Nuits Sonores
The European meeting place for electronic and independent music
About Nuits Sonores
Nuits Sonores: Twenty Years of Electronic Cultures in Lyon
Since its creation in 2003, Nuits Sonores has embodied the effervescence of electronic and independent cultures in Lyon. Driven by the Arty Farty association, this festival was born from the desire to create a European-scale event around electronic music, contemporary art, and cultural innovation, in a city already rich in a dynamic creative fabric.
A Nomadic Festival in the Heart of Lyon
One of Nuits Sonores' unique features is its ability to reinvent the city. Each edition takes over remarkable industrial heritage sites in Lyon—old factories, warehouses, hangars—but also public spaces, museums, and everyday living areas. This nomadic approach transforms Lyon into an ephemeral space of freedom, urban conviviality, and sharing, revealing little-known facets of the metropolis.
A Demanding and International Program
With around 200 artists invited each year, Nuits Sonores offers a completely independent, demanding, and constantly renewed program. The festival embraces all facets of electronic music—techno, house, ambient, experimental, bass music—while also opening up to other disciplines such as visual arts, design, and conferences on innovation. The "Day" sessions offer outdoor experiences with free stages, while the "Nights" immerse the audience in marathon sets until the early morning.
Nuits Sonores Lab and European Lab
Beyond music, Nuits Sonores has developed European Lab, a European forum dedicated to independent cultures, social innovation, and media. This reflective component makes the festival much more than just a musical event: it is a laboratory of ideas that questions contemporary cultural issues. The festival also participates in the TIMES network, a collaboration between ten major European festivals.
A Major Cultural and Economic Impact
Attracting over 150,000 festival-goers each year, Nuits Sonores generates considerable economic benefits for the Lyon metropolitan area. The festival has helped position Lyon as a European capital of electronic music, alongside Berlin, Amsterdam, and Barcelona. Its model, which combines cutting-edge programming with accessibility, makes it an essential reference for electronic music culture enthusiasts worldwide.
Nuits Sonores — edition 2026
The 23rd edition of Nuits Sonores took place from May 13 to 17, 2026 in Lyon, spread over five days and four nights around Les Grandes Locos (La Mulatière) for the Days and the Closing Day, and La Sucrière, Le Sucre and Azar Club (Lyon Confluence) for the Nights. An intergenerational program of over 200 artists, faithful to the artistic independence championed by the Arty Farty association.
23rd Edition — May 13 to 17, 2026
For its 2026 return, Nuits Sonores shifted its center of gravity to Les Grandes Locos, a vast industrial site in La Mulatière transformed into four stages for the Days and the Closing Day. For the Nights, the festival took over La Sucrière in an XXL configuration with a central dancefloor, an intimate club, and rooftop passages at Le Sucre, joined this year by the Azar Club.
An Intergenerational and Demanding Line-up
Over 200 invited artists, faithful to the goal of a totally independent program: British techno and 90's rave legends (Leftfield, The Sabres of Paradise, 808 State, Mad Professor), contemporary figures (Four Tet, Amelie Lens, Ben Klock, Carl Craig b2b Seth Troxler, Rødhåd, Sama' Abdulhadi, DJ Nobu) and emerging talents from Colombia, West Bengal, South Africa (dedicated gqom scene), Venezuela (raptor house) or Ukraine. Back-to-back sets permeated the entire festival, in the collaborative spirit of the season.
Special Concerts and Heritage Venues
Beyond Les Grandes Locos and La Sucrière, the festival invested the Chapelle de la Trinité for a concert by Kali Malone, and Les SUBS for performances such as that of Baby Volcano. HEAT hosted the free open-air sessions and the Mini Sonore for young audiences.
Nuits Sonores Lab & European Lab
The Arty Farty ecosystem extended the music with the European Lab at Hôtel71, Comœdia cinema and Les Grandes Locos: conferences, masterclasses, workshops and radio shows around the independence of cultural and media ecosystems in Europe.
Programme Nuits Sonores 2026
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 — Day 1 (Les Grandes Locos, 4 PM-12 AM)
Carl Craig b2b Seth Troxler · Mala · Mad Professor & Sister Audrey · Anetha b2b Vol · dBridge · Deadbeat + Tikiman · Fat Dog · Alex Wilcox · Beatrice M. · Belaria b2b Kendal · Sonia Calico · Vanny
Thursday, May 14, 2026 — Day 2 (Les Grandes Locos, 4 PM-12 AM)
Ben Klock · The Sabres of Paradise · Craig Richards b2b Ivan Smagghe · Bogdan Raczynski · Baal · DJ Fuckoff · DJ Dave · Kiss Facility · Lila Tirando A Violeta · Mona Sana · NET GALA · Nikki Nair · Roza Terenzi · Xiaolin
Friday, May 15, 2026 — Day 3 (Les Grandes Locos, 4 PM-12 AM)
Four Tet · HAAi b2b Leftfield · DJ Gigola b2b Busy P · Ehua b2b Flore · Scratchclart b2b Darkman Zulu · Blood of Aza b2b Kavari · Hirina b2b Mendi · Cortisa Star · gyropfield · Nova Fellowship · SHUBUYA! · Zuli
Saturday, May 16, 2026 — Day 4 (Les Grandes Locos, 4 PM-12 AM)
808 State (live) · Amelie Lens · Rødhåd b2b Tau Ceti · James Holden & Waclaw Zimpel (live) · Acid Arab · Aïta · Alta Montana · Bclip · DJ Babatr · Ecia Martinez · Maarja
Sunday, May 17, 2026 — Closing Day (Les Grandes Locos)
Sama' Abdulhadi · DJ Nobu · rRoxymore b2b Wata Igarashi · Dinamarca · De Grandi · Goupi · Paré - Phantom Circuits
Nights 1 to 4 (La Sucrière / Le Sucre / Azar Club, 10 PM-5 AM, Wednesday to Saturday)
Marathon program in La Sucrière's XXL configuration with a central dancefloor, intimate club, and rooftop at Le Sucre. Sets until early morning with about a hundred artists, including Ben UFO, KITTIN & MCR-T, Skream & Benga, Omar Souleyman, Juan Atkins, Anetha vs Vel, among others.
Special Concerts
Kali Malone at Chapelle de la Trinité · Baby Volcano at Les SUBS · Peaches live A/V.
HEAT (free open-air) & Mini Sonore
Free open-air sessions and young audience program at the HEAT site.
Highlights Nuits Sonores 2026
- 23rd edition — Nuits Sonores celebrates over 20 years of electronic cultures in Lyon
- Shift of gravity to Les Grandes Locos (La Mulatière), an XXL industrial site hosting the Days and the Closing Day
- XXL configuration of La Sucrière for the Nights, with the arrival of Azar Club and rooftop passages at Le Sucre
- Over 200 artists, an intergenerational lineup from 90's legends (Leftfield, 808 State, The Sabres of Paradise) to current figures (Four Tet, Amelie Lens, Ben Klock)
- Stages dedicated to South African gqom, Venezuelan raptor house, and South Asian sound-system scenes
- European Lab: conferences, masterclasses, and radio at Hôtel71, Comœdia, and Les Grandes Locos
- Special concerts: Kali Malone at Chapelle de la Trinité, Baby Volcano at Les SUBS
- HEAT: free open-air sessions and Mini Sonore for young audiences
Prices Nuits Sonores 2026
Practical information — Nuits Sonores
Access
By public transport: The festival takes over several locations across Lyon, all accessible by metro, tram, and TCL bus. The main venues are generally located in the Confluence, Presqu'île, and 7th arrondissement districts.
By train: Lyon Part-Dieu or Lyon Perrache station, then metro or tram to the various venues.
By car: Public parking in the center of Lyon. The festival encourages the use of public transport and cycling (Vélo'v stations near all venues).
Prices
Prices vary depending on the event:
- Day Pass: 36 to 47 EUR depending on the rate
- Night Pass: 30 to 39 EUR depending on the rate
- Days Pass (5 days): 120 to 135 EUR
- Nights Pass (4 nights): 100 to 110 EUR
- Closing Day: 37 to 49 EUR
Reduced rates for students, high school students, job seekers, seniors, and beneficiaries of minimum social benefits.
Ticketing
Book online at nuits-sonores.com/billetterie/.
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Where does it take place — Nuits Sonores
Les Grandes Locos, La Sucrière, Le Sucre, Azar Club et divers lieux à Lyon
Lyon Confluence et divers lieux, 69002 Lyon