Celine Dion has announced her return. In two languages.
The global superstar is making her long-awaited comeback on Sept. 12 at the 40,000-seat Paris La Défense Arena. The full schedule is 10 dates: Sept. 12, 16, 19, 23, 26 and 30, then Oct. 3, 7, 10 and 14.
Tickets to the general public are on sale at 1 a.m. April 10, after a presale kicks off April 7 (go to celinedion.com for intel).
Dion’s team is not referring to the series dubbed “Celine Dion Paris 2026” as a residency. But by Vegas standards, it is just that. And Dion is thrilled to be back in action.
“Over the last few years, every day that’s gone by, I’ve felt your prayers and support, your kindness and love. You’ve helped me in ways that I can’t even describe, and I’m truly fortunate to have your support,” Dion said in a statement. “This year, I’m getting the best birthday gift of my life … I’m getting the chance to see you, to perform for you once again in Paris, beginning in September.
“I’m feeling good, I’m strong, I’m feeling excited, obviously a little nervous, but most of all, I’m grateful to all of YOU! I love you all and I’ll see you soon!”
Dion announced the new shows midday Monday, on her 58th birthday. The news flash started with a light show at the Eiffel Tower as the sun set in Paris. The spectacle displayed the message of her return, followed by a formal announcement on social media.
She plans to sing her greatest hits in her Paris production, alternating between English and French. Dion’s vision to perform again in Las Vegas has not been addressed and reportedly hasn’t been discussed specifically.
Live Nation, the city’s dominant production company, purchased La Défense Arena, the largest performance venue in Europe, in January. An informed take on Dion’s extended future is a run through Montreal, in her original home province of Quebec, before entertaining a return to Las Vegas.
Word of Dion’s comeback production surfaced over the past several days. Signs popping up around Paris last week, referring to such Dion favorites as “Pour Que tu M’aimes Encore” and “Power of Love” tipped off the public that the superstar was prepping to perform again.
The “My Heart Will Go On” hit-maker was in Las Vegas, where she owns an estate at Lake Las Vegas, through Monday’s announcement. Through reps, she has consistently declined interviews since she cut short her planned residency at the Resorts World Theatre in November 2021.
In December 2022, she disclosed she’d been diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, the rare autoimmune neurological disorder that brings on extreme muscle stiffness, rigidity and painful spasms.
There is no cure for SPS. But Dion has been working aggressively to offset its symptoms. A rep said in May that the entertainment legend works out five days a week, always with plans to return to the stage.
“There is no doubt she’ll be back,” the source said. “She’s in great, great condition.”
Dion has been working on her voice at the Studio at the Palms and has been spotted occasionally at the golf course at Lake Las Vegas, where she has posted videos on social media.
She played Paris during the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in July 2024, performing French legend Édith Piaf’s “L’Hymne à l’amour” (“Hymn to Love”). She had been scheduled to play Paris during her “Courage” tour in 2020, but it was canceled because of the pandemic.
In her most extensive performance since she stepped away from the stage, Dion sang a 12½-minute set at the “1001 Seasons of Elie Saab” music, fashion and art event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 2024. Fans were encouraged by the performance, as Dion sang her classics “Power of Love” and “I’m Alive.
She wowed the crowd at the 2024 Grammy Awards, showing up unbilled and presenting Taylor Swift with the Album of the Year award at Crypto.com Arena in L.A., chartering a bus to make the show and head back to Las Vegas afterward.
Dion’s last show in Las Vegas was June 8, 2019, capping her venue-record, 1,141-show run over two residencies at the Colosseum.
In that time, she and her late husband, Rene Angelil, created the blueprint for the modern-day residency. Elton John, Cher, Bette Midler, Rod Stewart, Shania Twain, The Who, Reba, Brooks & Dunn, Guns N’ Roses, Usher, The Killers, Def Leppard, Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton, Cyndi Lauper, Josh Groban and (announced Monday) Lisa of Blackpink have all been booked to headline the venue rightfully known as The House Celine Built.
Whether she’ll grace that stage, or any other in Las Vegas, is a question for another time.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.