The city of Paris invites everyone to gather on the Place de la Bastille for the fourth edition of the Bal de l’Amour, a free, open-air celebration scheduled for Friday 15 May 2026. Organized in the run-up to the World Day against LGBTQIA+phobias, the event blends festive performances and civic remembrance to underline the continuing struggle for equality and visibility. This edition is curated with support from the Théâtre du Châtelet and a wide network of public and private partners who contribute production, programming and outreach.
Intended as both a party and a statement, the Bal de l’Amour highlights the diversity of LGBTQIA+ communities through music, theatrical moments and a cabaret program designed to be accessible to all. The city has structured the evening so that dancing and live sets run alongside staged excerpts and tributes. Entry is free for everyone, reinforcing the idea that public space should be open to shared cultural expression and collective memory. The program deliberately mixes established names and emerging artists to create a night that is celebratory, varied and meaningful.
Evening program: DJs, live acts and theatrical scenes
The party portion begins at 19:00 with a special carte blanche given to Blazin, a collective known for putting Afro-Caribbean rhythms at the heart of their sets. Over the early evening, a sequence of DJ sets and live performances will feature artists such as Vicky R, Malaureins, Mac Hartley and Shinobihana. Expect genre-blurring moments: trap, drum’n’bass, rap and experimental song forms will all find space on the Bastille stage, offering a soundtrack meant to move bodies and spark curiosity. Programming choices prioritize both dancefloor energy and sonic adventurousness.
Cabaret and theatre on the main stage
At 21:00 the evening takes a theatrical turn with staged opening and closing scenes from Olivier Py’s production of La Cage aux folles. These theatrical interludes will be woven together with a vibrant cabaret sequence featuring performers such as Corrine (who will also handle the closing set), Fürsy Von Colmar, Patachtouille, Kiks, Axel Alvarez and Maxime. The program is anchored by Mister K on the microphone, who will guide transitions and keep the audience engaged. The mix of staged theatre and cabaret acts is intended to create a dynamic flow between spectacle and participatory celebration.
Daytime events: remembrance, debate and civic reflection
The Bal de l’Amour evening follows a daytime schedule focused on awareness and memory. At 14:30 in the auditorium of the Hôtel de Ville, a conference will address the state of discrimination, international challenges and the role of sport in advancing equality. The city also encourages participants to visit the recently inaugurated memorial at the Jardin du Port de l’Arsenal, dedicated to homosexual victims of deportation and to LGBTQIA+ people more broadly. These daytime moments frame the party as part of a broader civic moment that acknowledges past harms and looks forward to collective action.
Partners, campaigns and community support
The Bal de l’Amour is produced with the support of a range of institutional and corporate partners who bring financial, logistical and visibility resources. Among them are Mastercard, IKEA, adopte, Levi’s, SAINT JAMES, RATP, Radio Nova, Libération, Le Bonbon and RMC Story. Partners contribute in different ways, from on-site infrastructure and media amplification to fundraising initiatives: notably, IKEA is running an in-store and online operation from 4 May to 14 June where 50% of the price of selected Storstomma bags will be donated to the association L’Autre Cercle. These collaborations underscore how corporate and municipal actors can combine efforts to support inclusion and visibility.
Why partnership matters
Corporate and cultural partners provide both resources and reach, enabling a free public event to scale while reinforcing messages of inclusion. Radio and print media partners help carry the stories and voices of the evening beyond the plaza, while transport partners like RATP facilitate safe access for attendees. Clothing and lifestyle brands contribute symbolic and practical support, from special Pride collections to on-the-ground volunteers. Together, these partners help ensure the Bal de l’Amour is both festive and rooted in social purpose.
Practical information
When: Friday 15 May 2026. Where: Place de la Bastille, Paris 4e. Admission: free and open to all. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for the daytime programming and to check official channels for accessibility information and safety guidance. The event is designed as an inclusive public celebration that combines music, theatre and remembrance—an invitation to enjoy, reflect and stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community.