Live performances are thriving as the French public still values collective cultural outings. According to a study published Tuesday, July 29, by the Ministry of Culture and based on ticketing data for the performing arts sector, which includes theater, music, dance, circus performances, musicals, comedy shows and cabarets, all indicators were rising. Approximately 230,000 performances were organized in 2024, compared to 205,000 in 2023. These performances drew 65.4 million spectators, compared to 62 million in 2023, and generated €2.8 billion in revenue, compared to €2.1 billion in 2023 – an 11% increase.
In terms of economic impact, live performance is the second-largest cultural sector after audiovisual media, but it encompasses a wide range of disciplines, leading to diverse results. In 2024, 47% of performances were in theater and related arts, such as circus, puppetry and mime. However, music drew the largest audiences (48%) and generated the most revenue (€1.4 billion, accounting for 58% of all live performance revenue).
These broad trends are not new but “confirm the sector’s vitality for the third year running,” according to officials at the Department of Studies, Foresight, Statistics and Documentation at the Ministry of Culture. This series of studies is based on declarations by live performance producers via the Ministry’s new Sibil system (a ticketing information system), supplemented by data from the National Music Center and the Association for the Support of Private Theater.
You have 45.44% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
