Paris celebrates love at the 2026 ‘Nuit Blanche’ all-night art festival

The 25th annual Nuit Blanche (White Night) contemporary art festival will transform Paris into an all-night artistic experience on June 6, 2026. This year’s edition, curated by Barbara Butch, will showcase nearly 200 free installations exploring themes of love, celebration, and collective creativity across the city and its surrounding regions, including Le Havre, the partner city. Butch, a French artist, DJ, and producer, has framed the festival as a response to the online abuse and death threats she received in 2024 following her participation in the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. Her artistic vision centers on love as a unifying force, emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility. 'Even those not familiar with contemporary art should be able to think, *It doesn’t matter, I’m going there anyway to experience an emotion*,' she stated. The festival kicks off at Paris City Hall in the Marais district, where a fitness class curated by Butch will feature a playlist including a 'very famous' French pop singer. Later, a gospel collaboration and a majorette troupe’s performance will lead to a light projection titled *Pulsar* on City Hall’s façade, evoking a beating heart. Another key project, *On s’aime* (We love each other), invites Parisians to record short videos saying 'On s’aime,' which will be displayed on LED trucks traveling through the city. Additionally, David Mottahedèh’s *Carpet Museum of Iran* installation merges archival footage of female singers with Persian carpet patterns, blending pre-Islamic Revolution traditions. Hundreds of other artworks will be displayed across Paris and its outskirts, ensuring a participatory and immersive experience for attendees. The full schedule is available on the Nuit Blanche 2026 website, with events designed to foster connection and emotional engagement.