Lyon is a lively, festive city with numerous events
and shows scheduled throughout the year.
Whether you’re visiting the City of Lights :
Day or night, on hot summer days or winter evenings, on the banks of the Rhône or in Part-Dieu …
Get ready: A wide range of outings awaits you!
1) Key neighborhoods to go out in
To extend your day, here are a few ideas for outings in each district, to suit all tastes:
-The Berges du Rhône: enjoy lively evenings on barges along the river.
–Vieux-Lyon: the emblematic tourist district with its cobbled streets and traboules, where you can enjoy a good French dish in a bouchon lyonnais. Before enjoying a drink in a friendly British pub or wine bar with a game of billiards or darts.
-The Presqu’île: Lyon’s city center, ideal for enjoying the city’s nightlife, with its restaurants and lively bars.
-The Croix-Rousse Hill and the slopes: for alternative, lively and relaxed bars.
-The 7th arrondissement around the Jean-Macé – Saxe Gambetta metro stops for a drink in one of the many neighborhood beer bars, accompanied by a platter of local cheese or charcuterie.
– The Part-Dieu district: Business tourism in Lyon? Visit France’s second-largest business district, which is undergoing a complete transformation! Enjoy an afterwork on the roof terrace of the Part-Dieu shopping center, easily accessible from the train station.
2) Key events
Although Lyon is lively all year round, here are some of its key events and shows:
The Festival of Lights: The Festival of Lights is one of Lyon’s most emblematic events, taking place every year around December 8 and usually lasting several days. The festival originated in the 19th century in honor of the Virgin Mary, to commemorate the end of the plague epidemic that hit Lyon in the 17th century. Since then, it has become a majestic celebration in which the city is decked out in a thousand lights. Historic buildings, streets, squares, bridges, squares, monuments: the four corners of the city are highlighted by spectacular light displays and visual projections, accompanied by concerts and mulled wine to keep you warm! Don’t miss this unique national celebration, which has since been exported to many cities in France and abroad.
More details: : https://www.fetedeslumieres.lyon.fr/
Source: https://www.jaimemonpatrimoine.fr/fr/module/81/2071/dou-vient-la-fete-des-lumieres-a-lyon-
Festival Lumière: If you’re a film buff, make sure you don’t miss this worldwide event dedicated to cinema in the birthplace of the Lumière Cinematograph. Every October, you can enjoy screenings of classic films, meetings with filmmakers and cinema celebrities.
Further details: https://www.festival-lumiere.org/
Source : https://www.gl-events.com/es/festival-lumiere-2022
Nuits de Fourvière: This summer festival takes place every year at the ancient theater of Fourvière, and offers a varied program ranging from classical and indie music to contemporary dance.
Source : https://www.lesechos.fr/2015/07/les-multiples-ressources-des-nuits-de-fourviere-250909
Biennale de la Danse: This internationally renowned biennial event brings together dance companies from all over the world for contemporary dance shows and performances.
For more details: https://www.labiennaledelyon.com/en
Festival Les Nuits Sonores: International, national and Lyon-based electronic music and urban culture festival taking place in different parts of the city. Details: https://nuits-sonores.com/
Woodstower Festival: This summer music festival takes place at the Grand Parc de Miribel-Jonage, near Lyon, and features a variety of musical genres, including rock, pop and electro. Details: https://woodstower.com/
Source : https://www.heurebleue.fr/le-festival-woodstower-nous-gate-pour-ses-20-ans/
Quais du Polar Festival: The must-attend event for fans of the detective genre. It features meetings with authors, debates and film screenings. Details: https://www.quaisdupolar.com/
Biennale d’Art Contemporain: Come and discover a selection of works by international artists in the city’s emblematic venues. This is a major artistic event in France and around the world, inviting you to combine art and questioning of our central contemporary themes. Details: https://www.labiennaledelyon.com/art-contemporain
Christmas markets: During the Christmas season, Lyon is home to several Christmas markets, notably on Place Carnot, where you can buy handcrafted gifts and sample local specialties accompanied by mulled wine.
3) Key places
Last but not least, you’ll be able to enjoy year-round outings:
-The Opéra de Lyon (voted best opera house in the world in 2017) offers operas, concerts and ballets all year round. Details: https://www.opera-lyon.com/
-At the Auditorium, you can discover a fine program of classical, jazz, contemporary and world music in a majestic venue in the heart of Part-Dieu. Details: https://www.auditorium-lyon.com/fr
Source: https://www.auditorium-lyon.com/en/ambitious-symphony-concert-hall-heart-lyon
– La Maison de la Danse to enjoy a program where dances, techniques and aesthetics of dance companies from all over the world meet. Details : https://maisondeladanse.com/
-The Théâtre des Célestins to enjoy great plays from the repertoires to the most contemporary. https://www.theatredescelestins.com/
Source: https://www.guide-lyon.fr/theatre-des-celestins
In short, whatever your tastes are, Lyon has all the ingredients to seduce you day and night! Don’t wait any longer! Come and share with us a good “pot” of entertainment, enchantment and Lyon pep!