Festive Theatre at Palais des Congrès

29 June 2017

Prepare for Enchanting Evenings as Magicians and Classic Christmas Ballets Arrive in Paris

Immerse yourself in Christmas Magic this December, when an all-star assemblage of magician’s takeover Paris in The Illusionists 2.0. Then, the sights and sounds of the festive season will arise when the most classic of all the Christmas ballets arrives in Palais des Congrès with The Nutcracker.

The Illusionists 2.0

22nd December – 28th December 2017

Information & Tickets

The original Illusionists were unwavering in their wowing of Parisian crowds and breaking of box-office records. Now they’re back; with a stunning sequel that boasts seven new masters of mind-bending magic and a deluge of death defying stunts.

Behind the magic is the all-star assemblage of illusionists, escape artists, hypnotists, mind readers, and sleight of hand masters; each bringing to the table an arsenal of inconceivable tricks, sophisticated stunts, and powerhouse performances. Between them, the troupe have conquered all in the world of magic - winning a profusion of prestigious awards; while amassing a global audience of millions in the process.

Among the most recognisable of the artists is The Master Magician - AKA Luis De Matos - the most respected and distinguished Portuguese magician of all time; with a speciality in grand scale illusions. Famously, De Matos was recently accredited with the esteemed Golden Grolla - sharing the award with Dynamo.

Joining Luis is The Deceptionist; though you may know him better as James More - the illusionist who shot to superstardom on 2013’s Britain’s Got Talent. More has since gone on to entrance audiences around the world - and not just by means of his devilish good looks.

Beyond the art of illusion; The Daredevil - AKA Jonathan Goodwin - supplies a series of death defying stunts that are very, very real. In the past he has been hanged, buried alive, hung by his toes from helicopters, burned at the stake, and even attacked by sharks; promising evenings of excitement and anxiety in abundance!

Completing the assemblage are sleight of hand master The Manipulator; brain-blowing psychics The Clairvoyants; the mind-altering The Hypnotist; and the reinventor of modern magic The Enigma.

Long gone are the days of pulling rabbits from a hat! Prepare to be impelled into the future of magic when The Illusionists 2.0 unveil their cutting-edge visual effects, magnificent 3D projections, and tricks that take crowd participation to a whole new level.

The Nutcracker

28th December – 30th December 2017

Information & Tickets

In what has become a yearly tradition, the dance company and orchestra of the Russian National Opera will return to Palais des Congrès this December; to perform their invigorating interpretation of the most classic of all the Christmas ballets.

Set on a snowy Victorian Christmas Eve, The Nutcracker embarks you on an enchanting adventure; as young love, Christmas magic, and warrior rodents combine to tell the story of the young Clara and her beloved Nutcracker - after she is swept away into a magical miniature world by the shadowy sorcerer Drosselmeyer.

For their 2017 reimagining of the production, the Russian National Opera will take inspiration from the ‘Nutcracker’ stories of E.T. A. Hoffman and Alexandre Dumas; from which the choreography of the 1892 ballet by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov was born. In particular, this portrayal is celebrated for its captivating Land of Sweets - where you encounter the magical Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy in one of ballet’s great pas de deux.

Throughout The Nutcracker, visually stunning sets and costumes combine to heighten the intricate choreographies; most notably in the adrenaline-fuelled battles between the Nutcracker and the terrifying Mouse King. While at the other end of the spectrum, the snow filled sets and glistening costumes also embellish scenes like the Waltz of the Snowflakes - conjuring up sights of the festive period, as the stage is overcome by droves of synchronised dancers in their imitating of swirling snowflakes.

However, the apogee of any evening at The Nutcracker is undoubtedly the sumptuous sugar-spun score by Tchaikovsky; which will be masterfully recreated on the evening by the Russian National Opera ensemble. Even 125 years after its conception, the composition by Tchaikovsky is untiring in its nostalgia inducing abilities - as the classic sounds of Christmas fill the Palais des Congrès.

Like Christmas without Santa Claus, Rudolph or the bright lights of the Champs-Elysées; the festive season isn’t complete without the majestic melodies of The Nutcracker. So be sure to book your tickets well in advance for these enchanting evenings - where Christmas will abound in the Palais des Congrès.

Complete your Parisian Christmas experience with a stay at Median Paris Congrès - situated mere minutes from the Palais des Congrès and a whole host of other attractions. See our Offers & Packages for an exclusive selection of money saving specials.