Event Details
Festival d'Avignon 2026 – the World Capital of Theatre
From 4 to 25 July 2026, the southern French city of Avignon once again becomes the world capital of theatre. The 80th edition of Festival IN and the 60th edition of Festival OFF share the same dates for the second consecutive year, together presenting more than 1,800 performances throughout the city. Under the artistic direction of Tiago Rodrigues, the 2026 Festival IN embraces the theme of a «celebration of questions», inviting audiences to welcome doubt and curiosity over certainty.
2026 Highlights
- 80th anniversary edition of Festival IN under the direction of Tiago Rodrigues
- 60th edition of Festival OFF with around 1,780 performances in 248 venues
- Opening on 4 July with Maldoror by Julien Gosselin at the Cour d'Honneur (approx. 5 hours)
- Concert by Benjamin Clementine at the Cour d'Honneur on 19 July
- Closing with Le Pas du monde by Collectif XY (circus and theatre, 22–25 July)
- Official closing event L'Aube des questions on 26 July at 5 AM in the Cour d'Honneur
- Korean language and culture as guest: approximately 21% of the program features Korean performing arts
- For the first time, a majority of productions are directed by women (27 female directors versus 16 male)
Program: Festival IN and Festival OFF
The Festival IN presents 47 productions and around 300 events across 19 venues in 14 municipalities of Grand Avignon. The centrepiece is the majestic Cour d'Honneur of the Palais des Papes, which hosts the most ambitious creations of each edition. Additional key venues include La FabricA, the Jardin Ceccano, the Cloître des Carmes, and the Carrière de Boulbon. Twelve countries are represented and 67% of invited artists are appearing at Avignon for the first time.
The Festival OFF brings together around 1,780 performances by 1,432 independent companies in 248 venues throughout the city. It covers theatre, dance, comedy, children's shows, circus and hybrid art forms. 35% of participating companies are taking part for the first time. The Carte OFF (from €6 for those aged 14 to 30, €22 full price) gives at least 30% discount on more than 1,700 shows and pays for itself from the third performance attended.
Tickets
Tickets for the Festival IN range from €12 to €46 at full price (reduced rate €8 to €28). A 5-show pass is available from €45. The Carte Festival (€25) provides discounts on all orders. Tickets for the Cour d'Honneur sell out within hours of the box office opening. Online sales opened on 10 April 2026. For the Festival OFF, tickets are purchased directly at venues or through the Ticket'Off system.
Venues
- Cour d'Honneur du Palais des Papes – the iconic centrepiece of the festival (2,000 seats)
- La FabricA – dedicated to experimental and contemporary formats
- Cloître des Carmes – performances in a historic cloister
- Carrière de Boulbon – open-air stage in a former quarry outside the city walls
- Jardin Ceccano – open-air stage in a historic garden
- Over 140 additional Festival OFF venues spread throughout the historic city centre
Visitor Tips
- Book Cour d'Honneur tickets as soon as the box office opens; they sell out within hours.
- Arrive at least 45 minutes before the performance; one hour is recommended for major venues.
- For the Festival OFF, the Carte OFF is worth buying: it pays for itself from the third show.
- Book accommodation several months in advance. Avignon fills up completely in July; nearby towns are a good alternative.
- Travel by TGV: Avignon has a dedicated TGV station (approx. 45 minutes from Marseille, 2.5 hours from Paris).
- Free park-and-ride shuttle services operate into the city centre throughout the festival period.
- July in Provence is extremely hot. Bring sun protection and plenty of water for outdoor venues.
