Lyon's Festival of Lights as a Day Trip: Worth the Late Flight?

Four nights a year, a whole city turns into a light show, and it doesn't cost a penny to walk round it. I think that's worth a 06:00 flight.

When is the Lyon Festival of Lights in 2026?

The City of Lyon says the Fête des Lumières runs over four evenings, from Saturday 5 to Tuesday 8 December 2026. It calls it a free, popular event. The 2026 hours and the full trail weren't out when we checked, so look at lyon.fr before you go.

Why does Lyon have a Festival of Lights?

It goes back to 8 December 1852, when a statue of the Virgin Mary was unveiled on Fourvière hill. People across the city put candles in their windows to celebrate, and the people of Lyon have lit their windows on 8 December ever since. The modern festival grew out of that tradition, and now the light shows take over squares, streets and buildings all over town.

In past years the big shows have been in places like Place des Terreaux and Place Bellecour. The 2026 trail wasn't out when we checked, so don't plan your evening around one square until the city publishes it.

Can you really do it in a day?

Yes, because of one flight. easyJet leaves Gatwick at 06:00 on Saturday 5 December and lands in Lyon at 08:40. Wizz Air flies home at 23:15 and lands at Gatwick at 23:55. £94 return on Google Flights, checked on 12 October 2026. It's two separate tickets, so hand luggage only.

That late flight is the whole reason this works. Most day trips end before dark. This one gives you the day in Lyon and the evening under the lights.

What would I do with the daylight?

• Walk up to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Free, and the best view of the city
• The Roman theatres just below it, also free outside
• Lunch in Vieux Lyon. This is a food city, so don't waste it on a sandwich
• Parc de la Tête d'Or in the afternoon if you want somewhere quieter

What does it cost?

About £138 by our estimate. That's the £94 flight and about £44 on the ground. The Rhônexpress tram from the airport is €28.50 return online, or there's a cheaper bus, the C200, from Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie metro. A 24-hour TCL pass is €6.90.

Would I go?

One tip from me: 8 December is the traditional night, when locals still put candles, called lumignons, in their windows. It's a Tuesday this year, so if you can take the day off, that's the one I'd pick. Check the flights for that date too.

Yes. Expect crowds and a long, cold, brilliant day. If you've ever wanted to see it, this is the cheapest way I can think of to do it, and you'll be in your own bed by 01:00.

See the Lyon trip for Sat 5 Dec.

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Source: City of Lyon, Fête des Lumières 2026. Photos: Myrabella, CC BY-SA 4.0. Corentin Eustacchi, CC BY-SA 4.0.