (online ticketing)
Saturday, May 23rd, 2026
- Accordanza — duo Elsa Canesse (guitar) & Léo Legendre (accordion), between traditional tango and tango nuevo · Maison Folie Wazemmes, Lille · free
Wednesday, May 27th, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Screening of the film Monique & le cheval blanc · Maison Folie Wazemmes, Lille · free
Saturday, May 30th, 2026 — Village W (day 1)
- From 6:00 PM — Fanfare Achtung Bicyclette, Los Tres Puntos, Highlight Tribe, Mark Lower · Maison Folie Wazemmes, Lille · free
Sunday, May 31st, 2026 — Village W (day 2)
- 12:00 PM–3:00 PM — Spanish barbecue with P.O.M, Lachetarime, Collectif 9h36, Waka Waka, Welsh Crew · Maison Folie Wazemmes, Lille · free
- From 12:00 PM — Fanfare Voa Voa, The Liquidators, Baston!, Sanseverino, Du Son Dans La Roulotte · Maison Folie Wazemmes, Lille · free · festive family closing
Saturday, June 6th, 2026 — closing
- 8:00 PM — Loup(s) (Matthis Pascaud's project) + Psalmanazar · Les Arcades, Faches-Thumesnil · 8 € to 16 €
Highlights Wazemmes l'Accordéon 2026
- 28th edition focused on the Mediterranean basin (in connection with lille3000's Gare Méditerranée season)
- Over a month of festival: from May 2nd to June 6th, 2026
- Sanseverino headlining Village W on May 31st
- Tribute to Ahmed Zergui during the Raï Roots evening on May 16th
- Opening Bal du Cheval Blanc at Le Grand Sud (sold out — secure resale)
- Mostly free programming (Gare Saint Sauveur, Maison Folie, Village W, Waz Open Air)
- Touring the metropolitan area: Lille, Armentières, Seclin, Baisieux, Faches-Thumesnil
Prices Wazemmes l'Accordéon 2026
Practical information — Wazemmes l'Accordéon
Access to the Festival
By Metro
Gambetta station (line 1) in the heart of the Wazemmes district. The various festival venues are within a few minutes' walk from this station. Wazemmes station (line 1) also serves the district.
By Bus
Several bus lines serve the Wazemmes district via the Ilévia network. Lines L5, L6, and 50 pass near the main concert venues. Consult the ilevia.fr website to plan your route.
By Car
The Wazemmes district is located southwest of Lille city center. Nearby parking: Gambetta parking, CHR parking, and city center parking. Street parking in the neighborhood is limited on festival days. Carpooling is encouraged.
By Train
Lille Flandres and Lille Europe stations are a 15-20 minute walk or a few minutes by metro (line 1, direction CHR B-Calmette, Gambetta stop).
By Bike
V'Lille stations are available in the district. Bicycle racks are located near the concert venues.
Prices
The vast majority of festival events are free, including concerts in bars, Village W, and street entertainment. Some indoor concerts (Grand Sud, Gare Saint-Sauveur) are ticketed, with prices ranging from 10 to 35 euros depending on the artists and evenings. Tickets are available on the official website flonflons.eu.
Food & Drink
- Village W: food trucks and catering stands during the closing weekend
- Numerous restaurants and snack bars in the Wazemmes district, especially around Place de la Nouvelle Aventure
- Partner bars offering food and drinks throughout the festival
- The famous Wazemmes market (Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday mornings) for fresh produce
Accessibility
Outdoor events are accessible to people with reduced mobility. For indoor concerts, please inquire with each venue. The Gambetta metro station is accessible for PMR.
Contact
Flonflons Association
Phone: 03 20 22 12 59
Email: [email protected]
Website: flonflons.eu
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Where does it take place — Wazemmes l'Accordéon
Quartier Wazemmes - divers lieux
Quartier Wazemmes, 59000 Lille