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The Lyon Christmas market will open on Friday 20 November 2026 on Place Carnot, in the city’s 2nd arrondissement, and close on Thursday 24 December. The City of Lyon (the local council, or Ville de Lyon) sets the rules for the market and reserves chalets for makers with the « Fabriqué à Lyon » (Made in Lyon) label and for charities. In addition, the local guide Le Bonbon Lyon reports around a hundred chalets and opening hours close to last year’s. Entry is free. Here are the dates, opening hours, access and what changes during the Festival of Lights.
When does the Lyon Christmas market open in 2026?
The market opens on Friday 20 November 2026 and stays until Thursday 24 December 2026, Christmas Eve. The City of Lyon announced these dates on 5 October 2026 in a statement on lyon.fr (in French).
That gives just over five weeks of trading, weekends included. As a result, the market covers the whole Christmas shopping season, including the first weekend of December, which is usually the busiest.
To compare with other cities, see our guide to French Christmas market opening dates for 2026.
Where is the Lyon Christmas market?
The market is held on Place Carnot, in the 2nd arrondissement, right next to Lyon-Perrache railway station. However, it is not moving to Place Bellecour this year, Le Bonbon Lyon notes.
The square becomes a Christmas village. It is easy to reach by public transport, for example from Perrache metro station. If you drive, plan ahead, because central Lyon is very busy on Saturdays in December.
How many chalets will there be?
The City of Lyon does not give a figure in its announcement. Le Bonbon Lyon mentions « around a hundred chalets ». Stalls sell crafts, local food, gifts and toys.
Lyon Christmas market opening hours
According to Le Bonbon Lyon, opening hours are close to those of the previous edition. They should still be checked on the official market website, marche-noel-lyon.com, before your visit:
- Monday to Thursday: 11am to 8pm;
- Friday: 11am to 10pm;
- Saturday: 10.30am to 10pm;
- Sunday: 10.30am to 8pm.
Entry to the market is free throughout. Therefore, you only pay for what you buy, eat or drink.
What changes during the Festival of Lights?
During the Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights), from 5 to 8 December, the chalets will close earlier, at around 6pm, according to Le Bonbon Lyon. On those four evenings, crowds gather in the city centre and public transport is very crowded.
So if the market is your main reason to visit, another day will be more comfortable.
Who sells at the market?
The City of Lyon sets the specifications for the market. It also provides several chalets that it owns. One of them hosts makers with the « Fabriqué à Lyon » label, and the city lists six labelled makers there.
Another chalet hosts associations working on employment and social inclusion. Finally, the city lends other chalets to charities. In this way, the council gives local organisations visibility during the busiest shopping period of the year.
For hotels, restaurants and shops around Perrache and the city centre, the market period also coincides with the winter peak. For example, visitors who come for the market and the Festival of Lights often stay overnight.
Practical tips for your visit
First, come on a weekday if you can, late morning or early afternoon. Weekend evenings are the busiest. Bring warm clothes and a suitable means of payment, since not every chalet necessarily takes cards.
If you are travelling with children during the French school Christmas holidays, note that the market closes on 24 December, so it is only open for the first days of the holidays. Read the full French version: Marché de Noël de Lyon 2026.
Lyon Christmas market: key takeaways
- Dates: Friday 20 November to Thursday 24 December 2026.
- Venue: Place Carnot, Lyon 2nd arrondissement, near Perrache station.
- Around a hundred chalets, according to Le Bonbon Lyon.
- Announced hours: 11am to 8pm on weekdays, until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Earlier closing (around 6pm) during the Festival of Lights, 5 to 8 December.
- Free entry; a « Made in Lyon » chalet and charity chalets.
Sources: City of Lyon, « Marché de Noël de Lyon », 5 October 2026; Le Bonbon Lyon; official website marche-noel-lyon.com. Featured photo: Unsplash.
