From 15th to 19th July 2026, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes will, for the first time, be hosting the Acamps Summer Festival (ASF), an international event organised by the Shalom Catholic Community. Over the course of five days, young people, families and group leaders from various countries will gather in Lourdes to share an experience of faith, fellowship and community.
Based at the Youth Village, this festival will offer a programme combining liturgical celebrations, talks, opportunities for prayer, sporting and cultural activities, concerts and pilgrimages to the Sanctuary. This first such event in Lourdes reflects the Sanctuary’s international outreach, as it continues to host initiatives designed to bring together pilgrims from all walks of life.
The festival will begin on 15th July with a welcome for participants, followed by an opening Mass celebrated in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, presided over by Bishop François Touvet of the Diocese of Fréjus-Toulon. The opening night’s festivities will continue with a DJ set, followed by a concert by the band Les Guetteurs.
WHAT’S ON
From July 16th to 18th, the programme will alternate between times of praise, adoration, Eucharistic celebrations, teaching and formation. Young people will, in particular, be able to take part in the ‘Life in the Holy Spirit’ seminar and the YouCat programme, whilst families will benefit from specific sessions focusing on family life, mission and the signs of Lourdes.
Participants will also enjoy numerous activities designed to encourage interaction between the various international groups: workshops, walks, sports activities, hip-hop, social gatherings and pilgrimages within the Sanctuary. The evenings will feature several concerts, including performances by Opera Nuova and Shalom Dublin, as well as the traditional Talent Show.
On 17th July, attendees will take part in the Torchlight Procession, an iconic part of the pilgrimage to Lourdes, which brings together thousands of pilgrims of all nationalities every evening in prayer.
On 18th July, a special event will be dedicated to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, inviting everyone to renew their spiritual lives during a massed prayer service.
The festival will draw to a close on 19th July with a Mass celebrated at the Grotto of the Apparitions, followed by a final pilgrimage around the Sanctuary, an official group photograph in front of the Rosary Basilica, and the closing ceremony.
By choosing Lourdes, the Acamps Summer Festival embodies the universal nature of the message entrusted to Saint Bernadette. Over five days, participants from many different countries will share a common experience of faith, joy and fellowship, once again illustrating the international mission of the Sanctuary of Lourdes to welcome people from all over the world.
