Lyon is a great city to end the year in style. The Festival of Lights? Yes, but that’s not all. Between the thorny issue of where to put the Christmas tree in the living room, the gifts that can’t be found and the annual upkeep, we forget that December in Lyon is cool. From novelty to tradition, rendez-vous to restaurants… there’s plenty to choose from! Lyon Secret helps you put December (back) on its pedestal.
Skiing less than two hours from home
The 2025 – 2026 ski season is underway! A number of resorts around Lyon are open, so why not treat yourself to a little session before Christmas? As we all know, skiing outside the school vacation period is the best way to get the most out of your holiday without queuing at the ski lift and paying the price of your ski pass. And what about a nice big raclette after a day in the mountains?
Experience the magic of The Lord of the Rings with a Candlelight concert
Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences and Candlelight join forces to celebrate a memorable 25th anniversary. Let yourself be transported to Middle-earth with Candlelight: Lord of the Rings. In the hushed setting of the Chapelle de la Trinité, illuminated by thousands of candles, a string quartet will perform legendary themes from the trilogy. What if this was the ultimate Christmas gift idea? A few places are still available!
Eating in the best corker 2025
Café Comptoir Lobut in Villeurbanne has just won the prize! Since 1949, thousands of gourmets have flocked here to feast on Lyon’s finest specialties. An address we recommend as much for its atmosphere as for its generosity.
🍴 Between €25 and €35 for a starter, main course and coffee
❤️ Le Saucisson chaud Lyonnais au vin, cervelle de canut
⏰Open every day except Sunday and Monday, from 12pm to 2pm, then 7pm to 10pm
📍 50 cours Tolstoï, 69100 Villeurbanne
Experience a Candlelight Christmas concert
It’s Christmas before time. On December 19, 20 and 21 at Chapelle de la Trinité, Église de Saint-Bruno des Chartreux and Basilique Saint-Bonaventure, come and immerse yourself in the magic of the festive season with Candlelight concerts like no other. Whether it’s the greatest Christmas music, the best end-of-year films or the great classics of the genre, you’ll be spoilt for choice. And pssssst, if you’re short of ideas to put under the tree, a little Candlelight gift card is always a pleasure. So let’s hear it!
📍 Locations: Emblematic sites such as the Chapelle de la Trinité and the Église de Saint Bruno des Chartreux.
📅 Date: Candlelight Christmas special from December 19 to 21 and many other concerts throughout the rest of December.
Go to the new sound and light show at the Palais de la Bourse
It’s a small revolution in the world of immersive shows… After having amazed over 1.5 million visitors in the four corners of the planet, Eonarium returns to Lyon with its new show entitled Flow. Immerse yourself in the beauties of nature to the intoxicating tunes of Smetana’s La Moldau, re-orchestrated especially for the occasion. The result is simply… breathtaking. A great moment to share with friends and family.
Palais de la Bourse, Lyon 2
📅 Date: from December 5
Treat yourself to a tête à tête like no other
From December 11, Galerie MC2M invites you to explore the world of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. Combining original sketches and exceptional photographs, this exhibition offers an intimate encounter with a true fashion icon. An event not to be missed.
Galerie MC2M, 21 rue Auguste Comte, Lyon 2
From December 11, 2025 to January 22, 2026
Visit one of France’s most beautiful markets
This weekend, head for Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne to discover this charming medieval town, just an hour from Lyon. Its market, set up under an emblematic covered market hall, brings local regulars together every Saturday morning from 8am. Walnuts, cheeses, fish, strawberries, cherries, asparagus, apples, poultry, meats, charcuterie… and that’ s just a small sample!
Set sail with the “Étretat, beyond the cliffs” exhibition
This is undoubtedly the most eagerly awaited exhibition in Lyon at the end of the year. This small Normandy village of a thousand inhabitants has toured the world, not least thanks to the fascination it held for artists of the XIXᵉ century. Étretat was clearly the place to be! Monet, Courbet, Matisse… you name it. An impressive collection of their works will be brought together at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon.
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, 20 Place des Terreaux, Lyon 1
📅 Date: from November 29, 2025
Treat yourself to a Savoyard speciality
Make way for the stars of the polar season: raclettes, fondues and tartiflettes! Located at the gateway to the Alps and Jura, we’re ideally placed to enjoy these mountain delicacies, so let’s make the most of it. Check out our selection of restaurants for an evening of conviviality and melted cheese.
Lose your voice at a good gig with friends
Let’s face it: there’s nothing like a good concert to free your chakras and catapult you to another planet. After a festival season this summer the likes of which Lyon has rarely seen, it’s time to reconnect with indoor concerts. Whether you’re into megastars or more intimate atmospheres, Lyon offers a bevy of not-to-be-missed concerts in December. Among them are -M- and Gojira . .. Oooo yeaaaaaaah!
The Jury Experience in Lyon
<shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” 0=”” 1=”class=”decorated-link” 2=”cursor-pointer”>https://lyonsecret.com/the-jury-experience-lyon/””><strong>The</strong></a><strong> phenomenon The Jury Experience is coming to Lyon</strong></shortcode>! This immersive experience puts the audience in the role of juror and arrives for a series of dates from November. Listen to the testimony, analyze the evidence and <strong>decide the fate of the accused: guilty or innocent, it’s up to you to decide.</strong> The craze is such that there are already only a few places left for the next session, but <strong>more slots are planned for 2026…</strong><br /> <br /> <img class=”emoji” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/1f4cd.svg” alt=”📍” />Théâtre Astrée – Université Lyon 1 – 6 Av. Gaston Berger, Villeurbanne
Date : multiple dates
Visit the new temple of chocolate…
<shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” 0=”” 1=”class=”decorated-link” 2=”cursor-pointer”>https://lyonsecret.com/lyon-chocolaterie-alain-ducasse/””><strong>It’s</strong></a><strong> a small revolution in the enchanted world of chocolate</strong></shortcode>. Alain Ducasse, the world’s most starred chef, has just opened his temple to gourmet delights on rue de Brest, in the heart of Lyon. For the pleasure of the eyes, for the pleasure of giving, or simply for the pleasure of it all, the visit is well worth the detour.<br /> <br /> 🍫 Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse<br /> ⏰Open daily 10am-8pm<br /> <e-location-pin></e-location-pin> 54 rue de Brest, Lyon 2<br /> <h2>Wander around the Place Carnot Christmas Market</h2><br /> <shortcode data-tag=”caption” id=”attachment_24783″ align=”alignnone” width=”1200″><img class=”wp-image-24783 size-full” src=”https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/lyonsecret.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/13155419/pexels-leah-61451527-8072188.jpg” alt=”Marché de Noel 2025″ width=”1200″ height=”800″ /> ©Leah</shortcode><br /> <br /> As there is no <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” link_url=”https://lyonsecret.com/le-beaujolais-nouveau-lyon/”><strong>the month of November without Beaujolais</strong></shortcode>, <strong>there’s no Christmas without its market.</strong> This year, no fewer than <strong>100 chalets </strong>will line <strong>the Place Carnot.</strong> Stalls selling decorations, local produce, toys and other gifts… Face-painting or reading workshops will be on offer to cheer up the kids. <strong>The Christmas market remains a must-attend event to support local crafts</strong>, ever more so, they need us! <strong>We’re counting on you to make Amazon tremble!</strong><br /> <br /> <img class=”emoji” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/1f4cd.svg” alt=”📍” />Place Carnot, Lyon 2
📅 Date: November 21 to December 24, 2025
A good movie at the cinema
It’s a pleasure we never turn down. Even more so when winter arrives… A good film at the cinema remains one of life’s little pleasures never to be forgotten. We all have memories of going to the cinema, sitting in one of those red seats, chewing on a Smurf, watching the trailers before the film starts… Then head to a darkened theater for a moment of entertainment and culture. Particularly Pathé and CGR cinemas with their reduced-price tickets. Lyon, city of the Brothers of Light, should celebrate cinema as it should be!
Soar high on Place Bellecour
Like a lighthouse at sea, the Ferris Wheel illuminates Place Bellecour to the delight of Lyonnais and visitors alike. From the top of its 50-meter high tower, it plays the prelude to the Fête des Lumières , officially announcing the start of the end-of-year festivities. For €9 (adult rate), treat yourself to one of Lyon’s finest views.
Place Bellecour, Lyon 2
📅 Date: From Saturday November 29
