What's on in Lyon, France through the year

Busy — Christmas holidays in France, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in January.

Busy — Winter (February) holidays in France, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in February.

Busy — Winter (February) holidays in France, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in March.

Busy — Spring holidays in France, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in April.

Busy — Spring holidays in France, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

• Festival

  Nuits de Fourviere

  28 May – 25 Jul · usuallyMajor festivalBook early

  Two months of concerts, theatre and circus in the Roman theatres on the hill, from the end of May to late July. Take a cushion for the stone and something for the wind that comes up after dark. Source ↗

Busy — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in June.

Still on: Nuits de Fourviere (28 May – 25 Jul (usually))

Busy — Summer holidays in France, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

• Hazard

  Heatwave weeks

  1 Jul – 20 Aug · usuallyExtreme heat

  The city sits in a river corridor that traps the heat, and most summers bring a run of days when the Presqu'ile is unwalkable in the afternoon. Meteo-France runs the department warnings. Source ↗

Still on: Nuits de Fourviere (28 May – 25 Jul (usually))

Busy — Summer holidays in France, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

• Closure

  The bouchons close

  1–25 Aug · usually

  The old bouchons and most neighbourhood kitchens shut for two or three weeks in August, which in this city is the thing you came for. Check the door before you plan the evening around one. Source ↗

Still on: Heatwave weeks (1 Jul – 20 Aug (usually))

Busy — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

• Festival

  Lyon Biennale

  19 Sep – 13 DecMajor festival

  Contemporary art and dance alternate years, so one of the two takes over disused factories and the theatres from mid-September to December. The dance edition opens with a costumed parade through the centre. Source ↗

Busy — All Saints (autumn) holidays in France, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Lyon Biennale (19 Sep – 13 Dec)

Peak crowds — Christmas market, All Saints (autumn) holidays in France

• Festival

  Beaujolais nouveau

  15–21 Nov · usuallyMajor festival

  This is the wine's own city and the third Thursday of November is taken seriously in the bouchons, which pour from midnight. The vineyards themselves start forty minutes north. Source ↗

• Festival

  Christmas market

  21 Nov – 24 Dec · usuallyChristmas & New YearCrowded

  Chalets fill the Place Carnot from late November to Christmas Eve, with a smaller craft market up on the Croix-Rousse. It is the warm-up act for the lights in December. Source ↗

Still on: Lyon Biennale (19 Sep – 13 Dec)

Peak crowds — Christmas market, Fete des Lumieres

• Festival

  Fete des Lumieres

  5–8 DecMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

  Four nights of light installations around 8 December, free, and the busiest thing that happens here all year: a couple of million people on the same few bridges. Hotels reprice by the autumn. Source ↗

Still on: Lyon Biennale (19 Sep – 13 Dec), Christmas market (21 Nov – 24 Dec (usually))