Festival des Places: the 13th arrondissement and Châtelet in celebration mid-September, a free program of dance and music

The Festival des Places is back to liven up Paris’s public spaces on September 12 and 13, 2026, offering two entirely free days of dance, music and conviviality, at Place d’Italie (13th arrondissement) and then Place du Châtelet.

Led by the Théâtre de la Ville with the backing of the Ville de Paris, the Festival des Places kicks off its season in the 13th arrondissement on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Place d'Italie, before moving to Place du Châtelet the following day. Two free, open days for everyone to come together, move, listen, and dance at the heart of the city.

We know the drill: since its birth, this gathering has turned Parisian squares into open-air stages. The 2025 edition drew more than 80,000 spectators, and this season’s return looks just as joyful and multigenerational, with workshops, performances and shared moments. On September 12, the day will unfold as part of the 13th arrondissement’s Forum des Associations.

Saturday, September 12: Place d'Italie takes on a Rio vibe

To kick off the weekend, the Place d'Italie switches into carioca mode, then morphs into a large dance floor, ahead of a concert to wrap up the day.

13:00 - 15:00: Sotak Samba Club, a samba roda led by Cristina Violle, BocaRum and their musicians (cavaquinho, percussion, vocals), with an affordable feijoada served to the public.
15:30 - 17:30: dance workshop with Bruno Guillore, associate artistic director of the Hofesh Shechter Company, followed by a big flashmob and then a DJ set by Fred Despierre.
19:00 - 20:00: concert by Maruja Limón, five musicians from Barcelona blending flamenco, pop and Latin rhythms. The group ranks among the most notable emerging Spanish acts, with appearances at Sziget, Eurosonic and Cruïlla.
All day: The 13th in fête, with local associations taking over the square and offering activities, including the PUC (Paris Université Club).

Sunday, September 13: yoga and dance at Place du Châtelet

On Sundays, head to the Place du Châtelet for a gentler morning that blends well-being with the birth of new choreography.

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: a free yoga workshop open to all, in partnership with the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the Indian Embassy in Paris, to unite body, breath and mind.
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.: a collective choreography workshop with (LA)HORDE and the National Ballet of Marseille, led by Isaïa Badaoui and Titouan Crozier, in dialogue with their new work After Me, the Flood.

And that’s just the beginning. The Festival des Places rolls on until October 4, 2026, with new appointments at Place du Châtelet (Saturday, September 19 and Saturday, October 3), Place des Tirailleurs Sénégalais and Square Léon in the 18th arrondissement (Sunday, September 20), Place du Colonel Fabien spanning the 10th and 19th (Saturday, September 26), and Place Félix Éboué in the 12th arrondissement (Sunday, October 4).

As every year, entry is free and open to all, no booking required—just show up at the stated times. For the full programming, head to the Théâtre de la Ville site and to the Ville de Paris. We go into more detail in our guide to the Festival des Places 2026.