©Fred Collier The 2026-2027 Cultural Season
The cultural season is fast approaching in Calais! After a highly successful previous edition, the 2026-2027 program promises to satisfy all tastes, from French chanson to boulevard theatre, not to mention a major premiere dedicated to stand-up comedy. Here's a first look – as more dates are still to be announced! – at what looks to be an attractive cultural calendar for Calais.
What's on the program this season
An eclectic agenda and a major new feature!
Between the Belle Epoque majesty of the Grand Theatre of Calais and modern energy from Gérard Philipe Cultural Centre (CCGP)The 2026-2027 cultural season in Calais boasts a rich artistic variety. Whether you're a fan of intimate concerts, vocal performances, laughter, operatic arias, theatre, contemporary dance, or circus arts, this program has something for everyone. The major new feature of this edition is the launch of... Calais Comedy Lab For the first time, Calais is hosting a stage dedicated to stand-up comedy and open mic nights, offering the public the opportunity to discover up-and-coming comedians in a relaxed atmosphere. The first date to mark on your calendar is September 12, 2026: the opening of ticket sales.
©Nohcab At the Gérard Philipe Theater & Center
On the concert front: unmissable headliners
As with every season, popular artists will guarantee memorable, sold-out evenings. On the music front, Calogero will kick off the season on October 8 before handing the stage over to The Innocents / Alex Toucourt, Linh, Electro Deluxe, or, Hooverphonic.
Among the highlights, lovers of French song will tick « Piaf! The Show, A Hymn to the Little Sparrow »December 3rd at the Grand Théâtre. This official show dedicated to Édith Piaf offers a deep dive into the world and songs of the Little Sparrow.
©Calogero 
©Hooverphonic At the theater tonight…
The boulevard theatre will also be prominently featured with fast-paced, family-friendly comedies. The Calais audience will have the pleasure of applauding some of the biggest names in French theatre, such as Frédéric Chau and Guy Lecluyse in The invitation, or, Clémentine Célarié and Paloma in the room Vase.
Viewers of Plus Belle La Vie will also have the pleasure of finding Anne Décis and Avy Marciano accompanied by Nelly Bêchétoille and Didier Landucci in 'Love to death', a show that navigates between dark humor and raw emotions.
And let's not forget the dancing!
With the essential Car/Men which reinvents a classic of the theatre where freedom of movement, without labels or codes, mixes comedy and tragedy, feminine or masculine without being limited to them…
A former soloist with the Béjart Ballet, choreographer François Mauduit signs Through Audrey's eyes : a delicate and luminous creation, an intimate dive into the life of Audrey Hepburn.
©Vase 
The cream of the crop of comedy will be in Calais!
No cultural season is complete without a one-man show! The genre will be well represented, with the arrival of established comedians such as the indomitable Arnaud Tsamere, Julien Bing, Michel Leeb...
But also Booder et Mathieu Madenian as part of the Calais Comedy LabAlso on March 27th, get ready for an evening of 100% laughter with Absolutely Hilarious ! An explosive comedy showcase brings together on stage a selection of some of the most impactful artists of the moment, including Titoff...for a series of stand-up comedy acts that are as rhythmic as they are effective. Big names from the national scene confirm the cultural influence of Calais XXL!
Calais Comedy Lab: March 24-28, 2027 at the Grand Théâtre
The Grand Théâtre is launching the Calais Comedy Lab, five days dedicated to stand-up comedy and showcases for established and up-and-coming artists. The opening night, Wednesday, March 24th at 20:00 PM, is reserved for the Stand-up Talent Showcase, an event open to young comedians and presided over by Gérémy Crédeville. He will award a Jury Prize and an Audience Choice Award to a paying audience of 7 euros. The winners will then perform on the stage of the Spotlight, a festival partner, and at the next edition of the Calais Comedy Lab.
Register for the springboard
The Pestacles! festival
The magic of live entertainment for children
Because culture is appreciated from a very young age, the Pestacles! festival is the flagship event for families and toddlers. The 10th edition is scheduled from February 3rd to 7th, 2027. Through its playful and creative programming, this festival dedicated to young audiences offers musical storytelling, adapted plays, puppet shows, magic, and dance. Designed to spark curiosity and amaze children, Pestacles! provides opportunities for intergenerational sharing. A must-see for a family outing in Calais, it's also a great way to introduce younger children to the joys of the stage and live performance.
Download the cultural season program!
Every year, the performing arts department of the City of Calais publishes the complete program for the upcoming season. You won't want to miss a date!