Once again, the 2026 Festival of Lights will be turning Lyon into a vast open-air theatre, where light becomes an artistic language and a way of connecting people through shared emotion.
A highlight of the contemporary arts calendar and a world-renowned cultural and tourist event, the Festival brings together emerging talent and established artists to present bold, surprising works that capture the spirit of our times. From environmental issues and new technologies to popular culture and changing ways of living, each offers a unique perspective on the world today, challenging our habits, shifting our perceptions and opening up fresh possibilities.
During the Festival, light does far more than illuminate the city's façades: it takes shape, moves, interacts with music and sometimes draws the audience right into the artwork. Video mapping remains one of the event's defining features, but today's light artists are exploring an ever-wider range of forms and techniques. Monumental installations, light sculptures, laser displays, sound creations and interactive experiences all offer different ways to tell a story, transform surroundings or stir emotions.
It is this diversity that makes the Festival of Lights so special. Each installation offers a unique experience, whether it invites visitors to pause and reflect, immerse themselves in the experience or take part. Behind these creations lies a wealth of different disciplines and expertise, from the initial artistic concept to the technical production. Together, they demonstrate the Festival's constant capacity for renewal and its drive to explore new frontiers in light art.