There are years blessed by the gods. Just as 1998 was for soccer, 2026 promises to be the year of concerts and festivals for Lyon. Indeed, the city and its region are serving as a true catalyst, offering a rich cultural program designed to suit every taste. So, before you finalize your summer vacation plans, read this article carefully: it might just turn a regretful “Darn, I missed that!” into a proud “I was there!”
“Nos Puissantes Amitiés” Festival
Or how to wrap up the summer in style. The “Nos Puissantes Amitiés” Festival is back for a second edition that promises to be truly unmissable. What’s on the program? A community-focused festival featuring around thirty Lyon-based organizations centered on a theme we can’t help but love: friendship. Talks, live music, DJ sets, and everything in between—all on the Esplanade du Gros Caillou. We love it! The icing on the cake? It’s free, so let’s meet there!
Les Belles Journées
Here’s the perfect way to wrap up the 2026 festival season. Les Belles Journées in Bourgoin-Jallieu is back for its 12th edition with a pretty impressive lineup. Gaëtan Roussel, Feu! Chatterton, and Suzane, to name just a few. It’s the perfect chance for latecomers who missed out on a summer festival to catch up.
A Stopover in New Orleans: The Jazz Room in Lyon
Can’t make it all the way to Jazz à Vienne but you’re a jazz fan? No problem—we’ve got just what you need. With The Jazz Room, let yourself be carried away by the melodious sounds of the saxophone and trumpet in the chic and intimate setting of Cirque Imagine. Immerse yourself in the spellbinding atmosphere of a musical experience that transports you straight to the vibrant origins of jazz in New Orleans. Cirque Imagine hosts this live performance, where musicians and singers revisit the great classics and explore the genre!
Parc des Oiseaux Music Festival
How to end the summer season on a high note—and even extend it a bit. From August 28 to September 13, the Parc des Oiseaux hosts the 17th edition of the Festival Musicales du Parc des Oiseaux. This year’s lineup includes Calogero, Julien Clerc, Benjamin Biolay, Helena, and Feu! Chatterton. In short, the heavy hitters of French music, just a stone’s throw from Lyon. See you there?
Ambronay Festival
The legendary Ambronay Festival returns for its 47th edition in the fabulous setting of its thousand-year-old abbey, this year celebrating “Baroque Lattitudes.” On the program: more than two weeks of festival events for all ages, inviting you to (re)discover the magic of classical music. An unmissable regional event for the month of September .
🎟️ Info and tickets here
Can’t make it to the festivals this summer? Don’t panic! Candlelight in Lyon offers weekly events featuring tribute concerts in absolutely fantastic venues. From Hans Zimmer, Coldplay, and U2 to Mozart, Chopin, and even Joe Hisaishi—there’s something for everyone! You’ll regret not having thought of this sooner…
