Festival de la Croix-Rousse
Festive and free day in the Jardin des Chartreux for all ages
About Croix-Rousse
The Festival de la Croix-Rousse: a popular celebration in the heart of Lyon
Every year in mid-June, the Jardin des Chartreux, a magnificent green setting overlooking the Saône in the 1st arrondissement of Lyon, transforms into a playground for a day of popular and free celebration. The Festival de la Croix-Rousse, born in 2008 from the initiative of the Simaka association, was conceived as a cultural, festive, and convivial event, largely aimed at young audiences and families.
A multidisciplinary program for the whole family
From morning until late afternoon, the festival unfolds an eclectic program that combines various performing arts. Invited companies offer shows of dance, theater, circus, storytelling, and puppetry, suitable for children of all ages. In parallel, creative and participatory workshops allow both young and old to try their hand at visual arts, DIY, music, or martial arts.
Workshops, games, and activities
The Jardin des Chartreux is divided into several thematic areas: a giant games area with piñatas, an open-air reading area, sports initiations (kung-fu, qi gong, yoga, dance), visual arts workshops to create a giant collective artwork, and a friendly bingo area. Participatory theater, notably led by Compagnie Archipel, invites the public to become actors for an improvised show.
From family fun to nighttime concerts
From 7 PM, the festival changes its tone and turns to a wider audience. Concerts and DJ sets take over until 1 AM, transforming the Jardin des Chartreux into an open-air stage under the stars. The musical program, eclectic and festive, mixes rock, pop, world music, and electro, in the free and creative spirit that characterizes the Croix-Rousse district.
The Croix-Rousse spirit
The Festival de la Croix-Rousse perfectly embodies the identity of this emblematic district of Lyon: a village-like, creative, and supportive spirit, inherited from the tradition of the canuts (silk workers) and the associative movements that animate the hill. Free and open to all, the event brings together thousands of visitors each year—families, students, local residents, and the curious—in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. Co-organized with Médiatone, a Lyon-based producer of shows and festivals, the festival benefits from the support of the City of Lyon and the district town halls.
Croix-Rousse — edition 2026
The Festival de la Croix-Rousse returns in June 2026 to the Jardin des Chartreux, in the 1st arrondissement of Lyon, for a new festive and free day. On the program: theatrical games, plastic arts workshops, activities for young audiences, play and reading areas, sports initiations during the day, followed by live concerts and open-air DJ sets in the evening with Clartefact, Fly Maloya, La Sève and several DJs until 1 AM.
2026 Edition — a festive and free day in mid-June
The Festival de la Croix-Rousse returns to the Jardin des Chartreux in June 2026 for a new edition resolutely focused on young audiences, families, and local residents. As every year, the event organized by the Simaka association offers a full day of entertainment, shows, and concerts with free access, in a magnificent green setting overlooking the Saône.
An afternoon for young audiences (1:30 PM — 7 PM)
The afternoon is dedicated to families with a multidisciplinary program:
- Theatrical games and Image Theatre led by Compagnie L'Archipel
- Plastic arts workshops with the creation of a giant collective artwork led by Compagnie Blue Citron
- Game area with giant piñatas
- Outdoor reading area
- Lotto and Super Cross
- Sports initiations: Kung Fu, Qi Gong, Yoga, and dance
A gratiferia (free exchange zone) is also organized in parallel: everyone can freely drop off or pick up objects there.
Concerts and DJ sets in the evening (7 PM — 1 AM)
From 7 PM, the festival shifts to an eclectic musical program, outdoors under the stars:
- 7 PM — 8 PM: Clartefact (Pop Rock Soul)
- 8:30 PM — 9:30 PM: Fly Maloya (world music)
- 9:45 PM — 11 PM: La Sève (Afrobeat)
- 11 PM — 1 AM: DJ sets with DJ Koutoufla (Afro-Latino), DJ H (Funk Groove Reggae), and Wealdee Jay (RnB)
A festival rooted in the neighborhood
Created in 2008 by the Simaka association, the Festival de la Croix-Rousse embodies the village and creative spirit of the Lyon hill. Free and open to all, it gathers thousands of visitors each year — families, students, local residents, and curious individuals — in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. World cuisine available all day.
Programme Croix-Rousse 2026
Saturday, June 13, 2026 — Jardin des Chartreux
Afternoon (1:30 PM — 7 PM) — Free activities for young audiences and families
- Theatrical games and Image Theatre — Compagnie L'Archipel
- Plastic arts workshops — giant collective artwork led by Compagnie Blue Citron
- Game area — giant piñatas
- Outdoor reading area
- Lotto and Super Cross
- Sports initiations — Kung Fu, Qi Gong, Yoga, dance
- Gratiferia — free object exchange zone running concurrently all day
Evening (7 PM — 1 AM) — Open-air concerts and DJ sets
- 7:00 PM — 8:00 PM: Clartefact · Pop Rock Soul
- 8:30 PM — 9:30 PM: Fly Maloya · World music
- 9:45 PM — 11:00 PM: La Sève · Afrobeat
- 11:00 PM — 1:00 AM: DJ sets — DJ Koutoufla (Afro-Latino) · DJ H (Funk Groove Reggae) · Wealdee Jay (RnB)
Highlights Croix-Rousse 2026
- Entirely free day, open to everyone
- Program for young audiences and families in the afternoon
- Three live concerts in the evening (Clartefact, Fly Maloya, La Sève)
- Eclectic DJ sets until 1 AM (Afro-Latino, Funk, Reggae, RnB)
- Gratiferia (free object exchange zone) all day
- Exceptional setting of the Jardin des Chartreux, a green oasis overlooking the Saône
Prices Croix-Rousse 2026
Practical information — Croix-Rousse
Practical information
Access
By metro: Line A, Hôtel de Ville - Louis Pradel station. Then a 5-minute walk up towards the Jardin des Chartreux.
By bus: Line C13, Chartreux stop. Bus C18, Terreaux stop.
On foot: Access via the montée des Chartreux from the Saône quays or via the boulevard de la Croix-Rousse.
Prices
Festival is entirely free. All shows, workshops, and activities are free access.
Food and drink
Bar and food available on site.
Contact
Association Simaka / Médiatone
Jardin des Chartreux, 69001 Lyon
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Where does it take place — Croix-Rousse
Jardin des Chartreux
Jardin des Chartreux, 36 cours Général Giraud, 69001 Lyon, 69001 Lyon