The favorite event for children, and often also for parents, will make its grand return to Haute-Savoie at the end of summer 2026. From Sunday, August 23 to Thursday, August 27, 2026, the Au Bonheur des Mômes festival will once again take over the streets and squares of Grand-Bornand with hundreds of shows, activities, and workshops dedicated to young audiences.
Each year, this unique festival in Europe attracts several tens of thousands of visitors who come to enjoy a rare family atmosphere, blending street arts, theater, circus, puppets, music, and creative workshops. For this 34th edition, the village of Grand-Bornand promises another five days of celebration and wonder in the heart of the Aravis.
A must-see summer festival in Haute-Savoie
Created in the early 1990s, Au Bonheur des Mômes has become over time one of the largest European festivals dedicated to live performances for young audiences. For five days, the village center is completely transformed to make way for a poetic and offbeat world where children become the true kings of the party.
The festival stands out for its unique atmosphere: here, shows pop up as much in indoor venues as on the streets, squares, or in spaces specially arranged for the occasion. Companies from France and abroad offer creations mixing humor, emotion, music, acrobatics, and imagination.
Grand-Bornand transformed into a huge open-air stage
Au Bonheur des Mômes does not resemble a classic festival where the audience just moves from one show to another in a few rooms. During the event, a large part of Grand-Bornand becomes a space entirely devoted to imagination.
Actors, musicians, dancers, circus performers, and puppeteers take over the squares, tents, barns, and streets. Some performances take place in front of a few dozen spectators, while others gather many families on the large outdoor stages.
The program mixes indoor shows, street arts, wanderings, exhibitions, workshops, and conferences. Some offerings are freely accessible, while others require reservation and the purchase of an additional ticket.
This diversity allows people to compose their day according to the children’s ages and everyone’s wishes. Spaces are especially planned for little ones, with programming announced from the age of six months, whereas other shows are more aimed at teenagers or the entire family.
A spectacular opening at Chinaillon
The opening day will take place on Sunday, August 23 exclusively at Grand-Bornand Chinaillon, about six kilometers from the village center. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the “Saltimbanques au Sommet” will launch this new edition in an alpine setting, with a day entirely focused on street arts.
Nearly 40 performances are scheduled on six stages and in the Saltimbanques Street. Games, rides, and several unusual installations will complete this opening day. Free shuttles will allow joining Chinaillon from Le Grand-Bornand Village.
Among the announced attractions are notably “Zanimal, the exploded carousel,” a parade animated by Théâtre de la Toupine, but also an articulated robot, wooden games inhabited by strange creatures, and “Brut de bestioles,” a ride composed of funny animals made from driftwood.
The Bulle des Mômes, the beating heart of the festival
From Monday, August 24 to Thursday, August 27, the festival will move back down to Grand-Bornand Village. The center will then become the “Bulle des Mômes,” a vast secure pedestrian area where many shows, games, workshops, and activities will be concentrated.
You will find there especially wooden games, a musical garden, reading areas, rides, a house dedicated to toddlers, and several creative spaces. The Bulle will be accessible from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with a festival pass, then access will be free after 5:30 p.m.
Visitors will be able to navigate between different districts with evocative names: the Village des Mômes, the Pré aux Vaches, the Village Nomade, the Maison des mini-mômes, the Place des Mômes, or the Chapitoto. An organization that gives the festival the look of a small town entirely imagined for children.
An edition under the sign of laughter and imagination
For this 34th edition, the organizers announce particular emphasis on laughter and humor. In a context sometimes judged anxiety-inducing for families and children, the festival wants to put imagination back at the center and defend live performance as a space for breathing, meeting, and freedom.
Au Bonheur des Mômes also preserves the values upheld since its beginnings: openness to difference, bonds between generations, access to culture, and environmental awareness.
The event thus continues to encourage families to temporarily abandon screens to attend real performances, observe artists at work, and share collective emotions. Workshops also offer opportunities to create, play, manipulate, or learn from professionals.
Serge Bloch, the creator of Max and Lili, among the guests
One of the guests honored in 2026 will be Serge Bloch, illustrator and creator of the graphic universe of the famous youth series “Max and Lili.” His presence should particularly interest children who know the adventures of these two characters, but also parents who grew up with these works.
The festival will also continue its literary prize “La Vache qui Lit.” Five novels are offered to young readers, invited to discover them, give their opinion, and then meet the authors during a special day.
This literary dimension complements a program largely focused on live performance and reminds that the festival also seeks to awaken curiosity, creativity, and the taste for reading.
A festival that also reflects on the world of tomorrow
Au Bonheur des Mômes is not limited to entertainment. Reflection sessions are regularly offered around education, childhood, and society.
In 2026, psychologist and psychoanalyst Sophie Marinopoulos, the festival’s patron and a specialist in issues related to childhood and family, will welcome Mathieu Baudin, historian, futurist, and co-founder of the Institute for Desirable Futures.
Their meeting, entitled “Tell the future that we are coming,” will offer a reflection on how each person can become an actor of their time and imagine more desirable futures.
A springboard for young companies
For over twenty-five years, Au Bonheur des Mômes has also participated in the “Coup de Pouce” operation, organized with the Departmental Council of Haute-Savoie.
This program offers young companies the opportunity to present their work in front of the public, but also programmers and professionals of the performing arts. The festival thus represents a true place for spotting and exchanging for emerging artists.
This attention given to creation contributes to the event’s reputation, which has become over the editions a recognized meeting of live performances for young audiences in Europe. The festival serves as much as a big family party as a meeting place for companies and promoters.
How much does the 2026 festival cost?
Access to the Bulle des Mômes and to the opening day requires the purchase of a festival pass. For the 2026 edition, the weekly pass is offered at 25 euros.
The pass for the opening day on Sunday at Chinaillon costs 5 euros. From Monday to Thursday, the daily pass is set at 7 euros. Access is free for children under 4 years old as well as for people with disabilities.
However, the general access pass must be clearly distinguished from tickets for certain shows and workshops. Activities requiring reservation cost between 4 and 15 euros and must be purchased additionally.
Given the festival’s popularity, it is better to quickly reserve the most sought-after shows. The public ticket office for the 2026 edition opened on Monday, July 6.
How to come and get around during the festival?
Attendance can be very high during Au Bonheur des Mômes. Organizers therefore recommend anticipating arrival, parking, and travel.
From Annecy, the regular lines Y62 and Y63 allow reaching Le Grand-Bornand via Thônes. Free interstation buses also run from La Clusaz and Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, while several internal shuttles serve the hamlets of Grand-Bornand, notably Chinaillon, Nant-Robert, and the Bouchet valley.
Parking spaces are planned around the festival, but several usual parking lots in the center are closed during setup and the duration of the event. Carpooling, public transport, and cycling are therefore strongly advised. Bicycle parking is arranged near access points.
My advice to enjoy Au Bonheur des Mômes
Arrive early and don’t try to see everything in one day. Select two or three reserved shows, then leave free time to enjoy the wanderings, the games, and the surprises that make up a large part of the festival’s charm.
Practical information
Dates: from Sunday, August 23 to Thursday, August 27, 2026
Location: Le Grand-Bornand and Le Grand-Bornand Chinaillon
Opening at Chinaillon: Sunday, August 23, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Bulle des Mômes at the village: from Monday, August 24 to Thursday, August 27, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Weekly pass: 25 euros
Sunday pass at Chinaillon: 5 euros
Daily pass from Monday to Thursday: 7 euros
Shows and workshops by reservation: 4 to 15 euros
Free: children under 4 years and people with disabilities.
Tips
As every year, the event should attract many families. It is strongly recommended to book accommodation several weeks in advance and to anticipate buying tickets for the most popular shows.
With its mix of imagination, quality shows, and friendly mountain atmosphere, Au Bonheur des Mômes already promises to be one of the great family events of summer 2026 in Haute-Savoie.
