The Festival of Lights in Lyon is celebrating its 25th anniversary by going back to its roots, mixing spectacular displays with popular traditions. The 2025 edition, which will take place from December 5 to 8, features an official program infused with nostalgia and modernity, revealed this Tuesday, November 5. During the press conference on Tuesday, November 5, Gregory Doucet, the mayor of Lyon, presents this anniversary edition as "a bridge between heritage and modernity", with the return of six iconic pieces from previous editions that have made their mark on the event.
Historic pieces are back
Among these eagerly anticipated returns, spectators will once again be able to admire the Little Giant on the facades of the City Hall and the Fine Arts Museum, a must-see installation that has captivated crowds in Place des Terreaux. Parc de la Tête d'Or will once again host the Annoki, luminous creatures that will also make their appearance in Place Bellecour. Street...From the Republic, visitors will find the charming Winter Walk, while Jacobins Act 4 will light up the Jacobins Square, and Laniakea, Horizon 24 will transform the Antonin Poncet Square into a cosmic stage. Finally, the iconic I Love Lyon will return to Bellecour Square, much to the delight of photographers and romantics alike.
More Intellectual and Intimate Themes
Even with this return to the basics, the Festival of Lights continues to shift towards more intimate and intellectual themes, featuring works that provoke thought and raise awareness. In the Place de la Bourse, artist Amélia Kosminsky will shine a light on invisible disabilities with Celestial Brainstorm, a poignant installation inspired by her own experience with epilepsy. In Place de la République, German artist Philipp Frank will present Coral Ghosts, a work created from recycled fishing nets to highlight the human impact on coral reefs and remind us of our fragile connection to nature.
New neighborhoods lit up
The event is also expanding into new neighborhoods, a delightful effort to diversify that has begun in recent years. La Croix-Rousse will host its first installation at Gros Caillou, while a participatory artwork will be set up at the Gerland garden city. Lastly, a unique yet bold choice: the automobile museum in Rochetaillée-sur-Saône will feature a light installation, marking this site’s inclusion in the event.
With this blend of timeless classics and thought-provoking works, the Fête des Lumières 2025 promises to illuminate Lyon in all its glory. This edition will delight nostalgia seekers while meeting the desires of spectators in search of meaning and depth.
