Music Festival in Lyon

Lyon on Music Day

On its squares, its streets, its river banks and in its bars, in each district and neighbourhood, Lyon celebrates the Fête de la Musique (or Music Day) on the 21st of June. 

IFor the past forty years, on the first day of summer, when the weather is warm, the city’s public spaces are filled with artists from all backgrounds. Hundreds of singers, groups and musicians perform on this day. In 2022, there were 300 of them. As people spill out of schools and offices into the streets, music is everywhere!

Temporary stages are set up for the occasion and free concerts are organised in the city, for an evening filled with the sounds of musical instruments. The people of Lyon are regularly treated to surprises. In 2022, Matthieu Chedid happened to be in Lyon for the Nuits de Fourvière festival and gave an impromptu concert in Vieux-Lyon for the Fête de la Musique.

A day for all audiences

From the Place des Terreaux to Tête d’Or Park, the Auditorium and Les Subsistances, Lyon as a whole is transformed into a giant city of music. In 2022, it extended beyond the city limits into Villeurbanne. The major thoroughfare linking the two towns, Cours Emile Zola, became the longest musical avenue in France for an evening, with 5 km of concerts and music.

For this popular event, people of all ages get together outdoors to eat and drink to the sounds of brass bands, batucada ensembles, and impromptu concerts given by famous and amateur artists. At the beginning of each year, a call for projects is issued by the municipal authority to take part in the Fête de la Musique. Whether you’re a singer, a group or a musician, and whatever your level, it offers a chance to perform with the support of the city.

The 2024 programme in brief

In the 1^st district

• At 12.30pm, grand carillon concert at l'Hôtel de Ville
• Sathonay en Fanfare, place Sathonay from 6pm to midnight
• The musée des Beaux-Arts celebrates world music all day from 11am 
• Urban Tropic (contemporary urban music) from 5pm to 11pm, in the Jardin des Chartreux

In the 2^nd district

• La Mairie du 2^ème fête la musique (The Town Hall of the 2^nd district celebrates music) from 5.30pm on Place Gailleton
• Several stages along the Quai Saint-Antoine
• Même pas Cap ! Children's music festival, Place Hubert Mounier from 4pm
• Strolling along Rue Victor Hugo, with Batucada from 6pm to midnight. 
• Trio Névouchka at La Station Mue from 6pm
• Walk around Quai Rambaud, Confluence, with Batucada from 6pm.

In the 3^rd district

• Several stages along the Quai Augagneur
• Kiwi festival with the 4 winners of the music competition, Place Guichard from 5.30pm

In the 4^th district

• The Debussy Quartet & guests in the courtyard of the INSPE, from 6 pm
• Several stages along the Boulevard de la Croix-Rousse
• 5 rock bands on place du Cdt Arnaud.
• Meeercredi Productions celebrates music with a programme dedicated to emerging local talent! From 6pm, Place de la Croix-Rousse

In the 5^th district

• Several stages along Quai Romain-Rolland, from 6pm
• 80 musicians on the roof! with the Orchestre symphonique de Lyon, from 8pm to 10pm, on the Esplanade of Fourvière Basilica
• The Parc de la Mairie du 5ème gives voice! from 9am until the evening in the Parc de la Mairie du 5^ème
• The MJC du Vieux-Lyon invites you to Place Saint-Jean for over 6 hours of concerts from 6pm! 
• The Conservatoire Régional de Lyon celebrates music from 6pm to midnight at the CNR, 4 montée Cardinal Decourtray. 

In the 6^th district

• The Mairie du 6 celebrates music in Place Brosset from 5.30pm

In the 7^th district

• Concerts by several bands on Place Jean-Jaurès.

In The 8^th district

• Circus and ta dance performances (5.30pm), saxophone and clarinet concert by the Conservatoire (6.45pm), Jam Session (8pm) and Big's Funk Orchestra (10pm), on the forecourt of the Maison de la Danse.

In the 9^th District

• Music festival at La Duchère, on the terrace of the MJC, from 6.30pm to 10.30pm, with various groups.  
• Carillon concert, Saint-Pierre-de-Vaise church at 11am
• Jamaican Music Festival, Place Roquette from noon to 10pm.