Looking for things to do during the Christmas holidays in Lyon? Good news: between December 21 and January 5, the city has no shortage of ideas to keep you busy. Whether you're into action and thrills, culture and discovery, or simply looking for something new, we've got you covered.
Let off steam at Pixel Rush Action Game
Before heading off to storm the Christmas markets, let's start with the essentials: a good dose of adrenaline at Pixel Rush, our action game. Because honestly, between endless family meals and Netflix evenings under the duvet, a bit of action never hurts. At Pixel Rush, it's 800 m² of pure fun with 8 themed rooms and over 300 different challenges. You choose your challenges, adjust the difficulty, and most importantly: you move. Tacti-Tap to test your reflexes, Arena for skill, Climbing to scale heights, Basketball Rush to shoot hoops... There's something for every taste and every level. The rooms are air-conditioned and you have a connected bracelet that tracks your scores in real time. Perfect for taking on challenges as a family or with friends.
Take in the view from the Grande Roue on Place Bellecour
As tradition demands, the Grande Roue (Big Wheel) returns every year to Place Bellecour. And contrary to what some think, it's not just for tourists. Climbing into a gondola and rising above Lyon is the perfect opportunity to see the city from a different angle, especially when the Christmas lights are on. From up there, you can spot the Basilica of Fourvière watching over the city, the rooftops of Vieux Lyon, the Saône... It's beautiful, peaceful, and the ideal moment to catch your breath between activities.
Tip: Go at the end of the day to enjoy the sunset and the first lights of the city coming on.
Warm up with a good mulled wine at the Christmas Market
You can't talk about Christmas holidays in Lyon without mentioning the Christmas market on Place Carnot. Wooden chalets, the smell of roasted chestnuts, mulled wine warming your hands... It's pretty much the obligatory meeting point of December. You'll find local crafts, last-minute gift ideas, and most importantly: plenty to eat. Raclette, tartiflette, crepes, churros... The stalls compete in creativity to tempt you. And honestly, resisting a good spiced mulled wine when it's 2 degrees outside is mission impossible.
Marvel at Lyon Aquarium
Fancy a change of scenery? Head to the Lyon Aquarium, which has recently expanded with two new areas for an even more impressive immersion. Sharks, rays, tropical fish, jellyfish... Over 5,000 animals await you in tanks that really give the impression of diving. Children love the immersive tunnel where sharks pass overhead, and adults appreciate the educational spaces explaining the challenges of ocean conservation. The tour takes about 2 hours, it's fun, beautiful, and lets you disconnect a bit from Christmas shopping and holiday stress.
Watch Christmas shows at the theatre
Lyon in December also offers a programme of shows that puts stars in children's eyes (and adults' too). The city's theatres compete in creativity to offer magical, funny, or moving stories during the holidays.
Les Célestins takes you into "Un air de fêtes" from December 16 to 31, a programme blending circus and theatre for children aged 7-8 and up.
For younger ones, the Théâtre Comédie Odéon presents "Mon Pote" from December 22 to January 3 (ages 3+). A show mixing mime and theatre that reminds us that everyone has been lucky enough to meet that special mate, that indispensable friend. Touching and funny at the same time.
The very youngest also have their show at the Théâtre Sous le Caillou with "Le Noël de Patachon" (December 21-24, ages 18 months+). A sensory and warm-hearted tale around Christmas preparations and the magic of the holidays, specially designed for little ones. Patachon, the famous little kitten, returns to their great delight.
The Guignol de Lyon presents "Y'a t-il un Yéti dans la ville?", because a Christmas in Lyon without seeing Guignol would be a real shame. Lyon's puppets have been making generations laugh for decades, and it still works just as well.
At Rikiki, not one but five shows await you: "Nomi Nomi au galactic opéra" (ages 5+), "Le Noël de Léo le petit robot" (ages 18 months+), "Martin et la voleuse de Noël" (ages 3+), "Le petit sapin" (ages 2+), and "Et Zou... Et glou!" (ages 3+). Plenty of variety to enjoy again and again.
L'Acte 2 Théâtre also offers a great family selection: "Le loup en slip" (ages 4+), "La cookie-Tastrophe!" (ages 4+), "Au lit demain c'est Noël" (ages 2+), and "Le joyeux Noël de Boule et Bill" (ages 3-4+). Stories that speak to children, with humour and tenderness.
And for those who want an extra dose of magic, "Miss Poppins à la Rescousse du Père Noël" (December 20 to January 3) promises a fairy-tale show where children help save the holidays. Interactive and enchanting.
Wander through the museums
Lyon in December also has a fantastic cultural programme. The Musée des Beaux-Arts hosts "Étretat, par-delà les falaises" with Courbet, Monet and Matisse. The works are superb, the family workshops are great, and it's the perfect opportunity to cultivate the mind between shopping sessions.
The Musée des Confluences is open every day during the holidays (except December 25 and January 1) with its permanent exhibitions, "Le Nuage des Petits" for 2-6 year-olds, the "Amazonies" exhibition diving into the tropical rainforest, and "Trop forts!" on animals in extreme environments. Perfect for a cultural afternoon when it's too cold outside.
La Sucrière presents "Titanic: An Immersive Voyage" until March 29, 2026, with over 300 period objects and impressive reconstructions. And for a fun break, head to the Musée de l'Illusion with its interactive optical illusions that amaze young and old alike.
Take to the skies at iFly Lyon
At iFly, you discover the sensations of freefall... without jumping from a plane. A vertical air column lifts you up, you really fly, guided by professional instructors who explain everything. Suit, helmet, goggles, and off you go for two unforgettable flights. Children love it (from age 5), as do teenagers and parents. It's a truly unique experience, unlike anything you can normally do. Plus, it's a great Christmas gift idea.
Solve puzzles at Intervalle Escape Game
Fancy putting your brain to the test during the holidays? Head to Intervalle in the 3rd arrondissement for a team puzzle session. For 60 minutes, you're locked in a themed room with a mission: solve the mysteries and escape before the clock runs out. L'Héritage du Sorcier or Mécanisation — Intervalle offers two immersive rooms with cinema-quality sets. The first plunges you into the Harry Potter universe, the second takes you into a steampunk atmosphere between Jules Verne and Nikola Tesla. The rooms are accessible from age 8 and are genuinely designed so that both young and old can enjoy them together. The rooms accommodate 2 to 7 players (up to 14 by playing on both rooms simultaneously), it's air-conditioned, and the atmosphere is truly immersive!
Take a break at Parc de la Tête d'Or
Even in winter, the Parc de la Tête d'Or remains a reliable choice for a family or group outing. With its 117 hectares, it's one of the largest parks in France and the perfect opportunity to get some fresh air between activities. The advantage of the park in December? It's much less crowded than in summer, and you can enjoy it at a relaxed pace. For sporty types, the park offers several running routes, cycling areas (note: forbidden on certain paths), and even an outdoor fitness area. Children have several playgrounds spread throughout the park, including a large one near the lake. Take the opportunity to visit the Botanical Garden and the rose garden (even if less in bloom in winter, the garden's architecture remains beautiful). And if you need a break, the Chalet du parc offers hot drinks and snacks to warm up.
Treat your taste buds at a traditional bouchon lyonnais
You can't spend the holidays in Lyon without visiting an authentic bouchon. These small, typical restaurants are the soul of Lyon's gastronomy, and December is the perfect time to warm up with generous, hearty dishes. Quenelles with Nantua sauce, tablier de sapeur, cervelle de canut, salade lyonnaise with bacon and a poached egg... Bouchons promise traditional, filling, and genuinely comforting cuisine when it's cold outside. Far from light, diet food, but that's exactly what you need to face December temperatures. The atmosphere of bouchons is also part of their charm: checkered tablecloths, waiters who know their menu by heart, packed tables where you can hear your neighbours' conversations... It's convivial, noisy, alive. Exactly the opposite of a stuffy restaurant, and that's precisely why we love them.
Enjoy Walibi in Christmas mode
For a full day out as a family, head to Walibi Rhône-Alpes, which transforms into a Christmas village until January 4. 29 attractions open, fairy-tale shows, street entertainment, and from December 20 to 24: meet Santa Claus in his chalet.
Synthetic toboggan runs, Savoyard cabins, mountain scenery... Everything is designed to create a magical atmosphere. The decorations are stunning, the illuminations put stars in your eyes, and the atmosphere is truly special.
Plan a full day to make the most of it. The iconic attractions like Mystic, Timber, and the Coccinelle are open, and the "Winter Circus" and "Mission Noël" shows are well worth the trip.
With children: the special family guide
Christmas holidays with children is an art. You need to balance energetic activities, quiet moments, and indulgent breaks…
For 3-6 year-olds
Le Nuage des Petits at the Musée des Confluences is perfect: a 350 m² sensory space where little ones can touch, explore, and dream. For an hour, they experience the adventure "Fragile!" with lovable characters (Windy the balloon, Iggy the egg, Plote the ball of wool...) and learn that fragility is part of the world. It's fun, age-appropriate, and different from classic activities.
Les Contes à gigoter (also at Confluences) allow 2-4 year-olds to discover a story told with sounds, mimes, and songs, before heading into the collections to find the characters. "Le voyage de Pipit", "Les aventures de Nukka la petite baleine"... 45 minutes of wonder for the littlest ones.
The Lyon Aquarium is great for this age: not too long, very visual, with the shark tunnel that always impresses them.
For 7-11 year-olds
Pixel Rush becomes accessible and is right in their age range: they're old enough to really enjoy the games, young enough to have a blast without overthinking it. Prefer weekday slots to avoid crowds.
The Musée des Beaux-Arts workshops around the Étretat exhibition are brilliant: spot-the-difference games on a Monet painting, sensory boxes, puzzles, puzzles with Marguerite and Arsène, the salty scent of the waves... And for 8-11 year-olds, the "Écume et reflets à Étretat" workshop teaches them to paint the sea in small strokes. They discover art without feeling like they're in a museum.
The Cirque Imagine with its "Noël au Cirque" show is a must: acrobatics, circus acts, and the magic unique to big tops. They'll still be talking about it weeks later.
For teenagers (12+)
iFly is also great for thrill-seeking teenagers: flying in freefall is certainly something else compared to a standard cinema outing. From €29.90, ages 5+.
Immersive exhibitions like the Titanic or VR experiences at Virtual Room and Eclipso are perfectly suited to their need for technology and strong emotions.
Family deals
Climb Up offers family classes where parents and children climb together: it's sporty, fun, and creates real moments of bonding. The instructors are patient and know how to adapt the exercises.
Walibi Rhône-Alpes remains THE family outing par excellence.
And of course, walks through Vieux Lyon with a pastry-shop snack break, a visit to the cathedral (free), and exploring the traboules: it's cultural and children love sneaking through the secret passages.
Outings around Lyon
If you have a car and feel like seeing something beyond the city centre, the surrounding areas of Lyon are full of ideas:
Le Bois des Lutins in Diémoz
25 minutes from Lyon, Le Bois des Lutins offers its "Fééries Nocturnes" until January 3. Legends trail, live shows, fireworks every evening, skating rink... It's magical, immersive, and really worth the trip for an evening out with the family. From 5pm to 11pm, the forest lights up with thousands of decorations and plunges you into a real enchanted village.
Pérouges, the medieval village
30 minutes from Lyon, Pérouges is a hilltop medieval village that has kept all its old-world charm. Cobblestone streets, ancient houses, galette de Pérouges to taste... It's the perfect outing for an afternoon away from it all.
Ski resorts
For real snow enthusiasts, several resorts are accessible in under 2 hours: Les Sept Laux, Chamrousse, La Clusaz... Perfect for a family ski day without travelling too far from Lyon.
Our tips for a successful Christmas holiday
A few tips to make the most of your stay in Lyon:
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Book in advance: Popular activities like Pixel Rush, iFly, and the shows fill up quickly during the holidays. Better to plan ahead.
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Use public transport: Lyon's TCL network is well developed and saves you the parking headache. The Lyon City Card can be worthwhile if you're stacking up museums and activities.
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Leave some free time: Holidays are also for relaxing. No need to fill every minute of the schedule. Leave room for spontaneity and chance discoveries.
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Dress warmly: December in Lyon can be biting cold. Hat, scarf, gloves... especially if you're planning walks or the Big Wheel in the evening.
Christmas Holidays in Lyon: Conclusion
Christmas holidays in Lyon are a bit like the best of both worlds: the fairy-tale atmosphere of the festive season and the energy of a big city that never sleeps. Between action-packed activities like Pixel Rush, cultural experiences in the museums, shows that inspire wonder, and those moments wandering through illuminated streets, you'll have more than enough to keep you busy. Sure, it will be cold. Sure, there will be crowds. But that's also what makes Christmas in Lyon magical: that buzz, that energy, that collective desire to enjoy the holidays together. And honestly, we can't think of a better way to end the year.
Have a wonderful Christmas holiday, and above all: have fun!
To book your session at our action game and kick off your holidays in style, head here 👇
