Festival of Lights 2026: Which Night to Choose, and Where to Stay?
Whether it’s a lively crowd or a quiet stroll: December 8 is for everyone
This year, the Festival of Lights will take place from Saturday, December 5, through Tuesday, December 8, 2026. Four very different evenings: a bustling weekend, a relaxing Monday, and Tuesday, December 8, which returns to tradition.
So, which evening is right for you? We’ll help you choose and find the Maison des Aubergistes Lyonnais location that best suits your preferences.
Saturday, the 5th, and Sunday, the 6th: for those who love a lively atmosphere
If you love the energy of big events, come with friends—and don’t be afraid to share mulled wine while standing shoulder to shoulder.
The weekend is all about partying to the max. Lyon locals head out with their families, visitors arrive from all over France, and the streets fill up as soon as night falls. The atmosphere is electric—the crowd is part of the show.
Our tip: Saturday night is opening night—the artworks are on display for the first time, and everyone wants to see them. On Sunday, the lights turn on and off an hour earlier: start your visit as soon as the lights come on, and save the end of the evening for a drink somewhere warm.
A place to get a front-row seat: Le Globe and Cecil.
On Rue Gasparin, just a stone’s throw from Place Bellecour, you’re in the heart of the Presqu’île: step inside, and the party begins.
Monday, December 7: The Evening for Insiders
This is the perfect evening if you’re traveling as a couple or with your kids, and if you like to take your time strolling from one piece to the next, without rushing.
It’s our little secret (well, not anymore). On Mondays, many of the weekend visitors have already left, and the people of Lyon are back at work. The same artworks, but a little fewer people: we take the time to stop and watch a projection twice.
And Old Lyon is never forgotten: last year, Saint-Jean Cathedral, the banks of the Saône, Saint-Paul Station, and Fourvière each hosted a work of art. It’s enough to make for a lovely loop without having to cross the city.
Our tip: Take this opportunity to add the night from Sunday to Monday to your stay. On Monday morning, Old Lyon is all yours, and in the evening, the festivities await you in near-silence.
A top spot to be right in the heart of the experience: The Phénix Hotel.
A Renaissance-style house on the banks of the Saône, on Quai de Bondy. The sights of Old Lyon and the riverbanks are just a few minutes’ walk away.
Tuesday, December 8: The Festival of the People of Lyon
If you want to understand what the Festival of Lights means to the people of Lyon, beyond the spectacle.
In 2026, the festival ends exactly on December 8—the date that started it all. And on that evening, something happens that the large-scale installations don’t show: the little candles. In their apartment buildings, the people of Lyon place small candles on their windowsills, just as their great-great-grandparents did.
This is celebration at its most intimate, and Old Lyon provides the perfect setting. Look up as you stroll through the narrow streets of Saint-Paul and Saint-Jean: the Renaissance facades light up, one window after another.
Want some light that makes you feel good, too? This year, the Lumignons du Cœur are supporting Vivre aux éclats, a Lyon-based organization celebrating 30 years of helping hospitalized children, seniors in nursing homes, and people with disabilities. Each candle costs €2.
And during the day?
The party starts after dark: you’re free to spend your days exploring Lyon in a different way. Traboules and cobblestone alleys in Old Lyon, cafés and shops around Bellecour, a stroll along the riverbanks near Perrache…
On Mondays and Tuesdays, our two restaurants are open for lunch: the Comptoir Cecil in Bellecour and the Comptoir Phénix in Vieux Lyon. Seasonal, homemade cuisine with a menu that changes every week—the best way to fuel up before a night out.
A practical tip: leave your car in the garage. Every evening, the city center becomes a pedestrian zone, and parking lots in the area close.
But here’s some good news! On December 8, the TCL network is free from 4:00 p.m. until the end of service. On other evenings, be sure to get the “TCL en Fête” ticket, valid throughout the entire network for just €3.70 per day.
So which evening is right for you?
A festive weekend at Bellecour, a quiet Monday in Vieux Lyon, or a Tuesday of candlelight: at Les Aubergistes, there are no bad choices, just different preferences. And if you can’t decide, stay for several nights!
All you have to do is choose your night out and the venue that goes with it. Our teams will be happy to share their top picks and the evening’s schedule with you.
For more information (program, map, directions): the official website of the Festival of Lights and theLyon Tourist Office.
