News about major events in Lyon

Festivals that move to the groove

Nuits Sonores, a festival entirely dedicated to electronic and independent music and innovative visual and digital culture, is back again from 13 to 17 May 2026 at the Les Grandes Locos site in La Mulatière!

The Fourvière Nights festival returns  from 28 May to 25 July 2026. to set Lyon’s Roman theatres on Fourvière hill ablaze with an exciting schedule of theatre, dance, circus acts and music.

While the Jazz à Vienne festival doesn’t take place in Lyon, it is still an iconic landmark on the city’s musical scene. Take a seat on the steps of the Ancient Theatre of Vienne and enjoy an unforgettable concert as you watch the sun set over the stage - 25 June to 11 July 2026.

Events for sports lovers

For those who love a challenge, the Lyon Urban Trail takes place on 29 March this year (you still have time to train!). In May, lace up your trainers for the Ultra Boucle de la Sarra 24h race (23 and 24 May 2026) and the unmissable Courir pour Elles women’s solidarity race held on 17 May at the Grand Parc of Miribel Jonage.

The Grand Prix Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, to held from 18 to 25 October 2026 in Lyon-Décines, marks the return of top-level tennis to the region. This indoor competition is an ATP 250 tournament (men’s singles and men’s doubles) pitting the world’s leading tennis players against each other at the LDLC Arena.

Horse riding enthusiasts will be gathering at the next edition of Equita Lyon late October - early November 2026 at Eurexpo.

NordicWalkin'Lyon by Alptis, the event dedicated to walking in an urban environment, will take place in October 2026, while the long-awaited running festival, Run in Lyon, awaits you in the starting-block in October 2026. The year ends in style with the Asics SaintéLyon in December 2026.

Other essential events not to miss in Lyon 

A veritable institution for more than a century, the eagerly awaited Lyon Fair flings open its doors from 20 to 30 March 2026 at the Eurexpo exhibition centre. Check out the latest trends in products, leisure activities and entertainment.

The Quais du Polar international festival brings together the world’s greatest crime fiction writers. The agenda features meetings, author signings, sideshows, investigations, crime fiction exhibitions, and more... Get your pens ready for signings from 3 to 5 April 2026 and take part in the Quais du Polar grand investigation!

The Lyon BD Festival is an unmissable event for all comic book fans. Publishers, authors and booksellers are invited to share, discover and highlight their unique qualities as creators and distributors of comic books. The festival takes place from 12 to 14 June 2026 - be there or be square!

The same weekend, from 11 to 14 June, the Lyon Street Food Festival returns to titillate your taste buds with four days of celebrations coupled with a gastronomic world tour offering further opportunities for indulgence - all the more reason to visit Lyon at this time of year!

The Biennale de la Danse and the Biennale d’Art Contemporain are two events devoted to dance and modern art that take it in turns to spice up Lyon’s cultural season. This year it’s the turn of modern art, with a host of exhibitions organised from September 2026 to January 2027 (dates to be confirmed).

The Vintage Fashion Market (Marché de la Mode Vintage) is a must for all vintage fans, treasure hunters and curiosity seekers taking place on 10 and 11 October 2026 at La Sucrière.

In October, the Lumière Festival shines the spotlight on Lyon, the birthplace of the cinema, for a packed week of classic films in the presence of international stars of the silver screen. The red carpet will be rolled out from 10 to 18 October 2026! Get your cameras ready!

The Silk in Lyon festival organised at the Palais de la Bourse in November is an opportunity to embellish (or start) your silk collection and reconnect with the history of Lyon’s traditional silk workers, the “canuts” (dates to be confirmed).

Last but not least, we all look forward to Lyon’s spectacular Festival of Lights in early December. Don't forget to light some lumignon candles on your window sills on the evening of 8 December!

Check out our agenda for all the exhibitions, outings and hot tips for things to do in Lyon!