We’ve said it once, we’ll say it a thousand times: If you haven’t heard of the Nuits de Fourvière festival, you're missing out on one of Europe's richest and most exciting festivals.
The festival takes place every summer in Lyon among the ruins of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Théâtre Antique de Fourvière.
It’s been going strong since 1946 and it’s hands down one of our favourite European festivals, with its stunning location matching equally impressive line-ups. As if that wasn’t enough, the originality of this festival lies in its pluridisciplinary credentials, offering music, ballet, dance and theatre over the course of two months.
This year’s edition, running from 28 May – 25 July is no exception. The festival has gone all out for its 80th anniversary edition, with the likes of Little Simz, Massive Attack, Agnes Obel, Jack White and Pulp heading to Fourvière alongside various circus and theatre acts.
The tickets go on sale next week, on 18 March, so you’ve got a solid week to rummage through the programme and make your picks.
Here's our handpicked, chronological guide to the shows you shouldn’t miss out on this year.
Little Simz
6 June
If you’re not already giddy about this one, we’re not sure what to suggest... Let’s start by bringing some of you up to speed. Simbiatu Ajikawo, known by her stage name Little Simz, is a 32-year-old London-born rapper who has cemented herself as one of the UK’s brightest talents. Her fourth studio album, 2021’s 'Sometimes I Might Be Introvert', was a funky hip-hop opus that blew us away. As for last year’s 'Lotus', it saw her reach new heights with sharp flows, exceptional storytelling and a ferocious spirit. It featured in our Best Albums of 2025 list. Don't pass on seeing her live.
Vanessa Paradis
8 & 9 June
From shooting to international fame at the age of 14 with her single ‘Joe Le Taxi’, sustaining a successful musical career with critically acclaimed albums like 1988’s ‘M et J’, 2000’s ‘Bliss’ and the stunning ‘Divinidylle’ in 2007, to a filmography that has seen her collaborating with some of the greatest modern filmmakers, there isn’t much Vanessa Paradis hasn’t done. The French treasure returns to Fourvière for the first time in seven years with two dates to celebrate her new album ‘Le Retour des beaux jours’. Ideal title, really. Sunny days await...
Massive Attack
10 & 11 June
Everyone’s going to be rushing to get a ticket for one (or both) of these two dates, so get ready... The iconic UK trip hop collective return for what seems to be their only French date on a slimmed down European tour. Brace yourselves for a visual and politically-charged feast as Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall provide an entrancing soundtrack to chaotic times. And keep your eyes peeled for new Banksys... If you still ascribe to the theory that Del Naja could be the infamous and anonymous street artist.
Cesária Évora Orchestra with Mayra Andrade, Elida Almeida, Ceuzany, Lucibela, Teófilo Chantre...
12 June
It’s been 15 years since the death of the Cape Verdean legend Cesária Évora. What better way to honour the memory of the barefoot diva than to get a ticket for the Cesária Évora Orchestra? They’ll bring the Cape Verdean music scene to Lyon to perform a timeless morna repertoire - a melancholic sound that will only be heightened by the dramatic Fourvière setting.
Résurrection - Gustav Mahler / Étienne Guiol, Daniele Rustioni and Lyon Opera Orchetra and Choir
17 June
A sound and light show that promises to be a stirring evening in the amphitheatre, as Mahler's Symphony No. 2 gets illuminated by the sumptuous digital creations of video artist pioneer Étienne Guiol. For those who don’t know, Guiol co-founded Studio BK, which provided the visual design of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. We can’t wait.
Jack White
18 June
In the mood for a solid dose of blues rock? Fourvière’s got you covered with the former White Stripes frontman Jack White. Since his solo debut in 2012, the American rocker has delighted fans with garage and blues sounds, and his last album ‘No Name’ (2024) was one of his very best. Don’t miss out on this gig.
Soul Night: Curtis Harding, José James & China Moses, Annie & The Caldwells
27 June
It’s three stellar acts for the price of one, in a soul evening that promises to propel audiences back to the 70s. Headliner Curtis Harding recently delighted his fans with his fourth album, last year’s 'Departures & Arrivals: Adventures of Captain Curt' – a daring audio diary of sorts, told from the perspective of a pilot lost in space. As for José James and China Moses... Well, they’re not to be missed. And what a treat it is to have Annie Caldwell-Brown opening the evening with a celebration of blues and breezy funk.
Poetry Night: Clara Ysé invites Angélica Liddell, Abdullah Miniawy, Laura Vazquez
5 July
It’s not all about music at Nuits de Fourvière... This year features ballet (Swan Lake for three nights, courtesy of Ballet Preljocaj) and some circus goodness (Da Capo with their multiple Circus Ronaldo dates). However, for our money (because tickets aren’t cheap), we’ll be heading to this evening of poetry conceived by singer, composer and author Clara Ysé. It’ll be a night where texts are sung by guests like Egyptian singer and composer Abdullah Miniawy. The wonderful Laura Vazquez will be in attendance, following her Prix Goncourt de la Poésie win in 2023. Not an evening to overlook.
Pulp
8 July
Everyone was collectively wetting their knickers over thought of reunited Oasis possibly coming to Fourvière this year... But the festival has done one better for Britpop fans. Make no mistake: the real 90s comeback last year came from the cultural movement’s reluctant figureheads Pulp. After a 24-year absence, the celebrated band released ‘More’ - one of our favourite albums of 2025. And now, Jarvis Cocker and his merry lot are bringing their wit, humour and swagger to Lyon. Make this gig a priority.
Agnes Obel & Quatuor Debussy
9 July
We’re huge fans of Danish musician Agnes Obel here at Euronews Culture, so you can bet we’ll be denting our sanity while digitally queuing for a chance to see her live in Lyon’s roman amphitheatre – the ideal setting for her ethereal melodies. Over the course of four albums, she has experimented with elegiac pop and spellbinding electronica; if you’re not familiar with her work, we recommend you listen to her 2016 effort ‘Citizen of Glass’ - a textured reverie which captivates from start to finish. It made Euronews Culture’s Best European Albums of the 21st Century list.
Wet Leg & Lambrini Girls
13 July
The Isle of Wight duo have taken the musical world by storm since their Mercury Prize winning debut album and last year’s superb ‘Moisturizer’. Hester Chambers and Rhian Teasdale’s post-punk rock is a blast, chiefly due to some brilliant lyrics and high-energy performances. Their liveness will be matched by opening act Lambrini Girls, the punk duo made up of Phoebe Lunny and Selin Macieira-Boşgelmez. Their recently released debut ‘Who Let The Dogs Out’, which impressed with its abrasive sound and punk scrappiness, is a must-listen. Having these two acts on a double-bill is programming genius. Bravo, Fourvière.
Lorde
15 July
This is another hot ticket for this year’s 80th edition. Kiwi pop sensation Lorde heads to Fourvière armed with four albums' worth of hits and irresistable melodies. Last year’s ‘Virgin’ only made her fanbase grow further - an album which boasts minimalist and percussive sounds that are... well, a goddamn delight. Good luck securing a stub for this gig – you can bet Lorde’s one night in Lyon will be high on festival goers’ wishlists.
Charlotte Cardin
17 July
If you haven’t heard of Charlotte Cardin, stop reading and listen to her song ‘Feel Good’ - an electro-pop gem that embodies the spirit and verve of Quebec’s newest and brightest pop star. ‘Newest’ might be stretching it though, as the Canadian treasure is two albums in, with 2021’s 'Phoenix' earning her four Juno Awards (including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year) and 2023’s '99 Nights' (featuring ‘Feel Good’) ensuring international airwave domination. We can’t wait to hear her bewitching pop live.
The Köln Concert / Keith Jarrett: Maki Namekawa and Thomas Enhco
19 July
New life for a timeless work... French pianist Thomas Enhco and Japanese piano prodigy Maki Namekawa revisit Keith Jarrett's Köln Concert, a monument of improvised music - and still the best-selling solo album in jazz history. This concert promises to be one of the most beautiful and captivating evenings of this year’s edition.
The Divine Comedy
23 July
Neil Hannon returned last year with ‘Rainy Sunday Afternoon’, another lush chamber pop offering in which the Northern Irish singer-songwriter took stock and meditated on middle age. Buttressed by the literate lyrics that have made The Divine Comedy a go-to reference when it comes to exquisitely crafted pop, this thirteenth album showed that Hannon remains at the top of his game. Pity the fool who doesn’t want to wind down Fourvière’s 80th edition with an orchestral flood of melancholia.
Les Nuits de Fourvière 2026 kicks off on 28 May and lasts until 25 July. Check out the full line-up here. Tickets go on sale on 18 March.
