Why the 2026 Carcassonne Off Festival could well be just a pale copy of previous editions

The RN municipality has still not revealed information about the 2026 edition of the Off, the counterpart to the In, which allows attendees to enjoy nearly eighty shows for free, featuring prestigious artists. However, the dedicated market for show cancellation insurance, recently opened by the municipality, indicates that the allocated budget will be significantly reduced.

In early August 2023, following the Festival de Carcassonne, Pascal Dupont, the director of the City’s cultural department, described it as a “historic year” with “record-breaking” attendance. The enthusiasm stemmed from 58,000 spectators at the In, with 11 sold-out evenings, and a total audience of 150,000 people at the Off. A year later, Pascal Dupont was equally pleased with the “fourteen sold-out dates” of the 2024 In, calling it “unprecedented.” It remains to be seen what the outcome of the 2026 edition will be, but the turnout is unlikely to be historical, especially on the Off side.

While the 2026 In has been sold out for seven evenings from July 1st to 31st, the RN municipality, in power since March 22nd, has not disclosed any details about the Off. Unlike the previous team, who used to unveil the Festival’s Off portion grandly at the Dôme, there has been no such announcement so far. Mayor Christophe Barthès only discussed cultural matters related to the “Pig Festival” and a “apolitical cinema festival” during a city council meeting on April 30th, 2026. Culture was notably absent from the social media presence of the “Demain Carcassonne” list during the campaign.

Notably, a public service contract for event cancellation insurance was recently opened by the cultural department, covering events from July 1st to August 30th, 2026. This yearly contract aims to secure reimbursement in case of event cancellation due to various incidents. The city specifies the amount to be secured each year, encompassing artist fees, accommodation, security, catering, and technical expenses, among others.

Specifically for the 2026 edition, an amount of 3,386,721.48 euros is earmarked for the In events, with an equal sum for the Feria. This marks a rise from 3.05 million euros allocated in 2025. The Off budget for 2026 totals 161,400 euros, representing 36% of the total budget.

This shift signals a departure from previous years’ richness, with potentially fewer headline acts gracing the stage. The lineup could be condensed to a few days, possibly omitting national and international headliners, attracting a different audience. The mayor did not provide a response when contacted for comments.