Festival Des Jours Heureux 2026 – Contemporary circus, concerts and shows in Hesdin-la-Forêt and Lieu-Saint-Amand

From 25 september to 03 october 2026

The Festival Des Jours Heureux returns in 2026 for its third edition, continuing its journey as a traveling contemporary circus festival conceived by the company Un loup pour l'Homme. After two successful editions that drew thousands of spectators, the event returns to the Hauts-de-France region with its first stop in Hesdin-la-Forêt (Pas-de-Calais) from September 25 to 27, 2026, before continuing its tour to Lieu-Saint-Amand (Nord) on October 2 and 3, 2026. Organized in partnership with the Communauté de communes des 7 Vallées and the Communauté d'Agglomération de la Porte du Hainaut, the festival transforms public spaces into a veritable circus village for several days, blending performances, music, encounters, workshops, and a friendly atmosphere.

Conceived as an artistic project deeply rooted in rural and peri-urban areas, Des Jours Heureux (Happy Days) is more than just a series of performances. The company Un loup pour l'Homme (A Wolf for Man) sets up its big top, its caravan, its café-bar, its acrobatic carousel, and its living spaces to recreate the warm atmosphere of a circus arriving in a village square. The aim is to allow residents to come together in an open, welcoming, and festive space where everyone can discover the circus arts without cultural or social barriers. Near a stadium, in a square, or in a meadow, the public is invited to share much more than just shows: meals, discussions, workshops, concerts, moments of conviviality, and a genuine collective experience centered on contemporary artistic creation.

Since its inception, the festival has established itself as a key event for contemporary circus in the Hauts-de-France region. The first two editions attracted between 1,000 and 1,500 spectators in the first year, and then 2,500 to 3,000 visitors in the second. Each edition mobilizes a team of approximately 30 professionals, supported by an average of 25 volunteers, and typically offers 8 to 10 circus performances, 2 to 3 concerts, 30 to 40 hours of introductory workshops, as well as a significant network of partnerships with regional circus schools, educational institutions, tourist offices, social services centers, and numerous local associations. This deep connection to the region is one of the festival's hallmarks, which prioritizes close ties with local residents and the participation of all audiences.

For its third edition in Hesdin-la-Forêt, visitors will find everything that makes the festival unique. For three days, De Snoep's acrobatic carousel will operate continuously, alongside the new Café-Bar Heureux, a fire tent, a food area with its traditional crêpes, and numerous spaces designed to encourage interaction between artists and spectators. In addition to the performances, a full week of workshops will be organized with local schools and residents, while the second edition of the "Portons-nous bien" acrobatic lifts convention will bring together practitioners and enthusiasts of this discipline, emblematic of the organizing company. The site will remain free of charge throughout the festival, and many activities will be completely free.

The 2026 artistic program once again celebrates the richness of contemporary circus by fostering dialogue between disciplines. Audiences will be able to discover the show "Il faut venir me chercher" (You Have to Come and Get Me) by Compagnie Des Vagabondes, a solo performance blending clowning, theater, and trapeze. Through the character of Euzée, who decides to isolate himself on an island before confronting his need for love and connection, this creation sensitively addresses questions of norms, domination, and human relationships.

Physical theatre will be represented by "Bêh!" by Benjamin Koch, a short poetic piece in which a goat, overcome by an overwhelming rage, triggers an avalanche that devastates the world around it. Behind this quirky fable lies a reflection on emotions and their consequences, conveyed through a physical and visual universe accessible to all audiences.

Acrobatics enthusiasts will be delighted to see "BLAST" by Compagnie DebilEmmental, a show where two office colleagues find their daily routines turned upside down when their imaginations take over. Blending circus, physical theatre, and slapstick acrobatics, the production transforms the most ordinary gestures into a series of absurd, funny, and spectacular situations, exploring our capacity to escape from routine. The show will be presented twice during the festival to allow as many people as possible to enjoy it.

The program will also feature "iRRooTTaa," a creation by Grensgeval and Circus Katoen, blending juggling, dance, and acrobatics. The two artists move amidst a multitude of intentionally imperfect white ceramic balls that roll, bounce, invade the space, and become a true partner in the performance. This visual and choreographic piece explores our relationship to disorder, matter, and the unexpected, while offering a spectacle of great technical virtuosity.

The festival will also feature The Circus of the Future, a cabaret showcasing the young artists who will shape the circus of tomorrow. A series of acts will take place under the big top, combining dance, trapeze, acrobatics, aerial straps, clowning, Chinese pole, and slacklining. This evening, hosted by clown Stéphanie Constantin, will allow the audience to discover emerging talents on the contemporary circus scene.

Juggling will be showcased with "Piédestal" by Gilles Dodémont, a contemplative performance that celebrates the discipline as a true expression of movement. Through precision and virtuosity, the artist explores the foundations of our lives and what each of us wishes to leave behind. Spectators can also witness Bruno Toso's spectacular slackline crossing, where he will traverse the void like a tightrope walker, as well as an open stage inviting amateurs and established artists to share their creations with the public.

Sunday will be marked by a performance of "PAN!" by Compagnie Gaïus, an acrobatic show built around hand-to-hand acrobatics. The artists explore human relationships, doubts, enthusiasms, frustrations, trust, and the bonds that unite individuals. By using acrobatic figures as a true language, the company continues the artistic approach that has made Un loup pour l'Homme (A Wolf for Man) famous, where acrobatics becomes a tool for reflecting on how we live together. The day will conclude with a closing reception for the audience.

Throughout the weekend, visitors will also be able to discover Les Oiseaux de Passage by Compagnie Les Invisibles, a puppet installation welcoming the public in a tiny mobile cafe inspired by old neighborhood bistros, participate in circus games, enjoy the interventions of La Plus Petite Librairie du Monde with its machine-printed poems, take a ride on an acrobatic carousel, share a crepe or simply enjoy the atmosphere of the festival village.

Music will also play a major role, with several free concerts under a big top. Houri will offer a sound blending jazz, rap, and electronic music, reflecting her diverse cultural influences. Ricky Martinez, a musician from Chihuahua, Mexico, will invite the audience on a musical journey driven by percussion and Latin American sounds. The evenings will continue with a DJ set by Baltho and a Wig Karaoke, in a festive atmosphere where artists and spectators share the same space until late into the night.

Access to the festival remains true to the philosophy of its organizers: entry to the site is completely free, many activities, concerts and shows are offered free of charge, while performances under the big top are accessible at very popular prices of €3, €6 or €9, allowing the greatest number of people to discover contemporary circus in the best conditions.

The Festival Des Jours Heureux is presented by the company Un loup pour l'Homme, founded in 2005 by acrobats Alexandre Fray and Frédéric Arsenault. Recognized both in France and internationally, the company has been developing artistic research around acrobatic lifts for over twenty years, considering them not as a simple demonstration of strength but as a language for exploring human relationships, trust, cooperation, and solidarity. With more than 800 performances of shows such as Appris par corps, Face Nord, Rare Birds, Cuir, Projet grand-mère, Dans l'Espace, Passing Swiftly, Moi aussi!, and En roue libre, the company continues its commitment to a traveling circus deeply connected to the communities it visits.

Thanks to the support of the Ministry of Culture, the DRAC Hauts-de-France, the Hauts-de-France Region, the Pas-de-Calais Departmental Council, the Communauté de communes des 7 Vallées, the Communauté d'Agglomération de la Porte du Hainaut, and numerous French and international cultural partners, Des Jours Heureux reaffirms its commitment to bringing contemporary circus to the people. More than just a festival, it is a true human adventure where artistic creation, knowledge sharing, encounters, conviviality, and community spirit intersect, in the spirit of grand public celebrations where everyone naturally finds their place.

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Festival of Happy Days