# Cultural festivals in Belgium and France

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cultural-festivals-in-belgium-and-france
> Updated: 2026-09-21T05:57:28.000Z. Sources: 36. Developments: 2.

In late August and September 2026, several cultural events were announced for various locations in France and Belgium.

In Belgium, the Synapse Festival was scheduled to debut in Bastogne on September 4 and 5, focusing on emerging electronic and techno artists. In France, the 79th Besançon International Music Festival was set to run from September 11 to 20, featuring symphonic, jazz, and world music. 

Following these events, the 13th edition of the Détonation Festival was announced for Besançon, scheduled for September 25 and 26 at La Rodia, featuring over 40 artists across diverse musical styles.

By late September, additional cultural programming in France continued to unfold. This included the 37th Dinard Festival of British and Irish Film, which featured 30 feature films, as well as the Trans Musicales in Rennes and the Tout-petit festival for young children in Erdre et Gesvres.

Looking toward the end of 2026, France’s programming expands to include scientific and maritime activities alongside the arts. The Fête de la science will focus on the theme ‘Saveurs savantes’ (Scientific Flavors), exploring the science of food and taste in the Sarthe and Côtes-d’Armor regions. The Gizmodo Science Fair 2026 will also recognize research breakthroughs in medicine, space, and AI.

In the performing arts, the Comédie-Française in Paris is set to stage a revival of Molière’s L’Avare, directed by Lilo Baur, from November 30, 2026, to March 9, 2027. Other regional activities include the Pré en Bulles comic book festival, the L’Atlantique Le Télégramme E. Leclerc regatta in Lorient, and the 10th edition of the Dans les Bras du Rhône festival. Additional upcoming events include the Contretemps festival at the Abbaye royale de Fontevraud and the Méjannes du Rire festival.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-21: Global cultural and scientific events scheduled for late 2026

A diverse array of cultural, scientific, and maritime events are taking place across France, Morocco, and Canada, including theatrical revivals, music festivals, and scientific exhibitions.

33 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cultural-festivals-announced-for-besanon-and-dinard-in-2026

### 2026-08-29: Bastogne and Besançon host upcoming music festivals

Two upcoming European cultural events include the debut of the Synapse Festival in Bastogne, Belgium, focusing on emerging electronic artists, and the 79th Besançon International Music Festival in France.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bastogne-and-besanon-host-upcoming-music-festivals

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Cite as: Cultural festivals in Belgium and France. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cultural-festivals-in-belgium-and-france