Avignon Festival 2024: Discover the dates and permanent theatres

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Avignon Festival and Avignon Off Festival 2024

A smiling man carries a child on his shoulders at an outdoor event with tents and people.

The Avignon Festival is an international event held annually in Avignon, France, since 1947. A true highlight of the summer for performing arts enthusiasts, it brings together a wide range of shows, from the greatest theatrical successes to the most innovative new works, as well as a substantial offering from the renowned "Off" festival. Indeed, the 2024 Off program is particularly anticipated by theater lovers and those simply curious about the arts.

As is its custom, the 2024 Avignon Festival will take place in the heart of summer, bringing the City of Popes to life for several weeks. The event will be organized around two key periods:

  • From June 29 to July 21, 2024 : the "In" and "Off" program, with shows offered by numerous companies.
  • During July 2024 : the Avignon Art Week, dedicated to street arts and emerging artistic forms.

In this article, we invite you to discover some of the permanent theatres that will be at the heart of the action during the 2024 Avignon Festival, and we will give you an overview of the main dates to remember.

The permanent theatres of the Avignon Festival: historic and unmissable venues

When one thinks of the Avignon Festival, a number of iconic theaters immediately come to mind. These permanent venues host a program specially selected for the festival. Among them are:

The Laurette Theatre

Located in the heart of Avignon's historic center, the Laurette Théâtre is an intimate venue that has hosted eclectic performances for over 10 years. Particularly popular with companies and audiences during the Avignon Festival, it offers a varied and dynamic program.

The Oulle Theatre

Built at the beginning of the 20th century, the Théâtre de l'Oulle is a place for artistic creation and performance located a stone's throw from the Palais des Papes. Its large Italian-style auditorium offers artists a majestic setting to present their works during the Avignon Festival.

The Black Oak

Founded in 1967, Le Chêne Noir is a place steeped in history and cherished by lovers of great literature. This former heritage convent has been converted into a performance venue and hosts a carefully curated selection of national and international artists each year for the duration of the festival.

The Smoking Dog

An emblem of Avignon's cultural life for nearly 50 years, Le Chien qui fume is a café-theatre that has distinguished itself through its bold and diverse programming. Its warm decor and convivial atmosphere make it a must-visit for festival-goers eager for intense artistic experiences.

Off Festival 2024 Program: Key Dates to Remember

Alongside this official program, the "Off 2024 program" will allow emerging, established, and independent artists to present their shows in temporary theaters, often less well-known but just as appealing. Among the highlights not to be missed:

  • The Off Parade : the true kick-off of the 2024 Off program, it allows companies to present a preview of their show and sets the tone for what will be offered during the festival.
  • Professional meetings : organized throughout the Avignon Festival, these meetings promote exchanges between players in the performing arts world and artists participating in the Off.
  • Themed days : several times during the festival, highlights are dedicated to certain specific disciplines (theatre, dance, music, etc.) in order to showcase the range of artistic offerings present in the Off.

The 2024 Off program will therefore be particularly rich and diverse, offering festival-goers opportunities for discovery and exchange around live performance. There is no doubt that this edition will delight audiences with the quality of its offerings and the commitment of the participating artists.

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