The great thing about the Fête des Lumières is that Lyon gets everyone on the same page right from the start. All the other cities do their utmost in terms of illuminations, but nothing can be done. The other good news is that the festivities continue throughout December. Because Lyon is even more beautiful when it’s decked out for the festive season, we’ve put together a selection of the year’s must-see Christmas activities.
Return to the theater to (re)discover Le Père Noël est une ordure
A myth is back on stage! Over the festive period (until January 31, 2026), Théâtre Comédie Odéon is bringing “Père Noël est une ordure” back to life. Zany scenes, cult lines, hilarious characters… that’s the recipe for success that means this masterpiece hasn’t aged a day in almost 50 years. What’s your favorite part?
Théâtre Odéon, 6 rue Grolée, Lyon 2
📅 From November 5 to January 31
👉 More info
Christmas markets
Just as there’s no <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” 0=”” 1=”class=”decorated-link” 2=”cursor-pointer”>https://lyonsecret.com/le-beaujolais-nouveau-lyon/””><strong>month</strong></a><strong> of November without Beaujolais</strong></shortcode>, there’s no Christmas without its market! Whether in the city center or outside Lyon, there are <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” link_url=”https://lyonsecret.com/meilleurs-marches-de-noel-lyon/”><strong>several places to celebrate Christmas throughout December</strong></shortcode>. The Christmas market wherever it may be remains a must-attend event to support <strong>local crafts</strong>, more necessary than ever. <strong>So, we’re counting on you to make Amazon tremble! </strong><br /> <h2><shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” link_url=”https://feverup.com/m/199518″>Fun while learning with Science Expériences Lyon</shortcode></h2><br /> <img class=”alignnone wp-image-25407 size-full” src=”https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/lyonsecret.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/09173557/Template-article-4.jpg” alt=”” width=”1200″ height=”675″ /><br /> <span style=”font-weight:400;”><br /> On the Presqu’île, <strong>Science Expériences</strong> offers 750 m² of immersion to explore space, the abyss or the brain with the whole family. Virtual reality, sensory experiences and hands-on workshops punctuate this fun and captivating journey. An <strong>ideal outing to keep the Christmas vacations busy</strong>!</span><br /> <br /> <b><e-location-pin></e-location-pin> </b><span style=”font-weight:400;”>Science Expériences – 32 rue Thomassin, 69002 Lyon<br /> </span><b>📅 </b>Multiple dates – o<span style=”font-weight:400;”>open daily during school holidays<br /> 👉 <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” link_url=”https://feverup.com/m/199518″><strong>More info</strong></shortcode><br /> </span><br /> <h2><shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” link_url=”https://feverup.com/m/477612″>Go to the new sound and light show at the Palais de la Bourse</shortcode></h2><br /> <img src=”https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/genevesecrete.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20115902/LB_FLOW_2025_DSC08427.jpg” alt=”flow” /><br /> <br /> <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” link_url=”https://lyonsecret.com/activites-a-faire-decembre/”><strong>In Lyon in December</strong></shortcode>, to say that the entertainment world is in full swing would be an understatement… But it’s not just the Fête des Lumières! <strong>After seducing 1.5 million curious onlookers worldwide, Eonarium is back in Lyon to present its new show: Flow</strong>. Get ready for total immersion in nature, punctuated by a unique version of Smetana’s La Moldau. The result is nothing short of spectacular. An ideal outing to share with your loved ones over the holidays<br /> <br /> <img class=”emoji” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/1f4cd.svg” alt=”📍” /> Palais de la Bourse, Lyon 2
📅 From December 5
👉 More info
Recharge your batteries in one of the many tearooms
In the marathon of Christmas shopping, it’s also good to take a breather. Lyon has plenty of cosy places to warm up with a hot drink and a pastry from some of the city’ s best bakeries and patisseries. It’s also the perfect time to share your Christmas menu and New Year’s Eve party ideas with friends!
Getting to Oingt in cribs
Just 30 kilometers from Lyon, here’s a Christmas rendezvous not to be missed. Even if it’s not a Christmas market like the others, Oingt en crèches is well worth the detour. This event brings to life one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France” with over 200 cribs and Christmas decorations. Come and stroll through this medieval town to unearth these luminous wonders… It’s the perfect time to discover or rediscover one of the most enchanting places in our heritage.
📍 Oingt (30 kilometers from Lyon)
📅F rom Saturday December 6
👉 Find out more on the official website
Buy her beauuuuuu tree!
We’re not going to lie, this is one of the “climax” moments of the end-of-year month. Bringing the tree home, putting up the decorations and seeing it take pride of place in the middle of the living room. We may be past the age of childishness, but it’s impossible to remain insensitive… If you’re looking for a place to buy your Christmas tree, there are several collection points open. The first is at Place de la Croix-Rousse, in front of the Carrousel. It’s open from 7am to 7pm, every day in December. Alternatively , from December 3 to 24, you can visit the Quai Victor Augagneur, where a Christmas tree market will be held from 9am to 7:30pm. And don’t forget that many Christmas markets have their own stalls. A tree farm will even be present at the Place Carnot market.
Attend a concert like no other
We know how difficult it can be to find a gift for your loved ones. With Candlelight, it’s all taken care of: we’ve found the perfect gift to put under the tree! This series of classical concerts brings a magical vibrancy to Lyon, much to our delight. A chance to rediscover the quintessential classical repertoire by subdued candlelight! It’s definitely a sensory experience not to be missed this holiday season!
Treat yourself to a Savoyard speciality
It’s the big comeback for winter’s must-haves: fondues, raclettes and tartiflettes! Thanks to our geographical proximity to the Jura and the Alps, we have privileged access to mountain specialties, so it would be a shame to miss out. So don’t wait any longer and visit one of these excellent addresses to combine good humor and an avalanche of cheese with your friends.
Take to the skies on the Place Bellecour Ferris Wheel
Like a lighthouse at sea, the Ferris Wheel lights up Place Bellecour to the delight of locals and visitors alike. From its 50-meter height, it opens the ball of the Fête des Lumières and marks the official launch of the end-of-year festivities. For just €9 (adult price), treat yourself to one of Lyon’s finest views.
Place Bellecour, Lyon 2
📅 Date: From Saturday November 29
👉 More info
Enjoy a good movie at the cinoche
It’s a pleasure we never tire of… especially as the end of the year approaches. Going to the movies is one of those simple pleasures we should always treat ourselves to. We all have fond memories of darkened rooms: curling up in a red armchair, chewing on a Smurf, enjoying the trailers before the film starts… So let’s head for the big screen for a real moment of culture and escape. Special mention should be made of Pathé and CGR cinemas, which offer low-price tickets. Lyon, home of the Lumière brothers, couldn’t be a better place to celebrate cinema!
Admire the Christmas lights
Fête des Lumières or not, take the time to look up to the sky to admire the illuminations that adorn our beloved city of Lyon at the end of the year. The magic of the festive season would not be what it is without the thousands of points of light that illuminate the city.
Experience 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 you in the shoes of a juror, and arrives for a series this year-end. Listen to the testimony, examine the evidence and decide the fate of the accused: guilty or innocent, it’s up to you to decide<strong>. Definitely a must-try this year-end or put under the tree 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 Avenue Gaston Berger, Villeurbanne
Date : multiple dates
👉 More info
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>This</strong></a><strong> is a small revolution in the world of chocolate</strong></shortcode>! Alain Ducasse, <strong>the world’s most starred chef</strong>, is inaugurating his temple of gourmet delights on rue de Brest, right in the heart of Lyon. For the pleasure of the eyes, as a holiday gift or simply to treat yourself…<br /> <br /> 🍫 Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse<br /> ⏰Open daily from 10am to 8pm<br /> <e-location-pin></e-location-pin> 54 rue de Brest, Lyon 2<br /> <h2>Savor a hot chocolate in town</h2><br /> <img class=”alignnone size-full wp-image-24927″ src=”https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/lyonsecret.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/19123853/Template-article-1620-x-1080-px-2025-11-19T123840.836.jpg” alt=”Chocolat Chaud Lyon” width=”1200″ height=”800″ /><br /> <br /> Even if there’s nothing better in December than <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” link_url=”https://lyonsecret.com/meilleurs-restaurants-lyon-fondue-raclette-tartiflette-specialites-savoyardes/”><strong>a Savoyard specialty</strong></shortcode> for comfort, hot chocolate remains THE holiday drink!”<strong>It warms our bodies and hearts</strong>, and takes us back to childhood. And we’re in luck, <strong>Lyon has several addresses that revisit it</strong> and offer us <strong>5-star versions of this magical drink</strong>. So to face this cold spell and spend some time with family or friends, <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” link_url=”https://lyonsecret.com/chocolats-chauds-lyon/”><strong>share a good chocolate</strong></shortcode><strong>!</strong><br /> <div class=”smn-tracklink-cta”>Also read on Lyon Secret: <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” link_url=”https://lyonsecret.com/meilleurs-bouchons-lyonnais/”>Our selection of Lyon’s best bouchons to enjoy</shortcode></div>.