Nuit blanche 2026: This June 6, art comes to you free of charge all over Paris until the wee hours of the morning

On June 6, 2026, Paris is transformed into an open-air gallery from 6pm. For this 25th anniversary edition, Nuit Blanche 2026 celebrates love in all its forms, with over 100 free projects scattered around the capital.

Barbara Butch at the helm of Nuit Blanche 2026

This year, DJ and queen of the night Barbara Butch is the artistic director of the event. She has chosen a universal theme: love. A unifying, multifaceted love that overflows and connects people.

As part of its carte blanche program, 14 emblematic projects punctuate the evening. These creations all bear the vision of committed artists. They invite the public to experience art differently, far from the usual museum codes.

Performances, installations, screenings, concerts: the program promises an intense night. Contemporary art comes to you, effortlessly. No need to book or pay for anything.

“Love is stronger than hate, fear and everything else.”

The Declaration: kick-off on the forecourt of the Hôtel de Ville

Barbara Butch gives the starting signal on the square in front of the Hôtel de Ville. From 7pm, after a collective Swedish Fit warm-up, the square is transformed into a giant dancefloor. The DJ and her mystery guests turn music into a common language.

The evening program at this venue is packed. A DJ set from 7pm to 9:40pm, followed by a majorette demonstration by the Majors Girls. A video mapping by Alt Shift x V.P.M closes the festivities from 10pm to 3am.

• Free Swedish Fit class from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• DJ-set by Barbara Butch & Guests from 7pm to 9:40pm
• Majors Girls demonstration from 9:40pm to 10pm
• Video mapping from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
• Free access on the Hôtel de Ville forecourt (4th)

This year’s flagship installations

At the Petit Palais, artist Mathias Kiss presents Liquid Mirror. This creation blends the pixel, a symbol of modernity, with architecture from the 1900s. The result blurs our perceptions, highlighting a state of transition where anything is possible. The installation is on view from 7pm to 1am.

Opposite, at the Grand Palais, VJ Milosh deploys Grand cœur. A huge, swollen red heart takes pride of place beneath the dome. At once monumental and fragile, this vibrant work draws the eye like a beacon in the night. It remains accessible from 7pm to 2am.

At the Château Landon pool (10th arrondissement), Annette Messager creates a surprise with Sirènocturne. The newly renovated pool is filled with mermaids and newts. These mythical figures have fascinated visitors since Antiquity. The installation opens its doors from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Art in the street and on the water

On Place de la Bataille-de-Stalingrad (19th arrondissement), Marinella Senatore covers the façade of the Rotonde with luminous symbols and texts. Her work We rise by lighting others combines architecture, light and language. It invites us to share and meet, from 7pm to 6am.

The À contre-courant project marks this Nuit Blanche 2026 by its sheer scale. On April 3, the LUSA, a small Mediterranean boat, left Sète. After nearly 1,000 km of navigation and more than 170 locks, it arrived at the Bassin de la Villette on June 6. The floating installation is inspired by carnival giants.

Two festive, participatory events

At Carreau du Temple (3e), choreographer Mickaël Phelippeau organizes the Yellow Party. This participatory ball celebrates the color yellow, a symbol of life and movement. Participants are invited to wear a yellow garment or accessory. The evening opens with choreographed dance routines to songs featuring the color yellow. A DJ set by Verginie Descente closes the evening, from 11pm to 2am.

Finally, the On s’aime project travels the length and breadth of Paris. LED trucks broadcast videos of residents declaiming this simple phrase: “We love each other”. Alone, in pairs or in groups, dozens of Parisians have lent themselves to the game. These messages circulate from 5 p.m. to midnight, making the capital the city of love.

Nuit Blanche 2026 offers a rare opportunity to experience art differently. No barriers, no tickets, no strict opening hours. All you have to do is stroll through the streets and you’ll come across a work of art, a performance or a concert. The night of June 6 promises to be a memorable one for all those who love Paris.