Events calendar Métropole lilloise

Les Paradis artificiels is THE rap and urban festival of the Lille region, and more widely of northern France. Each year, over 20,000 participants gather (some editions draw close to 40,000) to enjoy the sounds of some 50 artists from all musical horizons, over the course of an entire week. French rap, Swedish DJs, American rock, African vocals and much more... make up the line-up for this eclectic event. A not-to-be-missed event!

This winter, the Tripostal will host an exhibition of international scope within its walls: the Vanhaerents Art Collection, one of the major collections of contemporary art in Belgium, will be highlighted in the context of the exhibition At the End of My Dreams. An evocative title for a bright and engaging exhibition that will introduce the public to eclectic pieces by emerging artists as well as big names in contemporary art, with genres as varied as painting, sculpture, photography or video installation.

Pioneer in the creative industries, Lille never ceases to surprise us, as with this magical festival dedicated to Video Mapping. Artists from all over the world let their creativity explode in breathtaking animations designed to sublimate the most beautiful monuments of the city. Monumental, immersive or interactive mapping, this art is multiple and transports you out of time and space. If the festival opens in Lille, it then continues in the regions until October 2023 with new videos specific to each city and territory.

A cult cinema event enjoyed by thousands of spectators, the CineComedies festival returns for its 6th^edition , with comedy screenings, meetings and book signings for all audiences, scattered across Lille. This year, the honors will go to comedian Michel Serrault, one of the pillars of French cinema. An entire exhibition will be devoted to his world and career, from his legendary duet with Jean Poiret to his greatest film collaborations. How about it? Will you be there?

In 2019, the 1st edition of the festival attracted 13,000 spectators. A real success that the festival teams intend to repeat in 2020! This time, the edition should last two weeks with numerous animations, workshops and festive and animated evenings. Big names have been invited such as Alexandre Desplat and Jacques Audiard, but the big event not to be missed will be the exclusive French screening of Skyfall at the Zenith on November 25th. James Bond accompanied by a symphony orchestra: that's a promise! Other events in association with large structures such as the NPO will be organized. The Ciné-Concert festival has not finished making us dream!

The Route du Louvre is a renowned event that links Lille and Lens via several routes adapted to the sporting abilities and desires of each participant. Whether it's a hike, a trail or a run, participants can push their limits in a sporting, festive and cultural atmosphere that's part city, part nature. Whatever their route, they discover the rich cultural heritage of the Hauts-de-France region, the beauty of its sites against a backdrop of mines and slag heaps, and then meet up in the gardens of the Louvre-Lens to celebrate the end of their efforts in style!

The Clef de Soleil festival brings classical music to Lille all summer long, with a rich and varied program. Soloists, quartets and recitalists with original repertoires delight your ears by sharing their passion through dozens of performances featuring the most traditional and famous works of classical music, as well as a number of more personal and intimate creations. Each edition of this festival is a great opportunity to discover classical music from a new angle!

The Braderie de l'Art is an unusual event organized by the Condition Publique in Roubaix. The concept? Dedicate a weekend to art and design recycling, bringing together the most inspired international designers (graphic artists, sculptors, graffiti artists...). Before the eyes of over 20,000 visitors each year, they use their talents to give a second life to countless obsolete objects through hyper-creative refurbishments and/or customizations. If you're there in December, you might just be able to treat yourself to one of their artistic reclaimed objects!

Every edition of La Nuit des Arts organized by the city of Roubaix for over 10 years now has been a success. The event, which actually takes place over three days (on weekends), gives you the chance to visit some 50 typical and original cultural spaces, meet local artists and designers, and discover exhibitions scattered all over Roubaix. Museums, bookshops, galleries, shops and restaurants are all delighted to take part in this Nuit des Arts, a great way to bring art to life in all its forms!

Among all the ecological events organized in the region, Roubaix's sustainable Christmas market is always a success. And with good reason: combining sustainability and respect for the environment with the magic of Christmas is a winning combo today. Over forty chalets host local exhibitors showcasing their eco-responsible creations made from recycled materials, amid playful themed workshops and 100% recycled decor!

In January 2019, La Cave aux Poètes created We Loft Music on the premise that rhyming music and heritage is far from impossible! The result is a unique traveling urban festival that brings music from all horizons to some of the most atypical venues in the Metropole. From La Piscine to the Protestant temple, via the Villa Cavrois and the former Banque de France, the 4 editions of this festival of astonishing concerts have proved that breaking codes works! As for where the^5th edition of the We Loft Music Festival will take place, the suspense is still there..

The Giant is a giant construction - originally made of wicker - representing a character, but above all it is an emblematic figure of Northern France! The Giants of the North appeared when the region was part of the Spanish Netherlands. They were paraded during religious processions, but today, there are all kinds of Giants of the North, each with their own name and history, and many cities in the North and in Belgium have them. If you want to have a closer look at this tradition, the Forum des Géants du Nord (which replaces the Giant Weekend) in Tourcoing is ideal because it will allow you to see dozens of giants in all their splendor.

The Bureau d'Art et de Recherche is a cultural association that runs the La Qsp contemporary art gallery in Roubaix. Since 1999, the gallery has been exhibiting regional and international artists, covering different currents in contemporary art such as drawing, sculpture, installation, photography, video and design. Le B.A.R offers exhibitions, performances, readings, art workshops and urban walks to give everyone access to culture. To get there, take metro line 2 to Gare Jean Lebas, or buses^nos. 21, 25 or 27. Parking is also available at Gare Jean Lebas and Musée de La Piscine.