Summer 2025 in Lyon: What to Do? Must-See Events and Activities

Summer 2025 in Lyon promises to be one of the richest cultural seasons in recent years. Lyon, a cultural capital in the heart of France, comes alive every summer with a varied program: festivals, concerts, shows, open-air events, cinema, and theater.

This new summer edition celebrates music, jazz, rock, food culture, as well as live arts and Lyon’s heritage. From Nuits Sonores to Nuits de Fourvière, from the Lumière Festival to major open-air stages, every venue becomes the scene of a must-see event.

Festivals for every taste

Every summer, Lyon and its surroundings host numerous festivals that combine music, international artists, socially engaged cinema, and popular culture. In 2025, the lineup is particularly impressive.

Les Nuits Sonores

• From May 28 to June 1, 2025, Nuits Sonores will take over the city. This electronic music festival, recognized throughout France, offers an innovative lineup with concerts, performances, and parties at iconic venues such as La Sucrière and H7. Tickets are available online, with pricing adapted to each event.

Les Nuits de Fourvière

• From June 2 to July 26, 2025, Les Nuits de Fourvière invites you to the Roman theatres of the Fourvière district. This one-of-a-kind festival blends theater, music, dance, circus, and contemporary creation. The open-air stage offers a magical setting to discover artists from all over the world.

Jazz à Vienne

• From June 26 to July 11, 2025, head to the ancient theatre in Vienne for Jazz à Vienne. Just 30 minutes from Lyon, this festival welcomes jazz, soul, funk, and rock groups to a legendary stage. The 2025 lineup promises big names and must-see new talents.

Lyon Street Food Festival

• From June 25 to 29, 2025, the Lyon Street Food Festival returns to Les Grandes Locos in La Mulatière. This unmissable event combines food culture, concerts, workshops, and immersive experiences. Chefs from around the world share their creations in a festive atmosphere, widely followed on Instagram.

Cultural and artistic highlights

Beyond the big festivals, Lyon’s summer is filled with a variety of cultural events—many of them free or low-cost and accessible to all audiences.

Fête de la Musique

• On June 21, 2025, the Fête de la Musique takes over Lyon and the entire metropolitan area. Hundreds of groups, both amateur and professional, perform on stages throughout the city, from Croix-Rousse to Villeurbanne. A friendly evening to enjoy with family or friends.

Les Météores

• Starting June 24 in Saint-Genis-Laval, discover Les Météores. This street arts and circus festival offers free open-air performances. The atmosphere is family-friendly, the access is free, and creativity is everywhere.

Les Arthémiades

• From May 5 to June 5, 2025, Les Arthémiades take place at Lyon 1 University and the Théâtre l’Astrée in Villeurbanne. This free event showcases student talent in theater, music, cinema, dance, and visual arts. A great opportunity to discover emerging local artists.

Festival National du Film Scolaire

• From June 1 to 4, 2025, the Institut Lumière will host the National School Film Festival. This competition highlights young people’s cinematic creations. It takes place in the Monplaisir district, the historic birthplace of cinema and the Lumière brothers.

More summer outing ideas in Lyon

• Attend an open-air concert at the Parc de la Tête d’Or or Parc de Gerland, especially during the Woodstower Festival (July 17–20)
• Explore regional festivals like Entre Rhône et Saône (June 27–29) or Le Printemps de Pérouges (June 24–29), which celebrate nature, heritage, and culture
• Enjoy night markets, guinguette-style evenings, or artistic walks in the Vallons du Lyonnais
• Follow the Eurogames 2025, an inclusive competition blending sports, culture, and diversity throughout the metropolitan area

Preparing your summer in Lyon: practical info

Most festivals and concerts offer online ticketing. Some events are free, while others require advance booking. Ticket prices vary depending on the venue, artists, and format (day pass, evening event, single concert). To stay up to date with the latest schedules and access details, we recommend checking the official websites.

Conclusion

From music and theater to cinema, food culture, and live performances, Lyon confirms its place as one of the most dynamic cities in France. The year 2025 promises to be festive, creative, and open to all audiences.

Whether you’re a jazz enthusiast, street food lover, rock fan, or curious about new artistic experiences, you’ll definitely find an event that suits you in the Lyon metropolitan area. Start planning your summer now and get your tickets for the best evenings of the year!

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