Christmas Events for Kids in Lyon (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

13 min read · Lire en français

Rally the corgi has sniffed out the best Christmas events for kids in Lyon for 2026, and here is what he found: 27 family events across Lyon and 2 nearby towns, 13 of them free. The magic runs from November 20 (Lyon Christmas Market) through April 4, with Christmas Ferris Wheel on Place Bellecour (from November 28), Marché Engagé de Noël (November 28) and Saint-Priest Christmas Market (from December 4) along the way. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in France.

What Rally found in Lyon

  • 27 Christmas events for kids in Lyon and 2 nearby towns, including Saint-Genis-Laval and Saint-Priest
  • 13 free events, including Lyon Christmas Market, Digital Workshops: Make Your Own Little Festival of Lights and Festival of Lights 2026 (Fête des Lumières)
  • Meet Santa: Lyon Christmas Market (from November 20)
  • Parades: Saint-Priest Christmas Market (from December 4)
  • Also on the list: 12 Christmas shows, 8 Christmas light displays, 4 Christmas markets and 7 story times
  • Season: November 20 (Lyon Christmas Market) to April 4 (Christmas Ferris Wheel on Place Bellecour)

Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by town, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (registration, ages, what is included).

Free 13Ticketed and paid 14

Free Christmas events for kids in Lyon

Christmas marketFree

Lyon Christmas Market

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The Christmas market takes place on Place Carnot, in the 2nd arrondissement, from Nov 20 to Dec 24, 2026. Entry is free. Exhibitors offer decorations, regional products and a toy section with puzzles, wooden toys and stuffed animals, ideal for little ones.

Hours: Monday to Thursday 11 am to 8 pm, Friday 11 am to 10 pm, Saturday 10:30 am to 10 pm and Sunday 10:30 am to 8 pm. During the Festival of Lights, Dec 5 to 8, the market closes earlier, at 6 pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and at 5 pm on Tuesday.

Parent tip: The market is right next to Perrache station. Plan to arrive early on weekends and during the Festival of Lights, when the crowd is denser.

Host
Ville de Lyon (opens in a new tab)
Where
Place Carnot, 69002 Lyon (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Ville de Lyon (opens in a new tab)

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Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 26 more Lyon events researched for you.

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Coming up on this page

  • 12 Shows
  • 9 Crafts
  • 8 Lights
  • 7 Story time
  • 13 Free

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Christmas lightsFree

Digital Workshops: Make Your Own Little Festival of Lights

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With video mapping, each participant makes their own animated light projection on a model, in the style of Lyon's Festival of Lights. The workshop uses the HeavyM software.

It takes place on Saturday, Dec 5 from 10 am to noon at the 2nd arrondissement library. It is free, with registration from Nov 28, 2026 at 10 am. The child must be comfortable enough using the computer mouse.

Parent tip: Skill needed: the child must handle the mouse well. Registration from Nov 28, 2026 at 10 am. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon (opens in a new tab)
Where
Bibliothèque du 2e, 13 rue de Condé, 69002 Lyon (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas lightsFree

Festival of Lights 2026 (Fête des Lumières)

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The Festival of Lights (Fête des Lumières) returns from Saturday, Dec 5 to Tuesday, Dec 8, 2026. More than 25 light installations, and a few surprises, are set up in the city over four evenings. Access is free and you stroll from one installation to the next at your own pace.

Unless a work's page says otherwise, the lights run from 7 to 11 pm on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, and from 6 to 10 pm on Sunday. With children, Sunday evening, which starts and ends earlier, is often the most comfortable. The Parc de la Tête d'Or has special hours because of limited access. It is best to check before going. The installations are seen outdoors, walking from site to site: bring warm clothes, good shoes and a compact stroller or a baby carrier for the youngest.

Parent tip: On Sunday, Dec 6, the installations light up at 6 pm and go off at 10 pm, handy with little ones. Check each installation's page for specific hours.

Host
Ville de Lyon, Fête des Lumières (opens in a new tab)
Where
Downtown Lyon (route of light installations), Place des Terreaux, 69001 Lyon (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Ville de Lyon, Fête des Lumières (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas lightsFree

Le Carnaval des animaux (The Carnival of the Animals), Festival of Lights 2026

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Among the 27 installations of the 2026 Festival of Lights, Le Carnaval des animaux is shown on the Place des Terreaux, facing the town hall, by Étienne Guiol with the Orchestre national de Lyon. The animal theme makes it a natural stop for a family outing.

The Festival of Lights runs from Saturday, Dec 5 to Tuesday, Dec 8, 2026 and is free. The full program, with the installations' hours, is published on the City of Lyon's official website.

Parent tip: Check the hours on the official website before you go and bring warm clothes: the evening wait can be long.

Host
Ville de Lyon, Fête des Lumières (opens in a new tab)
Where
Place des Terreaux, 69001 Lyon (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Ville de Lyon, Fête des Lumières (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas lightsFree

Les Lumignons du Cœur (Candles of the Heart)

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Les Lumignons du Cœur are one of the easiest traditions to share with children during the Festival of Lights, Dec 5 to 8, 2026. Each lumignon (small candle) costs €2 and the sale takes place on Place Bellecour.

This year, donations go to Vivre aux Éclats, a Lyon association whose professional clowns visit children, older people and adults with disabilities. According to the City, 15 lumignons bought fund one clown visit. The Festival of Lights itself is free and open to all.

Parent tip: Festival of Lights evenings are very busy: it is better to come early with the children and agree on a meeting point.

Host
Ville de Lyon, Fête des Lumières (opens in a new tab)
Where
Place Bellecour, 69002 Lyon (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Ville de Lyon, Fête des Lumières (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas lightsFree

Twist and Shine, Festival of Lights 2026

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Twist and Shine, by Kaleider, is set up on Place Bellecour during the 2026 Festival of Lights. Visitors can interact with the glowing shapes, which makes it easier to enjoy with children than a work watched from afar.

The festival runs from Saturday, Dec 5 to Tuesday, Dec 8, 2026 and entry is free. The Christmas Ferris Wheel and the Place Carnot Christmas market are nearby.

Parent tip: Exact hours are published on the Festival of Lights website. It is better to go early in the evening with young children.

Host
Ville de Lyon, Fête des Lumières (opens in a new tab)
Where
Place Bellecour, 69002 Lyon (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Ville de Lyon, Fête des Lumières (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas lightsFree

Illumignons la bibliothèque (Let's Light Up the Library)

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It is the Festival of Lights (Fête des Lumières), and the Guillotière library invites children to watch a short fairy-tale film with subtitles for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers.

The afternoon ends with a snack, and everyone can make their own lumignon (small candle lantern) to set on the windowsill. Entry is free, while seats last. The event is for ages 7 and up.

Parent tip: Free entry while seats last. Come early. The evening of Dec 8 is very busy in Lyon.

Host
Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon (opens in a new tab)
Where
Bibliothèque du 7e Guillotière, 25 rue Béchevelin, 69007 Lyon (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas story timeFree

A Sensory Christmas (Un Noël sensoriel)

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Children discover the tactile picture book Le géant de Noël by Magali Bardos by touching the illustrations. The giant's coat, with 24 pockets, lets them open each pocket to handle an object linked to a page of the story.

The workshop ends with a creative activity: making a tactile Christmas card. It is led by Les Doigts qui rêvent and is for children ages 5 and up, accompanied by an adult. Entry is free while seats last.

Parent tip: Free entry, no registration, while seats last. Arrive a little early. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon (opens in a new tab)
Where
Bibliothèque du 5e Saint-Jean, 4 avenue Adolphe Max, 69005 Lyon (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas story timeFree

Bilingual Christmas Stories in French and LSF (French Sign Language)

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The Part-Dieu library offers a moment of magic and wonder with bilingual Christmas stories, in French and in French Sign Language (LSF). The sessions are led by a facilitator from 1 2 3 Signes and an actress who interprets in LSF.

Two 30-minute slots are offered on Saturday, Dec 12, at 10:15 and at 11. The event is part of the Disability Fortnight 2026 (Quinzaine des handicaps). It is for children ages 3 to 6, accompanied by an adult. Parents and children must both be registered.

Parent tip: Registration opens Nov 28, 2026 at 9 am. Remember to register each adult and each child.

Host
Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon (opens in a new tab)
Where
Bibliothèque Part-Dieu, 30 boulevard Marius Vivier Merle, 69003 Lyon (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas craftsFree

Paper, Card and Cardboard (Papier, carte et carton)

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Turning a magazine or a book into a tree, preparing greeting cards, making decorations for the end-of-year holidays: that is the program of this creative workshop at the Jean Macé library.

It takes place on Saturday, Dec 12 from 2:30 to 4 pm. It is free and is for children ages 10 and up. Registration opens Nov 28, 2026 at 9 am.

Parent tip: Registration required from Nov 28, 2026 at 9 am. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon (opens in a new tab)
Where
Bibliothèque du 7e Jean Macé, 2 rue Domer, 69007 Lyon (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas craftsFree

Christmas Card (Carte de Noël)

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At the Gerland library, children make their Christmas card on a computer. They choose their text and illustrations, then print their creation to give as a gift.

The workshop lasts an hour, on Wednesday, Dec 16 at 11 am. It is free and reserved for children ages 6 to 9. Registration opens Dec 2, 2026 at 9 am.

Parent tip: Registration required from Dec 2, 2026 at 9 am. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon (opens in a new tab)
Where
Bibliothèque du 7e Gerland, 34 rue Jacques Monod, 69007 Lyon (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas story timeFree

Story Time: Christmas Special (Le Temps des histoires : spécial Noël)

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Story Time puts on its winter coat to wait for Christmas. The librarians offer a selection of stories to listen to together, in a festive mood.

The event takes place on Wednesday, Dec 16 from 4 to 5 pm at the Point du Jour library, in the 5th arrondissement. It is free, for children ages 5 to 12, with registration from Dec 2, 2026 at 9 am.

Parent tip: Registration required from Dec 2, 2026 at 9 am. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon (opens in a new tab)
Where
Bibliothèque du 5e Point du Jour, 10-12 rue Joliot-Curie, 69005 Lyon (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas showFree

The Christmas Special Movie Screening

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The Jean Macé library invites families to a Christmas special movie screening. The film stays a surprise: a feel-good family film, for fans of classic cinema and the holiday season.

The screening takes place on Saturday, Dec 19 from 3 to 4:45 pm. It is free and is for children ages 7 and up. Registration is online.

Parent tip: Register online before you come. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon (opens in a new tab)
Where
Bibliothèque du 7e Jean Macé, 2 rue Domer, 69007 Lyon (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon (opens in a new tab)

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Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lyon every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

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Ticketed and paid Christmas events for kids in Lyon

Admission, tickets or a fee apply. Where a host has not posted a price yet, the listing says so.

Event hosts: free events are listed first. The #1 spot puts your event at the top of this page.Inquire about the #1 spotAdd your event for free

Christmas lights

Christmas Ferris Wheel on Place Bellecour

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The Christmas Ferris Wheel is set up on Place Bellecour from Nov 28, 2026 and stays until Apr 4, 2027. The ride offers a view of the city, especially pleasant at nightfall during the lights season.

The ticket costs €9 or €6 depending on the rate. From Dec 5 to 8, during the Festival of Lights, hours are extended until 1 am. The square is also a short walk from the Place Carnot Christmas market, so you can fit both outings into the same day.

Parent tip: Check the €6 reduced rate at the ticket office before you queue with the children.

Host
Ville de Lyon (place Bellecour) (opens in a new tab)
Where
Place Bellecour, 69002 Lyon (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Ville de Lyon (place Bellecour) (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas market

Marché Engagé de Noël (Committed Christmas Market)

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The Marché Engagé de Noël gathers eco-friendly gift ideas on Place des Terreaux in Lyon, on Saturday, Nov 28, 2026. Playful workshops and entertainment are announced for families.

The listing consulted gives neither hours nor price. The market is a few minutes' walk from the town hall and the slopes of the Croix-Rousse (Pentes de la Croix-Rousse).

Parent tip: Hours are not published on the listing: ask the organizer.

Host
Marché Engagé de Noël (opens in a new tab)
Where
Place des Terreaux, 69001 Lyon (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Marché Engagé de Noël (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas show

Lou et Lola (re)font Noël (Lou and Lola (Re)Make Christmas)

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On Christmas Eve, at the orphanage, only Lou and Lola are left, two inseparable friends. That is no reason not to celebrate Christmas: they decide to create their own version of the holiday, drawing on traditions from around the world and making their own decorations.

With laughter, songs, magical stories and treats, this storytelling and musical show for young audiences by Collectif des Fées à Roulettes is about family, friendship and living together. It lasts 35 minutes and suits ages 3 to 10. After the performance, a snack is offered in the theater's café area, on the slopes of the Croix-Rousse. The show is written and directed by Coralie Mangin, who performs it with Justine Thivin. Tickets cost €10 for a child and €12 for an adult; book at 04 78 39 41 44 or online.

Parent tip: Snack offered after the show; doors open 30 minutes before. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Au Rikiki café-théâtre (opens in a new tab)
Where
Au Rikiki, 11 rue de l'Annonciade, 69001 Lyon (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Au Rikiki café-théâtre (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas show

Praline

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Every year, Santa picks an elf to help him deliver the gifts. The elf must know how to wrap, know the Christmas songs and stay in a good mood. Praline is an elf as mischievous as she is clumsy, and to have a chance of being chosen, she will need the children in the audience.

This 35-minute show by Malia Compagnie mixes dance, theater and magic, with a lot of participation. It is designed for ages 2 to 8. Doors open 30 minutes before the start, and a café area with books and a snack lets families wait calmly. The single price is €10 for adults and children alike. The Rikiki is at 11 rue de l'Annonciade, on the slopes of the Croix-Rousse, and bookings are at 04 78 39 41 44 or on the website.

Parent tip: Arrive a little early: the café area opens 30 minutes before, with books and a snack. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Au Rikiki café-théâtre (opens in a new tab)
Where
Au Rikiki, 11 rue de l'Annonciade, 69001 Lyon (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Au Rikiki café-théâtre (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lyon every week

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Christmas lights

Lumières de Lugdunum (Lights of Lugdunum)

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The Lugdunum museum offers a family workshop about light on Sunday, Dec 6, 2026 from 3 to 4:15 pm. The visit explains how the Romans lit their homes, then each participant makes their own oil lamp.

The workshop is for families with children ages 8 and up. An accompanying adult must also be registered. The price is museum admission plus €5, and booking is required.

Parent tip: Register the accompanying adult at the same time as the child: booking is required for both. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Lugdunum, Musée et théâtres romains (opens in a new tab)
Where
Lugdunum, Musée et théâtres romains, 17 rue Cléberg, 69005 Lyon (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Lugdunum, Musée et théâtres romains (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas show

Les Cadeaux du Cœur (The Gifts of the Heart)

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At the Acte 2 Théâtre, on the banks of the Saône, Les Cadeaux du Cœur tells the story of Mama Christmas (Maman Noël), who has become so sad and melancholy that she has lost the joy of the holidays. A group of children decides to revive the magic and takes on a series of challenges: singing a Christmas carol, doing good deeds, sharing.

The show highlights generosity and mutual help rather than the gifts themselves. Shows are in the morning, at 10:30, which suits the youngest well, except on Sunday, Dec 13, at 11. Seats are limited in this small theater. The theater is at 32 quai Arloing, in the 9th arrondissement. As with the season's other shows for young audiences, booking is online on the Mapado ticket office or by phone at 04 78 83 21 71.

Parent tip: Morning shows, ideal before nap time; book online on the theater's Mapado ticket office. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Acte 2 Théâtre (opens in a new tab)
Where
Acte 2 Théâtre, 32 quai Arloing, 69009 Lyon (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Acte 2 Théâtre (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas show

Le Noël fantasmagique de William Arribart (William Arribart's Phantasmagorical Christmas)

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The illusionist William Arribart presents a family Christmas show mixing comedy, poetry and grand illusions. The audience takes part in the magic, which children generally enjoy.

One performance is announced for Saturday, Dec 12, 2026 at 4:30 pm at the Bourse du Travail, place Guichard, in the 3rd arrondissement. Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Parent tip: Children under 12 must be accompanied. Check the price on the ticket office. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Les Derniers Couches (production) (opens in a new tab)
Where
Bourse du Travail, 205 place Guichard, 69003 Lyon (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Les Derniers Couches (production) (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas show

Mystère et boule de neige (Mystery and Snowball)

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At the elves' workshop, disaster: the Christmas gift list has disappeared. The elves launch an investigation among footprints in the snow, mysterious reindeer hairs and lollipops eaten in secret, to find the list and save Christmas once again.

This family comedy by Collectif Tintamarre, directed by Madison Vossius, lasts 45 minutes and is for children ages 4 and up. Performances are held during the Christmas vacation, in the afternoon, at the Acte 2 Théâtre in the 9th arrondissement. The theater also offers a ten-show subscription card. On stage, Clémentine Jullien, Fabienne Terrenoire and Benjamin Vandecasteele play the elves. Tickets cost €13 for an adult and €12 for a child, and booking is online or at 04 78 83 21 71.

Parent tip: Runs 45 minutes; online booking recommended through the theater's ticket office. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Acte 2 Théâtre (opens in a new tab)
Where
Acte 2 Théâtre, 32 quai Arloing, 69009 Lyon (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Acte 2 Théâtre (opens in a new tab)

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Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lyon every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

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Christmas show

Au Lit ! Demain c'est Noël ! (To Bed! Tomorrow Is Christmas!)

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The story takes place on the evening of Dec 24: a child does everything to put off bedtime and meets Santa (Père Noël) and a mysterious teddy bear. Humor, tenderness and wonder are on the program.

Performances are at 3 pm between Dec 21, 2026 and Jan 2, 2027 (check exact dates with the theater), in the 292-seat hall of the Théâtre Comédie Odéon, in the Presqu'île, metro Cordeliers. Seats are limited.

Parent tip: The hall is small, so it is better to book early. Ticket office at 04 78 82 86 30. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Théâtre Comédie Odéon (opens in a new tab)
Where
Théâtre Comédie Odéon, 6 rue Grôlée, 69002 Lyon (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Théâtre Comédie Odéon (opens in a new tab)

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Christmas show

Le Noël de Léo le petit robot (Leo the Little Robot's Christmas)

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During the vacation, the Rikiki offers the youngest Le Noël de Léo le petit robot, a 30-minute musical and sensory tale. Leo, a little robot lost in a frozen land, sets off on an adventure and discovers the spirit and magic of Christmas along the way.

The show uses shadow puppets, endearing marionettes and a colorful set, a form well suited to children from 18 months to 5 years. Shows are in the morning at 10:30, from Monday, Dec 21 to Thursday, Dec 24, then on Saturday, Dec 26. A café area with books and a snack welcomes families before the start. The single price is €10 for everyone. The Rikiki recommends booking, by phone at 04 78 39 41 44 or on its website, because the room is small and the morning shows during the vacation fill up fast.

Parent tip: Short 30-minute format, designed for toddlers; no show on Dec 25. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Au Rikiki café-théâtre (opens in a new tab)
Where
Au Rikiki, 11 rue de l'Annonciade, 69001 Lyon (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Au Rikiki café-théâtre (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lyon every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lyon every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

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Christmas show

Martin et la voleuse de Noël (Martin and the Christmas Thief)

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Santa has given Martin the elf a very important mission: take care of the reindeer. But one day, Thunder (Tonnerre), the oldest of them, disappears. Martin sets off on a journey, an enchanted investigation mixing Christmas tales from all over the world.

This 45-minute interactive show, written and directed by Charlotte Robin (company En route mauvaise troupe), is about friendship and mutual help. It is for ages 3 to 10 and plays twice a day during Christmas week. A snack is offered in the café area after each performance. The performers are Romain Bressy and Charlotte Robin. Tickets cost €10 for a child and €12 for an adult, and doors open 30 minutes before each performance.

Parent tip: Two shows a day, Dec 21 to 24; snack after the show. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Au Rikiki café-théâtre (opens in a new tab)
Where
Au Rikiki, 11 rue de l'Annonciade, 69001 Lyon (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Au Rikiki café-théâtre (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lyon every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lyon every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Contes d'hiver (Winter Tales)

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For the week between Christmas and New Year's, the Rikiki presents Contes d'hiver, a creation by the company Les gens Normales. It recalls the mood of evenings long ago, when people gathered by the fireplace to listen to stories.

Four tales, sometimes funny, sometimes fantastic or touching, are told by the storyteller Violaine Ferrandis and accompanied in music by Lena Genin, on acoustic guitar and intuitive instruments. They are about solidarity and generosity. The show lasts 45 minutes and is for ages 4 to 10; a snack is offered afterward. Tickets cost €10 for a child and €12 for an adult. Doors open 30 minutes before, and the Rikiki room, on rue de l'Annonciade, welcomes families in its café area before and after the performance.

Parent tip: A good outing for the second week of the vacation; snack offered after the show. Expect it to be in French.

Host
Au Rikiki café-théâtre (opens in a new tab)
Where
Au Rikiki, 11 rue de l'Annonciade, 69001 Lyon (opens in maps)
Registration
Recommended
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Au Rikiki café-théâtre (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lyon every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lyon every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Saint-Genis-Laval

Christmas market

Christmas Market at the Steiner-Waldorf School (Saint-Genis-Laval)

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The Steiner-Waldorf School of Lyon holds its Christmas market in Saint-Genis-Laval on Saturday, Nov 28, 2026. The announced program includes workshops, a game trail, craftspeople, a story, music and a lantern walk.

The listing consulted does not give the hours, the exact address or the price. It is therefore wise to contact the school before heading out as a family.

Parent tip: Contact the school for the exact address and hours before you go.

Host
École Steiner-Waldorf de Lyon (opens in a new tab)
Where
École Steiner-Waldorf de Lyon, 69230 Saint-Genis-Laval (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with École Steiner-Waldorf de Lyon (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lyon every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lyon every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Saint-Priest

Christmas market

Saint-Priest Christmas Market

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The Saint-Priest Christmas village, east of Lyon, runs from Dec 4 to 13, 2026. The announced program includes a crafts market, a Ferris wheel, mascots, shows and fireworks.

Hours and the exact dates of the shows and the fireworks are not detailed on the listing consulted. It is best to check the city's program before going, to pick the right day with the children.

Parent tip: Check the city's detailed program for the day of the fireworks.

Host
Ville de Saint-Priest (opens in a new tab)
Where
Village de Noël de Saint-Priest, 69800 Saint-Priest (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Ville de Saint-Priest (opens in a new tab)

New events in Lyon every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Lyon every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

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More Christmas events for kids in France

A story for the trip home

Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents. It is a cozy story to share on the way home after a big day out.

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolour corgi peeking from a red train

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. Ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon.fr (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Lyon: questions parents ask

What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in Lyon?

For 2026, we confirmed 27 Christmas events for kids in Lyon, each on its host’s own page: Lou et Lola (re)font Noël (Lou and Lola (Re)Make Christmas), Festival of Lights 2026 (Fête des Lumières), Les Cadeaux du Cœur (The Gifts of the Heart) and 24 more. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in Lyon?

Yes, 13 of the 27 events here are free: Festival of Lights 2026 (Fête des Lumières), Lyon Christmas Market, Bilingual Christmas Stories in French and LSF (French Sign Language) and 10 more. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.

Where can kids see Santa this year in Lyon?

Where to see Santa: Lyon Christmas Market. Check the listings above for times and booking.

Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Lyon?

Christmas story times on this page: Lou et Lola (re)font Noël (Lou and Lola (Re)Make Christmas), Contes d'hiver (Winter Tales), Martin et la voleuse de Noël (Martin and the Christmas Thief) and 4 more. Library story times are usually free; ones with a meal or show are ticketed.

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 9, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

The story of Christmas in Lyon

In Lyon, December begins with candles in the windows. The Festival of Lights turns the city into a free open-air show for four evenings, and the local chocolates come wrapped with a joke. Here is how a visiting family can plan the 2026 season.

How Lyon celebrates the season, and what makes it special for visitors

Lyon's big moment is not on December 25. It is the Festival of Lights, around December 8, when light artworks fill the squares and streets of the center. In 2025 the festival ran from December 5 to 8, and the organizers announced more than 2 million visitors, with 23 artworks across 20 sites.

The festival grew out of a simple gesture. On December 8, 1852, the people of Lyon were waiting for a 5 meter statue to be set on the hill of Fourvière. Storms broke out and the official celebration was postponed, but that evening candles appeared in the windows, crowds filled the streets, and shops selling lamps ran out of stock.

Local traditions your child will meet in Lyon

The candle is the symbol of the season. A lumignon is a small candle set on the edge of a window, and the word is still used for the Lumignons du Cœur, small candles sold for 2 euros each to raise money for an association chosen each year. In 2025 the sale on place des Jacobins raised 53,500 euros for SINGA Lyon.

Lyon is also the home of the papillote, a chocolate wrapped in paper with a joke inside. The legend says it was born around 1790 in the shop of the confectioner Papillot on rue du Bât-d'Argent. His apprentice was stealing chocolates to wrap them in sweet notes for a girl who lived upstairs. Papillot fired the boy but kept the idea, and swapped the love notes for jokes.

Planning a Christmas visit to Lyon with kids

In 2026 the Festival of Lights runs from Saturday, December 5 to Tuesday, December 8, free, with evening hours (7 to 11 pm, and 6 to 10 pm on Sunday). The Christmas Ferris wheel on place Bellecour opens November 28, and the Christmas market on place Carnot runs from November 20 to December 24, with free entry.

This page lists the confirmed events. Besides the festival, there are free library story times and workshops, a bilingual French and sign language story hour, and paid children's shows at small theaters such as Au Rikiki and Acte 2 Théâtre. Most events are in French, so check with the host if you need English.

A fun fact to share on the walk

In 2024 the Festival of Lights celebrated its 25th anniversary, and a snow globe from a past edition came back to place Bellecour. In 2025 a drone show lit the sky above the Tête d'Or park for the first time. Ask your kids what they would put inside a papillote, a joke or a riddle?

Traditions today

  • The Festival of Lights: Four evenings of light artworks in the center of Lyon around December 8, free to walk. In 2026 it runs December 5 to 8.
  • The Lumignons du Cœur: Small candles sold for 2 euros each for an association chosen every year. In 2025 they raised 53,500 euros for SINGA Lyon.
  • The torchlight walk: On December 8, people walk by torchlight from the Saint-Jean cathedral to the Fourvière hill.
  • Papillotes: Chocolates wrapped in paper with a joke. The legend begins on rue du Bât-d'Argent around 1790.
  • Fourvière lit again after Christmas: In 2025 an artwork was projected again onto the basilica from December 26 to 31, after the festival.
  • Christmas stories and workshops in libraries: In December the libraries of Lyon offer Christmas stories, card workshops and film screenings for children.

A fact for kids

Papillotes may come from a young apprentice who stole chocolates to wrap them in little love notes. Today the paper holds a joke instead.

Questions about Christmas in Lyon

Is Lyon worth visiting in December with kids?

Yes, especially for the Festival of Lights, which is free and walkable. There are also a Ferris wheel on place Bellecour, a Christmas market, library story times and children's theaters. Crowds are dense during the festival, so plan for early evening and a compact stroller or baby carrier.

When is the Festival of Lights in Lyon in 2026?

It runs from Saturday, December 5 to Tuesday, December 8, 2026, with free light artworks in the center in the evening. Hours are 7 to 11 pm, except Sunday, December 6, when it runs from 6 to 10 pm. December 8 is the heart of the festival.

Why does Lyon celebrate on December 8?

On December 8, 1852, a statue was due to be set on the hill of Fourvière. Storms broke out, but the people of Lyon lit candles in their windows and filled the streets anyway. That evening is the origin of the Festival of Lights.

What is a lumignon?

A lumignon is a small candle set on the edge of a window. In 1852 the people of Lyon put them in their windows to celebrate. The word lives on in the Lumignons du Cœur, sold each year for charity.

How can I explain the Festival of Lights to a 4 year old?

Tell them that long ago, people in Lyon were waiting for a big statue on top of the hill. There was a big storm, but they lit little candles in their windows to celebrate anyway. Since then, every December the whole city sparkles.

What are the Lumignons du Cœur?

They are the charity candles of the Festival of Lights. Each one costs 2 euros, and the money goes to an association chosen in advance. In 2026 they are sold on place Bellecour from December 5 to 8, in the evening.

How many people come to the Festival of Lights?

In 2025 the organizers announced more than 2 million visitors, 23 artworks on 20 sites, from Friday, December 5 to Monday, December 8. The figure is the organizers' claim. Expect crowds, especially on December 8.

What can kids see at the Festival of Lights in 2026?

This page lists a free interactive installation called Twist and Shine by the collective Kaleider on place Bellecour, where kids move light shapes. It also lists the light artwork The Carnival of the Animals, with the Orchestre national de Lyon, on place des Terreaux. Over 25 installations are announced across the city.

Was there a drone show at the Festival of Lights?

Yes, in 2025 a drone show lit the sky above the Tête d'Or park for the first time, while a video-mapping show animated place des Terreaux. The program changes every year, so drones may not return in 2026.

What is the torchlight walk on December 8?

It is a walk by torchlight that starts at the Saint-Jean cathedral in Old Lyon and climbs to the hill of Fourvière. It takes place every December 8, the day that recalls the evening of 1852.

Can we see Fourvière lit up after the festival?

In 2025, yes. An artwork was projected onto the basilica during the festival and again from December 26 to 31. The 2026 dates are not known yet.

What is a papillote?

A papillote is a chocolate wrapped in paper with a joke or a little game inside. Lyon claims to be its birthplace. The legend says it was invented around 1790 by the confectioner Papillot, on rue du Bât-d'Argent.

Why is there a joke inside papillotes?

According to the Lyon legend, the first paper held love notes written by a confectioner's apprentice for a neighbor. When the confectioner Papillot decided to sell the chocolates, he replaced the notes with jokes and small games. Kids still read them at Christmas.

Was the papillote really invented in Lyon?

According to the legend, yes, around 1790 in the Papillot shop in the Terreaux district. The true name of the inventor remains unknown. The word papillote was used as early as 1617 for paper used to curl hair.

What happened on December 8, 1852?

Storms broke out and the official celebration was postponed to Sunday, December 12. The people of Lyon celebrated anyway, with candles in the windows, crowds in the streets and lamp shops emptied. The official events then took place from December 12 to 19.

Why was the 1852 celebration moved to December?

It was first planned for September 8, 1852, but floods hit the workshop of the founder who cast the statue that summer. The celebration moved to December 8 instead.

Is there a Christmas market in Lyon?

Yes. The Christmas market on place Carnot runs from November 20 to December 24, 2026, with free entry and toy stalls. A small eco-friendly Christmas market is also on place des Terreaux on November 28.

Is there a Ferris wheel in Lyon at Christmas?

Yes, on place Bellecour. It opens on November 28, 2026, and tickets are 9 or 6 euros depending on the rate, from a listing site. It stays open longer, until 1 am, from December 5 to 8.

Are there free Christmas events in Lyon?

Yes. The Festival of Lights, the Christmas market on place Carnot and many library events are free. These include a bilingual French and sign language story hour on December 12, a Christmas film on December 19 and a lantern evening on December 8. Some workshops need booking.

Are Christmas events in Lyon in English?

Most events are in French, the local language. The Festival of Lights needs no language, since you just walk and look. For shows and workshops, check with the host about English.

What children's shows are there in Lyon at Christmas?

Au Rikiki has shows such as "Praline" on December 2, 9 and 16 and "Le Noël de Léo le petit robot" from December 21 to 26. Acte 2 Théâtre plays "Mystère et boule de neige" from December 19 to 29. Prices are around 10 to 13 euros.

What can older kids do at the Festival of Lights time?

On December 5, the library of the 2nd district runs a free video mapping workshop for ages 8 to 15 to create a light projection. On December 6, the Lugdunum museum offers a family workshop on Roman lighting and making an oil lamp, for ages 8 and up, with booking.

Sources

  1. Lyon : les origines oubliées du 8 Décembre, Fête des Lumières, Lyon Capitale
  2. Histoire : quelle est l’origine de la papillote, une invention de Lyon ?, Lyon Capitale
  3. Lyon : plus de 2 millions de visiteurs pour la Fête des Lumières 2025, LyonMag
  4. Fête des Lumières 2025 : le programme dévoilé ce mercredi à Lyon, LyonMag
  5. Fête des Lumières à Lyon, France.fr (Atout France)

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