Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights)
Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights) is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Lyon audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~240 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type landmark
- Suggested visit ~240 min
- Lyon Lyon guide
About Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights)
Every December 8th, Lyon becomes the world's most spectacular light show, with the entire city transformed by hundreds of light installations attracting 2 million visitors over 4 nights.
The Fête des Lumières is Lyon's most extraordinary celebration and one of the world's greatest festivals, four nights each December (8th-11th) during which the entire city becomes a canvas for spectacular light art. The festival has its origins in a simple traditional practice: since the Middle Ages, Lyon's citizens have placed candles in their windows on December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, in honour of the Virgin Mary's protection of the city. In the 1990s, the city began commissioning professional light artists to create large-scale installations, and the festival grew exponentially. Today, some 70-80 major light installations are created across the entire historic city, on facades, in squares, on bridges, in gardens, along rivers, using laser, LED, video projection, and sculptural lighting. Approximately 2 million visitors arrive over the four nights, making it one of the largest public events in Europe. The effect of walking through a city where almost every notable building, monument, and public space has been transformed by light art is profoundly magical. Major shows return to the same locations each year: the Fourvière Basilica, Place Bellecour, Place des Terreaux, the Hôtel de Ville, the Cathedral of Saint-Jean, the Rhône and Saône bridges.
Did you know? The Fête des Lumières attracts approximately 2 million visitors over its 4 nights, making it one of the largest outdoor events in the world, larger than the Monaco Grand Prix or Carnival in Rio.
How long should you spend at Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights)?
Plan about ~240 min at Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights). That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights) worth visiting?
Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights) is one of the 25 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Lyon, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Lyon
Hear the story of Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights)
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