Festival of Lights 2026
Four evenings when Lyon becomes a city of light installations.
What happens
The tradition dates back to 8 December 1852, when a statue of the Virgin Mary was blessed on Fourvière hill and residents placed candles in their windows. People in Lyon still put candles in glasses on their windowsills, while for four evenings the city gives its streets, squares and façades over to light artists. The installations are free and spread through the centre, explored on foot. During these evenings, the centre is closed to cars and very crowded.
Book Lyon hotels in advance for these dates. During the day, explore Lyon’s food and Les Halles Paul Bocuse, with the vineyards of Beaujolais and the northern Rhône nearby.
Where
throughout central Lyon: the Presqu’île, including Place Bellecour, Place des Terreaux and Place des Jacobins, Old Lyon, Fourvière hill and its basilica, and the Saône quays. In 2026, 27 light installations are spread across 20 sites.
Open map ↗Schedule
| from Saturday 5 to Tuesday 8 December 2026. | Saturday 5, Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 December, from 19:00 to 23:00; Sunday 6 December, from 18:00 to 22:00, according to the city. On the evening of 8 December, people in Lyon put candles in their windows, a tradition dating from 1852. |
Getting there
- from Paris, take a TGV from Gare de Lyon to Lyon Part-Dieu, about 2 hours.
- Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport; the Rhônexpress reaches Part-Dieu in 30 minutes.
- Take the metro into the centre; during the festival, some metro stations are closed and the centre is closed to cars.
Tickets and admission
free.
Tips
- around 2 million visitors over 4 evenings: Sunday and Monday are the least busy nights.
- Download the route map from the official website.
- Book Lyon hotels several months in advance.