What to do in Lyon in July 2025 The best activities to enjoy the start of summer

Summer’s almost here! While we envy the lucky few who are already off on vacation, we know that July in Lyon is punctuated by a whole host of activities. Festivals, parties and exhibitions, here’s the best of what to do in Lyon in July 2025!

Dance at the Nuits de Fourvière

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klk1TCPXhlM&t=1s

Les Nuits de Fourvière created quite a stir back in December when the first names of the 2025 edition were unveiled: Ben Mazué, The Libertines, Anoushka Shankar, Chilly Gonzales… A promising start to what promises to be a grandiose program. This emblematic festival has always offered Lyonnais unforgettable evenings in an exceptional setting! The little extra? It runs until July 26, 2025, so you’ve got plenty of time to enjoy it!

📍 Grand Théâtre Romains and other sites – Lyon

📅 From June 2 to July 26, 2025

🎤 Ben Mazué, The Libertines, Anoushka Shankar, Chilly Gonzales and many more!

Experience the magic of Candlelight at the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière

Immerse yourself in a spellbinding musical experience with Candlelight in the crypt of the Basilique de Fourvière. Under the glow of hundreds of candles, a string quartet revisits the greatest hits of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons: Clocks, Radioactive, Fix You, Believer, Viva la Vida… A majestic setting, striking acoustics and classic arrangements that sublimate contemporary pop-rock. During this concert, you’ll spend an hour out of time, with emotion flowing through every note. A unique moment to experience solo, as a couple or with friends.

📍 Location: Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière

📆 Friday July 4 and Saturday July 12

Take part in one or more of the many Station Mue events

Impossible to miss: the Station Mue summer season returns to Lyon! With a host of free activities for the whole family, this cultural venue is set to transform the capital of the Gauls. From now until October 5, you’ll be able to enjoy events such as the Graines Electroniques festival, a farm in the city, and other activities such as So wait and puccini spritz! One thing’s for sure: you’re in for a great family time!

📍 155 Cr Charlemagne, Lyon 2e

📆 Until October 5

Live it up at Musilac

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3KQLmFnpw8

Brittany has its Vieilles Charrues, here it’s Musilac that makes summer vibrate! Nestled in an exceptional natural setting, this festival is a giant with a bucolic soul. Imagine attending concerts by the greatest artists of the moment with your feet in the water – that’s the magic of Musilac! And once again this year, the stage is set to welcome a parade of stars: Air, Fontaines D.C., DJ Snake, Clara Luciani, Soprano… and many other surprises await festival-goers!

📍 Esplanade du lac, Boulevard Barrier Aix-les-Bains

📅 July 9 to 12, 2025

🎤 Air, DJ Snake, Julien Doré, Soprano, Clara Luciani, Zaho de Sagazan and so many more!

A weekend in an amusement park

Looking for a break from routine? How about exploring the theme parks around Lyon? Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a nature enthusiast or looking for adventure for your children, the theme parks around Lyon are just waiting for you to enjoy a wonderful family holiday! And in some parks, you can even cool off a bit!

The immersive Van Gogh experience

Looking for an indoor activity to escape the heat? Come and explore the fascinating world of Van Gogh as you’ve never seen it before, with total immersion in his masterpieces! Thanks to 360° projections, video mapping and cutting-edge 4K technology, his canvases come to life around you in a spectacular staging. A unique sensory experience with a virtual reality journey through eight of his iconic paintings awaits you! The exhibition also revisits the painter’s inspirations in a second room designed as an artistic extension. More than an exhibition, it’s a plunge into the mind of a genius!

📍 Location: Pôle PIXEL, Studio 24 – 24 Rue Emile Decorps, 69100 Villeurbanne, France

📆 Every day except Tuesday

Enjoy a free festival

July means festivals! But if you’re on a tight budget, there are some free nuggets right in the heart of Lyon! Such is the case with Soïo Mundo! From July 3 to 6, 2025, the festival will bring the Parc Blandan to life with world music and a host of original, free activities, allowing you to enjoy the vacations without spending a penny! Pretty cool, eh?

📍 Parc Blandan, 37 Rue du Repos, Lyon 7e

📆 July 3 to 6, 2025

Discover Science Expériences

Science Expériences is a spectacular journey to the heart of the great mysteries of science, between cosmic exploration, natural discoveries and curiosities of the human body. In an immersive journey combining virtual reality, video mapping and multisensory effects, young and old alike plunge into fascinating universes: space, the abyss, volcanoes, the brain! Designed as a bridge between museum and amusement park, this facility reinvents scientific discovery by making it fun, captivating and interactive. A concentrate of knowledge, emotion and wonder for the whole family!

📍 Location: Science Expériences – 32 rue Thomassin, 69002 Lyon

Go to Woodstower Festival

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuLPoVNfeQU

If there’s one feel-good event not to be missed this summer, it’s Woodstower! After celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024, the festival is back stronger than ever with a program worthy of the biggest stages. Over the years, it has established itself as a must-attend event for all Lyonnais. Why such success? It’s simple: top-quality artists, totally offbeat entertainment and breathtaking scenery. And that’s not all! Woodstower also stands out for its ecological commitment, making it one of the greenest festivals in France. For that alone, hats off to you!

📍 Parc de Gerland, allée Pierre de Coubertin, Lyon 7

📅 July 17-20, 2025

🎤 SCH, Polo and Pan, Bon Entendeur, Chinese Man, Vladimir Cauchemar, Emma Peters

Marvel at the July 14 fireworks display

On July 14, 2025 at 10:30pm, Lyon will celebrate the Fête Nationale with its traditional fireworks display fired from Fourvière hill. Visible from the quays of the Saône and many other parts of the city, the show will set the sky ablaze for almost 20 minutes. Crowds flock to the Presqu’île to admire the rockets reflected on the river. The atmosphere is festive and family-friendly, a blend of wonder and tradition. Despite the absence of a popular ball, the Town Hall has confirmed that the fireworks will continue this year.

📆 Monday, July 14, 2025