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Festival of Lights
All the information about this unmissable event of Lyon!
Festivals
Last updated date : 12/12/2025
When Lyon is dressed in lights, everybody comes down into the streets to take in the sights. The facades of the city’s most beautiful buildings spring to life under the lights of projectors and the people of Lyon take part by placing ‘lumignons’ (small lanterns) on their windowsills and balconies on the 8th of December. Lyon’s greatest celebration awaits you from 5 to 8 December 2025!
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Presentation of the Festival of Lights
4 evenings to shine!
From the tradional lumignons (small candles) which locals place on their balconies, to the various visual and interactive shows that are put on around the city, the Festival of Lights is an absolute must for anybody looking to discover Lyon.
Immerse yourself in this major celebration that is free and open to all!
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A look back at the 2025 edition
From 5 to 8 December 2025, Lyon was illuminated during the Festival of Lights, showcasing a blend of the city's heritage and contemporary innovations. For four evenings, the entire city was transformed into an open-air theatre, with 23 creations spread across 20 iconic locations. Video mapping, technological installations and light displays amazed more than two million visitors.
Two works in particular showcased Lyon's pride and joy: gastronomy, with the humorous 'Le Lundi, C'est Raviolis!' (Monday is Ravioli Day!) on Place des Terreaux, and skateboarding with 'HDV – 40 Ans de Skate à Lyon' (HDV – 40 Years of Skateboarding in Lyon) on Place Louis Pradel.
Other works also made a particular impression at this year's event, notably 'L'Éveil des Lumières' (The Awakening of the Lights), the first ever drone show in the festival's history. This breathtaking technological ballet involving 500 drones took place above the lake in the Parc de la Tête d'Or.
On Place Antonin-Poncet on the peninsula, there was a festive atmosphere with a joyful and good-natured display. With its upbeat music and giant mirror balls, 'Le Jardin de Lumière' (The Garden of Light) had both young and old dancing.
On the banks of the Saône, visitors were amazed by the highly poetic 'Les Malles Persanes' (Persian Trunks). This piece won the audience award in the 'Coup de Cœur' category of the Trophée des Lumières.
Meanwhile, the 'Région des Lumières' projection on the Fourvière Basilica's façade will be visible from 26 to 31 December 2025, between 6:45 pm and 9:45 pm.
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Around the Festival of Lights
Practical questions
If you come by car: car parks and traffic during the Festival of Lights
Parking in the centre of Lyon is limited. We advise you to park your car on the outskirts and use public transport to get to the festivities.
You can park in the car and motorbike parks:
- 23 TCL park-and-ride sites open to users of the TCL network, More information
- Lyon Parc Auto (LPA) car parks: Roziers, Cordeliers (exits via Place des Cordeliers to Quai Jean Moulin), Bourse (access blocked, exits possible), Confluence, Antonin Poncet (access blocked, exits possible), Gros Caillou, Croix Rousse, Saint Just, St Georges (access blocked, exits via rue St Georges),
- Indigo car parks: Tolozan.
Please note! Vehicle exits will be authorised 1h30 after the end of the illuminations when traffic reopens. If you wish to pick up your vehicle after the shows, please park outside the perimeter.
Car park reserved for people with reduced mobility:
- Bellecour district: rue Biennier for the Bellecour district (2nd arrondissement),
- Parc de la Tête d'Or district, Lyon 6th arrondissement: rue Vendôme, between rue Commandant Faurax and avenue de Grande Bretagne
Car parks for tourist coaches during the Fête des Lumières
Car parks provided on : Quai Augagneur, Quai Sarrail, with additional parking possible on Quai Rambaud (on 10 and 11 December)
Along the Saône, between cours Bayard and Rue Dugas-Montbel.
There is no dedicated motorhome parking available in the city centre. We recommend that you park your vehicle on the outskirts of Lyon and use public transport to get to the Festival.
How to get around on the TCL public transport network
First and foremost, to get around town, leave your car at home and use public transport!
During the event The metro, tram and certain bus lines run more frequently.
https://www.tcl.fr/en
December 8: Travel free after 4 p.m in zones 1 and 2.
December 5 to 7, unlimited travel with:
- the "Pass TCL en Fête" day travelcard (€3.70)
- the “Pass Tribu” group day travelcard
You can pay for your ticket and validate it directly with a contactless credit card.
Lyon City Card : Unlimited access to public transport: metro, tram, bus and funicular included in the Lyon City Card
Getting Around on Foot
The Festival of Lights takes place mostly in the city center within a pedestrianized area. This area is closed to vehicles every evening during the Festival, starting 2 hours before the event opens and lasting until 1.5 hours after the installations close. About forty entrances are distributed approximately every 100 meters.
Within this area, it is strictly forbidden to travel by car, motorcycle, scooter, bicycle, or electric scooter.
Please note, the entrances and exits to both public and private parking lots are prohibited. Therefore, vehicles parked inside the perimeter will not be able to exit during the closure hours.
Municipal decrees govern the parking prohibitions. Signs will be displayed at various locations.
The Presqu’île is open to pedestrians through access points every day throughout the duration of the Festival.
Only the following footbridges will be closed on December 5, 6, and 8 from 5 PM to midnight, and on December 7 from 4 PM to 11 PM:
- Palais de Justice footbridge
- Homme de la Roche footbridge
- Saint Vincent footbridge
- Paul Couturier footbridge (also called St Georges footbridge)
Throughout the entire perimeter and on all four evenings of the Festival, bicycle and scooter traffic is prohibited. Pets are not allowed in the parks within this perimeter.
Where to find the programme?
You can consult the Festival of Lights programme on the festival’s website.
Also, you can pick up a paper version at the Lyon Tourist Office, at the information kiosks that are set up in the city centre during the event, as well as at ONLYLYON-certified receptions and members of the organisation My Presqu'île.
Opening hours of the Place Bellecour Tourist Office during the Festival: 5 to 8 December, 9am to 8pm
Information huts:
- Place Louis Pradel (Lyon 1st)
- Place de la République (Lyon 2nd)
- Place Edouard Commette (Lyon 5th)
What are the dates and times of the Festival of Lights?
The Festival of Lights runs from Friday 5th to Monday 8th December from 6pm to 10pm.
Parc Tête d'Or: open all 4 evenings, doors close at 10pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 9pm on Sunday (the illuminations will end at 11pm and 10pm respectively). Please note that access to Parc Blandan and Parc de la Tête d'Or is closed 30 minutes before the end of each evening. The Parc de la Tête d'Or is evacuated 2 hours before the start of the evening.
Please note that access to Parc Blandan and Parc de la Tête d'Or is closed 30 minutes before the end of each evening.
The Tourist Office reception during the Festival of Lights
During the Festival of Lights, the Tourist Office, located on Place Bellecour in the heart of Lyon, welcomes visitors from 9am to 8pm non-stop for four evenings! Feel free to drop by to pick up your programme and get the best advice for visiting the city and enjoying the festival with complete peace of mind!
How can disabled people enjoy the festival?
For People with disabilities, you can find all the information you need on the Handi-Accueil page of the Festival of Lights’ website.
Where to take a gourmet break?
Remember to book a restaurant especially if you're a gourmet and want to dine at the time of your choice, and in your favourite restaurant!
This year, refreshment areas are being provided where you will find quality snacks: Place Bellecour and Parc Blandan
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Public transit
24 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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