©Nohcab A season of festivals in unison on the Opal Coast
Starting in April, music is coming to the Opal Coast in a big way. From the Blues Festival at the Calais marina to the lively squares of Marck, via the beach and the legendary Dragon de Calais, the 2025 season promises to be punctuated by open-air festivals, 100% free and packed with excitement! Here's a rundown of the events not to be missed!
Not to be missed this summer
The Return of the Gutted: Tradition and Modernity in Sangatte
It's one of the flagship events of early summer in Calais XXL: the Festival des Étripés in Sangatte! This friendly, family-friendly, and musical festival has become a must-see, celebrating its 7th edition.
Saturday, June 28, 2025, the 2 Caps stadium in Sangatte will be transformed into a real festive village, reminiscent of the famous “Fête des Étripés” which enlivened Sangatte in the 60s and 70s. This festival, a true reminiscence of the past, is reinvented for the XNUMXst century, offering a revisited village festival with its unique atmosphere.
A family afternoon for young and old
Starting at 16:00 p.m., families are in the spotlight! The joyful Radio Cagette team and its ultra-positive vibes will kick off the afternoon with a funfair atmosphere. On the program: lively music and games for all ages, guaranteeing unforgettable moments for children and their (grand)parents. The perfect opportunity to enjoy a family day at Calais XXL.
An eclectic musical evening
From 19:30 p.m., the stage will be lit with a varied musical program:
19:30 p.m.: Simone's Carpet will open the show with their captivating electro-pop sound.
21:30 p.m.: For the Hackets, a Norman pop-rock-electro group with over 200 concerts, will take over.
22:30 p.m.: Graines de Sel, from Gers, will cross France during a summer tour, celebrating 10 years of existence.
The evening will continue until 1:30 a.m. to the sound of DJ LMBD's turntables, already acclaimed at the Marck Attack in early June.
Come and experience the rhythm of these artists and enjoy a promising concert evening in Sangatte.
Practical information for the 2025 Festival des Étripés
Just minutes from Calais, the Stade des 2 Caps in Sangatte is easily accessible. To guarantee your spot at this popular event, capacity is limited.
©The Return of the Gutted Summer Mechanics, the Dragon Company's summer program
From July 5th to August 31st, it is the Dragon Company which sets the pace on the beach at Calais! The launch is unmissable Saturday, July 5th with a Silent Party orchestrated by the Calaiswood association and six DJs, 3 of whom will mix simultaneously! The Dragon that emits waves to call the Travel Monitor will heat things up helmets available free of charge on site! Then, the fiery program extends throughout the season by the sea with:
- Fridays and Saturdays from 18:30 p.m., live concerts and DJ sets bring the restaurant-bar L'Antre du Dragon to life. Artists with varied styles – house, disco, blues, afro-tech, rap, electro – follow one another, mixing regional discoveries and established artists.
- Every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m., Dragon Barbecues offer a friendly moment facing the sea.
Children's activities are also planned every Wednesday, including the days “Apprentice Dragon Healers” or creative workshops around the mythical figure of the Dragon!
The entire program in the shadow of the Dragon!
©Nohcab 
©Carine Anot We continue the season
The Travel Monitor: The Odyssey
From November 7 to 9, 2025, Calais will become the scene of an exceptional event: The Varan from Voyage: The Odyssey. Ce free outdoor show, orchestrated by the company La Machine, will combine urban art, street theater and spectacular mechanics. The Dragon of Calais, installed since 2019, will welcome a new articulated creature: the Varan de Voyage, agile and expressive. Together, they will form a unique duo, soon confronting the mysterious Guardian of Darkness, a chimerical creature emerging from another world. This immersive story will come to life as it wanders through the streets of the city center and the emblematic places of Calais, inviting the public to follow this visual and narrative epic on the scale of the city. The show promises a unique sensory experience, at the crossroads of poetry and imagination.
Follow the arrival of the Calais Monitor Lizard
©Carine Anot 
©Angelique Lyleire It's over and we'll see you again next year!
The Hauts-de-France Van Life event returns to Calais for its 2nd edition!
Road trip enthusiasts, nomadic lifestyle enthusiasts or simply curious people looking for escape: 6th - 9th June 2025, the Van Life Festival of Calais returns to the western basin of Calais, a stone's throw from Calais Beach, for four days of adventure, discovery and freedom.
Free and open to all, this unique event in Hauts-de-France brings together the VanLife community in a friendly and festive setting. Whether you're already a vanlifer or interested in this mode of travel, you'll find inspiration, advice, and encounters at the festival that will inspire you to hit the road.
A festival dedicated to vanlife, combining passion, advice and encounters
Organized in an exhibition space open from 10 a.m. to 19 p.m. (until 18 p.m. on June 9), the Van Life Festival in Calais offers:
-Stands of van fitters, accessories and equipment for nomadic life.
-Meetings with travelers and YouTubers specializing in vanlife.
-Workshops, demonstrations and sharing of experiences on van travel, bivouacking, autonomy, etc.
-A catering offer on site, to enjoy the festival throughout the day.
Festive evenings to extend the adventure
The Van Life Festival also offers a friendly atmosphere in the evening, with a free entertainment program
©City of Calais Marck Attack Festival: a first open-air electro edition
A few days later, Friday, June 6, 2025, It's Marck's turn to enter the scene. With the Marck Attack Festival, the neighboring town of Calais sets the tone for an open-air event resolutely focused on electronic music. From 17 p.m. to 21 p.m., the Place de l'Europe is transformed on an open-air dance floor, with a lineup mixing national headliners and local talent.
Among the expected artists: Upsilone, a rising figure in French electro pop, Charles B, Star DJ with millions of views, and Romain Garcia, ambassador of deep house made in France. They will be joined by promising artists such as Simon Says, Rozeo, and the regionals LMBD et The North Project.
More than just a festive event, the Marck Attack Festival also has a charitable dimension. Profits from the face painting booths will be donated to the Greffe + association, as part of the City of Marck's commitment to organ donation. A wonderful way to combine celebration and meaning, in the heart of a committed community.
Marck Attack Festival News
Calais Marina Festival: music on the water
On Saturday, May 31, 2025, Calais is inaugurating a brand new musical event in the marina: the Calais Marina Festival – Sunset and SoundsFrom 15 p.m. until nightfall, the event features a festive program of maritime entertainment and live concerts. The afternoon begins with sea rescue demonstrations, children's workshops, and the presence of the famous rescue dogs. A unique way to discover maritime professions in a relaxed, family atmosphere.
From 18 p.m., it's time for music. Two regional groups, Calling Off and Color Snake, will set the tone with an energetic pop-rock repertoire. The evening continues with electro sets by LMBD et Around the Table, for a vibrant sunset over the marina.
Food trucks and a bar are set up on the quays to complete the experience. Organized by Edeis, in partnership with the Opal Coast Crew Association and the Calais Yacht Club, this festival promises a brilliant, XXL-sized summer launch.
All the details of the Calais Marina Festival
©Calais Marina Festival The unmissable Beautiful Swamp Blues Festival
Every spring, Calais XXL becomes the meeting point for blues enthusiasts from all over France and beyond! With its big evenings at La Halle de Calais, the Place d'Armes becomes the vibrant heart of the festival, where the captivating rhythms of the blues resonate until late at night. Whether you are a fan of Chicago Blues, fiery soul or vintage rock'n'roll, the festival has breathtaking performances in store for you. But the Beautiful Swamp Blues Festival is also an immersive experience that goes beyond the official stages: with an OFF that takes over the bars of the city center and Calais Plage, transforming the city into a true temple of the blues. Expect a vibrant atmosphere, where Wild harmonicas, haunting guitars and gravelly vocals awaken the city's musical soul.
Take advantage of the Festivals to explore Calais
The Opal Coast festivals, This is the perfect opportunity to (re)discover Calais XXL! Between two concerts, let yourself be surprised by the Belfry, listed by UNESCO, and enjoy a breathtaking view of the city. Stroll along the Seafront, breathe in the salty air and admire the majestic sculpture of the Bourgeois by Rodin. Want a cultural immersion? Beaux-arts museum opens its doors to you with its inspiring exhibitions. And for a nature getaway, head to the Calais Dragon : climb aboard this fascinating creature and let yourself be carried along the coastline.
Where to park for free?
To enjoy the festival with complete peace of mind, several free car parks are available:
West Basin Parking – A stone’s throw from La Halle, free in the evening.
Minck parking lot – Close to downtown, ideal for quick access to concerts.
Between heritage, culture and the great outdoors, Calais vibrates to the rhythm of the blues and much more!
Getting around & parking in Calais XXL
©Fred Collier 
©Nohcab