The Children's Lyric Arenas: free classical music performances for the little ones.

From July 23 to August 7, 2026, the Arènes de Montmartre open their doors to young audiences for a special program. Welcome to the Children's Lyric Arenas, a festival that brings classical music to the youngest, entirely free.

The Arènes Lyriques des enfants offer each summer a program specifically designed to introduce children to classical music and opera singing. Run as part of the Arènes Lyriques de Montmartre, this event is primarily aimed at children aged 6 to 14 and rests on an accessible, participatory approach tailored to a young audience. The goal is to help children become familiar with an artistic world that can seem unfamiliar, through playful activities and performances designed for them.

The project is also part of a cultural and social initiative. The Arènes Lyriques for Children welcome, in particular, youngsters who don’t take a summer vacation, as well as children supported by leisure centers or certain partner hospital facilities. The organizers thus aim to make the discovery of classical music accessible to as many people as possible and to offer a moment of escape through artistic practice.

The program centers on a musical storytelling performance presented at the Arènes de Montmartre. This artistic offering lets children explore music through a narrative form, weaving together story, song, and musical interpretation. The sessions are complemented by various moments of discussion and introductory activities that invite the young audience to participate and to ask questions about the world of performing arts, instruments, and the career paths of artists.

The program for the Children's Lyric Arenas 2026:

La Butte aux bêtes, a musical tale written and composed by Garance Paule

Tickets to the Children's Lyric Arenas are completely free and open to everyone, and the show is recommended for children aged 6 to 14, who must be accompanied by an adult (the accompanying ticket is also free). Residents living in the city’s priority neighborhoods are given priority access to the performance: a large share of tickets is reserved for them, upon presentation of proof of address.

Les Arènes Lyriques 2026: a classical music festival perched on Montmartre Hill
The Les Arènes Lyriques classical music festival is returning to Paris from July 22 to August 15, 2026. What’s on the program? No fewer than 16 concerts staged at the Arènes de Montmartre, an idyllic setting for enjoying the great classics. [Read more]

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