Top 5 events in Lyon
They never miss an opportunity to gather in the streets, to rediscover the Capital of Gaul and marvel at the monuments they already know by heart. An event in Lyon is another opportunity to wander through its narrow streets, while soaking up the lively atmosphere. So much so that the party may well last longer than expected…
Yes, the night doesn’t stop the people of Lyon – on the contrary, it reinvigorates them! Darkness is often an invitation to new musical, dancing and cultural events.
And, of course, there’s plenty of good food to go round. By taking part in these emblematic events, you’ll learn to dream and celebrate like the Lyonnais.
First choose your poison: a religious highlight, a burst of culture and dance fever… It’s up to you!
Our selection of recurring events
If you’re looking to attend one of Lyon’s most emblematic events, and you’re not afraid of the cold, opt for the Fête des Lumières. Growing in stature year after year, the Fête des Lumières is a city-wide sound and light show. You’ll be able to see never-before-seen projections on Lyon’s buildings! The event also transforms the Presqu’île into a street food laboratory. It’s fantastic!
1. Les Nuits de Fourvière
Date or period: June and July
Access: Paying € / €€.
Description: The impressive ancient theatre of Fourvière has been home to the Nuits de Fourvière festival since 1946. This multi-disciplinary open-air event attracts over 130,000 spectators every year. The festival’s daring programme brings you a world of colourful entertainment! From theatre to circus, dance to comedy… You won’t know where to turn. It’s the high quality of the performances that give the Nuits de Fourvière its international reputation.
Good to know: The ancient theatre of Fourvière is located on the heights of Lyon. For this reason, every effort has been made to make it accessible to all, especially those with reduced mobility. Contact the festival reception every day of the show to make the most of your visit.
2. The Festival of Lights
Date or period: From 8 December
Access: Free
Description: Lyon’s emblematic highlight par excellence! Every year, from 8 December, the city puts on its most beautiful colours and plunges the people of Lyon into a world filled with history and magic. The Festival of Lights was originally a tribute to the Virgin Mary, who spared the city from the plague in 1643. Every year since then, the people of Lyon have shown their gratitude by placing hundreds of luminous lights in their windows. There’s also a trail of exceptional light installations to discover throughout Lyon! These marvellous settings have become a magnet for travellers from all over the world.
Good to know: In Lyon, you can’t celebrate without stimulating your taste buds. During the Festival of Lights, everyone is free to improvise a street-food stand. The regular associations and restaurants, as well as the merry bands of students, are sure to keep your stomachs warm until the end of the night.
3. The Lumière Festival
Date or period: October (9 days).
Access: Paying / €.
Description: The Lumière Festival is an international film festival organised by the Institut Lumière since 2009. With retrospectives, screenings, encounters with cinema icons and exhibitions in several venues across the city, the festival programme is extremely dense and varied! But why Lyon? Well, because it was here that the Lumière brothers shot the very first film in the history of cinema in 1895. The short film immortalised the exit of workers from their photographic plate factory!
4. Les Nuits Sonores
Date or period: End of May (5 days).
Access: Paying / €€.
Description: Come to Lyon in spring for Nuits Sonores! For the past 20 years, this electronic music festival has been the not-to-be-missed event for fans from all over France. The opportunity is just too good for music lovers in Lyon – renowned for being big fans of funk music. Months in advance, the anticipation for the programme is palpable! Particularly among young, impatient students. Whether you come for a day or the whole festival, the choice is yours. One thing’s for sure, though, and that’s that there’ll be some electricity in the air at Nuits Sonores.
5. Everyone outside
Date or period: June and July
Access: Free
Description: Everyone outside to share culture! This summer gathering takes place every year in Lyon’s 9th arrondissement. It’s a celebration of culture with a capital “C”, with a whole host of performances on offer to the delighted public. Take in open-air film screenings, dance and music in the street or a play. Tout l’monde dehors is also an opportunity to discover talented and passionate artists made in Lyon.
Good to know: Come on kids, Tout l’monde dehors! Wonderful stories will be told to the youngest during the event. There will also be shows for young audiences and fun activities to introduce the little ones to the vast world of culture. It’s a not-to-be-missed event for families.
200 audioguided tours for cities all around the world
Download
