Lyon Christmas Market 2025 Dates & the Festival of Lights

Lyon’s beautiful architecture forms the perfect backdrop for the annual winter events, which draw locals and visitors alike with its diverse stalls and selection of Lyonnaise treats.

Read below for everything you need to know to plan a visit to the Lyon Christmas Market in 2025 and the Festival of Lights, which takes place during the same period.

Lyon Christmas Market 2025

Dates – Unconfirmed

Lyon dates: 21st November to 24th December 2025 (unconfirmed).
Noël at Grand Hôtel-Dieu: 21st November to 24th December 2025 (unconfirmed).

Expected Update: Last year’s dates were announced in September. Want to know when dates are confirmed? Sign up for our newsletter to get notified as soon as they become available.

Source: Information from the organiser is available here.

Plan Your Visit

Location and Times

Location: Place Carnot.
Opening times:
Sunday to Thursday: 10:30am to 8pm.
Friday and Saturday: 10:30am to 10pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.

Travel and Accommodation

Recommended tour: This 4-hour Lyon food-tasting tour is a great way to start your trip.
Public transport: Widely available and accessible.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Travel tips: Plan your visit to include the Festival of Lights.
Where to stay: Hotel De Verdun 1882 is 2 minutes from Place Carnot.

Amenities and Attractions

Admission: Free.
Lights: Festival of Lights – Find all the details below.
Santa: Yes, proceeds from photo sales go to charity.
Ice skating: Yes, at Place Ambroise Courtois.
Reason to Visit: Lyonnaise gastronomy, traditional wooden chalets, Fete des Lumieres.

Dietary Options

Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Food specialties: Lyon’s famed saucisson, Praluline brioche, tartiflette, Saint Marcellin cheese, marrons glacés.

Accessibility

Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.

Where to Stay

The Carnot-Gailleton area in Lyon’s 2nd arrondissement is ideal for a base due to its proximity to the market and central location. Many attractions, cafes, and restaurants, including the Festival of Lights locations, are within walking distance.

In this area, I recommend the Hotel De Verdun 1882 for its quality service and excellent facilities. Its location puts you in the heart of Lyon’s holiday festivities.

Tours You Might Like

If you’re a first-time visitor to Lyon, you might like this pedicab tour (the guide pedals while you sit in the back) that takes in many of Lyon’s highlights.

Alternatively, this 4-hour food tasting tour provides an interesting angle on Lyon’s culture through its celebrated cuisine.

For a more comprehensive look at where to go this winter, my French Christmas Markets List has detailed information to help plan your itinerary.

Event Location

Wrapped up your Christmas visit? We’d love to hear about your experience. Share your story and tag photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets on social media.

Lyon Festival of Lights

The Lyon Festival of Lights, or Fête des Lumières, is a spectacular event that transforms Lyon into a vibrant canvas of light.

Held annually in early December, this four-day event attracts millions of visitors to the city. Artists worldwide are invited to create light installations that illuminate the city’s iconic buildings, streets and parks.

Festival of Lights dates: 4th to 7th December 2025 (unconfirmed). View the schedule here.
Opening times:
Thursday to Saturday: 8pm to midnight.
Sunday: 6pm to 8pm.
Locations:
Saint-Jean Cathedral
Saint-Paul Railway Station
Fourvière Hill
Place du Change
Les Subsistances
Place Sathoney
Place des Terreaux
Place Louis Pradel
Place de la Bourse
Place de la République
Quartier Grolée
Place des Jacobins

What to Expect

At the main market in Lyon, nearly 100 wooden chalets fill the streets, and their displays are full of artisanal crafts, festive decorations and Lyonnaise specialties.

Food Specialties

• Bûche de Noël: When it comes to desserts, the Bûche de Noël cake is a French classic. This dessert resembles a log to remind us of the ancient tradition of burning a yule log. The cake is a rolled sponge, usually filled with chocolate or chestnut puree, covered with chocolate ganache to imitate bark and decorated with figurines.
• Oysters: Although not a unique Lyonnaise tradition, eating oysters on holidays is common in France. They are typically served raw on the half shell with a little lemon juice or mignonette sauce.
• Quenelles: These are a Lyonnaise speciality. Quenelles are a type of dumpling, typically made with fish or meat. They are often poached and served with a rich sauce.
• Pommes Dauphinoise: A traditional French dish that originated in the Dauphiné region. It involves thinly sliced and layered potatoes cooked in the oven with cream, garlic and cheese.
• Tartiflette: Originating from the Savoy region, tartiflette is a creamy side dish made with potatoes, reblochon cheese, lardons (bacon) and onions.
• Raclette: A semi-hard cheese typically used for melting then scraped over boiled potatoes, pickles and charcuterie.
• Galette des Rois: Although traditionally associated with Epiphany in January, it’s not uncommon to see this flaky puff pastry tart earlier in the season. A small figurine, or ‘fève’, is hidden inside, and the person who finds it in their slice becomes the ‘king’ or ‘queen’ for the day.

At the Market Stalls

• Praluline: Originating from Lyon and crafted by Auguste Pralus in 1955, Praluline is a brioche bread filled with pink sugared almonds. I like it with butter, but you can also eat it on its own.
• Vin Chaud: Winter markets wouldn’t be complete without a mug of vin chaud or mulled wine.
• Saucisson: A quintessential Lyonnaise street food, saucisson is a warm sausage served in a baguette.
• Roasted Chestnuts: Often sold by street vendors, these are roasted on an open fire and served warm.
• Pain d’épices: A traditional French spiced bread, often compared to gingerbread but it’s quite different in my opinion. It’s usually made with rye flour, honey, and spices such as aniseed.
• Crêpes: Thin, light pancakes with sweet or savoury fillings like ham and cheese or chocolate and whipped cream.
• Bratwurst: Germany bratwurst is available in Lyon.

What to Buy

• Lyon Silk: Lyon has historically been a significant centre for the silk industry. Here, you can find silk scarves, ties, and other accessories.
• Guignol Puppets: Traditional Lyonnaise puppets are a local favourite.
• Santons de Provence: Hand-painted terracotta nativity figurines from the Provence region of France.
• Gastronomy: Lyon, known as the gastronomic capital of France, has a diverse selection of food products that can be taken home as gifts. Think bottles of local wine, artisanal cheese, Lyonnaise sausages, or jars of local honey.
• Decorations: Traditional ornaments, beautifully crafted baubles, handmade nativity scenes and other festive decorations abound.
• French Cosmetics: From soaps to natural skin care products, French cosmetics have a well-deserved reputation for quality. It’s not uncommon to find stalls selling these products, often made with ingredients like lavender from Provence or honey from the Rhône-Alpes region.

Sustainability Tips

• Renewable Energy: Some hotels in Lyon are committed to using renewable energy.
• Food Waste: Order portions you can finish and consider sharing dishes to minimise waste.
• Ethical Consumption: At the markets, prioritise locally made gifts and products that support the regional economy. Only buy what you’re certain to use.
• Sustainable Diets: Many plant-based and vegetarian eateries in Lyon offer tasty dishes. Switching to plant-based meals, even for a few days, can reduce your carbon footprint.
• Sustainable Transport: Lyon has a fantastic public transportation system, which includes trams, buses and the metro. Additionally, Lyon’s Vélo’v bike-sharing program is a fun, healthy and sustainable way to see the city.

Visiting Lyon in winter is a unique experience, defined by the many winter events and attractions. You can’t go wrong enjoying the local cuisine, exploring the history-soaked streets and taking in the beautifully illuminated landmarks.

Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.

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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.