The European Space Agency (ESA), the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) and Cercle today announce an unprecedented collaboration for the 2026 edition of Cercle Festival, bringing together for the first time the French and European space agencies with one of the world's most distinctive electronic music festivals.
Set to take place from May 22-24, 2026, at the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace - Paris-Le Bourget, this collaboration embodies a shared vision that brings together innovation, exploration, knowledge sharing and artistic creation at the heart of an iconic site in aeronautical and space history.
Music and space: a historic relationship
Far more than an institutional partnership, this collaboration is part of a longstanding artistic dialogue between music and space. From the cosmic imaginaries explored by David Bowie and Pink Floyd during the era of the space race, to electronic music pioneers such as Jean-Michel Jarre, Kraftwerk and Daft Punk, space has consistently fueled sonic and visual experimentation.
Through its synthetic textures, immersive sound design and futuristic aesthetic, electronic music naturally evokes the vastness of the cosmos and the spirit of exploration. Cercle Festival thus becomes a unique platform where space, science and contemporary creation converge.
Set on the legendary Le Bourget tarmac, surrounded by aircraft and Ariane launchers, the festival will place aeronautical and space heritage at the heart of forward-looking musical and audiovisual experiences.
An alliance between space, science and contemporary culture
Through this partnership, ESA and CNES are investing in a new cultural territory to share the key challenges of the French and European space sectors with an international, curious and intergenerational audience. Dedicated activations will highlight the tangible role of these space activities, with a focus on science, exploration and access to space.
This collaboration reflects the shared ambition of ESA and CNES to build new bridges between science and culture by engaging with new audiences beyond traditional institutional frameworks.
An iconic setting for an unprecedented edition
Renowned for transforming exceptional locations into spectacular musical stages, Cercle will once again take over the tarmac of the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace - Paris-Le Bourget for its festival.
Three iconic stages will be set beneath landmarks of aeronautical and space history:
- A380 Stage
- Concorde Stage
- Ariane Stage
These spaces will host international artists, including Eric Prydz, ARTBAT, Ben Böhmer, ANNA, Kölsch, Lane 8, Michael Bibi and Adriatique, alongside emerging talents and a global community, in a scenography designed to elevate both the music and the surrounding architecture and heritage.
Following a sold-out 2024 edition that welcomed audiences from more than 100 countries, the 2026 edition will expand to three days, further reinforcing Cercle Festival's international reach and artistic ambition.
An immersive space dome at the heart of the festival
At the center of the experience, ESA, CNES and Cercle will unveil a first-of-its-kind installation in a European music festival: an immersive space dome designed as a hub for discovery and experimentation. The venue will host thematic talks bringing together astronauts, experts and leading scientific figures (line-up to be announced soon), a space models exhibition, and immersive experiences including virtual reality and sensory installations.
A symbolic opening from space
Among the highlights of this collaboration is the participation of Sophie Adenot, ESA astronaut currently aboard the International Space Station as part of the εpsilon mission.
She will officially open Cercle Festival 2026 through an exceptional address recorded in microgravity from the International Space Station (ISS), creating an unprecedented moment of connection between Earth, space and music.
