The most famous festivals in Lyon

Lyon was founded by the Romans as the capital of the Gauls. Many buildings from this era are still visible. Far from being in ruins, they are still standing and well maintained by the city.

The ancient theatre of Fourvière and the Odeon are good examples of this. They are in such perfect condition that every year, from June to July, they are used as the venue for a festival of theatre, cinema, dance and music called the Fourvière Nights (in French: Les Nuits de Fourvière).

Many international artists have performed here, including Texas, Radiohead and Nick Cave. This is also the opportunity to discover French artists you may have never heard of, such as Indochine or Pomme. Live performances in Roman buildings, under the stars, is a unique experience, so don’t miss it.

Thanks to its rich history, Lyon has many ancient monuments. Every year, around the 8th of December, during the 4 nights of the Festival of Lights, you will have the opportunity to discover all these buildings, literally in a new light!

This celebration dates back to the 19th century, when a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary was inaugurated in 1852. Originally scheduled for 8 September, it was postponed until 8 December due to flooding. To celebrate, the people of Lyon placed small lanterns (called lumignons) on their windowsills and it became a tradition that has been repeated every year since.

As time went on, the celebration evolved and in 1999 it was extended to 4 days, and if you come to enjoy this famous festival, you will see many more lights in the city centre. The most emblematic monuments in Lyon change their appearance completely for the visual shows. The historic buildings are lit up with colourful lights depicting dreamlike scenes or abstract light shows.

This is a must see if you are there in December!

Les Nuits Sonores is an annual music festival that takes place in May and started in 2003. It is dedicated to electronic music in all its diversity and gives you the opportunity to see more than 200 artists over 5 days. In the past, Les Nuits Sonores festival has welcomed famous artists such as Patrick Vidal, Nils Frahm and Jon Hopkins. The festival also includes artistic events, conferences, screenings and debates dedicated to independent cultures.

The festival is also an opportunity to discover an unusual side of Lyon’s heritage, as many shows take place in former industrial sites, such as the former Fagor-Brandt factory or H7, a converted metalworking factory.

Children are not forgotten either: The “MiniSonore” offers musical and multimedia workshops to help the youngest develop their creativity.

If you are studying in Lyon and want to learn French, reading books as soon as you can is one of the best ways to improve your skills. And if you speak French and want to read more books in the language, Lyon has a famous festival for you: Les Quais du Polar.

This popular event focuses on crime fiction and comics and has been held every year since 2005, inviting authors from more than 60 different countries. Take the time to explore the festival sites, discover new authors and buy enough books to last you until the next festival.

During the Quais du Polar, various events are organised, such as film screenings, theatrical performances, games, debates, etc. If you are in Lyon during the festival, you are in for a good mystery!

If you are learning French and are a comic books fan, the Lyon BD Festival is the place to be every June. It began as a modest event in 2006, but over the years, the festival’s fanbase has grown and today, 80,000 visitors come to the event, which is held in various venues around the city. This is the perfect opportunity to meet comic book writers and artists, as 300 are invited each year.

The festival runs from May to August and includes the “in” festival, where you can meet artists, publishers and discover many specialised bookshops over 2 days. The rest is the “off” festival, where you can also attend workshops, shows, screenings and exhibitions.

The event takes place in famous locations such as the Lyon Opera House, Place Bellecour or the Musée des Confluences.

That’s a lot of exciting festivals, isn’t it? If you want to see them, come and visit the city all year round! From books to cinema and music, these events are new ways to discover Lyon and its heritage, making it a dynamic city. If you are looking for a new international city to move to, coming to live in Lyon is one of the best choices, thanks in part to its dynamic cultural life.

Are you interested in discovering more about the city and its attractions for visitors? Visiter Lyon is here to guide you!