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Festival of Lights
All the information about this unmissable event of Lyon!
Major events
Last updated date : 12/11/2026
Once again this year, Lyon dons its cloak of light! From December 5 to 8, 2026, the façades of the city’s finest buildings come alive under the spotlight, while traditional candle lanterns glow in the windows. You are invited to experience Lyon’s biggest celebration! Origins, opening hours, programme... We tell you everything about the 2026 edition.
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The Festival of Lights, a Lyon tradition
Every December, Lyon transforms into a spectacular trail of light. But behind this unmissable event lies a Lyon tradition that is more than 170 years old...
The origins of the Festival of Lights
The inauguration of the golden statue of the Virgin Mary, erected on Fourvière Hill, was scheduled to take place on September 8, 1852. But the weather had other plans: flooding of the Saône River inundated sculptor Fabisch’s workshop and forced the city to postpone the inauguration to December 8 of the same year.
Misfortune continued to strike the people of Lyon. That day, torrential rain once again threatened the planned illuminations. But just as the inauguration was about to be cancelled, the skies cleared! Spontaneously, residents of Lyon placed small candles, known as lumignons, along their windowsills. The religious authorities did the same, and before long, the Fourvière chapel was glowing too!
This tradition lives on. Every December 8, the people of Lyon light up their windows and take to the streets to admire their city dressed in light.
Join Lyon’s biggest celebration
In 1999, the Festival of Lights as we know it today was born. It now lasts four days and attracts visitors from all over the world. Artists take over Lyon’s squares, façades and iconic landmarks, creating light installations and visual artworks that allow visitors to discover Lyon’s heritage from a whole new perspective!
Festival of Lights dates and opening hours
The 2026 edition of the Festival of Lights will take place:
- Saturday, December 5, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Sunday, December 6, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Monday, December 7, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 8, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Find full details of the opening hours on our dedicated practical information page.
The 2026 Festival of Lights programme
The 27th edition of the Festival of Lights means 27 artworks to marvel at this year! Each creation can be found in a different part of the city, in iconic locations such as Place Bellecour, Parc de la Tête d’Or, Place des Jacobins and Place des Terreaux, as well as other places you may not have heard of yet. The festival is the perfect opportunity to stroll through Lyon’s streets and discover the rich heritage they have to offer!
Climate change, new technologies and popular culture: for the artists, this 2026 edition is also a way to tell the story of our time through their artworks. Artificial intelligence also features in some of the creations, offering new ways to play with light and surprise the audience.
From the hypnotic dance of laser beams in Harp (la théorie des cordes) at Place de la République, to giant illuminated sunflowers at Parc de la Tête d’Or in Sunflowers for Vincent Van Gogh, and the iconic PAC-MAN characters brought to life at Place des Jacobins in Level Up, let yourself be swept away by the world’s largest festival dedicated to light art!
To discover all the artworks and the map for the 2026 edition:
- Visit the Tourist Office at the ONLYLYON Rectangle, on the Saône side of Place Bellecour, or one of the ONLYLYON-accredited visitor information points to pick up printed copies of the programme from late November.
- View the programme and map of the artworks online.
Get ready for the Festival of Lights
F.A.Q of the Festival of Lights
How to get to the Festival of Lights ?
The Festival of Lights takes place in the heart of Lyon. To make the most of the event, we recommend using public transport and limiting travel by car.
How can I get there by public transport?
The TCL network (metro, tram and bus) makes it easy to reach central Lyon from the various districts and towns across the metropolitan area.
During the Festival of Lights, the network is adapted for the event, and some lines may have modified timetables or routes.
Find more practical information on our dedicated page or on the TCL website.
Can I travel by train or TER?
Yes! Lyon is easily accessible by train, particularly via its two main stations, Lyon Part-Dieu and Lyon Perrache. Remember to book your tickets in advance.
When travelling by TER, take advantage of the Illico event fare, with 50% off journeys to the city.
How can I get there by car?
During the event, several streets and areas will be closed to traffic and parking, particularly in the city centre, to ensure visitors can be welcomed safely.
If you are travelling by car, we recommend using the 22 TCL park-and-ride facilities located around Lyon, then continuing your journey by public transport.
How to get around during the Festival of Lights ?
Where is the pedestrian zone?
The Festival of Lights is mainly experienced on foot. The main festival venues are located within pedestrianised and secure areas, accessible through various entry points.
Please note that bicycles and scooters are not permitted within the secure pedestrian zone during the festival hours.
More information about the pedestrian zone
Will public transport operate during the Festival of Lights?
Yes! The TCL network adjusts its services during the event’s four evenings.
Metro and tram services run more frequently, while some bus routes may be modified or restricted due to traffic restrictions in the city centre.
More information about TCL services
Don’t forget the Lyon City Card!
Take advantage of the Lyon City Card to enjoy Lyon’s full range of cultural attractions during the festival and travel freely on the public transport network.
What are the Tourist Office opening hours?
During the Festival of Lights, the Tourist Office, located at the ONLYLYON Rectangle, on the Saône side of Place Bellecour, welcomes visitors from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. continuously throughout all four evenings!
Feel free to stop by to pick up your programme and get the best advice on exploring the city and enjoying the festival with complete peace of mind!
Where to eat during the Festival of Lights?
Restaurants, traditional Lyon bouchons, brasseries, food trucks and food stalls: Lyon is full of great places to enjoy a delicious break during the Festival of Lights.
Discover our selection of recommended places on our dedicated page.
Remember to book your table in advance!
What to do with children during the Festival of Lights?
The Festival of Lights is also a wonderful family event! Children will marvel at the illuminated installations and enjoy interactive artworks that are particularly well suited to younger visitors.
For a more comfortable visit, we recommend using a baby carrier rather than a pushchair in busy areas, and remember to wrap up little ones warmly.
Find all our practical advice, tips and useful information to help you plan your family visit on our dedicated page: The Festival of Lights with children.
How can people with disabilities enjoy the festival?
The Festival of Lights offers several services to welcome all visitors, including dedicated information points, accessible routes, assistance from disability-trained teams and audio descriptions for selected artworks. Arrangements are also in place to make it easier to get around and access the festival events.
Find all the advice and practical information you need to plan your visit on our dedicated page: The Festival of Lights made accessible.
I go by alternative transportation
Public transit
22 park-and-ride facilities to get to the city centre, 4 metro lines.
Metro A or D stop Bellecour to be at the heart of the party.
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The Festival of Lights with children
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Accessibility at the Fête des Lumières
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Practical info
Festival of Lights