When is the 2026 festival?
The Festival of Lights (Fête des Lumières) takes place from Saturday 5 to Tuesday 8 December 2026. The installations normally run 7 to 11 pm on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday and 6 to 10 pm on Sunday, unless an artwork has its own hours. The organisers publish the detailed programme from early November: check it before planning your route.
| Date | Le Petit Musée du Vin | Illuminations |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 5 December | 11:00 am – 9:00 pm last entry 7:30 pm | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm |
| Sunday 6 December | 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm last entry 5:30 pm | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm |
| Monday 7 December | 11:00 am – 7:00 pm last entry 5:30 pm Special opening | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm |
| Tuesday 8 December | 11:00 am – 7:00 pm last entry 5:30 pm Special opening | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm |
Visits run in timed slots: only the places shown in the booking system can be booked.
Illumination hours: official Festival of Lights website, except where an artwork has its own schedule. Visit the official website
A Lyon tradition, with contemporary art
The candles placed in windows on 8 December are part of Lyon’s identity. Today the tradition sits alongside contemporary light installations and projections that reveal squares, facades and the cityscape in a new way. The outdoor displays in public spaces are free; museums and other activities may charge admission.
Plan both your day and your evening
Arrive early enough to enjoy the historic districts in daylight. Bring warm layers and comfortable shoes. And do not build your evening around an unchecked route: a pedestrian zone with entry checks changes how people move around, and some footbridges close temporarily. Up-to-date 2026 conditions are on the official festival website.
What to do in Lyon before nightfall
Stroll across Place Bellecour, explore the courtyards and lanes of Vieux Lyon, stop by the fountain on Place des Jacobins or wander around Terreaux. For an unusual indoor break, Le Petit Musée du Vin at 3 rue Passet offers a sensory experience of about an hour with an accompanied tasting of 8 wines. Special opening on Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 December 2026, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm (last entry 5:30 pm).
Book a daytime activity
A museum slot booked in advance helps you structure the day before the illuminations. Admission is €32 per adult at the full price, €25 at the reduced rate with proof of eligibility. The cellars are reached by a spiral staircase only: the museum is not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility or wheelchair users.
After a tasting, walk or take public transport to the illuminations.