80th Festival d'Avignon

The Avignon Festival represents 80 years of universalism in the service of cultural heritage and contemporary creation. 80 years of placing art in the context of social reality. Eighty years of a political and aesthetic project that observes the major transformations in the performing arts and, through them, the diversity and complexity of the world. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cour d’honneur of the Palais des Papes is the birthplace of the Festival, which takes place at more than 30 venues throughout the city and its surrounding region. Held in architectural masterpieces as well as gymnasiums, cloisters, chapels, gardens, quarries, and churches, the Festival welcomes more than 120,000 spectators to over 400 events (performances, debates, discussions, readings, and screenings). To be the international hub for theatrical creation—a harmonious blend of memory, history, heritage, and the future, as well as experimentation—and; to strengthen the Festival’s regional presence; to make environmental sustainability a top priority; and to promote accessibility in all its forms: these are the key priorities of Tiago Rodrigues’s leadership at the helm of the Festival since September 2022. In 2013, the FabricA—the first space specifically designed for the Festival—was inaugurated. Serving as an artist-in-residence program throughout the year, it houses a performance space the same size as the Cour d’honneur stage and enables the Festival to intensify its efforts to raise awareness of the performing arts among all audiences. THE 80TH EDITION In 2026, following English, Spanish, and Arabic, the Avignon Festival will welcome an Asian language that is now making its mark around the world: Korean. South Korean culture fascinates the globe: K-pop, cinema, TV series, literature... But beyond this “soft power,” we want to showcase the richness of Korean performing arts. For this 80th edition, Tiago Rodrigues, director of the Avignon Festival, invites us to look toward the future: “This edition will be rooted in the future and look ahead to the Festival’s next eighty years. The questions raised by the invited artists will be directed toward the future, in line with Jean Vilar’s utopia.” For the second consecutive year, the dates coincide with those of the Festival Off Avignon. The Festival features a predominantly female lineup. In 2026, for the first time, a majority of women will direct the productions presented at the Festival: 27 women, 16 men, and 6 collectives. The poster for the 80th Avignon Festival features a question mark pounding its fist on a table. It’s a way of celebrating an edition marked by questions, fruitful doubt, and curiosity. Key Figures This edition promises a wealth of emotions, reflections, and creative works, with 22 days of the festival, 47 performances—40% of which are world premieres—2 exhibitions, 80 debates and discussions, as well as more than 300 events in July combining performances, discussions, readings, debates, and screenings. Building on the success of the previous edition, which attracted 9,000 first-time festivalgoers, the festival hopes to welcome new audiences. To view the presentation of the 80th edition: https://festival-avignon.com/fr/audiovisuel/presentation-de-la-programmation-de-la-80e-edition-356037 The program is available online: https://festival-avignon.com/fr/edition-2026/programmation/par-categorie?cat=1001 SPECIAL OFFER: From July 4 to 25, holders of an Avignon Festival ticket, a Festival Card, or a 3-Key Card (valid at the time of visit) can enjoy a reduced rate to visit the Palais des Papes and the Pont d’Avignon. More information at https://festival-avignon.com/ The program for the 80th Avignon Festival is available below: