Beautiful colours on Festival of Lights Lyon

7 – 10 December 2023

BOOK HOTEL FOR THIS EVENT Things to do in Lyon - Tours and Sightseeings

Basic Information

When: 7 – 10 December 2023

Where: Lyon, France

Map: Lyon on Google Maps

Official Website: https://www.fetedeslumieres.lyon.fr

Hotels: Hotels in Lyon

Fabulous Festival of Lights in Lyon

The winter “Fête des Lumières” in Lyon is one of the city’s most exciting extravaganzas.

The Festival of Lights in Lyon brightens December’s streets with dazzling displays and creates a massive buzz across Lyon’s different districts.

It’s a long weekend of pure magic – and it’s all free.

Get planning for early December.

Even if Lyon has attractions to equal Paris, it’s still a destination that never seems overrun with tourists, even for its most thrilling events.

Since this festival is Lyon’s big crowd event, family-friendly and great for groups, arriving as early as Thursday is best to avoid the large weekend crowds.

Destination

Check-in date

Thu 28 Sep 2023

Check-out date

Fri 29 Sep 2023

I don't have specific dates yet

Central and good Hotels in Lyon

There are many central choices if you prefer to be in the middle of all the action.

Marvellous Panorama View

Sofitel Hotel Lyon is a popular 5 Star hotel with a marvellous panoramic view over Lyon from the restaurant.

Click here for more pictures and information >>

Contemporary and elegance

Hotel Carlton Lyon is in an imposing Haussmann-style building dating from 1894 on Lyon’s grand Presqu’île.

It has a luxury spa with a hammam and a style that combines contemporary and elegant.

From candles to club culture

Lyon’s light celebrations began as a religious tradition in 1852 when citizens lit candles in their windows to mark the inauguration of a Virgin Mary statue at the city’s hilltop Basilica.

Now the light show has extraordinary hi-tech dazzle.

Its designers come from very different creative backgrounds – all experts in using technology to create the innovative city and nightclub lighting, video backdrops and magnificent multimedia shows.

lyon_cathedral

Unmissable sights at the Lyon City of Lights Festival

Festival of Lights Lyon

Each of the four nights of the Fête des Lumières features a different theme, changing colour schemes and an extraordinary atmosphere.

Designers worldwide compete to produce the most startling installations and displays, and the animated light shows everywhere around the city, highlighted by video, music, and sound effects.

This exceptional festival incorporates Lyon’s historic and contemporary architecture into an astonishing sight.

Its lovely riversides and parks also take centre stage.

The Rhône riverside transform into thirty miles of waterfront attractions, with an open-air dining area, a promenade, viewing points, artworks and nature trails.

It’s a spectacular backdrop for the illuminations.

Nights of enchantment

By night, the festival showcases Lyon’s incredible architectural heritage, with fantastic projections turning buildings into extraordinary artworks. – lasers, video, and fabulous fireworks.

It’s difficult to imagine how a whole city might look when transformed into a light spectacle.

The streets are crowded at the Festival time, but the atmosphere is more like street cinema than a wild celebration.

Most people come to enjoy the artistic spectacle, not to party, so families can visit and not have to battle huge hectic crowds.

Buy a Lyon City Card and save

To discover the best of Lyon during your stay at the festival, buy a Lyon City Card.

The city card allows you to explore the museums and attractions of Lyon while saving some of your holiday cash.

The easy-to-use card offers sightseeing freedom, helping you make the most of a short or a more extended stay.

Choose from 1, 2 or 3 consecutive day passes.

The card offers free admission to nineteen top museums in and around Lyon and unlimited public transport by bus, metro, tramway and the funicular that takes you up Fourvière hill for panoramic city views.