Top 4 events in Lille

Find one or more events to coincide with your stay in Lille. Note that the events organised by the city are a reflection of the people of Lille: simple, unifying and as festive as ever. Lille is a young and lively city, thanks to the thousands of students who come here year after year to study. As a result, it’s easy to find a youthful, ‘bon franquette’ spirit in the programme. All of which adds a fantastic freshness and dynamism.

The city is in the hands of its young students, so will you be able to keep up with them?

Here, we’re also taking the time to showcase the city’s rich heritage. Numerous highlights and tours are planned to enable visitors to appreciate every detail. Following on from the historical tours, Art with a capital “A” has a prominent place in the events calendar. Galleries and groupings of artists are an almost daily occurrence, and don’t hesitate to spring up spontaneously without warning. So keep an eye on the programme, but be prepared to be surprised – that’s even better!

Our selection of recurring events

Several of Lille’s events, such as the Grande Braderie and the Louche d’Or, need no introduction. And while they may be better known than their predecessors, that doesn’t mean they can’t reinvent themselves over the years. Don’t hesitate to check out the dedicated pages to find out about the new events.

1 – Stroll around Lille’s Grande Braderie

Date or period: Every year in June.

Access: Free

Description: The Lille Braderie is the biggest flea market in Europe. On this occasion, around 10,000 stallholders come together over 100km of stalls in the heart of the city. Food and drink stalls, a merry-go-round and live music all add to the festivities. The history of this event dates back to the Middle Ages, when the Flanders region was very active commercially. At the time, foreign merchants would come to sell their wares for the occasion. The event did not become a garage sale until the early 16th century.

Good to know: The great challenge of the Lille braderie is to beat the record for the most mussels. Well, to be more precise, the number of mussel shells* gobbled up by visitors during the event. As we all know, mussels and chips are a local speciality, concocted with sauces that are each tastier than the last. Restaurateurs are piling up the shells in a bid to beat the previous year’s consumption record.

2. Discover the Lille European Film Festival

Date or period: Every year in June.

Access: Free

Description: At the crossroads of Benelux and France, the city of Lille has hosted an annual European film festival since 1984. The event showcases short films from the four corners of the old continent. It’s a chance for audiences to discover little-known and often unusual cinemas, and to meet the filmmakers behind them. Over the course of a week, screenings and conferences take place in several cinemas across the city. It’s the ideal event for the curious and budding film buff!

3. Go gaming with Geek Days

Date or period: Early May, over a weekend.

Access: Paying € / €€.

Description: Every year, at the beginning of May, a cult gathering of gamers takes place: Geek Days. Over a whole weekend, more than 30,000 video game enthusiasts, animators and fans of fantasy universes gather at this show to celebrate their shared passions. A unique programme of events awaits visitors: concerts, tournaments, exhibitions, meetings with their idols… You’ll be so immersed, you won’t want to leave.

Good to know: To take part in Geek Days, remember to book your Pass. There are several options: day pass, two-day pass, express pass or VIP pass. It’s up to you to choose the package best suited to your exploration time.

4. Soup Festival: La Louche d’Or

Date or period: Every 1st May.

Access: Free

Description: A veritable melting pot of world cultures, this unbridled event is a comedy competition, a music festival, a gastronomy festival and a neighbourhood party all rolled into one. This hodgepodge of events is usually held on 1 May in the Wazemmes district of Lille. All disciplines are featured, especially eclectic music inspired by distant cultures. The annual programme, full of rhythm and flavour, is sure to make your mouth water!